Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.9 Best Are There Color Laser Printers | Skip the Inkjet Headaches

Check Price on Amazon

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 stands alone in this lineup as the only model capable of printing up to 13×19-inch wide-format documents — a critical differentiator for anyone who needs ledger-sized CAD drawings, architectural plans, or marketing posters without outsourcing to a print shop. Its PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology minimizes warm-up time and power consumption while delivering sharp text at 25 ppm B&W and 12 ppm color.

With a 500-sheet paper capacity, a 50-page automatic document feeder, and a 4.3-inch color touchscreen, this all-in-one is built for busy small offices. DURABrite Ultra ink produces smudge-resistant output on plain paper, and the connectivity suite includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Epson Smart Panel app support. Users have reported reliable performance over four years with minimal maintenance, though the machine is notably heavy and bulky.

The primary drawback is Epson’s aggressive firmware update policy, which some users say blocks third-party ink cartridges and causes “paper mismatch” errors even when the correct tray is selected. Scanning also requires the computer to be actively powered on. If you need wide-format capability and can navigate the firmware nuances, this is a remarkably capable machine for its tier.

Check Price on Amazon

The Brother HL-L3220CDW is a print-only color laser designed for users who value reliability over bells and whistles. At 19 ppm for both color and monochrome, it is not the fastest model on this list, but its compact footprint makes it an ideal fit for tight home-office desks. The automatic duplex feature comes standard, and the 250-sheet input tray is supplemented by a manual feed slot for envelopes and specialty media up to cardstock weight.

Brother includes high-yield toner cartridges in the box — TN229 series — which significantly lowers the cost per page compared to starter cartridges from other manufacturers. Setup over Wi-Fi is generally straightforward, and mobile printing works through Brother iPrint&Scan, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria. The 2.4GHz-only wireless band may cause issues on 5GHz-only networks, but Ethernet and USB connectivity provide reliable fallback options.

Some users report initial setup difficulties, particularly on Mac systems where creating a self-signed certificate in Keychain Access resolved persistent print queue drops. The machine weighs nearly 50 pounds, so plan for a stable surface. For those migrating from inkjets, the absence of dried-clog headaches is a welcome relief, and the affordable high-yield toner bundles make this a cost-conscious long-term investment.

Check Price on Amazon

The Lexmark CS331dw punches above its weight with a 1GHz dual-core processor and 512 MB of memory, enabling it to sustain 26 ppm in both color and black-and-white — a full 7 ppm faster than the Brother HL-L3220CDW at a similar price tier. It is a print-only unit, but its automatic duplex, 250-sheet tray, and single-sheet manual feeder make it well-suited for high-volume document printing.

Connectivity options include USB, Ethernet, and standard Wi-Fi with support for Lexmark Mobile Print, AirPrint, Mopria, and Google Cloud Print. The recommended monthly page volume of 600 to 2,500 pages places it squarely in the small-to-medium office segment. Users consistently praise the crisp text and vibrant color output, as well as the machine’s ability to sit unused for months and then print perfectly on the first attempt — a common pain point with inkjets.

Two significant caveats exist: the printer does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, so ensure your router has a 2.4GHz band enabled, and replacement toner cartridges are notably expensive — some users have reported that the cost of a full set of toner exceeds the printer’s original purchase price. The setup process may also require manually downloading drivers from Lexmark’s website if your computer lacks an optical drive.

Check Price on Amazon

The HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw utilizes next-generation TerraJet toner to deliver more vivid colors than previous HP generations, along with print speeds reaching 26 ppm in both color and monochrome. This print-only model is built for small teams that churn out professional-quality reports, proposals, and presentations — the auto-duplex feature is standard, and the 250-sheet input tray can handle up to legal-size paper.

Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset is a standout feature: the printer automatically detects and resolves connection drops, a welcome reliability upgrade in mixed-network environments. The HP Smart app enables mobile printing and remote management. Early adopters note that the introductory toner cartridges produce excellent output, though they deplete faster than expected (around 50 pages for some units) and are extremely expensive to replace — a full set of 218a or 218XL cartridges can cost nearly as much as the printer itself.

HP’s Dynamic Security firmware actively blocks non-HP toner cartridges, and several users have reported that even genuine HP replacement cartridges produced faded, illegible output. This model is best suited for businesses that are committed to buying OEM toner at premium prices and want the peace of mind of HP’s brand reliability. The lack of a scanner is worth noting for anyone who needs all-in-one functionality.

Check Price on Amazon

The Xerox C235dni brings a true all-in-one experience — print, scan, copy, and fax — to a price point that competes with print-only models from other brands. It delivers 24 ppm in both color and black-and-white, and the starter toner yields 500 pages per color, while high-yield replacement cartridges help reduce the long-term cost per page. The design is clean and upright, saving valuable desk footprint.

Wireless connectivity is handled through built-in Wi-Fi with support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria, plus a smartphone-friendly setup via the Xerox Easy Assist App. Users report that print quality improves dramatically when using premium paper (such as Hammermill Premium Inkjet/Laserjet) rather than generic copy paper, especially when eco mode is disabled. The all-in-one functions — particularly scanning and copying — are generally well-regarded once the initial configuration is complete.

Setup can be frustrating: the Easy Assist App sometimes fails to discover the printer, requiring manual configuration through the front panel, and Windows driver installation may fail on systems without an optical drive. Some users have also experienced faded output and a white stripe across scanned images, likely a paper-sensor alignment issue. If you are comfortable working through a finicky initial setup, the Xerox C235dni offers excellent features for the price.

Check Price on Amazon

The Canon MF665Cdw is a 4-in-1 color laser (print, scan, copy, fax) that hits a sweet spot of 26 ppm across all functions with a quick 10.3-second first-page-out time. The 5-inch color touchscreen with customizable Application Library shortcuts makes navigation intuitive, and the 50-sheet duplex automatic document feeder handles two-sided scanning in a single pass — a time-saver for multi-page contracts or reports.

Canon backs this model with a 3-year limited warranty, which is the longest coverage period among the printers reviewed here. The 250-sheet paper cassette plus a single-sheet multipurpose tray cover everyday needs, and the expandable paper capacity (up to 850 sheets with an optional cassette) supports growing offices. Users frequently praise the fast speed, quiet operation, and excellent color reproduction — particularly when printing on Canon-branded paper profiles.

On the downside, the software experience — especially on Mac — is a recurring frustration, with random print stops, error messages, and a poorly designed setup interface that some users describe as “circular logic.” The UI on the touchscreen can feel slow and clunky. Additionally, Canon’s firmware enforces genuine toner use, and while the 075 series cartridges produce quality results, they are not the cheapest on the market.

Check Price on Amazon

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW elevates the color laser MFP experience with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen that can store up to 48 customizable shortcuts and provides direct access to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote. It prints at 19 ppm in both color and monochrome and includes a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, a 250-sheet paper tray, and automatic duplex printing as standard.

Dual-band wireless networking (2.4GHz and 5GHz) plus Wi-Fi Direct means this printer integrates cleanly into modern offices where 5GHz-only networks are common — a step up from the 2.4GHz-only Lexmark CS331dw. The mobile companion app allows remote toner-level monitoring and full printer management. Users love the sharp text, vibrant color, and quiet operation, noting that toner lasts roughly a year under moderate home-office usage.

Some users encountered a frustrating issue where the printer counts pages consumed rather than measuring actual toner remaining, causing it to stop mid-job when the chip’s page counter reaches zero — even if the cartridge is not empty. There have also been sporadic reports of “non-genuine toner” errors with original Brother cartridges. Paper feed can occasionally double-feed due to the heat from four fuser rollers, though this is uncommon with standard 20-lb bond paper.

Check Price on Amazon

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is the full-featured brother of the 3201dw, adding scan, copy, and fax capabilities along with a single-pass duplex automatic document feeder that captures both sides of a page in one pass. Like the 3201dw, it prints at 26 ppm and uses TerraJet toner for vivid color, but the MFP variant targets small teams that need all-in-one productivity.

The 2-line digital keypad and responsive touchscreen make navigation straightforward, and dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset minimizes connectivity headaches. Users report that setup is fast even for non-technical staff, and the print quality — crisp text and vibrant graphics — consistently earns high marks. The auto-duplex scanning is a genuine time-saver for offices that frequently deal with two-sided documents like contracts or brochures.

The same toner-cost issues that plague the 3201dw apply here: replacement 218A/218X cartridges are expensive and can be difficult to find for the first few months of a new model’s life. HP’s Dynamic Security firmware blocks non-HP cartridges, and some units suffered severe color defects (streaks and missing toner) that HP support could not resolve. Turning off automatic firmware updates is widely recommended to avoid unexpected bricking.

Check Price on Amazon

The Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw is the fastest color laser in this roundup, churning out 35 ppm in both color and black-and-white — a full 9 ppm faster than the next-closest contender. It is a 4-in-1 machine with a 50-sheet automatic document feeder that offers one-pass duplex scanning, a 250-sheet standard cassette plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, and expandable capacity up to 850 sheets with an optional cassette.

The 069 series toner ships with starter yields of 1,100 pages for color and 2,100 for black, while standard and high-capacity replacements keep the machine running between refills. Users consistently describe the output as ultra-clean, sharp, and fast, with duplex scanning alignment that produces perfectly centered results every time. The quiet operation is also a frequently cited advantage over competing Canon and HP models at similar speeds.

Setup is the biggest hurdle — the SMTP port configuration is hidden on a separate page, scanning profiles are limited to 11 fixed slots with no rename or delete capability, and the “Application Library” feature requires manual activation. Wireless connectivity can be unreliable, with the printer dropping off the network periodically. Additionally, Canon’s toner is very expensive (around per cartridge), and the printer blocks non-OEM consumables. Some units sold on Amazon have been reported as gray-market imports with no US warranty eligibility.