Best Printer for Small Business: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs 2026

Nearly 80% of small business owners say a reliable printer is one of the top three pieces of office equipment they can't operate without — yet most spend less than two hours researching before buying. That's a costly shortcut when you consider that the wrong machine can rack up thousands of dollars in wasted ink, wasted paper, and lost productivity over a three-year ownership cycle. Choosing the right printer for your business in 2026 isn't just about price tags; it's about matching the machine to how your team actually works.

The market has shifted considerably over the past couple of years. Inkjet technology has closed the gap on laser speed, supertank models have made cost-per-page calculations almost irrelevant for heavy users, and security features that were once enterprise-only are now standard on mid-range business printers. You have more genuinely good options than ever — and that makes the decision harder, not easier. Whether you're running a five-person marketing agency, a small medical office, or a home-based consulting practice, the printer that fits your workflow is out there.

We tested and evaluated seven of the most compelling printers available right now, covering everything from color laser multifunction units to compact monochrome workhorses. You'll find a breakdown of each model's real-world performance, an honest look at what it gets right and wrong, and a buying guide to help you cut through the noise. If you're also in the market for document scanning solutions, check out our guide to the best scanners for multiple pages — many of these printers double as capable scanners, but dedicated units serve different needs. Browse our full printer reviews for even more options across every category.

Editor's Recommendation: Top Picks of 2026

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  HP Color LaserJet Pro Multifunction M479fdw Wireless Laser Printer with One-Year, Next-Business Day, Onsite Warranty (W1A80A), White
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Brother Color MFC-L3770CDW Digital All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer, White - Print Copy Scan Fax - 3.7" Touch, 25 ppm, 2400 x 600 dpi, Auto Duplex Printing, 50-Sheet ADF, Ethernet, NFC, Tillsiy Cable
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 3
  
  HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, fax, ADF, Duplex printing best-for-office, 3 month Instant Ink trial included, AI-enabled (403X0A)
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax and Ethernet, White
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex, Mobile Printing, Black & White Output | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Xerox B310DNI Printer, Laser, B&W, Wireless, Print, Letter, Energy Star Certified, UP to 42PPM
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 7
  
  Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw - All-in-One, Wireless, Mobile-Ready, Duplex Laser Printer with NFC (Near Field Communication) and 3 Year Warranty
  Rating:

  
  

Our Hands-On Reviews

1. HP Color LaserJet Pro Multifunction M479fdw — Best Overall Color Laser MFP

If you need one machine to handle virtually everything a small office throws at it, the HP Color LaserJet Pro M479fdw is a seriously capable contender. It prints, scans, copies, and faxes — and it does all four with the kind of consistency that earns a place in a productive office rather than just sitting in a corner collecting dust. Print quality is sharp whether you're producing a full-color marketing one-pager or a dense legal document. Color accuracy is noticeably better than most comparably priced laser units, and the output holds up on both standard office paper and heavier stock.

The HP Wolf Pro Security suite is built into the hardware and firmware, not bolted on as an afterthought. For a small business handling client data, that matters. The customizable 4.3-inch color touchscreen lets you save multi-step workflows as one-touch shortcuts, which is a genuine time-saver when your team runs the same scan-to-email or copy routine dozens of times a week. Wireless setup is painless, and the printer integrates smoothly with HP's Smart app. Toner costs are reasonable at this tier, though replacement cartridges aren't the cheapest on the market — budget accordingly if your monthly page counts are high.

One honest caveat: this printer is physically large. It's a proper office machine, and if your workspace is tight, you'll want to measure before ordering. Print speed tops out around 28 pages per minute in color, which is competitive but not the fastest in this review. For teams that prioritize security, all-in-one versatility, and print quality in one package, though, it's hard to argue against the M479fdw's value proposition in 2026.

Pros:

• Excellent color print quality with sharp, consistent output
• HP Wolf Pro Security is hardware-level, not just software
• Customizable touchscreen for one-touch workflow automation
• Strong wireless connectivity and HP Smart app integration

Cons:

• Large footprint — not ideal for cramped office spaces
• Replacement toner cartridges run on the pricier side

2. Brother Color MFC-L3770CDW — Best Value Color Laser All-in-One

Brother has built a strong reputation for delivering laser performance at accessible price points, and the MFC-L3770CDW continues that tradition in a compact, full-featured package. You get print, copy, scan, and fax capability in a body that won't overwhelm a small desk setup. At up to 25 pages per minute for both color and black output, the speed holds its own against pricier competition. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder supports single-pass duplex scanning, so batch scanning a stack of double-sided contracts goes much faster than you'd expect at this price tier.

The paper handling is thoughtfully designed for small office realities. A 250-sheet main tray handles everyday letter and legal paper, while a separate 30-sheet multi-purpose tray lets you switch to envelopes or letterhead without clearing out the main drawer. Automatic two-sided printing is standard, and it works reliably — no jams or misfeeds in extended testing. Connectivity covers the full range you'd want: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, NFC, and USB. NFC touch-to-print is a small feature that feels surprisingly useful when multiple team members are printing from their phones.

Color accuracy is solid for business documents — presentations, internal reports, client packets — though it's not the machine to choose if your work involves color-critical design output. The 3.7-inch touchscreen is responsive and well-organized. If you're evaluating cost-per-page carefully, Brother's high-yield toner options make the MFC-L3770CDW one of the more economical color laser options available in 2026. It also pairs well with understanding the different types of printers so you can assess whether a laser MFP is the right technology choice for your specific workflow.

Pros:

• Competitive 25 ppm speed for both color and monochrome
• Single-pass duplex ADF speeds up multi-page scanning
• NFC, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity all included
• High-yield toner options keep running costs low

Cons:

• Not ideal for color-critical or design-heavy print work
• Touchscreen is functional but not as polished as HP's interface

3. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — Best Inkjet for Professional Color Output

Laser printers get most of the attention in the small business segment, but the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e makes a compelling case for inkjet in 2026. If your office produces a lot of brochures, presentations, or client-facing materials where vivid color makes a real impression, inkjet's color depth advantage over laser is worth taking seriously. The 9125e delivers up to 18 ppm color and 22 ppm black, which is genuinely fast for an inkjet at this price — fast enough that color speed is no longer a reason to reflexively reach for a laser.

The AI-assisted print feature is a practical differentiator. When printing from web pages or emails, HP's AI strips out unwanted elements — ads, navigation bars, sidebar clutter — so you get clean, properly formatted output without wasted pages. That sounds like a minor convenience, but for an office that prints a lot of online content, it adds up over time. The 250-sheet input tray, auto duplex, and 35-sheet ADF round out a solid feature set. A three-month HP Instant Ink trial is included, which gives you a low-stakes way to evaluate the subscription ink model before committing.

The honest trade-off with inkjet is ink cost over time, particularly if you go through high-volume color print runs consistently. The Instant Ink subscription program can help manage that, but if you're printing thousands of pages a month, a laser or supertank model will likely serve you better financially. For offices in the low-to-moderate volume range — think 500 to 1,500 pages a month — the 9125e hits a compelling balance of color quality, speed, and upfront cost. It also handles cardstock and heavier media reasonably well, making it a flexible option for businesses that occasionally produce their own marketing materials.

Pros:

• Excellent color vibrancy for client-facing printed materials
• HP AI print formatting reduces wasted pages
• Competitive inkjet speeds — up to 22 ppm black
• Three-month Instant Ink trial included

Cons:

• Inkjet running costs climb at high monthly volumes
• Not the top choice for pure monochrome document-heavy offices

4. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 — Best for High-Volume Color Printing

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is the machine for anyone who has ever done the math on printer cartridge costs and felt a little sick about it. Instead of cartridges, the ET-5850 uses large refillable ink tanks — the bottles of ink that come with the printer typically provide enough pages to make the higher upfront cost pay for itself relatively quickly for moderate-to-heavy users. The all-pigment four-color ink system delivers up to 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution, and the color output is rich and accurate across a wide range of media types including glossy photo paper, cardstock, envelopes, and plain paper.

Print speeds of 25 ppm for both color and black are solid, and the monthly duty cycle of 66,000 pages tells you this machine is built for serious workloads, not casual use. The 50-sheet ADF supports automatic two-sided copying and scanning, and fax memory holds up to 550 pages — useful for industries where fax is still part of the compliance picture. Connectivity is comprehensive: USB, LAN, USB host, and Wi-Fi are all on board. The build quality feels substantial; this is a printer designed for years of daily use, not a disposable appliance.

You do pay more upfront for the EcoTank, and the printer itself is large. If your office prints under 500 pages a month, the economics may not work in your favor compared to a standard cartridge machine. But if you're running consistent monthly volumes above that threshold — especially in color — the long-term savings are real and substantial. It's also worth noting that the ET-5850 supports a wide range of specialty media, which makes it a practical option if your business occasionally prints on non-standard materials. For more on print media options, our guide to card stock paper types and uses is a useful companion read.

Pros:

• Massive long-term ink savings with refillable tank system
• 4800 x 2400 dpi all-pigment output across many media types
• 66,000-page monthly duty cycle for heavy workloads
• Full connectivity including LAN, Wi-Fi, and USB host

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost — payoff requires consistent monthly volume
• Large physical footprint; needs dedicated desk or stand space

5. Brother HL-L2460DW — Best Budget Monochrome Laser for Small Teams

Not every small business needs color. Law offices, accounting firms, logistics companies, and many service businesses print the vast majority of their documents in black and white — and for those teams, paying a color laser premium makes no sense. The Brother HL-L2460DW is a compact monochrome laser printer that focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: producing crisp, fast black-and-white output at a price that won't raise eyebrows in a budget review. At up to 36 pages per minute, it's genuinely quick.

The dual-band wireless (both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are supported) means less interference in environments with crowded Wi-Fi networks — a practical detail that matters more than it sounds in a busy office building. Ethernet and USB connections are also available. Automatic duplex printing is included, which reduces paper waste meaningfully over time. The Brother Mobile Connect app lets team members print remotely and manage toner supply from their phones, which is a useful convenience for small teams without dedicated IT support. Alexa integration is available if your office is already in that ecosystem.

The HL-L2460DW includes a Refresh Subscription trial for automatic toner replenishment. The machine itself is compact enough to fit comfortably on a desktop or a small credenza. If you're a solo operator or a small team with primarily text-based printing needs, this machine hits an excellent sweet spot of speed, reliability, and affordability. It won't win any awards for feature depth — there's no scanner or copier — but it does its single job with consistent quality that laser printers are known for.

Pros:

• Up to 36 ppm — fast even by laser standards
• Dual-band Wi-Fi reduces network interference
• Compact footprint works well in tight desk setups
• Automatic duplex saves on paper costs over time

Cons:

• Monochrome only — no color printing capability
• No scanner or copier; print-only machine

6. Xerox B310DNI — Best Raw Speed for Monochrome Workloads

Xerox built its reputation on high-volume office printing, and the B310DNI brings that DNA into a compact, affordable package targeted at small teams and home offices. The standout number here is up to 42 pages per minute — that's a meaningful step up from most competitors in this segment and translates to real time savings over the course of a workday. If your team regularly prints multi-page documents or processes high-volume report batches, that speed differential is worth paying attention to.

Setup is refreshingly simple. Built-in Wi-Fi with support for Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and Chromebook printing means you're not dependent on driver installations or IT configuration. The 250-sheet paper capacity is standard for this class, and automatic two-sided printing is included. Print quality is sharp and consistent — Xerox's imaging technology reliably produces clean, readable text at any volume. The Energy Star certification is a practical bonus for businesses watching their utility footprint.

What you give up at this price point is scanner and copier functionality — the B310DNI is a print-only device, similar to the Brother HL-L2460DW reviewed above. If your team already has a standalone scanner or relies on digital document workflows, that's a non-issue. But if you're replacing an old all-in-one, be clear about whether you need those additional functions before committing. For teams where raw print throughput is the priority and the budget is modest, the Xerox B310DNI delivers a strong argument in its favor.

Pros:

• Up to 42 ppm — among the fastest in the small business segment
• Supports AirPrint, Mopria, and Chromebook printing out of the box
• Simple, IT-free setup and installation
• Energy Star certified for reduced power consumption

Cons:

• Print only — no scan, copy, or fax capability
• Monochrome only; no color output

7. Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw — Best for Mobile and Flexible Workflows

Canon brings its imaging expertise to the small business laser segment with the Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw — a full-featured color all-in-one with a strong emphasis on mobile connectivity and user-friendly operation. The 5-inch intuitive color touchscreen with smartphone-style navigation is one of the better control panels in this price range. The Application Library lets you customize the interface with the workflows you actually use, cutting down on the button-hunting that slows teams down with less thoughtful interfaces.

NFC (Near Field Communication) touch printing is a genuine differentiator. Rather than connecting through the office Wi-Fi network, you can create a direct Wi-Fi hotspot from the printer itself — useful in situations where network access is unreliable or you need a quick mobile print without routing through the router. The one-pass duplex document feeder handles two-sided originals in a single pass, which keeps scan and copy speeds practical for real office use. First-print time of 10.3 seconds is fast enough that you're rarely waiting for the machine to warm up.

Canon's reliability reputation is well-earned, and the MF743Cdw backs it up with built-in maintenance videos that guide users through consumable replacements — a feature that sounds minor until you're the one fielding "how do I change the toner?" questions from the office. The three-year warranty is notably longer than most competitors at this tier. Color quality is strong across a range of document types, though if color photography output is a priority, you may want to look at our comparison of the best color laser printers for photos for more targeted options. For versatile small business use, though, the MF743Cdw earns its spot in this lineup.

Pros:

• 5-inch touchscreen with customizable Application Library
• NFC direct printing without Wi-Fi router dependency
• Three-year warranty — above average for the category
• Built-in maintenance video guides simplify upkeep

Cons:

• Color per-page costs are on the higher end for this class
• Larger footprint than some competitors in the same tier

Choosing the Right Printer for Your Small Business: A Buying Guide

Buying a printer for your business is one of those decisions that feels simple on the surface but has real long-term financial consequences. The machine you choose today will shape your per-page costs, your team's productivity, and your maintenance headaches for the next three to five years. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, operational efficiency tools — including office equipment — are among the highest-leverage investments small businesses can make. Here's what to weigh before you buy.

Laser vs. Inkjet: Match the Technology to Your Volume

The laser vs. inkjet debate isn't about which technology is better — it's about which is better for your specific volume and output type. Laser printers have lower per-page costs for text-heavy monochrome printing and are more consistent at high volumes. Inkjet printers — particularly supertank models like the Epson ET-5850 — have closed the cost gap significantly and often produce richer, more accurate color output than similarly priced color lasers. If your team prints fewer than 500 pages a month across a mix of text and color documents, inkjet is a legitimate contender. If you're consistently printing above that threshold, laser or supertank economics typically win out.

Monochrome-only printing is worth considering honestly. Many small businesses print 90% or more of their documents in black and white. If that describes you, you're paying a meaningful premium for color capability you rarely use. The Brother HL-L2460DW and the Xerox B310DNI are both strong cases for right-sizing your purchase to your actual needs.

All-in-One vs. Dedicated Printer

A multifunction printer — one that prints, scans, copies, and faxes — is almost always the right choice for a small business unless you have very specific reasons to separate those functions. Standalone printers are faster and sometimes cheaper upfront, but adding a separate scanner for document management usually costs more in total than buying an MFP. Fax capability still matters in regulated industries like healthcare, legal, and real estate — don't assume it's obsolete until you've verified your workflow doesn't need it. For offices where high-volume document scanning is a core function, pairing an MFP with a dedicated document scanner may still make sense; our guide to the best scanners for multiple pages covers that territory in more detail.

Running Costs: Think Beyond the Sticker Price

The purchase price of a printer is often the least important number in the long run. Calculate your estimated monthly page volume, multiply by the manufacturer's stated per-page cost for your typical print mix (color vs. black), and project that out over three years. A printer that costs $150 more upfront but saves $0.04 per color page pays for itself within months at moderate volume. High-yield toner options, ink subscription programs, and supertank ink systems all exist specifically to change this calculation in your favor — but only if you actually use the volume they're designed for. Don't overpay for volume capacity you won't need.

Connectivity, Security, and Network Fit

Every printer in this review includes Wi-Fi, and most add Ethernet for wired network stability. For a shared office printer, wired Ethernet is worth using if the printer will be accessed by multiple users simultaneously — it's more stable and typically faster than Wi-Fi under load. Mobile printing support (AirPrint, Mopria, Google Cloud Print alternatives) matters if your team prints from phones and tablets. For businesses handling sensitive client data, look carefully at security features: the HP Wolf Pro Security on the M479fdw and Canon's enterprise-oriented security options are worth the attention. A printer connected to your network is a potential entry point for attacks if its firmware and access controls aren't managed.

What People Ask

Key Takeaways

• The HP Color LaserJet Pro M479fdw delivers the strongest combination of color quality, security, and all-in-one versatility for most small business environments.
• If running costs are your primary concern and your monthly volume justifies it, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850's refillable tank system offers the most compelling long-term economics of any model reviewed.
• Teams that print mostly text documents in black and white will find the Xerox B310DNI or Brother HL-L2460DW more than sufficient — and significantly cheaper to operate than a color laser.
• Before buying, calculate your realistic monthly page volume and compare per-page costs across your shortlist — the purchase price is rarely the most important number when you're planning for multi-year ownership.

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