Top 5 Multifunction Color Laser Printers: Buying Guide

Imagine a printer that can do it all: print colorful documents for your school projects, scan important papers, copy handouts for your study group, and even send faxes to faraway relatives. That’s the magic of a Multifunction Color Laser Printer! But with so many choices out there, picking the perfect one can feel like a treasure hunt with no map. You might wonder, “Which one is fast enough? Which one prints the best pictures? And how much will it cost?” It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re just trying to find a reliable machine for your home or small office.

This post is here to be your helpful guide! We’ll break down what makes these printers so special and what you should look for. By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand the key features that matter most, like print speed, paper handling, and cost per page. We’ll help you sort through the jargon and find a printer that fits your needs and budget without any confusion. Let’s dive in and discover the best Multifunction Color Laser Printer for you!

Our Top 5 Multifunction Color Laser Printer Recommendations at a Glance

Top 5 Multifunction Color Laser Printer Detailed Reviews

1. HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer

HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)

Rating: 9.4/10

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a powerful all-in-one printer designed for busy small offices. It handles printing, scanning, and copying with ease, delivering professional-quality color documents. This printer from America’s most trusted brand is built for performance and reliability.

What We Like:

  • It prints and copies quickly, up to 26 pages per minute in both black and color.
  • The next-generation TerraJet toner makes colors pop and brings your business documents to life.
  • It has useful features like automatic two-sided printing and a 250-sheet paper tray, saving you time and effort.
  • The automatic document feeder makes scanning and copying multi-page documents simple.
  • It’s from HP, a brand known for making dependable printers that work well for a long time.

What Could Be Improved:

  • This printer is designed to only work with Original HP toner cartridges. It will not work with cartridges that don’t have HP chips.
  • HP will periodically update the printer’s software, which might affect cartridge compatibility in the future.

This HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is a solid choice for offices needing a reliable and efficient color printer. It offers great features for everyday business tasks.

2. Brother HL-L3300CDW Wireless Digital Color Multi-Function Printer with Laser Quality Output

Brother HL-L3300CDW Wireless Digital Color Multi-Function Printer with Laser Quality Output, Copy & Scan, Duplex, Mobile | Includes 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial ¹, Works with Alexa

Rating: 8.9/10

The Brother HL-L3300CDW is a wireless digital color printer that’s ideal for small offices and home offices. It delivers crisp, laser-quality prints for all your important documents. This printer also copies and scans, making it a handy 3-in-1 device.

What We Like:

  • It produces affordable, laser-quality color prints.
  • The 3-in-1 design means you can print, copy, and scan from one machine.
  • Print speeds are quick, up to 19 pages per minute.
  • It connects wirelessly using dual-band Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct, and also has a USB option.
  • The included 2-month Refresh Subscription trial offers a convenient way to get toner.
  • It works with Alexa for voice commands.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The initial setup might require some patience for users less familiar with wireless connections.
  • While good for its class, the print speed may not be fast enough for very high-volume offices.
  • The toner cartridges, while providing good quality, can become a recurring cost.

The Brother HL-L3300CDW is a solid choice for anyone needing reliable color printing, copying, and scanning in a compact package. It offers great value for its features.

3. Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw – Wireless Laser Printer

Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw - Wireless Laser Printer, Multifunction with Scanner, Copier, Mobile Ready, 3 Year Limited Warranty, 22 PPM Color, White

Rating: 9.3/10

The Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw is a white, wireless laser printer that does more than just print. It’s a 3-in-1 machine, meaning it can also scan and copy your documents. This printer is ready for your phone, which is super handy. It comes with a 3-year warranty, so you can feel good about your purchase. It prints in color at a speed of 22 pages per minute. This printer is a great tool for home offices or small businesses that need a reliable all-in-one solution.

What We Like:

  • It’s wireless, so you can connect easily from anywhere in your home or office.
  • It prints, scans, and copies, saving you space and money.
  • You can print from your phone using apps like the Canon PRINT app.
  • It has a large 250-sheet paper tray, so you won’t have to refill it often.
  • You can create cool posters and signs using Poster Artist Online for free.
  • It’s ENERGY STAR Certified and EPEAT Silver, which means it’s good for the environment.
  • The 3-year limited warranty gives you peace of mind.
  • It works with Chromebooks, which is great for students or anyone who uses them.
  • It prints the first page quickly, in about 10.3 seconds.

What Could Be Improved:

  • It uses specific Canon Genuine Toner 067 or 067 high capacity, so make sure you buy the right kind.
  • The multipurpose tray only holds one sheet at a time, which might be slow if you need to copy many different single pages.

This Canon printer is a solid choice for anyone needing a versatile and user-friendly device. Its mobile readiness and eco-friendly features make it a modern and practical addition to any workspace.

4. Brother Color Laser Printer All-in-One with Scanner

Brother Color Laser Printer All-in-One with Scanner, Copier and Fax - Professional Wireless Business Printer with Auto Duplex and 250-Sheet Capacity for Small Office (MFC-L3720CDW)

Rating: 8.9/10

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is a professional color laser all-in-one printer designed for small offices. It handles printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with ease. This printer helps your business look its best with sharp, colorful documents. It connects wirelessly, so everyone can use it easily.

What We Like:

  • It prints up to 19 pages per minute, making it fast for busy offices.
  • The color laser quality makes your documents look professional and stand out.
  • Dual-band wireless and Wi-Fi Direct make it simple for everyone to connect and print from any device.
  • The 50-sheet auto document feeder and 250-sheet paper tray mean you can print a lot without stopping.
  • Automatic duplex printing saves paper by printing on both sides.
  • The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is easy to use and has shortcuts to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
  • You can manage the printer from your phone using the companion app, checking toner levels and more.

What Could Be Improved:

  • While it offers great features, the initial setup might take a little time for some users.
  • The cost of replacement toner cartridges can add up over time.

This Brother printer brings powerful features to your small office. It’s a smart choice for businesses that need reliable and professional printing.

5. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw – Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer

Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw - Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer, All-In-One with Scanner, Copier, Fax, Auto Document Feeder, Mobile Ready, 3 Year Limited Warranty, 35 PPM, White

Rating: 8.5/10

The Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw is a powerful all-in-one printer that can handle all your office needs. It prints in vibrant color, scans documents quickly, makes copies, and even faxes. This printer is designed for busy homes and offices, making your work easier and faster.

What We Like:

  • It’s a wireless 4-in-1 printer: print, scan, copy, and fax all from one machine.
  • It prints and scans both sides of a page super fast, up to 35 pages per minute.
  • High-capacity toner options mean you won’t have to change ink often.
  • It has a good paper capacity, holding 250 sheets in the main tray and 50 in the multipurpose tray.
  • You can add more paper later if you need to.
  • Printing from your phone or tablet is easy with the Canon PRINT Business app.
  • It’s good for the environment, being ENERGY STAR Certified and EPEAT Silver.
  • Comes with a 3-year warranty for your peace of mind.
  • It works with Chromebooks.

What Could Be Improved:

  • The initial cost might be a bit high for some.
  • Adding extra paper capacity requires buying an extra part.

Overall, the Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw is a fantastic choice for anyone needing a reliable and feature-rich printer. It makes printing, scanning, and copying efficient and simple.

Your Guide to Finding the Best Multifunction Color Laser Printer

Looking for a printer that does it all? A multifunction color laser printer is a fantastic tool for homes and small offices. It prints in vibrant color, copies your documents, scans them to your computer, and often even faxes. This guide will help you pick the perfect one.

What to Look For: Key Features

When you shop, keep these important features in mind:

  • Print Speed: How fast does it print? Look for pages per minute (ppm) for both color and black-and-white. Faster speeds mean less waiting.
  • Print Resolution: This tells you how sharp and clear your prints will be. Higher dots per inch (dpi) means better quality.
  • Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): This handy part lets you scan or copy a stack of papers without putting each page in one by one.
  • Duplex Printing: This is a fancy word for printing on both sides of the paper automatically. It saves paper and time.
  • Connectivity: How can you connect to the printer? Most offer USB, but Wi-Fi is super convenient. Some even have Ethernet for wired networks.
  • Touchscreen Display: A clear, easy-to-use screen makes navigating settings simple.
  • Paper Capacity: How many sheets of paper can it hold at once? A larger tray means you won’t refill it as often.
Important Materials and Build Quality

Most multifunction printers use sturdy plastic. This keeps them light enough to move but strong enough for daily use. The paper trays and rollers are usually made of durable plastic or rubber. Good build quality means your printer will last longer.

Factors That Affect Quality

Several things make your prints look great or not so great.

  • Toner Quality: The ink, called toner for laser printers, is very important. High-quality toner creates sharp text and bright colors.
  • Printer Engine: This is the main part that makes the printing happen. A good engine ensures consistent and accurate color reproduction.
  • Driver Software: The software that connects your computer to the printer helps control print settings. Easy-to-use drivers can improve your experience.
User Experience and Use Cases

A multifunction color laser printer is great for many tasks.

  • Home Use: Print school projects, photos, and documents. Copy recipes or important papers. Scan family photos to preserve them.
  • Small Office: Print reports, presentations, and marketing materials. Copy client documents. Scan invoices and receipts.
  • Creative Projects: Design flyers, posters, or invitations with vibrant colors.

The user experience should be simple. Setting up the printer should be straightforward. Connecting it to your Wi-Fi should be easy. Printing from your phone or tablet is a big plus.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between a laser printer and an inkjet printer?

A: Laser printers use toner powder to print, which is great for sharp text and fast printing. Inkjet printers use liquid ink, which is often better for printing photos with smooth color gradations.

Q: How much do multifunction color laser printers cost?

A: Prices can range from about $200 to over $600, depending on the features and brand.

Q: Are the toner cartridges expensive?

A: Toner cartridges can be a significant cost. Look for printers that offer high-yield cartridges or consider compatible brands to save money.

Q: Can I print photos with a color laser printer?

A: Yes, you can print photos. However, for the absolute best photo quality, an inkjet printer might be a slightly better choice. Laser printers are excellent for text and graphics.

Q: What is an ADF?

A: An ADF stands for Automatic Document Feeder. It’s a part that lets you put a stack of papers in to scan or copy them all at once, without feeding each page by hand.

Q: Do I need a special computer to use one?

A: No, most modern computers will work. You just need to install the printer’s software or drivers.

Q: How do I connect my printer to Wi-Fi?

A: You usually do this through the printer’s control panel or by using the setup software on your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Q: What does “print resolution” mean?

A: Print resolution, measured in dpi (dots per inch), tells you how many tiny dots of ink or toner the printer can place on one inch of paper. A higher dpi means sharper images and text.

Q: Is it hard to replace the toner?

A: No, replacing toner is usually very simple. Most printers have easy-access doors where you slide out the old cartridge and pop in a new one.

Q: What is “duplex printing”?

A: Duplex printing means the printer can automatically print on both sides of a piece of paper. This saves you from having to flip the pages yourself and uses less paper.

In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.

If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.

Leave a Comment