The best color laser printers are a great investment that can save you time and money compared to cartridge-based inkjet printers. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and incredibly fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer high-quality prints and reliability that help keep your home office or small business productive.
If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That’s why we include several all-in-one models from the best printer brands.
There are many factors to consider, so we’ve collected our top 10 recommendations for the best color laser printers. While every model fills a wide range of needs the general categories are: best for home, best for business, best under $1,000, best over $1,000, best with a scanner, best wireless, best photo quality, best cloud-ready, best EPEAT-registered, and best all-in-one.
This is a heavy-duty option for workflows where speed, volume, and security all actually matter. It’s rated for print and copy speeds up to 33 pages per minute, and Brother designed this model with a compact footprint that takes up less desk space than expected for a machine with these capabilities. The included toner covers 3,000 black pages and 1,800 color pages out of the box, and once that runs low, the optional TN635XXL cartridges stretch that to 7,500 black and 6,500 color pages, which brings the cost per page down considerably for high-volume printing.
Scanning is built for speed too, with two-sided scans running up to 104 images a minute through an 80-page automatic document feeder, plus a legal-size glass for anything the feeder can’t handle. You can scan straight to cloud storage, email, or SharePoint from the touchscreen, and it’ll turn a scanned page into a searchable, editable Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document. The 7-inch color touchscreen supports up to 64 custom shortcuts, so repetitive tasks like scanning the same form every week can be reduced to a single tap.
Security is where this model stands apart from a lot of office printers. Brother calls it Triple Layer Security, which covers the device itself, documents while they’re traveling to or from the printer, and the network it’s connected to. This is on top of an NFC card reader for badge-based access. Connectivity includes dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet, and it’s EPEAT Gold rated and ENERGY STAR certified, with EPS-free packaging if that factors into a business’s purchasing decisions.
At $699.99, it is pricey, but it holds up under real volume. It keeps a steady, consistent pace even when you’re running off hundreds of copies in one sitting, and it’s an easy printer to recommend to anyone finally replacing a decade-old inkjet, since the jump in speed and output quality is immediately noticeable for everyday home office work.
When high-volume, high-efficiency printing is a critical part of your business, entry-level solutions fall short. That’s where the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP 5800dn earns its keep — it’s built for speed, scalability, and long-term savings, making it arguably the best printer over $1,000 for demanding workgroups.
The upfront cost is significant, but it has quick, reliable performance you can count on. Print speeds reach up to 45 ppm in both black and color, and the first page shoots out in just under seven seconds, keeping workflows smooth and teams on task.
The value isn’t all about speed. The Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP 5800dn has a recommended monthly page volume of up to 10,000 pages and a maximum monthly duty cycle of 80,000 pages. It’s also scalable, expanding the 100-sheet multipurpose tray and 550-sheet main tray, with an optional trays to a maximum 2,300-sheet capacity.
HP’s Enterprise series is an investment that pays off in the long-term with low running costs. Extra high-yield toner cartridges, printing up to 18,000 black and 7,500 color pages, reduce the cost per page to two cents monochrome and 10 cents in color.
Its scanning and copying functions are just as robust. With single-pass duplex scanning and a large automatic document feeder (ADF), it makes digitizing large files or processing forms fast and hassle-free. Add in advanced security features like HP Wolf Enterprise Security — including real-time threat detection and self-healing firmware — and this printer not only performs but also protects your data.
It’s clear this printer isn’t for the occasional invoice or casual color flyer. It’s meant for businesses that run through reams of paper weekly and can’t afford downtime or spiraling consumable costs. For those teams, the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP 5800dn is an investment that pays off in reliability, speed, and lower long-term operating costs.
If your printing needs are lighter, this is a sensible pick. Xerox rates it for up to 1,500 pages a month, which covers most home offices. It comes with a modest starter toner cartridge good for about 500 pages, but it also supports higher-yield cartridges once that runs out, so your ongoing cost per page comes down over time. Print speeds land around 24 pages a minute, and it handles the usual print, scan, copy, and fax combo through a 2.8-inch color touchscreen.
Setup is easy with the Xerox Easy Assist App, which walks you through getting connected over Wi-Fi. The hardware itself feels solid once it’s unboxed, with doors and panels that close with a reassuring bit of weight to them, though there are more plastic tabs and shipping tape to peel off than you’d expect, especially around the toner cartridges, so it’s worth reading the setup guide before diving in.
Long-term reliability is a bit more mixed. Paper jams from the feed rollers can turn up after a few months of regular use, and the starter toner tends to run out faster than expected. Neither is a dealbreaker for lighter use, but it’s worth knowing going in if you’re planning to print daily.
Under the hood, it runs on a modest 1GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of memory, which is plenty for a printer of this size, and it meets EPEAT environmental standards while supporting Xerox’s supplies recycling program if that matters to you.
There’s also an optional add-on called Xerox Workflow Central that turns the scanner into more of a productivity tool than a plain scan-to-PDF button, letting you translate scanned documents, convert handwriting into editable text, turn a printed page into an audio file, redact sensitive information automatically, or push a scan straight into a Microsoft Office format. It’s an extra purchase on top of the printer itself, but it’s a genuinely useful option to have if you scan a lot of paperwork.
If you’re looking for a color laser printer that delivers sharp, vibrant prints and comes with serious scanning power, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW hits the sweet spot. It’s fast, full-featured, and particularly well-equipped when it comes to duplex scanning — something that sets it apart from many competitors at this price point.
The single-pass duplex ADF that can scan or copy both sides of a page simultaneously. That means no more flipping pages manually or wasting time with multi-step scanning. It handles up to 31 copies per minute (cpm) in color or black-and-white at 600 dpi, which is plenty sharp for business use.
For higher-resolution needs, the flatbed scanner supports up to 1200 dpi, ideal for scanning ID cards, photos, or detailed documents. Whether you’re digitizing paperwork or making quick copies of multi-page contracts, the MFC-L3780CDW makes it fast and painless. The ADF holds up to 50 sheets, and the results are reliably sharp and well-aligned.
On the printing side, this Brother delivers up to 31 pages per minute, matching the scan speed. It fires off the first page in 13 seconds. Color prints come out clean and vibrant, but photo quality isn’t the best.
The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is easy to use but isn’t adjustable, and works best when standing. The front USB provides quick access walk-up printing and scanning.
There are certainly cheaper all-in-ones out there, but few match the scanning capabilities and overall polish of the MFC-L3780CDW. This is the kind of printer you can count on for high-volume scanning, copying, and printing.
The Canon Color imageCLASS LBP674Cdw is a robust color laser printer made to handle the busy workload of small to medium-sized offices. Wi-Fi connectivity is excellent and features 802.11b/g/n dual-band speed and reliability. The print quality is exceptional, with sharp text and vibrant color graphics. I found photo prints to be detailed and vibrant for a laser printer.
It boasts impressive print speeds of up to 35 pages per minute for both black-and-white and color documents, delivering high-quality reports, charts, and graphics for all your business needs. The first page shoots out in just seven seconds, making it a great choice for short and long documents.
The 5-inch color touchscreen makes navigation easy. Canon gave the Color imageCLASS LBP674Cdw good paper handling with a 250-sheet main tray, a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, and an optional accessory tray that attaches to the bottom to expand paper capacity to 850 sheets.
Expandability means work doesn’t have to slow due to paper outages on hectic days. The imageCLASS LBP674Cdw includes a USB-A port for direct printing from flash drives. Canon alos built in security features and administrative control to safeguard sensitive information.
Setting up the printer is straightforward, with Wi-Fi connecting instantly and compatibility with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android devices. Security features such as Secure Print and network authentication are included to protect sensitive documents.
Overall, the Canon Color imageCLASS LBP674Cdw is a reliable and efficient choice for businesses seeking high-speed, quality color printing with versatile connectivity and robust security features.
Laser printers are known to be fast and rugged, and the Canon imageClass MF753Cdw fits this description well. This printer is built for speed and durability, blasting through big jobs at up to 35 pages-per-minute. Picture quality is surprisingly nice for a laser printer, with accurate colors and minimal grain. The imageClass MF753Cdw is hard to beat for an office that needs to make or reproduce color documents that feature graphics and photos.
Canon’s imageClass MF753Cdw matches the fastest color lasers and offers full-duplex printing, copying, and one-pass duplex scanning from its 50-sheet document feeder. If your business outgrows the 250-sheet paper tray, you can add a 550-sheet cassette to expand capacity.
The only downside to the imageClass MF753Cdw is the somewhat high cost of color toner, a common issue with color laser printers.
If you’re looking for a color laser printer that blends reliable performance with modern cloud convenience, the Brother HL-L3280CDW stands out. It’s compact, fast, and thanks to Brother Web Connect, it supports seamless integration with services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more. That makes it a smart pick for home users and small teams who depend on cloud storage for document management.
This is a single-function printer — no scanning or copying here — but what it does, it does well. The HL-L3280CDW prints in good quality at up to 27 pages per minute. That’s fast enough for everything from school reports to business presentations and flyers.
The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is a fixed, but navigation is straightforward, and setup is fast whether you’re using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB. Once connected, you can print from a phone, tablet, or computer.
But what really makes the HL-L3280CDW shine is its cloud-readiness. Brother’s Web Connect system enables direct access to cloud storage platforms right from the printer. Once set up, you can send documents straight to the printer from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, Evernote, and more.
This is especially useful for users who work across multiple devices or collaborate remotely. You don’t need a computer to print a document stored in the cloud — just log in from the printer, browse your files, and hit print. It’s a modern workflow feature that adds real convenience, particularly in shared or hybrid workspaces.
While it doesn’t have scan or copy functions, that tradeoff keeps the design sleek and makes the HL-L3280CDW a great pick for a digital-first workflow.
The Brother HL-L3295CDW stands out as a compact color laser-class printer that delivers high-quality prints while emphasizing environmental responsibility. Its EPEAT certification signifies adherence to stringent environmental performance criteria, including energy efficiency, reduced use of hazardous substances, and design for longevity and recyclability.
Unlike traditional laser printers that rely on heat-intensive fusing processes, the HL-L3295CDW employs LED technology, which eliminates the need for heating elements. This design choice not only reduces energy consumption but also minimizes warm-up times, contributing to faster first-page-out speeds and lower operational costs. LED printers like this model can use less than half the energy of conventional laser printers, making them a more sustainable choice for environmentally conscious users.
I was impressed by the Brother HL-L3295CDW’s great print quality, low print costs, and user-friendly design. With three sizes of toner cartridges, you can balance cost with long-term value. In most cases, the super-high-yield cartridges are the best choice. Cost per page is as low as two cents per monochrome page and 10 cents for color pages.
By combining EPEAT certification with energy-efficient LED printing, the Brother HL-L3295CDW offers a compelling option for users seeking both performance and environmental responsibility in a color printer.
With blistering fast print and scan speeds, the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw makes short work of challenging jobs. It prints 35 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and color documents and scans with its ADF at 31 ppm. In my testing, I found it to be among the fastest color printers I’ve ever used.
Color documents look great and photos come out nice even on plain paper. While HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw can blast through high-quality plain paper photos rapidly, it can’t compete with the best photo printers that can output lab-quality borderless photographs on glossy paper.
A USB port allows walk-up printing via a thumb drive, making the LaserJet Pro 4301fdw an excellent all-in-one printer for home and office. It’s not the most affordable option on the list, but in this case, you definitely get what you pay for.
The LaserJet Pro 4301fdwprinter is built to last . HP boasts a duty cycle of up to 50,000 pages per month with more environmentally-friendly TerraJet toner cartridges that supply up to 5,500 pages. It’s a great choice for busy small businesses and fast-paced home offices.
The Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw is one of the fastest printers to actually get moving, with a first print landing in about 10.3 seconds and top speeds of 26 pages per minute in both color and black and white. It uses a 5-inch color touchscreen with Canon’s Application Library, which lets you set up shortcuts for whatever tasks you actually use instead of digging through menus every time, and it prints from phones and tablets through the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, or Mopria.
Paper handling is covered by a 250-sheet main tray, a single-sheet multipurpose slot for one-off jobs, and a 50-sheet automatic document feeder that scans both sides of a page in one pass. It weighs about 48.5 pounds, so it’s not a small printer, but it’s a manageable size for a desk or a printer stand. It starts around $399 and comes with a 3-year warranty out of the box, longer than the standard one-year warranty most printers ship with by default.
Toner comes in Canon’s standard 075 and higher-capacity 075 H cartridges, so you can choose between lower upfront cost and fewer replacements down the line depending on how much you actually print. There’s a built-in tool called Poster Artist Online too, which is a small but genuinely handy extra if you ever need to turn a document into a banner or a sign rather than a standard page.
It’s ENERGY STAR certified as well, and between the fast first-page time, shortcut-friendly touchscreen, and extra warranty coverage, it’s a good option. If your top priority is getting a print job started and out of the machine with the least amount of waiting around, this is the one that delivers on that specifically.
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a color laser printer. Purchase price matters, but long-term costs can add up quickly. Review the entire list to find the perfect printer.
For the home and office, the best printers use laser or inkjet technology. Laser printers are ideal for text-heavy documents due to their crisp output and low long-term costs, despite higher upfront expenses. Inkjet printers offer more affordable color printing, environmental benefits, and greater versatility.
While laser printers are built for speed and durability, they tend to be larger and heavier than inkjet printers. Inkjet printers are almost always a better choice for photos and accept various paper sizes and types for creative projects. In general, a laser printer is better suited to office use, while an inkjet printer works well at home. For home offices, either could work, depending on what you need to print.
Toner costs vary for each model, but in most cases, black toner is inexpensive. The cost to print a monochrome document is usually 3 to 5 cents per page. Color documents cost significantly more.
Color laser printer combine cyan, magenta, and yellow toner to approximate a full range of hues and shades. Each color document costs up to three times as much as monochrome since multiple colors are used for each dot. Color toner cartridges also cost more, further increasing expenses. Color documents typically cost 12 to 20 cents per page.
To minimize toner costs, choose a color laser printer that supports high-capacity or high-yield toner cartridges. While you’ll pay more upfront for cartridges that hold more toner, the long-term savings is worth the investment.
If you’re choosing color, you need more than a hard copy — you want your document to look great. You still need razor-sharp text, but it’s essential for colors to match what you see on-screen and in photos without banding or streaks.
A laser printer should also be fast and efficient with low running costs. Otherwise, you should choose a more versatile and lower-cost inkjet printer. For an all-in-one, copy speed and duplex capabilities are worth consideration.
Lastly, all-in-one printers include scan, copy, and sometimes fax functions, filling multiple roles in your office. Many printers offer duplex printing (double-sided), an automatic document feeder (ADF), multiple paper trays, Wi-Fi connectivity, and walk-up printing. These details could be critically important when making a purchase decision.
Each printer we review is tested over several days, noting convenience, quality, and performance at each step. From the unboxing and setup to software installation, connection, and use, we share our experience with the printer so you know what to expect if you buy a recommended printer. We note any problems during testing and, when possible, tell you how to solve or workaround the issue.
For every printer, we test the manufacturer specifications to make sure the reality matches expectations. The little things add up with printers you’ll use for years so we’ll warn you if a difficult user interface hurts the usability of an otherwise high-quality printer. We examine print quality for text, graphics, and photos, on a variety of media. Since multifunction printers include scan and copy features, our reviews assess scan quality and copy speed so you can be certain you get a model that meets your requirements.
Finally, we test printers across multiple platforms to find out if everything works as expected on all your devices. The best printer brands offer mobile apps so you can use your iPhone or Android phone for printing and scanning. Still, mobile apps could lack features or limit scan resolution. You need to know all the details to choose the best printer.
Digital Trends has been reviewing printers for 20 years and testing them to determine which ones offer the best quality and fastest speeds. We check the long-term value of each printer, so you’ll know in advance if a low-cost printer is truly affordable or if it has outrageous toner costs.
Printers are complex machines that require a good understanding of the technology to make a solid recommendation. Our hands-on reviews help you make informed decisions by highlighting compatibility concerns and how well advertised features actually work.
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The warnings take up a surprisingly large part of the filing. Axios notes that more than 90 pages, or roughly a third of the prospectus, focus on risk factors. Many of them warn about what could happen as AI systems become more capable and autonomous.
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