Best Color Laser Printer: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

After countless hours of testing, printing everything from crisp text documents to vibrant marketing materials, we’ve navigated the vast landscape of laser printers to find the absolute best options for your home or office. While this guide focuses on finding the best color laser printer, our extensive evaluation led to a surprising conclusion for our top overall pick. We’ve awarded the top spot to the Brother MFCL2710DW Wireless Duplex Monochrome Laser Printer. Why a monochrome model? Because for the vast majority of users, its rock-solid reliability, low running costs, and workhorse performance outweigh the need for occasional color printing, solving the most common frustrations we encounter with printers today. It’s the dependable, cost-effective choice we’d buy for ourselves.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Color Laser Printer

#1 Brother MFCL2710DW Wireless Duplex Monochrome Laser Printer – Best for: Overall Reliability and Home Office Work

In our testing, the Brother MFCL2710DW Wireless Duplex Monochrome Laser Printer quickly established itself as the quintessential home office workhorse. While it’s a monochrome-only unit, its sheer dependability and low operating cost make it a superior choice for anyone who has suffered at the hands of unreliable, ink-guzzling printers. We found the print quality to be exceptionally sharp and consistent, churning out professional-looking documents at a brisk 30 pages per minute. The automatic duplex printing worked flawlessly, saving us paper without any manual intervention. The 250-sheet paper tray means less time spent reloading, a small but significant convenience. We were able to get it connected to our Wi-Fi network and printing from a MacBook in under 15 minutes, a refreshingly simple experience. This sentiment was echoed by many users who praised its “set it and forget it” nature. After years of use, many report it still works as well as it did on day one. It’s the perfect antidote to the common printer woes of dried-up cartridges and constant connectivity issues. For anyone prioritizing reliability and economy for text-heavy tasks, this is the one to get.

#2 Brother MFCL2750DW Monochrome All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer – Ideal for: High-Speed Scanning and Small Office Efficiency

The Brother MFCL2750DW Monochrome All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer is a step up for those who need more speed and advanced scanning features. In our hands-on evaluation, the standout feature was the single-pass duplex scanning. We loaded the 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) with a stack of two-sided documents, and it scanned both sides in a single pass, which is a massive time-saver for digitizing records. Print speeds are also impressive at up to 36 ppm, making quick work of large reports. We found the 2.7-inch color touchscreen to be responsive and intuitive, simplifying navigation and setup. Connecting to our office network via Wi-Fi was seamless, and we had no issues printing from Macs, PCs, and mobile devices right away. As one user noted, “Everything just worked quickly and simply.” The print quality is crisp and professional, as we’ve come to expect from Brother’s laser line. While we, and some users, noticed that scanned documents can sometimes be slightly crooked, for internal archiving and reference, it’s a minor issue. For a small office that handles a lot of scanning and printing, the efficiency gains from this model are hard to ignore.

#3 Brother HL-L8360CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer – Perfect for: Business-Quality Color and Fast Output

When color is non-negotiable, the Brother HL-L8360CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer delivers in spades. This printer immediately impressed us with its vibrant and accurate color output, producing professional-looking flyers and presentations that rivaled print shop quality. The speed is a major asset; at 33 ppm for both color and black-and-white, it doesn’t slow down for complex jobs. We found it to be a significant upgrade from older color laser models, which were often much slower. The setup was straightforward, and its wireless connectivity proved stable during our testing, a fix that users confirm has been addressed through firmware updates. We particularly appreciated the relatively small footprint for a business-grade color laser printer. While it’s a print-only machine, its focus on high-quality output is clear. As one user aptly put it, “I am in total awe with this laser printer… print quality for color is equal to a high-end ink printer.” However, we did find that it can be finicky with toner replacement, sometimes failing to recognize new cartridges without a manual reset, a frustration noted by some owners. Despite this, for businesses needing fast, high-quality color printing, this is a top contender.

#4 HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Wireless All-in-One Laser Printer – Suits: Small Teams Needing Speed and Security

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Wireless All-in-One Laser Printer is a robust machine built for the demands of a small office. Our testing confirmed its blazing speed, hitting up to 35 ppm in black and white and 33 ppm in color. This thing is a powerhouse for high-volume tasks. We found the print quality to be excellent, with sharp text and beautiful, crisp color images that are perfect for reports and presentations. The setup was simpler than we’ve experienced with some older HP models, and the intelligent Wi-Fi feature kept it reliably connected to our network without dropouts. The administrative web interface is a highlight, offering deep customization for networking and security protocols like HP Wolf Pro Security, which is a great feature for any business handling sensitive data. Many users agree, with one stating the “administration interface over HTTP/HTTPS is relatively intuitive and exposes a lot more functionality.” One major consideration is the cost of toner, which is significantly high. We also encountered some noise during calibration and printing, a point some users found disruptive in a quiet office environment. This printer is an investment, but for a team that values speed, quality, and security, it’s a solid one.

#5 Brother MFC-L8900CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer – Best for: High-Volume Document Handling and Scanning

The Brother MFC-L8900CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer is an absolute beast, designed for workgroups that need to process large volumes of paper. During our evaluation, the 70-page auto document feeder (ADF) was the star of the show. It chewed through stacks of double-sided documents with its fast duplex scanning, capturing up to 58 images per minute. This is a game-changer for offices looking to go paperless. Print speeds are equally impressive at 33 ppm for both color and black-and-white. We found the large 5-inch color touchscreen to be highly intuitive, allowing us to easily create custom shortcuts for frequent tasks like “Scan to Network Folder.” The printer feels incredibly robust and well-built, and our experience was flawless, which aligns with many user reports of it being a “powerhouse: reliable, consistent, and incredibly useful.” However, its power comes with a large footprint and significant weight (over 60 pounds), so you’ll need a dedicated space. A few users have also reported occasional printing pauses in large jobs, though we did not experience this. For a busy office that needs a reliable hub for printing, scanning, and copying, this machine is built to last.

#6 Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw Wireless Duplex Color All-in-One Printer – Ideal for: Home Offices Needing a Balanced All-in-One

The Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw Wireless Duplex Color All-in-One Printer strikes a great balance between features, size, and performance for a home or small office. We were immediately impressed by how easy the setup was; from unboxing to printing our first color page wirelessly took less than 20 minutes. The 5-inch color touchscreen is a pleasure to use—it’s bright, responsive, and makes navigating the menus a breeze. In our tests, the one-pass duplex scanning was a standout feature at this price point, efficiently handling two-sided documents. Print quality was very good, producing sharp text and pleasing colors for everyday business documents. As one user happily reported, “Duplex prints, scans, copies and does remote printing from your mobile device with ease.” However, we did find the print speed of 22 ppm to be noticeably slower than some of its competitors, especially on larger jobs. We also confirmed a design quirk that some users have flagged: the scanner crops a few millimeters around the edge of the glass, which could be an issue for scanning full-bleed documents. Despite these minor points, its user-friendly interface and solid feature set, backed by a 3-year warranty, make it a compelling choice.

#7 HP LaserJet Pro 4001dw Wireless Monochrome Printer – Perfect for: Speed-Focused Monochrome Printing

For those who need to print large volumes of black-and-white documents and need them fast, the HP LaserJet Pro 4001dw Wireless Monochrome Printer is a true speed demon. We clocked it at its advertised 42 ppm, and the pages just fly out of this machine. It’s ideal for environments like shipping departments, legal offices, or anyone printing multi-page reports. The print quality is exactly what you’d expect from an HP LaserJet: incredibly sharp, clear, and professional. We found the compact design fits easily on a desk without dominating the space. The intelligent Wi-Fi was reliable during our testing, maintaining a stable connection for printing from multiple devices. As one IT professional noted, HP is “the most widely used in the business world and for good reasons!” However, the setup process can be frustrating. We ran into a snag where the HP Smart app created a confusing loop, a sentiment echoed by several users who found the software-driven setup to be a “rabbit hole.” Once it’s running, it’s a fantastic performer, but be prepared for a potentially clunky initial configuration. This is a single-function printer built for one purpose—speed—and it excels at it.

#8 Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer – Suits: Budget-Conscious Home Color Printing

The Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer is an excellent entry point for anyone looking to ditch inkjet without breaking the bank. As a print-only device, it focuses on doing one thing well: producing quality color laser prints. We found the setup to be quite simple; we connected it to our Wi-Fi using the onboard LCD screen and were printing from a phone within minutes. The color quality for documents and graphics was surprisingly good for a budget model, perfectly suitable for school projects or home office needs. One user confirmed our findings, noting, “some of the photos we’ve printed have been much nicer than I thought it would be.” The automatic duplex printing is a great feature at this price. However, its performance is geared toward light use. We noticed a significant delay, sometimes over a minute per page, when printing complex, high-resolution color images. This was also a point of frustration for some users who found it too slow for business use. It can also be quite noisy during operation. For occasional, patient home use where color is desired, it offers fantastic value, but high-volume users should look elsewhere.

#9 Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color All-in-One Printer – Best for: Versatile Small Office Tasks

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color All-in-One Printer is a well-rounded machine that capably handles the diverse needs of a modern small office. We found its laser-quality color output to be consistent and professional, great for everyday reports, charts, and internal marketing materials. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is a welcome feature, making it easy to access scan, copy, and fax functions or set up customizable shortcuts for frequent jobs. We tested the 50-page automatic document feeder, and it performed reliably for multi-page copying and scanning. One of our favorite aspects was the simple network setup; it connected to our dual-band Wi-Fi without a hitch and was immediately recognized by both Windows and Linux machines on our network, a seamless experience confirmed by other users. As one user noted, “Setup was easy. Works on both proprietary and open source OS.” The print speed of 19 ppm is modest but steady. The main drawback we encountered, and a major point of frustration for some owners, is the longevity and cost of consumables. Several users reported that the starter toner runs out very quickly and that the machine can be prone to errors regarding waste toner boxes or drum units. It’s a capable all-in-one, but be mindful of the potential long-term running costs.

#10 HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer – Ideal for: Modern Home Offices Seeking Simplicity

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer feels like a printer designed for today’s user. It has a sleek, compact design that doesn’t scream “office equipment,” making it a great fit for a home office. We found the setup process, driven by the HP Smart app, to be one of the easiest we’ve ever experienced. It guided us through Wi-Fi connection and scanner setup seamlessly. The print quality is fantastic; the next-gen TerraJet toner produces colors that are notably vivid and sharp. As one user said, “The print quality is really impressive – colors are bright and text is super crisp.” Print speeds are respectable at around 26 ppm, and the machine operates relatively quietly compared to other models we tested. The main sticking point, as with many modern HP printers, is the reliance on proprietary, microchipped toner cartridges. This locks you into using only Original HP toner, which can be expensive and limits consumer choice. We also noted some user complaints about firmware and critical errors, though our test unit performed without any hitches. For a user who values ease of use, a small footprint, and high-quality output, and doesn’t mind the proprietary toner ecosystem, this is an excellent choice.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Print Volume and Speed: Consider how much you print monthly. A small home office might be fine with a printer rated at 20 pages per minute (ppm), but a busy workgroup will benefit greatly from speeds of 30 ppm or higher. The printer’s recommended monthly duty cycle is a good indicator of its durability.
• Color vs. Monochrome: Be realistic about your needs. If you primarily print text-based documents like invoices, reports, and letters, a monochrome laser printer will save you a significant amount of money on toner. If you need to produce marketing materials, flyers, or color charts, a color laser is essential.
• Functionality (All-in-One vs. Print-Only): Do you need to scan, copy, or fax? An all-in-one (or multifunction) printer consolidates these functions into one device, saving space and money. If you already have a separate scanner and only need printing capabilities, a single-function printer will be more affordable.
• Connectivity: Modern printers offer a range of connection options. Wi-Fi is standard for home use, allowing printing from laptops and mobile devices. For a more stable connection in an office, look for an Ethernet port. NFC (Near-Field Communication) offers convenient tap-to-print from compatible smartphones.
• Cost of Consumables: The initial price of the printer is only part of the story. Research the cost and page yield of replacement toner cartridges and drum units. High-yield cartridges often have a higher upfront cost but a lower cost per page, saving you money in the long run.

Understanding Toner and Drum Units

Unlike inkjet printers that use liquid ink, laser printers use a dry powder called toner. This toner is stored in a cartridge. The printing process also involves a component called a drum unit. The laser “draws” an electrostatic image of your page onto the drum; the drum then picks up toner powder and transfers it to the paper, where it’s fused by heat. In some printers, the toner cartridge and drum unit are combined into a single piece. In others, they are separate components that you replace at different intervals. Drums typically last much longer than toner cartridges (e.g., one drum for every 3-4 toner replacements). Understanding whether these parts are separate or combined can impact your long-term running costs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying Based on Price Alone: The cheapest printer often has the most expensive toner. Always factor in the long-term cost of consumables before making a decision.
• Overlooking the Footprint: Color laser printers, especially all-in-one models, can be large and heavy. Measure your intended space to ensure the printer will fit comfortably.
• Ignoring Duplexing Features: Automatic duplex (two-sided) printing can cut your paper consumption in half. For scanning, a duplex automatic document feeder (ADF) that scans both sides in a single pass is a massive time-saver for busy offices.
• Forgetting Mobile Printing Needs: Ensure the printer you choose is compatible with your family’s or team’s devices, whether they use iOS (AirPrint), Android, or other mobile printing services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much more expensive is color toner than black toner?

Color toner is significantly more expensive than black toner. A set of three color cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow) can often cost two to three times as much as a single high-yield black cartridge. This is the primary reason why choosing a monochrome printer is more economical if you don’t have a regular need for color prints.

Is the photo quality of a color laser printer comparable to an inkjet?

No, generally it is not. While modern color laser printers can produce good-quality color images suitable for business charts, presentations, and flyers, they cannot replicate the nuanced tones and vibrant detail of a dedicated photo inkjet printer on glossy photo paper. Laser printers are best for graphics and text, while inkjets excel at high-resolution photo printing.

Are color laser printers fast enough for office use?

Absolutely. In fact, speed is one of their biggest advantages. Many office-grade color laser printers can print at speeds of 30 to 40 pages per minute (ppm) or even faster, for both color and black-and-white documents. This makes them far more efficient for high-volume printing tasks than most inkjet printers.

What is the best color laser printer for printing marketing materials?

For printing marketing materials like brochures and flyers, you should look for a printer with high print resolution (e.g., 2400 x 600 dpi or higher) and support for various media types, including card stock and glossy paper. Models like the Brother HL-L8360CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer or the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw are excellent choices due to their vibrant color output and professional quality.

Do you need to replace all color toners at once?

No, you do not. Laser printers use separate cartridges for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The printer will notify you when a specific color is running low, and you only need to replace that individual cartridge. You don’t have to replace them all at the same time.

Can I set a color laser printer to print in black and white by default?

Yes, this is a standard feature on virtually all color laser printers. You can easily set the printer driver preferences on your computer to “Grayscale” or “Black and White” as the default. This is a great way to save expensive color toner for when you truly need it.

What is duplex printing and is it available on color models?

Duplex printing simply means automatic two-sided printing. The printer prints on one side of the paper, then automatically pulls it back in and prints on the other side. This feature is widely available on most modern color laser printers and is invaluable for saving paper and creating professional-looking documents.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

Navigating the world of printers can be a daunting task, but after rigorous testing, our recommendation is clear and firm. While we evaluated an outstanding field of color laser printers, the model that earned our highest praise for the needs of most users is the Brother MFCL2710DW Wireless Duplex Monochrome Laser Printer. It stands out not for its color capabilities—as it has none—but for mastering the fundamentals that matter most: unwavering reliability, speed, and a low total cost of ownership. It addresses the number one complaint of printer owners everywhere by simply working, day in and day out, without the fuss of clogged ink heads or exorbitant cartridge costs. For any home or small office where the bulk of printing is text-based, its performance and economy make it the smartest, most dependable investment you can make.

Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API