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Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.9 Best Colour Laser Printer | Stop Paying For Ink

Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.

If you are printing reports, flyers, or client documents every week, an inkjet that clogs if you blink is the last thing you need. A colour laser printer swaps that hassle for toner cartridges that sit ready for months and pages that come out crisp and smear-proof from the first sheet. The hard part is picking the right one among dozens of models that all claim to be fast and affordable — until you see the replacement toner prices.

I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind WellFizz. 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.

Whether you are equipping a home office or a small team, these reviews cut through the noise to help you decide which colour laser printer actually delivers on speed, print quality, and long-term running costs without hidden surprises.

Quick Picks

How To Choose The Best Colour Laser Printer

Picking a colour laser printer is not just about the purchase price. The real cost lives in the toner cartridges you will buy over the next few years. Understanding a few key specs upfront saves you from a nasty surprise when the starter cartridges run out.

Print Speed: Pages Per Minute (PPM)

PPM tells you how many pages the printer can produce in one minute. A faster speed matters if you regularly print multi-page reports or batch documents. Most colour laser printers fall between 22 and 27 PPM for both colour and black-and-white, though premium models can push to 35 PPM. If you print only a few pages a day, speed matters far less than reliability and print quality.

Toner Yield and Cartridge Costs

Every printer ships with starter cartridges that hold less toner than standard or high-yield replacements. Check the page yield of the replacement cartridges — a 3000-page black toner sounds good until you see the price of a full set of four (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Some brands lock you into expensive proprietary cartridges, while others offer high-yield options that lower your cost per page.

Print-Only vs All-in-One

A print-only model is cheaper and more compact, but you will need a separate scanner if you occasionally copy or digitize documents. An all-in-one (printer, scanner, copier, and often fax) costs more upfront but saves desk space and simplifies workflows. Think about whether you genuinely need the scanning and copying functions before paying for them.

Quick Comparison

Model Best For Print Speed (B&W/Colour) Functions Paper Capacity Amazon
Brother HL-L3280CDW Best Overall 27 ppm Print Only 250-sheet Amazon
Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw Mid-Range Value 22 ppm Print Only 250-sheet Amazon
Lexmark CS331dw Reliable Workhorse 26 ppm Print Only 250-sheet Amazon
HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw Office Printing 26 ppm Print Only 250-sheet Amazon
Xerox C235dni All-in-One Budget 24 ppm Print, Scan, Copy, Fax 250-sheet Amazon
Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw Premium All-in-One 26 ppm Print, Scan, Copy, Fax 250-sheet Amazon
Brother MFC-L3720CDW Feature-Rich All-in-One 19 ppm Print, Scan, Copy, Fax 250-sheet Amazon
Xerox C325dni High-Speed Office 35 ppm Print, Scan, Copy, Fax 250-sheet Amazon
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw Full-Feature Office 26 ppm Print, Scan, Copy, Fax 250-sheet Amazon

In‑Depth Reviews

Best Overall

1. Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Printer

27 ppmPrint Only

The fastest compact colour laser that skips nothing on print quality.

This Brother delivers a punchy 27 ppm in both black-and-white and colour — while the Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw prints at 22 ppm, which means multi-page reports finish noticeably sooner. The integrated 2.7-inch touchscreen lets you pull files directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, or Evernote without touching a computer. Buyers report the “large paper tray holds half a ream,” so you refill less often during busy print runs.

It is a print-only machine, so you will need a separate scanner if copying or digitizing is part of your routine. The initial cost sits in a reasonable mid-range spot, but a full set of replacement toner cartridges will cost roughly the same down the road — something reviewers point out as the real long-term expense. Duplex printing works automatically on standard paper, though heavier card stock requires you to open the duplexer door manually.

WiFi setup is straightforward and the prints come out sharp and vibrant on regular office paper. For a small office or home workspace that prints often and values speed, this is the model to beat.

Speed & Ease

  • Fastest in this roundup at 27 ppm colour and B&W
  • Touchscreen with direct cloud app access
  • Automatic duplex printing saves paper

Trade‑offs to Know

  • Print-only, no scanner or copier built in
  • Full toner replacement costs as much as the printer itself
  • Duplexer door needs to be open for heavier card stock

Reach for this if: You need the fastest colour prints in this list and do not need scanning — the 27 ppm speed and reliable output make it the clear front-runner for busy home offices.

Look elsewhere if: You want an all-in-one with scanning and copying, or you plan to print mostly on heavy card stock.

Editors’ Choice

2. Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw Wireless Duplex Color Laser Printer

22 ppmCompact

A reliable workmate that wakes fast and prints crisp on a budget.

You get sharp prints that reviewers call “excellent print quality” from this Canon, even though its 22 ppm (pages per minute) speed is slower than the Brother’s 27 ppm. It wakes from sleep in 15 seconds, so you are not waiting around. One reviewer noted the 3000-page toner cartridge keeps you printing for months before you need a swap. It uses a 250-sheet cassette plus a single-sheet multipurpose tray for envelopes or thicker media.

Chromebook compatibility is listed on the box, but verified buyers on ChromeOS report you will need a cloud printing workaround — not a plug-and-play experience if you are fully in Google’s ecosystem. The printer refuses to connect to some WiFi 6 mesh networks, and the lack of a USB cable in the box is a minor gripe. If your network is standard 2.4GHz or 5GHz, setup is painless on Windows, Mac, and even Ubuntu Linux where it works from the start.

For a print-only machine that delivers professional-looking colour documents without a high upfront cost, this Canon is a smart mid-range pick — just verify your network compatibility first.

Solid Performer

  • 3000-page toner yield on standard cartridges
  • Fast 15-second wake from sleep
  • Works from the start with Ubuntu Linux

Watch For

  • 22 ppm print speed versus Brother’s 27 ppm
  • Chromebook compatibility requires a cloud printing workaround
  • May not connect to WiFi 6 mesh networks

Ideal for: Budget-conscious offices with standard wireless networks, especially if you use Windows or Ubuntu and want low running costs from high-yield toner.

skip it if: You rely on ChromeOS or need the fastest print speed in this lineup.

Reliable Pick

3. Lexmark CS331dw Color Laser Printer

26 ppm1GHz Dual-Core

A compact printer that sits for months then prints like it never stopped.

This Lexmark runs at 26 ppm in both colour and black-and-white, powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and 512 MB of memory — enough to handle complex print jobs without slowdowns. One buyer mentioned that “after 3-4 months of non-use, printed perfectly with high-quality color,” which is a massive advantage over inkjets that dry up in weeks.

The catch is twofold. First, the toner is expensive enough that several owners mention replacement costs exceed the printer’s price. Second, the printer does not support 5GHz WiFi, so if your router only broadcasts on the 5GHz band, you will be stuck connecting via USB or Ethernet. The driver installation also requires some patience — the printer comes with no USB cable and the CD-based driver setup frustrates users without an optical drive.

Once up and running, the prints are excellent and the automatic duplexer jams less than many competitors. It is a solid option if you print infrequently but need dependable colour quality on demand.

Strong Points

  • Prints perfectly after months of non-use — no clogged nozzles
  • Fast 26 ppm with 1GHz dual-core processor
  • Automatic duplex printing is reliable and jams rarely

Pain Points

  • Toner is very expensive to replace
  • No 5GHz WiFi support; may require USB or Ethernet
  • Driver setup is cumbersome without an optical drive

Best for: Intermittent users who need a colour laser that sits idle for months and still produces perfect prints on command.

Consider alternatives if: You want affordable replacement toner or need 5GHz wireless connectivity.

Office Ready

4. HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw Wireless Color Laser Printer

26 ppmTerraJet Toner

Vivid TerraJet colours in a compact office-friendly footprint.

HP’s TerraJet toner technology gives this printer richer colour saturation than older HP models, and the 26 ppm speed matches the fastest print-only picks here. One buyer operating an automotive shop called it a “reliable workhorse” with “fast print speed (~25-26 ppm), good toner life, compact size.” The dual-band WiFi includes a self-reset feature that automatically detects and resolves connection drops.

The major downside is HP’s cartridge lock-in: the printer blocks any cartridge without an original HP chip. Starter cartridges produce excellent prints, but replacements (HP 218a series) have drawn sharp criticism — one reviewer spent over on toner and found the replacements produced “terrible, faded, unreadable prints.” Others noted the replacement toner costs roughly for a full set at retail. The printer also lacks a built-in scanner (it is print-only), and the scanning function requires HP’s phone app.

If your office has the budget for HP’s proprietary toner ecosystem and you value vivid colour output, this is a capable machine. Be ready for the ongoing cost.

What Works

  • TerraJet toner delivers noticeably vivid colours
  • Dual-band WiFi with self-reset for reliable connections
  • Compact size saves desk space

Major Caveats

  • Blocks non-HP cartridges; replacement toner is very expensive
  • Scanner function only works through phone app
  • Multiple reviews report toner quality issues with replacements

Reach for this if: Your office budget can absorb HP’s toner costs and you want the richest colour output from a compact print-only laser.

Look elsewhere if: You want affordable replacement toner or a built-in scanner.

Great Value All-in-One

5. Xerox C235dni Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer

24 ppmAll-in-One

An affordable all-in-one that brings scanning and copying to the colour laser table.

This Xerox prints, scans, copies, and faxes at 24 ppm — while the Brother prints at 27 ppm and the Canon at 22 ppm. It ships with starter toner rated for 500 pages, and it supports high-yield cartridges designed to lower your long-term cost per page. Setup is guided through the Xerox Easy Assist App on a 2.4 GHz WiFi network, or you can connect via USB for a traditional install.

As the most budget-friendly all-in-one in this lineup, it is a good entry point if you need scanning and copying without jumping to premium pricing. The maximum monthly duty cycle is 1,500 pages, so it suits light-to-moderate office use rather than high-volume environments. Customers note the print quality is professional for text and graphics, though starter toner runs out faster than you might expect.

If you want a single machine that handles all your document tasks without spending top dollar, this Xerox covers the basics competently.

Value Highlights

  • All-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax) at a budget-friendly price
  • High-yield toner support to reduce recurring costs
  • Easy smartphone setup via Xerox app

Limitations

  • Starter toner is only 500 pages
  • Slower than the top picks (24 ppm)
  • Monthly duty cycle of 1,500 pages limits heavy use

Best for: Small offices or home workspaces that need a single device for printing, scanning, and copying without a premium price tag.

pass on it if: You print more than 1,500 pages per month or need faster output.

Premium All-in-One

6. Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw Wireless Duplex Laser Printer

26 ppm3-Year Warranty

A 4-in-1 office hub with a 3-year warranty and a 5-inch colour touchscreen.

This Canon handles print, scan, copy, and fax duties at 26 ppm — matching the speed of print-only models while adding full scanning and copying functionality. The first page comes out in about 10.3 seconds, so you are not waiting around for warm-up. A 50-sheet automatic document feeder handles two-sided passes in one go, which saves time on multi-page scanning or copying jobs.

The 5-inch colour touchscreen is the standout interface here, with customizable shortcuts for the features you use daily. Canon includes a 3-year limited warranty, which is longer than the typical 1-year coverage from many competitors. It uses Canon Genuine Toner 075 cartridges with high-capacity options to stretch between replacements.

If you need copier and scanner functions built into a fast colour laser, this Canon delivers those features plus a 3-year warranty for confidence. it’s not for you if you want the fastest print speed — the Brother HL-L3280CDW prints at 27 ppm, while this Canon prints at 26 ppm.

Premium Features

  • 26 ppm colour and B&W with a fast 10.3-second first page
  • 3-year limited warranty — well above average
  • 5-inch colour touchscreen with customizable shortcuts

Considerations

  • Premium price reflects the all-in-one features
  • Starter toner cartridges are low-yield (500/700 pages)

Ideal for: Offices that need a full-function colour laser (print, scan, copy, fax) and value a generous 3-year warranty and a large touchscreen interface.

look elsewhere if: You only need a printer and do not want to pay for scanner and copier hardware.

Feature-Rich All-in-One

7. Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer

19 ppm3.5″ Touchscreen

Packed with connectivity options but slower than the competition.

Print speed here sits at 19 ppm. Where this Brother compensates is in features: dual-band wireless (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, a 50-sheet auto document feeder, and a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts. The all-in-one functions include printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, along with direct cloud access to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote.

One owner reported the scanner works well for multi-page documents and the touchscreen is simple to navigate. However, a critical review reported a waste toner error after about 1,000 pages over two years, with Brother support unable to resolve it — a failure that turned the printer unusable. That is a serious reliability flag for a printer in this price tier.

If the suite of connectivity features and cloud integration matter more to you than raw speed, this Brother has a lot to offer. Just be aware of the potential long-term reliability risk that some owners have experienced.

Feature Set

  • Dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz + 5GHz) and Wi-Fi Direct
  • 50-sheet auto document feeder for multi-page jobs
  • 3.5-inch colour touchscreen with 48 shortcuts

Reliability Concerns

  • Slower than most (19 ppm colour and B&W)
  • Some customers note waste toner errors that brick the printer

Best for: Users who want the most connectivity options and cloud integration in an all-in-one, even if print speed is not the priority.

Consider alternatives if: You need fast print speeds or are concerned about long-term reliability after 1,000+ pages.

High-Speed Office

8. Xerox C325dni Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer

35 ppm4.3″ Touchscreen

The fastest colour laser here at 35 ppm with a large touchscreen interface.

At 35 ppm in both colour and black-and-white, this Xerox is the speed king of the lineup, while the Brother prints at 27 ppm and the Canon at 26 ppm. It ships with starter toner rated for 1,500 black pages and 1,000 colour pages, which is more generous than most competitors. The 4.3-inch colour touchscreen makes navigation easy, and the all-in-one functions cover print, scan, copy, and fax.

It is designed for busier offices with a monthly duty cycle up to 2,500 pages, and the high-yield cartridge support helps manage ongoing costs. Setup is guided through the Xerox Easy Assist App on a 2.4 GHz network, or you can use USB or Ethernet. The physical footprint is larger than compact models, measuring 18.9 inches wide by 19.3 inches high, so make sure your desk has the room.

If speed and a high monthly capacity are your top priorities, this Xerox delivers performance that the rest of the field cannot match.

Speed Leader

  • Fastest in this roundup at 35 ppm colour and B&W
  • Higher-yield starter toner (1,500 black, 1,000 colour)
  • Large 4.3-inch colour touchscreen interface

Space & Cost

  • Larger footprint needs significant desk space
  • Premium price for the speed and features

Ideal for: Busy offices that print high volumes (up to 2,500 pages per month) and value speed over compact size.

steer clear if: Desk space is tight or your monthly print volume is under 500 pages.

Full-Feature Office

9. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer

26 ppmADF & Duplex

A do-it-all office machine with duplex scanning and HP’s TerraJet colour.

This HP all-in-one prints, scans, copies, and faxes at 26 ppm, matching the fastest print-only models while adding a 50-sheet automatic document feeder with two-sided single-pass scanning. The TerraJet toner system delivers vivid, professional-looking colour documents. Buyers describe the setup as “quick and straightforward” with “reliable Wi-Fi” and “sharp text, vibrant colours.”

The same HP cartridge lock-in applies here: the printer blocks non-HP cartridges, and replacement toner is expensive. One customer observed severe print defects (streaks and missing toner) on a new unit, with HP support unable to supply replacement toner for months due to the new model’s low stock. Another noted that HP firmware updates can brick the printer and recommended disabling auto-updates. The printer also requires original HP toner to function at all, which limits your options for third-party savings.

For a team that needs a full-featured MFP with duplex scanning and can plan around HP’s toner ecosystem, this is a capable machine. Just budget for the proprietary cartridges and keep an eye on firmware updates.

Full Office Suite

  • All-in-one with 50-sheet two-sided single-pass ADF
  • 26 ppm with TerraJet vivid colour output
  • Dual-band WiFi with self-reset for reliable connections

HP Ecosystem

  • Blocks non-HP toner cartridges
  • Reports of print defects and poor support on new units
  • Firmware updates can cause problems

Best for: Offices that need fast scanning and copying alongside colour printing, and are prepared for HP’s cartridge costs.

Consider other brands if: You want to use third-party toner or keep total cost of ownership low over several years.

Understanding the Specs

Pages Per Minute (PPM)

PPM tells you how many pages the printer can produce in one minute of continuous printing. A higher PPM means faster output when you print multi-page reports or batch documents. Most colour laser printers in this range deliver between 19 and 35 PPM for both colour and black-and-white. If you print only a few pages a day, speed is less important than print quality and reliability.

Toner Yield and Replacement Costs

Toner yield is the number of pages a cartridge can print before needing replacement, measured in pages (e.g., 3000 pages). Every printer ships with starter cartridges that hold less toner than standard or high-yield replacements. The real cost of owning a laser printer comes from buying full sets of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black cartridges — which can cost as much as the printer itself. Check the yield and price of replacement cartridges before you buy.

FAQ

What does PPM mean in a colour laser printer?
PPM stands for pages per minute — it measures how many pages the printer can produce in one minute of continuous printing. Both colour and black-and-white speeds are usually listed separately. Higher PPM means faster output for multi-page jobs.
How much does it cost to replace toner on a colour laser printer?
Replacement toner costs vary widely by brand and cartridge yield. A full set of four cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) can cost anywhere from to over for some models. High-yield cartridges have a higher upfront cost but a lower cost per page over the long term.
Is a colour laser printer better than an inkjet for home use?
It depends on your printing habits. Laser printers use toner powder that does not dry out, so they handle infrequent use much better than inkjets, which can clog if left idle. Laser printers also print text sharper and faster. Inkjets often produce better photo quality and have a lower initial cost.
Can I use third-party toner cartridges in my colour laser printer?
Some brands, like Brother and Lexmark, allow third-party toner without major issues. Others, like HP, actively block non-HP cartridges through firmware updates. Check the printer’s policy before buying if you plan to use third-party toner to save money.
What does duplex printing mean?
Duplex printing means the printer can automatically print on both sides of the paper without you having to flip the pages manually. It saves paper and makes documents look more professional. All the printers in this guide have automatic duplex printing.
Do all colour laser printers support wireless printing?
Most modern colour laser printers include built-in WiFi for wireless printing from laptops, phones, and tablets. Some, like the Lexmark CS331dw, do not support 5GHz WiFi networks, so check your router’s band compatibility before buying.
What is the difference between a print-only and an all-in-one colour laser printer?
A print-only printer does exactly that — prints documents. An all-in-one (also called an MFP or multifunction printer) adds scanning, copying, and often faxing. All-in-one models cost more but save desk space by combining multiple devices into one.
How long do colour laser printers typically last?
Colour laser printers can last many years with regular use. The mechanical components (rollers, fuser) may need replacement over time, but toner itself never dries out. Some owners in the reviews mentioned using their printers for 2+ years without issues, while others reported waste toner errors around 1,000 pages.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

For most buyers, the colour laser printer winner is the Brother HL-L3280CDW because it delivers the fastest print speed (27 ppm) in this roundup with reliable output and a reasonable price tag. If you want scanning and copying in a single machine, grab the Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw for its 3-year warranty and large touchscreen. And for high-volume offices that need speed, the Xerox C325dni delivers 35 ppm output — 8 ppm faster than the Brother.

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 July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.

As an Amazon Associate, WellFizz earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.

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Mo Maruf
Founder & Lead Editor

Mo Maruf

I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.

Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.

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