Buying Guide for the Best Laser Printer For Small Business
Choosing a laser printer for a small business is about finding a machine that balances speed, print quality, efficiency, and cost of ownership. A good printer will not only help you run daily operations smoothly, but can also save time and minimize disruptions. The needs of your business—such as how much you print, what you print (color or monochrome), and extra features like scanning or wireless connectivity—should guide your choice. Focus on selecting a model that matches your typical workload, supports the media types you need, and is easy to maintain.Print Speed (Pages Per Minute - PPM)Print speed tells you how many pages the printer can produce in one minute. This is especially important in an office, where you might have a lot of documents to print in a short timeframe. Printers are usually divided by speed: basic models may print under 20 PPM, mid-range ones do 20-40 PPM, and high-speed units go above 40 PPM. If your business prints in large batches or often shares one printer among several employees, look for machines on the higher end. For businesses with light or occasional printing needs, lower speeds are fine and will likely meet your needs.
Print Quality (DPI)Dots per inch (DPI) measures how sharply text and images are printed. Higher DPI means crisper text and more detailed images. For basic documents, an entry-level DPI (around 600 x 600) is adequate. If your documents include graphics, charts, or you want a professional appearance, aim for higher resolutions (1200 x 1200 or above). Consider what you print most—simple text demands less detail, but marketing materials or image-heavy documents require more.
Monthly Duty CycleThe monthly duty cycle tells you the maximum number of pages you can print per month without harming the machine. Lightweight printers might handle a few thousand pages monthly, while robust business models can reach tens of thousands. Match this figure to your real printing volume: estimate your average then go for a printer that comfortably exceeds this—using a machine heavily near its maximum can wear it out quickly.
First Page Out TimeThis spec tells you how quickly the printer can deliver the first printed page from a ready or sleep state. Faster 'first page out' times are valuable if you print on demand and hate waiting, especially for single-page jobs. This value is usually between 5 to 10 seconds for business printers. If your work often requires immediate prints, prioritize a low time here.
Connectivity OptionsModern printers offer different ways to connect—USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and sometimes mobile printing features like AirPrint or Google Cloud Print. Wired connections (USB or Ethernet) are best for reliability in busy offices. Wireless features offer flexibility and easy sharing, especially for teams or workplaces with mobile devices. Think about who needs access: if it's just one computer, USB might be enough. For groups and phone/laptop use, look for Ethernet and Wi-Fi support.
Paper Handling CapacityThis covers how many sheets the printer’s input and output trays can hold—and what kinds of paper they accept. Small trays (under 250 sheets) suit offices with light use, while larger trays (500+ sheets) reduce how often you need to refill. Check what paper sizes and types (envelopes, labels, cardstock) you need; choose a model that fits your regular jobs to avoid jams and delays.
Additional Features (All-in-One, Duplex, Security)Extra features such as scanning, copying, faxing (making the printer an 'all-in-one'), automatic double-sided printing (duplex), and built-in security can be major productivity boosters. If your office scans and copies often, an all-in-one is wise. Duplex saves paper and time if two-sided documents are common. Security features like password protection are important if you handle confidential or sensitive material. Consider your usual workflow: only pay attention to features you will actually use day-to-day.
Operating Cost (Toner Yield and Efficiency)The cost of running a printer mostly comes from toner cartridges. Toner yield, or how many pages a cartridge lasts, is critical. Standard-yield cartridges print a few thousand pages, while high-yield options last far longer. If you print a lot, aim for high-yield choices—they reduce downtime and often lower cost per page. Make sure to check if replacement toner is easy to find and what the average cost per page will be for your typical print jobs.