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Color laser printers have one huge advantage over inkjets: they don’t dry out, clog, or smudge when you ignore them for a few weeks. That makes them ideal for home offices, small teams, and anyone tired of buying expensive ink cartridges that empty before you blink.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You want a cheap color laser printer that fits how you actually print—whether that is a basic print-only model or a full scanner-and-copier station. The smartest pick balances speed, toner costs, and reliability so you are not overpaying for features you never use.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Cheap Color Laser Printer
The real cost of a laser printer isn’t the box on your desk; it’s the toner. A printer that sips ink or toner efficiently will save you far more than a slightly cheaper model that burns through cartridges.
Print Speed and First Print Time
Speed matters if you print in bursts. Look at pages per minute (ppm) for both black and color — many budget models print color at the same rate as black. Also check the first print time, which is how long you wait for that first page to slide out.
Automatic Duplex vs. Manual Flip
Automatic duplexing (printing on both sides without flipping the paper yourself) saves paper and time. Some cheap models skip this feature, forcing you to manually flip pages — a real hassle for multi-page reports.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Speed (ppm) | Duplex | Functions | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon MF652Cw★ Best Overall | All-in-One Value | 22 | No | Print/Scan/Copy | Amazon |
| Canon LBP646CdwSpeed Demon | Auto Duplex Speed | 26 | Yes | Print Only | Amazon |
| HP 3201dwOffice Workhorse | Fast Office Work | 26 | Yes | Print Only | Amazon |
| Lexmark CS331dw | Reliable Small Office | 26 | Yes | Print Only | Amazon |
| Xerox C230dni | Vibrant Graphics | 24 | Yes | Print Only | Amazon |
| Brother HL-L3280CDW | Cloud App Printing | 27 | Yes | Print Only | Amazon |
| HP MFP 3301cdw | Refurb All-in-One | 26 | Yes | Print/Scan/Copy/Fax | Amazon |
| Xerox C235dni | All-in-One Graphics | 24 | Yes | Print/Scan/Copy/Fax | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Heavy Duty All-in-One | 19 | Yes | Print/Scan/Copy/Fax | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw
Our pick — over 4★ from 250+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The do-everything desk station that prints, scans, and copies without the inkjet headaches
This is the pick for a home office that wants one machine for everything. You get print, scan, and copy in one unit, with a 250-sheet cassette plus a 1-sheet multipurpose tray for odd jobs like envelopes or labels. It prints up to 22 pages per minute in both color and black, with the first page out in about 10.3 seconds.
Owners consistently praise sharp, vibrant documents, and the setup is famously painless. The 3-year limited warranty adds real confidence, and it is ENERGY STAR certified with EPEAT Silver (a rating for lower energy use and greener manufacturing). One buyer notes it prints labels for products flawlessly, calling it “easy to set up and use” with “no trouble with the wireless connection.”
The main trade-off is duplexing: this model is simplex, meaning you flip pages manually for double-sided prints. Noise also gets mixed feedback — some find it quiet, others don’t. If you print mostly single-sided documents and want scan-and-copy in one box, this is the complete package.
Why It Wins
- 3-in-1 functionality saves desk space and budget
- Genuine Canon toner lasts thousands of pages per cartridge
- 3-year warranty tops the list
Watch Out For
- No automatic duplex — manual paper flipping required
- Noise level is a coin toss depending on the unit
Perfect for: Anyone who needs print, scan, and copy in one reliable, well-warranted machine.
Think twice if: You print lots of double-sided reports — you’ll be flipping paper by hand.
2. Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw
A print-only speedster that cranks out double-sided pages without breaking a sweat
If scanning isn’t part of your routine, this single-function printer saves you money and desk space while outpacing the all-in-one above. It hits 26 pages per minute in color and monochrome — a full 18% faster than the MF652Cw — with a first print in about 10.3 seconds. Better yet, it has automatic duplex printing, so two-sided pages come out without any manual flipping.
The critical spec here is the 5-line LCD screen, which makes navigating settings far easier than button-only models. Buyers report it’s been “the most reliable printer we’ve ever had” and that it connects to Wi-Fi consistently for phone and laptop printing — one owner even set it up for an 88-year-old with zero issues. The 250-sheet cassette handles a solid workload before refills.
Setup for Mac users can be frustrating — some report needing to toggle AirPrint settings or avoid 5G networks. Loading it onto a 2.4GHz band solved it for most. If you want fast, automatic double-sided color printing and don’t need a scanner, this is your machine.
The Fast Route: 26 ppm plus auto duplex is a rare combo at this level. It prints both sides of the paper very quickly, as the review pages repeatedly note. The trade-off is a print-only tool — no scan or copy — and a 1-year warranty, a 2-year shorter safety net than the all-in-one Canon above.
Reach for this if: Speed and automatic double-sided printing matter more to you than having a scanner.
Look elsewhere if: You’re on a Mac and want zero setup hassle — expect to fiddle with network settings.
3. HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw
A fast office printer with vivid TerraJet color — if you stick to HP’s own toner
This HP delivers 26 pages per minute in both black and color, plus automatic duplexing and a 250-sheet input tray. It’s built for small teams printing professional documents, and the next-generation TerraJet toner produces noticeably more vivid colors. One owner running it in an automotive shop calls it reliable with sharp text and long toner life.
The defining catch is toner compatibility. HP designed this printer to work only with cartridges carrying original HP chips, and it will block third-party toners. Owners mention that Amazon-sold compatible toners often don’t work despite chip claims — the reliable path is HP’s own cartridges, which cost more. It also lacks a starter toner in the box for some users, so budget for replacements sooner.
Connectivity is a mixed bag: dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset helps, but some customers note dropped connections after a day or two idle, requiring a restart. If you already use HP toners and want fast, vivid office prints, this fits — just know the ongoing cost is steep.
What Stands Out
- Excellent, crisp color quality for business documents
- Auto duplex saves paper easily
- Compact footprint for a laser printer
The Real Cost
- Third-party toner often blocked — stick to HP originals
- Wi-Fi can drop after idle periods
Best for: Teams already committed to HP toner who want fast, vivid prints.
skip it if: You’re hunting for cheap compatible toner — this printer fights back.
4. Lexmark CS331dw
A compact, secure print-only laser with dual-core power for fast, jam-free output
Lexmark builds this for small offices that need speed without the footprint. A 1-GHz dual-core processor and 512 MB of memory drive 26 pages per minute in color and black, with automatic two-sided printing standard. The 250-page tray plus single-sheet feeder handles most workloads, and it’s rated for a recommended monthly volume of 600 to 2,500 pages.
Owners call it “one of the best brands out there” with “fantastic” print speed and easy setup through Lexmark’s online guides. It supports AirPrint and Mopria for phone printing, plus USB and Ethernet for wired setups. The security architecture protects documents on the device and over the network — a nice bonus for sensitive office work.
The recurring gripe is toner cost — one owner called the toner “outrageously overpriced,” even considering ditching the printer over it. Setup can also be cranky on Windows without a CD drive, requiring a manual driver download. If you want a fast, secure workhorse and can stomach OEM toner prices, this delivers.
The Balanced Take: Great speed, reliable output, and easy mobile printing. The deal-breaker for some is the high cost of Lexmark toner, so factor that into your per-page budget before committing. It prints much faster than expected for its size, but it’s not the quietest at times.
Who it beats: Anyone needing secure, fast print-only output in a compact chassis.
Who it doesn’t: Budget-conscious owners who refuse to pay premium toner prices.
5. Xerox C230dni
Vibrant, professional color graphics with a phone-based setup that skips the manual
This Xerox is a print-only model built for hybrid workers and small businesses that want their presentations and reports to look sharp. It runs at 24 pages per minute in color and black, with first color page out in 11.4 seconds. The included starter toner gets you about 500 sheets, and high-yield cartridges keep long-term costs down.
Reviewers point out crisp text and brilliant color graphics, with one owner printing 1,000+ photo-quality pictures on the included toner over eight months — enough to swear off inkjets for good. The Xerox Easy Assist App guides you through setup in minutes, and it supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria for mobile printing. Automatic duplexing is standard.
There’s no display screen — all operations go through your computer, which takes some getting used to. Memory is also limited: a full 8×10-inch color image can fail to print, while 6×8-inch works fine. The starter toner runs out faster than some expect, and replacement black toner is pricey with few third-party options.
The Graphics Edge: For documents and presentations, the color output impresses — owners consistently single out print quality. The lack of a screen and the memory ceiling for large images are the real trade-offs to weigh.
Grab it for: Marketing materials, presentations, and vibrant reports where color accuracy matters.
Pass if: You print large-format images or want an on-board display for controls.
6. Brother HL-L3280CDW
The fastest print-only pick with a touchscreen that pulls files straight from cloud apps
Brother’s compact color laser hits 27 pages per minute — the top speed in this lineup — with automatic duplex printing as standard. The standout feature is the integrated 2.7-inch touchscreen, which lets you print directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and other cloud services without touching a computer. A large paper tray holds about half a ream, so refills are infrequent.
Owners praise the “excellent print quality” and easy setup, with many reporting instant Wi-Fi connections and reliable mobile printing from iPhones. It’s noticeably quiet for a laser, and the TN229 toner series offers standard, high-capacity, and extra-high-capacity options to match your volume. It even works with Alexa for voice-initiated printing.
The weak spot is reliability over time — some units stop working after a few months, and Brother’s support gets harsh reviews when that happens. Cardstock also jams on double-sided printing and curls on single-sided. If you print regularly from cloud apps and want the fastest output here, this is a strong daily driver.
Standout Features
- Fastest speed in the roundup at 27 ppm
- Touchscreen cloud printing from Drive and Dropbox
- Economical toner options across three yield tiers
Consider This
- Reliability reports are mixed after months of use
- Cardstock jams on duplex and curls when single-sided
Choose this for: Cloud-first workers who print daily and want the fastest output with a friendly touchscreen.
Think twice for: Heavy cardstock projects or buyers wary of mixed long-term reliability reports.
7. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw (Renewed)
A certified-refurbished all-in-one that adds fax and an auto document feeder to the office
This renewed HP bundles print, scan, copy, and fax into one unit, with a 50-sheet auto document feeder and automatic duplexing for both printing and scanning. It hits 26 pages per minute in color and black, and the TerraJet toner keeps colors vivid. The dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset is designed to fix connection drops on its own.
Crucially, it ships from HP’s official refurbished program with a one-year warranty and genuine parts — shoppers say it “looks new” and delivers crisp, smear-free prints even after long idle periods. The built-in HP Wolf Pro Security adds customizable protection against malware and cyber threats on your network, and the HP App lets you print, scan, or fax from your smartphone.
The recurring complaint is toner: several owners found installed cartridges nearly empty or hitting “very low on toner” within 100-500 pages. That’s a common refurb reality — budget replacements soon. One buyer called color quality “very bad,” though that’s an outlier against the mostly positive print-quality consensus.
The Refurb Reality: You get a full office multifunction at a value price, but included toner is often nearly spent. Factor four fresh cartridges into your first-month costs.
Great for: Offices that need fax, scan, copy, and print in one machine without paying full retail.
Not ideal if: You expect a full set of toner with your purchase — plan replacements immediately.
8. Xerox C235dni
A Xerox 4-in-1 that prints, scans, copies, and faxes with 600 DPI photo sharpness
For hybrid workers who need the full office suite, this Xerox adds scan, copy, and fax to its 24 ppm color printing. It supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria for mobile printing and scanning, and the Xerox Easy Assist App walks you through a guided setup — though the instructions recommend a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, since 5 GHz isn’t supported.
The print quality is where this machine shines. One buyer compared it directly to other major brands and found that “even at just 600 DPI the resolution of photos and face type are so far superior”—so text and images stay crisp even at a standard resolution. Buyers report it prints and copies well once set up, with the main fixes being the right paper—generic stock washes out, while premium paper delivers rich results—and turning Eco mode off.
Toner costs are the recurring friction, with the included starter cartridges running out quickly and replacements priced at a premium. Setup can also be finicky: some saw repeated app failures before switching to the front panel. A rare unit arrived used or refurbished with a jammed cartridge door.
The Full-Package Print: Superior color resolution for photos and graphics, wrapped in a 4-in-1 chassis. The price of admission is premium toner and a sometimes-fussy setup process.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants Xerox-grade photo sharpness plus scan, copy, and fax.
Skip if: You’re after low running costs or a plug-and-play experience.
9. Brother MFC-L3720CDW
A full office hub with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 50-sheet document feeder, and 48 shortcuts
This is the most feature-rich machine here — a 4-in-1 with print, scan, copy, and fax, plus a 50-sheet auto document feeder for multi-page jobs. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is the centerpiece, offering 48 customizable shortcuts and direct access to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. It’s the only pick with dual-band wireless (2.4GHz and 5GHz) plus Wi-Fi Direct for connection flexibility.
Owners mention sharp color prints, fast output, and an easy wireless setup, calling it “big bang for your buck” and praising the scanner and touchscreen. It’s quiet, toner-efficient, and solidly built for office duty. The 250-sheet adjustable tray handles moderate volume, and the TN229 toner family gives you three yield tiers to control costs.
The catch is speed — at 19 pages per minute in color, it’s the slowest here, trading raw pace for all-in-one versatility. Some units develop issues after several months, with a page-count chip stopping printing while toner remains. If you need a full document hub and prioritize features over raw speed, this is the most complete package.
Hub Strengths
- Most complete feature set: print, scan, copy, fax, ADF
- Best connectivity: dual-band Wi-Fi plus Wi-Fi Direct
- Touchscreen with 48 shortcuts and cloud apps
Trade-Offs
- Slowest speed in the roundup at 19 ppm
- Some units hit page-count limits prematurely
Pick this for: A busy office that needs scanning, faxing, and cloud printing in one capable hub.
Reconsider if: Speed is your priority — the print-only models blow past this one.
Understanding the Specs
Pages Per Minute (ppm)
This is how many pages the printer can produce in one minute. Speeds here range from 19 ppm to 27 ppm for both color and black text. In practice, real-world speed depends on how complex the document is — a full-page color photo takes longer than a text page.
Automatic Duplex
A printer with automatic duplexing flips the paper itself to print on both sides. This cuts paper use in half for reports and is a major convenience. Models without it require you to manually re-feed pages, which gets old fast for multi-page jobs.
FAQ
What is the real cost per page for a cheap color laser printer?
Should I get a print-only or an all-in-one color laser printer?
Why is automatic duplex printing important?
Can I print from my phone with these printers?
Is a color laser printer good for printing photos?
What does a larger paper tray capacity mean for me?
Why do some printers block third-party toner cartridges?
Do refurbished printers save money without sacrificing quality?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For the majority of shoppers, the cheap color laser printer winner is the Canon MF652Cw because it delivers print, scan, and copy with a 3-year warranty and genuinely reliable print quality. If you want automatic double-sided printing and don’t need a scanner, the Canon LBP646Cdw is the faster, cheaper pick. And for a complete office hub with a touchscreen and cloud apps, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the feature leader — just expect a slower print speed.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gadgets Feed earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.