10 Best Color Laser Printers of 2021
Even though printing technologies continue to evolve, laser printing remains one of the most popular and effective methods for quality prints. In terms of speed, for example, laser printers are faster than inkjet ones leading them to be the given choice in high traffic offices and business settings. The quality of results and functionality remain superior as well when choosing one of the best color laser printers. They spit out designs with great precision without spilling ink compared to the results from low-quality inkjet printers. When choosing a new printer for your home office or business, we highly recommend one of the following color laser printers.
List of the Best Color Laser Printers of 2021
Last update on 2021-06-09 / Source: Amazon Affiliates / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Brother MFC-L8900CDW Business Color Laser
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW color laser printer is not easily adaptable for personal use at home due to its sheer size. However, if you have a onsite business or a fully staffed office that processes a lot of paperwork, this is one of the best color laser printers to use. Its business-grade, all-in-one design can print and scan via computers and phones. It supports duplex and wireless printing and has an exceptional print quality, which has attracted a lot of attention all over the globe. Its 800MHz central processing unit (CPU) can print up to 33 ppm and scan up to 58 IPM double-sided pages. The Brother MFC-L8900CDW handles a print volume of 4000 pages monthly.
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW has a novel wireless printing system that eliminates the need for tangle-prone wires in offices. Via an 802.11b/g/n wireless adapter, you can pair many smart devices to it and print wirelessly on demand. You can also set up a network via its Gigabit port and customize printing jobs effortlessly via a 5-inch color touchscreen.
What We Like
- Wireless and wired printing
- Advanced scanning ability
- Color touchscreen (5-inches)
- High print speed (33 ppm)
Highlights
Brother MFC-L8900CDW is a business-grade color laser printer with a fast system (33ppm) and an advanced scanning ability. It is easy to set up, durable and has a print volume of 4000 pages per month.
2. HP W1A80A Color LaserJet Pro
HP W1A80A LaserJet Pro is a premium printer that takes color laser printing to the next level. If you are updating an old printer in your office, this printer boasts a list of impressive features. First, you are getting an all-in-one, business-grade printer that faxes and scans in addition to its outstanding printing abilities. Each of the systems delivers HD results and is easy to operate via a high-speed wireless adapter that comes already built in.
HP W1A80A LaserJet Pro printer is one of the best-in-class in terms of security. Its suite of security features includes pull/PIN printing and instant threat notifications in the rare case of a hack attack. This system ensures that your data is always safe, especially if you have linked the printer to a public wireless connection. HP W1A80A LaserJet Pro takes up minimal desk space (16.8 x 25.7 x 16.3 inches), supports double-sided printing in a single pass, and has a high capacity document feeder (250 sheets). Its top speed is approximately 28 ppm.
What We Like
- Small footprint (size/power)
- 250-sheet document feeder
- Secure wireless system
- Supports mobile printing
- Fast system (28 ppm)
Highlights
Despite its small footprint, HP W1A80A can print up to 28 ppm in full color and high definition (HD). It supports mobile printing and can fax and scan documents as well without sacrificing quality.
We also reviewed portable printers check this out: 10 Best Portable Printers!
3. Brother HL-L8360CDW Business Color Laser Printer
The Brother HL-L8360CDW supports color printing of documents and photographs at speeds of up to 33 ppm. These qualities make it a beneficial printer in business settings, as it saves employees time without suffering the quality. The printer is also easy to set up via a Gigabit Ethernet network. Another option is to set it up via the wireless mode making the clutter of multiple wires a thing of the past. Once linked to a Wi-Fi adapter, users with smartphones and laptops can print quickly without jamming its system or sacrificing data security.
Brother HL-L8360CDW can read a range of genuine Brother Toners, which includes the TN431, TN433, and TN436 models. Thus, when the OEM toner that came with your printer runs out, you can find a replacement quickly online or at your local office supply store. Brother HL-L8360CDW also supports automatic double-sided printing and is one of the more affordable options on this list.
What We Like
- Super-fast system (33 ppm)
- Reliable wireless printing
- Two-sided printing (automatic)
- Secure wireless network
Highlights
Brother HL-L8360CDW is a fast wireless, laser printer with a top speed of 33 ppm. It is easy to set up, low maintenance, and has an automatic two-sided printing technology that saves paper and cash.
4. Brother HL-L3290CDW Compact Digital Color Printer
Traditionally, laser printers are bulky, making them frustrating to use in small areas such as dorm rooms or home offices. The compact Brother HL-L3290CDW model is the exception as tt fits and works comfortably in small spaces. In addition, its versatility is terrific, as the printer can copy, scan, and print two sided pages in full color. For those on a budget, you get an all-in-one solution for printing or copying jobs.
Laser printers are famous for their speed. However, even though Brother HL-L3290CDW cannot handle 33 ppm, as some brands on our list, its functionality is still highly desirable. Its print speed is modest (25 ppm) but still satisfactory It has a 250-sheet paper tray with a manual feed slot that handles different print speeds. Finally, via its 2-line LCD, you can set it to copy or scan, cloud print, or use its system to create custom prints. You can print documents via USB as well.
What We Like
- Modest speed (25 ppm)
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Supports double sided printing
- Copies and scans
- Google Cloud and Air Print
Highlights
Brother HL-L3290CDW has everything you will need in a color laser printer. It scans, copies, and prints in HD at speeds of up to 25 ppm. Brother also has mobile, wireless, and mobile printing.
5. Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw Laser Printer
Canon, like Brother, has manufactured high-quality laser printers for years which have had a significant impact in homes and offices. The imageCLASS MF644Cdw, for example, is a mobile-ready laser printer that supports two-sided printing. It also has a mid-size wireless design with a white aesthetic theme that blends well with any color scheme.
The versatility of the Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw makes it an ideal personal and commercial printer. In one compact machine, you get a versatile device that can copy, print, fax, and scan with pinpoint accuracy. You can also make a direct hotspot from the printer and streamline workflow in your office, as it is fast and dependable. Set up correctly, it can print the first full-color page in 10.3 seconds. Then, it prints subsequent pages at over 20 ppm, which is of a moderate speed.
What We Like
- Copy, print, fax, and scan
- Two-sided printing system
- Space-saving (mid-sized)
- Mobile-ready laser printer
Highlights
Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw is a mobile-ready printer that can scan and fax in seconds. It is compact and has security features such as an administrator login and short term memory.
6. HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw Printer
HP has introduced many quality products over the years, which include the best Thermaltake computer cases. Its LaserJet printers are of high quality with the HP Color M454dw model ranked among the best in 2021. It prints in color via a wireless adapter that you can link to your computer or phone. Print quality is fantastic (HD), while its suite of security systems keeps data safe from hackers. You can set pull/pin printing or instant threat notification easily.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw color laser printer has a high print speed of 28 ppm in full color. It supports double sided printing and has a USB plug-and-use interface that you can easily use without installing software or setting up a wired or wireless network. Its functionality is simple – you save a document in a USB drive, set your print parameters via an LCD, and print in color in seconds. HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw has a 1-year warranty on hardware.
What We Like
- USB and wireless printing
- Fast printer (28 ppm)
- Novel security system
- 250-sheet input tray
- Limited warranty (1-year)
Highlights
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw handles most printing jobs like a charm in offices and homes. It is safe and has a 1-year warranty.
7. Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw Printer
Mid-sized printers such as Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw not only take up little space but also delivers quality results. Its mobile-ready design, for example, prints the first page is 10. 3 seconds and successive ones at speeds of up to 28 ppm. Therefore, printing a 280-page thesis or report in full color will take you approximately 10 minutes. Its monthly print capacity is up to 750 pages.
The reliability of a Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw is terrific, as most components will last for years. Its wireless system maintains the safety of sensitive data, while the 3-year warranty offered for all parts attests to its value.
What We Like
- Mobile-friendly design
- Fast system (28 ppm)
- High print capacity
- Three-year warranty
- Two sided printing
Highlights
Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw is a mobile-friendly product that can generate up to 28 ppm in color in HD. It is easy to set up, reliable, and has a secure wireless system that delivers.
8. Brother MFC-L3750CDW Digital Color All-in-One Printer
Brother MFC-L3750CDW is a fast and reliable laser printer that can scan and print in black or color When needed, you can use it to print in black or color at speeds of up to 25 ppm. You are also able to scan black (26 ipm) and color (22 ipm) images and customize its output via a 3.7-inch touchscreen. The display enables you to adjust color balance (vivid or rich). This printer allows users to find and print files from cloud apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Ever note.
Brother MFC-L3750CDW has a modest memory of about 512 Mb making it less prone to dragging while in use. It also reads most original Brother toners and has a USB interface for printing directly from thumb drives.
What We Like
- Mobile and USB printing
- Fast printing (25 ppm)
- Scans (22-26 ipm)
- Double sided printing
- Good memory (512Mb)
Highlights
Brother MFC-L3750CDW is a dependable, digital printer that scans in HD as well. It supports two-sided printing and takes up minimal space.
These most popular dual monitor stands of 2021 can organize and make your workspace looks clean as well. Check it out!
9. Brother MFC-L3710CW Compact Digital Color Printer
Brother MFC-L3710CW produces high-quality prints of documents and photographs while saving over 10% of ink. It comes in a compact design and has a system that enables you to print from computers and phones via a wireless connection. Overall, an MFC-L3710CW laser printer can handle up to 19 ppm. Although slightly low for a commercial setting, it is a suitable item for personal use. It can also scan at 29 imp in black and around 22 imp in color.
The 250-sheet adjustable paper tray of a Brother MFC-L3710CW saves people time and hassle. While handling large projects, you do not have to refill it often, as some tabletop laser printers often require. It also has a touchscreen (3.7-inches) for setting up scanning and printing jobs, and a USB interface for printing from thumb drives.
What We Like
- Touchscreen (3.7 inches)
- Adjustable paper tray
- High-speed USB interface
- Prints and scans quickly
Highlights
Brother MFC-L3710CW is a compact digital printer that supports both wired and wireless printing. It has USB printing and a high-speed system that handles up to 19 ppm and 22-29 ipm.
10. Brother MFC-L3770CDW Compact Wireless Digital Printer
The Brother MFC-L3770CDW digital printer handles most printing jobs at speeds of up to 25 ppm. It has fast scanning (20-22 imp) and a double sided printing system that saves paper and money over time. If you are in the market for a cost effective printer for heavy duty printing, this is one of the best. After a complete set up, this printer will work for years maintenance-free. All you have to do is change its toner and ink when they run out, which is a simple, one-minute job. Its document feeder secures 250 sheets and its multipurpose tray holds 30. The auto document feeder fits 50.
Brother MFC-L3770CDW can read most original Brother toners in the market. Therefore, you will never struggle to find a replacement whenever its OEM toner runs out. It also has a responsive touchscreen for setting up printing jobs, and it handles cloud printing.
What We Like
- Supports cloud printing
- Large document tray (250 sheets)
- Fast printing (25 ppm)
- Fast scanning (20-22 imp)
Highlights
Brother MFC-L3770CDW is a compact laser printer and scanner that produces results quickly. Parts to the printer are sturdy and are built to offer value to the consumer.
Buying Guides for the Best Color Laser Printer
The best laser printers deliver stellar results in homes and offices due to their quality. They not only print better than inkjet printers but are also durable and have premium add-ons that enhance the experience of their users. Whether you print documents often or have a small business where you create or print cards for a profit, investing in one might be an excellent decision. Following the guidelines below will help ensure that you are making a smart purchase for your day-to-day printer needs.
Print Quality
Laser printing is a valuable technology that has helped millions of people prepare quality documents at home and work. If you are shopping for one, pay keen attention to the print quality of your product of choice before you reach for your wallet. For instance, how many dots per inch (dpi) does your printer of choice deliver while in use? For high definition (HD) printing of full color photos or images, look for a product with the highest dpi. Many contemporary brands have a resolution of about 2400 dpi but will cost you slightly more money. However, for heavy-duty text printing at home or in your office, a laser printer with a print resolution of 300-600 dpi will deliver the best experience. They are more affordable, but still effective for your basic printing needs.
While judging the quality of your printer of choice, you should also pay attention to its color options. Though cheap, monochrome laser printers are primarily for text printing and printing black and white text only. Individuals who print reports with colored text and graphics might not benefit much from this type of printer. If color is necessary for your printing jobs, you should pay slightly more money for a full-color laser printer that can use magenta, cyan, black, and yellow ink, to name a few. Such printers have a clear output on all types of paper. They are also perfect for printing flyers, charts, and graphics in full color.
Print Speed
Whether you are shopping for a printer for work or your business, the print speed will influence your productivity. A color laser printer with a print speed of up to 40 pages per minute (ppm) at a resolution of 1200 dpi will boost the quality of documents that you print daily. At full capacity, they can flawlessly churn out up to 40 full color pages. However, if you print letters or reports only occasionally, a color laser printer that can produce 20-30 pages in HD will never let you down.
Many factors influence the speed and productivity of laser printers. While printing, for instance, laser printers store your work as digital pages in a Random Access Memory (RAM) before printing. The size of the virtual storage space determines the number and size of pages that the device can store and thus print per minute. So, for the best results, order a product with a large built in memory. Moreover, well-engineered color laser printers with upgradeable memories (via a RAM module) offer value for money.
Paper Handling
Paper handling of your color laser printer depicts the experience that you will have at your home or office. Once you have found a printer whose speed and quality meet your needs, check for the following design options:
- Paper Size: What is the maximum size of the paper that you can feed into your color printer without it jamming or smudging? Most brands of laser printers can read and print on stacks of 8.5×11-inch printing papers. However, you should also check if your brand of laser printer can print on glossy paper, which are the best for charts and flyers. You should also check if it can print on index cards, legal envelopes, and specialty papers of different weights, sizes, or textures without smudging or jamming.
- Paper Feeder: Apart from paper size, check the paper feeder of your laser printer of choice and make sure that it is optimal. Overall, heavy duty laser printers with input trays that can hold up to 250 pages offer the best experience in most settings. You do not have to refill them as often to get the job done, which is invaluable in a high-traffic environment. The best color laser printers with smaller trays are ideal for light duty printing as they take up less space and cost less money.
- Double sided Printing: Two sided printing is a breakthrough technology that saves people money in printing costs. Instead of printing a single page per paper, the system enables you to print on both sides of the paper, which minimizes paper usage. Instead of flipping papers manually, it handles the process automatically to save people time and effort while printing large projects. While choosing a new color laser printer, opt for a product that supports double sided printing.
Yield
Are you conscious of your spending? While ordering the cheapest laser printer sounds like a good idea for most people, it is not always the best. To save cash in the long-term, check the yield of your potential printer as well. How many documents can it print per cartridge without sacrificing quality? Standard color laser printers have a maximum output of around 2,200 pages per ink cartridge. If you can find a product with a higher level, you will get a lower cost per page.
Connectivity Options
The connectivity options of your color laser printer of choice depict the source from which you can print your documents. Standard laser printers have a plug-and-use USB interface for printing directly from PCs and Mac computers. While this is sufficient for most individuals, a printer with add-on connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet offers the best results in offices or homes. Ethernet ports, for instance, enable people to set up network printing in large homes and offices. Instead of buying one printer for each of your computers, you can use one laser printer to print from multiple computers.
