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9 Best Color Laser Multifunction
From leading brands and best sellers available on the web.
Buying Guide for the Best Color Laser Multifunction
Choosing a color laser multifunction printer can greatly improve your productivity at home or in the office. These devices combine printing, scanning, copying, and often faxing abilities into one, which saves space and streamlines your workflow. To make the best choice, think about how much you print, which features really matter to you, and the type of documents you usually handle. It's important to balance your needs for print quality, speed, and reliability with how you plan to use the printer over time.Print Speed (Pages Per Minute, PPM)Print speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), tells you how quickly the printer can deliver printed pages. This is especially important for users who need to print large volumes or need documents quickly. Lower speeds (up to 20 PPM) may work well for occasional personal use or small home offices. Medium speeds (20-30 PPM) suit most small to medium businesses, offering a good balance of speed and efficiency. High speeds (over 30 PPM) are preferred in busy office environments with frequent, high-volume jobs. Consider how often and how much you print; if you only print a few pages at a time, ultra-fast speeds may not be necessary.
Print Resolution (DPI)Print resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI), describes how sharp and clear the printed output will be. Higher DPI means more detailed text and images. Standard resolutions (600x600 DPI) usually suffice for everyday documents. Higher settings (1200x1200 DPI or more) are better if you print color graphics, charts, or marketing materials. Pick a higher resolution if clarity for images and small text is crucial, but for basic text documents, standard resolutions are typically adequate.
Functionality (Print/Scan/Copy/Fax)Multifunction printers vary in what jobs they can do. Most handle printing, scanning, and copying, and some also include faxing. If your workflow involves digitizing documents, look for robust scanning capabilities and easy software integration. For offices still using fax, ensure that function is available. Choosing the right combination depends on your tasks—if you only ever print and scan, you won't need a fax feature.
ConnectivityConnectivity options determine how you connect your devices to the printer. Basic printers use USB connections for one-on-one access. Networked models add Ethernet or Wi-Fi, allowing multiple users across a network to print wirelessly, which is essential in busy offices or shared environments. Some include mobile printing options like AirPrint or Google Cloud Print. Choose the option that matches how you and others need to connect—wireless is great for teams and modern workspaces, while wired connections work well for a stable, single-user setup.
Paper Handling (Tray Capacity & Supported Sizes)Paper handling covers the types and amounts of paper the printer can process at once, including the capacity of the standard input tray and any additional trays, as well as supported paper sizes. A basic tray holding about 150 sheets may be enough for home or personal use, but offices may need 250 sheets or higher to reduce refilling. If you print on envelopes, labels, or different paper sizes, check that these are supported. Consider how much printing you do and with what paper types—choose more capacity and flexibility for heavier or more varied workloads.
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)An automatic document feeder (ADF) allows the printer to scan, copy, or fax multiple pages at once without the need to place each page manually. Basic ADFs may handle around 20 sheets, while larger ones can manage 50 or more. If you frequently scan or copy multi-page documents, a bigger and double-sided ADF will save you significant time and effort. For simple jobs, manual feed is sufficient, but high-volume users benefit from a robust ADF.
Monthly Duty CycleThe monthly duty cycle is the maximum number of pages the printer is designed to handle each month without excessive wear. Lower duty cycles suit light use (a few hundred pages monthly), while higher duty cycles (thousands of pages) are important for busy offices with frequent, heavy workloads. It's best to select a printer where your actual usage falls well below the maximum, ensuring reliability and durability.
Operating Cost (Toner Efficiency)Operating cost refers to how much it will cost to print each page, mainly driven by toner usage. Printers with higher toner yield cartridges lower your price per page and need refills less often. While it can be tempting to pick a printer just based on features, think about how much you'll spend on supplies in the long run, especially if you print a lot. Look for models that offer high-yield cartridges or efficient toner usage to save money and reduce maintenance.