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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.
You need a machine that prints colour documents cleanly and scans stacks of paper without making you wait. You also do not want the printer itself to become a second job. Whether you lean toward a laser (toner never dries out) or an ink-tank model (much lower ink costs per page), finding the right fit for your desk and your daily workload is the real challenge — especially when every brand claims to be the fastest.
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.
You are about to see seven of the best colour printer and scanner combinations sold today, each chosen for a different real-world need — from blistering laser speed down to a refillable tank system that saves you hundreds on ink. The goal is simple: match the right machine to the pile of paper you actually print. colour printer and scanner.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Colour Printer And Scanner
Every printer in this list can handle colour and scanning, but the one that works for a home office paper-pusher will drive a graphic designer crazy. The main fork is between laser and inkjet: laser gives you crisp, smudge-proof output and faster speeds, while modern ink-tank inkjets drastically lower the cost of each colour page. Here is what matters most.
Print Speed That Matches Your Volume
Colour pages per minute (ppm) is the number that tells you how fast the machine actually runs in colour mode. A laser that prints 35 colour ppm is roughly three times faster than a typical inkjet — that gap matters when you are cranking out multi-page reports for a meeting. If you only print a few colour pages a week, speed is less critical than running costs.
Scanning That Does Not Waste Your Time
The auto document feeder (ADF) is the slot on top that pulls in a stack of pages and scans them automatically. A single-pass duplex ADF scans both sides of the paper in one pass — this cuts a 20-page two-sided document down to one quick job instead of a manual flip. Also check if the scanner uses contact image sensor (CIS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) technology; CCD handles curved book spines better, but CIS is thinner, cheaper, and fine for flat paper.
Colour Depth For Fidelity
A spec like 24 bpp (bits per pixel) or 48 bpp tells you how many shades of colour the scanner can see. 48 bpp gives smoother gradients and better shadow detail — something to look for if you scan photos or artwork. For documents and charts, 24 bpp is perfectly fine and every laser in this list uses it.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Colour Speed | Scanner Type | Paper Capacity | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw★ Best Overall | High-volume office speed | 35 ppm | Duplex ADF (50 sheets) | 250 + 50 + optional 850 | Amazon |
| Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020Best Value | Low running costs | 10 ppm | ADF (35 sheets) | 250-sheet tray | Amazon |
| Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 | Wide-format prints (13×19) | 12 ppm | ADF (50 sheets) | 500 sheets | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Solid value laser workhorse | 19 ppm | ADF (50 sheets) | 250 sheets | Amazon |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw | Compact pro laser for teams | 26 ppm | Duplex ADF | 250 sheets | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3780CDW | Fast scanning + speed | 31 ppm | Single-pass duplex ADF (50 sheets) | 250 sheets | Amazon |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw | Top-end colour speed and security | 33 ppm | Duplex ADF | 250 sheets | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw
Our pick — over 4★ from 550+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The fastest colour laser here, built to chew through stacks of paper without complaint.
If speed is your priority, this is the one to beat. The Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw prints colour pages at 35 ppm — a 2.9x lead over the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 and a full 2.3x faster than the Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 on black-and-white jobs. That pace makes it ideal for a busy office where multiple people queue documents. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder handles two-sided scanning in a single pass, which means a 20-page double-sided contract scans in seconds, not minutes. Build quality feels solid, and the 3-year limited warranty backs it up.
Setup is where opinions diverge. The crowd reports that initial network configuration can be fiddly — a full hour-plus for some — and the touch-screen menus are not always intuitive. Once running, though, the wireless connection is steady and the prints are “ultra-clean sharp,” as owners put it. The print quality is the most-praised feature by a wide margin, with colour vibrancy and crisp black text mentioned constantly. A recurring note: some units arrive with a gray-market serial that cannot be registered for US warranty support, so check the box carefully if that matters to you.
The paper handling is generous right from the start — 250-sheet cassette plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray — and you can expand it to 850 sheets with an optional cassette (PF-K1). Toner is the 069 / 069 High Capacity series, which keeps replacement intervals longer than entry-level cartridges. The trade-off is that the machine is expensive upfront, and the glossy white finish shows smudges if you handle it often. But for anyone who prints colour daily at volume, this is the crowd favourite.
Why It Dominates
- Blazing 35 ppm colour speed — fastest on this list
- One-pass duplex ADF saves serious time on multi-page scans
- Expandable paper capacity up to 850 sheets
- 3-year limited warranty provides confidence
Know Before You Buy
- Initial wireless setup can be frustrating and slow
- Gray-market units may lack US warranty support
- Touch-screen menus are not the most intuitive
Perfect for: A team or home office that prints colour fast and often — the speed pays for itself in saved time.
Think twice if: You prefer plug-and-play setup or need a graphic-arts colour gamut; this is a document laser, not a photo lab.
2. Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020
The cheapest way to keep printing colour every day without dreading the ink bill.
The Canon MegaTank system swaps cartridges for ink bottles. Canon claims you get up to 3,000 black-and-white pages and 3,000 colour pages from a single set of GI-25 pigment inks. Buyers confirm that a full replacement runs around from Canon or about for generic — a fraction of what you would spend on cartridge-based printers over a year. The 2.7-inch colour touchscreen makes navigation straightforward, and the 35-sheet auto document feeder handles scanning and copying of multi-page originals without manual intervention.
Print quality earns the most positive mentions, especially for documents and general office work. High-resolution scanning and crisp colour output are praised frequently. Setup is reported as mostly easy, and the leak-proof ink bottles are a thoughtful design touch — no syringes or funnels required, just pour and lock. A front window lets you see ink levels at a glance. The auto two-sided printing is a welcome convenience for saving paper, though some owners note the print speed at 10 ppm colour feels slow when you are in a hurry.
The compact white body fits neatly on a small desk, and the wireless networking works well for most users after the initial app-driven setup (which shares data prompts that a few owners dislike). The main hesitation: this is not a photo printer. Colours on glossy photo paper can appear dull and blurry, and it will not match the vibrancy of a dedicated photo inkjet. For everyday office paperwork, invoices, and school projects, the running cost advantage is tough to top.
What Wins People Over
- Ultra-low ink costs — about – for thousands of pages
- Easy, leak-proof refill bottle system
- Auto duplex printing saves paper automatically
- Compact footprint fits on any desk
The Real Trade-Off
- Slow colour speed at 10 ppm — not for rush jobs
- Photo quality is mediocre; stick to document use
- App setup required for Wi-Fi, with data-sharing prompts
Reach for this if: You print hundreds of colour pages a month and want the lowest per-page cost without sacrificing quality.
Look elsewhere if: You need fast colour output or plan to print high-quality photos regularly.
3. Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840
The one printer that handles 11×17 and 13×19 layouts without a second machine.
Wide-format capability is the headline. The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 prints up to 13 by 19 inches, which makes it the only option here for architectural plans, tabloid-size spreadsheets, or marketing flyers. Buyers report printing around 12,000 pages over four years using both genuine Epson DURABrite Ultra inks and generic alternatives — with “flawless quality” on both. The 500-sheet paper capacity means fewer refills during a busy day, and the 50-page auto document feeder is generous enough for most offices.
At 12 ppm colour speed, it is noticeably slower than the laser contenders — the Canon MF753Cdw runs nearly 3x faster — but that is typical for a wide-format inkjet. The big number here is colour depth: 48 bpp (bits per pixel), which is double what most lasers offer. That translates to smoother gradations and richer detail in scanned photos or colour artwork, an advantage if your work involves graphics. The PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology reduces energy use and helps print heads last longer.
The clear downsides are size and firmware quirks. The machine is heavy and bulky — you will need a solid table. Many owners mention persistent firmware update prompts that can be ignored but are annoying. And like many current inkjets, firmware updates can block third-party ink cartridges, so factor that into your running-cost math. For anyone who needs wide-format colour prints and values build longevity, the WF-7840 holds up well.
Why Buy This
- Prints up to 13″ x 19″ — unique in this roundup
- 48 bpp colour depth for smoother scans and prints
- 500-sheet paper capacity handles big jobs
- Proven longevity — owners pass 10,000 pages easily
The Catch
- Slow colour speed at 12 ppm
- Large and heavy; needs dedicated desk space
- Firmware updates can block non-OEM ink
Ideal for: Architects, engineers, or creatives who routinely need prints larger than letter size.
Skip if: You only print standard-size pages and want maximum speed — a laser will serve you better.
4. Brother MFC-L3720CDW
A reliable laser that balances speed, scanning, and a very clever touchscreen.
The Brother MFC-L3720CDW sits in a balance: 19 ppm colour and black output, a 50-sheet auto document feeder, and a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen that makes navigating cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote directly from the panel a genuine convenience. The 250-sheet adjustable paper tray plus auto duplex printing handles a moderate office workload without fuss. Dual-band wireless (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and Wi-Fi Direct give you flexible connectivity, and the machine supports 48 customizable shortcut keys on the touchscreen for repetitive tasks.
Setup is widely praised for being quick and easy — most owners are up and running within minutes, bypassing the app entirely if they prefer a web-based configuration. The Brother Genuine TN229 toner series is available in standard, high, and super-high yield cartridges, so you can choose the cartridge that matches your volume. One thoughtful spec: the colour speed (19 ppm) matches the black speed, so switching between monochrome and colour does not slow you down.
The main clouds are print quality for photos — it is not photo-calibrated — and the occasional waste-toner error that can render a unit inoperable after a year or two. That failure appears in a minority of reviews but is a serious hit when it happens. For document-heavy home offices or small businesses where running costs matter, this is a proven contender that has generated strong owner loyalty.
Strengths
- Fast 19 ppm in colour and black — no speed penalty
- 3.5″ colour touchscreen with direct cloud access
- Easy wireless setup, dual-band connectivity
- Multiple toner yield options to match your volume
Weaknesses
- Not designed for photo-quality prints
- Occasional waste-toner errors can brick the unit
- Value perception is mixed — some find toner expensive
Good match for: Small teams that want fast laser colour and a great interface without paying flagship prices.
Not for: Anyone who prints glossy photos or needs the absolute fastest speed on the list.
5. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw
A compact laser that packs 26 ppm speed and HP’s newer TerraJet toner technology.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw uses next-generation TerraJet toner, which HP claims produces more vivid colours than previous series. At 26 ppm in both colour and black-and-white, it sits between the budget laser tier and the top speedsters, making it a strong fit for small teams who want professional colour reports without the footprint of a larger machine. The auto two-sided printing and single-pass duplex scanning keep productivity high, and HP’s dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and fixes connection issues — a feature that matters in busy offices.
Setup is reported as fast and intuitive, even for non-technical users. The responsive touchscreen and HP Smart app make mobile printing and scanning convenient. Owners who are happy with the unit emphasise the crisp text, vibrant colour graphics, and reliable auto-duplex that rarely jams. The machine is smaller than the previous-generation HP it replaces, which is a plus if desk space is tight. A 250-sheet input tray is standard, and the unit handles up to 26 ppm with no perceptible lag during multi-page jobs.
The catch is the cartridges. The introductory 218A/X toner ships with limited yields — some owners reported depleting the starter colour toner after only about 50 pages — and replacing them is expensive. HP also blocks non-HP chips and circuitry, meaning you are locked into genuine HP cartridges. A vocal minority report banding or streaking with the starter toner and difficulty ordering replacements because the 218A/X series is new and not always in stock. If you run high volume, check that the high-yield 218X carts are available in your region before committing.
Pros
- Fast 26 ppm colour and black in a compact chassis
- TerraJet toner for richer colour output
- Auto-resetting Wi-Fi reduces connectivity headaches
- Easy setup and intuitive HP Smart app
Cons
- Starter cartridges run out fast — budget for immediate replacements
- Locked to genuine HP cartridges; no third-party options
- New toner model (218A/X) can be hard to find in stock
Reach for this if: You want a fast, space-saving colour laser with excellent print quality and prefer HP’s app ecosystem.
Look elsewhere if: You want low-cost third-party toner or run very high colour volumes — the consumables cost may sting.
6. Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Near-flagship laser speed with a scanning system that handles double-sided stacks in one pass.
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a speed demon for document-centric offices. It delivers 31 ppm in colour and black, and its single-pass duplex automatic document feeder scans both sides of a stack of paper in one run — a huge time saver when digitising contracts or multi-page reports. The 50-sheet ADF, 250-sheet tray, and Gigabit Ethernet make it a natural fit for a small business where multiple users share the device. The 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz dual-band wireless plus Wi-Fi Direct provide flexible connection options for phones and laptops.
Owners consistently call out the print quality and speed as highlights. Colour output is crisp for business documents, presentations, and flyers — not calibrated for photo work, but perfectly acceptable for the office. AirPrint works instantly for iOS users, and the machine plays well across Windows, Mac, and Android. The Brother TN229 toner series offers standard, high, and super-high yield cartridges (including XXL), so you can pick the right capacity for your volume. The build feels sturdy, and the packaging is excellent for a product in this class.
Setup is where the friction lies. A hidden sheet protector under the toner cartridges must be removed during installation, and some owners found the scanning drivers incompatible with Windows 11 initially, requiring a USB fallback to get started. The colour output is described as slightly duller than expected by a few users. And Brother’s Refresh subscription program has drawn sharp criticism — a payment failure can lock the printer until the subscription is resolved, so most owners recommend skipping the subscription and buying toner outright. For a fast, reliable laser that scans like a champ, this is a top candidate.
What It Does Best
- 31 ppm colour speed — one of the fastest here
- Single-pass duplex ADF saves massive time on multi-page scans
- Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi for flexible networking
- Wide range of toner yields (standard to XXL)
Where It Stumbles
- Initial setup can be fussy, especially scanning drivers
- Colour output slightly less vibrant than competitors
- Refresh subscription can lock you out if payment fails
Perfect for: A busy office that scans two-sided documents constantly — the single-pass duplex is a genuine productivity boost.
Think twice if: You need photo-quality colour or want a printer that is truly plug-and-play from the start.
7. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw
Top-tier colour output and security for teams of up to ten people.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw is the heavyweight of the list — literally 45 pounds, with a 23.5-inch width that demands a dedicated desk or stand. It delivers up to 33 ppm colour speed (the spec says 33 for colour, 35 for monochrome), which puts it just behind the Canon MF753Cdw in raw pace. The duplex ADF handles double-sided scanning efficiently, and the 250-sheet input tray is supplemented by the ability to add higher-yield cartridges that last up to 7,500 pages for black and 5,500 pages for colour. For a team of up to ten people, HP has designed this as a central office hub.
Print quality is described as crisp and vibrant. The intelligent Wi-Fi system seeks out the best connection and stays online, which is a genuine improvement over earlier HP models that dropped off the network. Mac users report instant recognition, and the bundled HP Wolf Pro Security adds customizable settings that protect sensitive documents — a rare feature for a printer in this price neighbourhood. Owners who are satisfied mention that setup was simple, output was fast, and the machine is quiet enough to sit on a nearby desk.
The pain points are real and repeated. The starter cartridges included in the box — 1,200 pages black, 1,000 pages colour — run out quickly, and genuine high-capacity replacements are expensive (HP-branded toner for this model can run into hundreds of dollars per set). HP locks out non-HP cartridges via firmware, so you cannot shop around. A vocal minority report premature hardware failures — false paper jam errors, Wi-Fi dropouts — that appear within a year. The consensus: excellent while working, but the total cost of ownership is high, and reliability is not a sure bet.
Highlights
- 33 ppm colour speed with sharp, vibrant prints
- Intelligent Wi-Fi maintains a stable connection
- HP Wolf Pro Security protects sensitive data
- High-yield cartridges available up to 7,500 pages black
Drawbacks
- Expensive genuine toner with no third-party option
- Starter cartridges deplete quickly
- Reports of premature hardware failures and firmware bugs
Best for: A medium-sized team that values speed, colour, and security in one heavy-duty package.
Not for: Budget-conscious buyers or those who prefer to use generic cartridges to keep costs down.
Understanding the Specs
Pages Per Minute (ppm)
This is the number of pages the printer can produce in one minute. Colour ppm is almost always lower than black ppm on inkjets, but many laser models — like the Canon MF753Cdw and Brother MFC-L3780CDW — print colour at the same speed as black. Look for the colour ppm rating because that is the number that matters for your daily colour jobs. A laser at 35 ppm is roughly three times faster than a typical inkjet colour printer, which makes a big difference when you are printing a 10-page colour presentation for a meeting.
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)
The ADF is the tray on top of the scanner that pulls in a stack of pages and scans or copies them automatically without you having to place each page manually. A single-pass duplex ADF scans both sides of each sheet in one pass — this is a significant time saver compared to a standard ADF that requires a second pass. If you regularly scan or fax multi-page double-sided documents, a single-pass duplex ADF alone is worth upgrading for. The sheet capacity (35-sheet, 50-sheet) tells you how many pages you can load at once.
Colour Depth (bpp)
Colour depth, measured in bits per pixel (bpp), tells you how many individual colours the scanner can capture. 24 bpp is the standard for most office laser all-in-ones — it handles documents, charts, and simple graphics well. 48 bpp, found on the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840, doubles that range, giving you smoother colour transitions and finer detail in shadows and highlights. For scanning photos, artwork, or anything with subtle gradients, 48 bpp is a clear advantage. For text and invoices, 24 bpp is perfectly fine.
Duplex Printing
Duplex means automatic two-sided printing. Instead of you manually flipping pages, the printer turns the paper over and prints on the back. Every product in this review has automatic duplex printing, and it saves paper, money, and filing space. On the scanning side, duplex scanning is separate from duplex printing — a duplex scanner can capture both sides of a document in one pass. If you scan a lot of two-sided originals, look for “single-pass duplex” in the specs.
FAQ
Is a laser or an inkjet colour printer better for a home office?
How long does a colour laser toner cartridge last?
What does single-pass duplex scanning mean?
Can I use third-party ink or toner in these printers?
What size paper can a wide-format colour printer handle?
How do I connect a colour printer to my Wi-Fi network?
What is the difference between 24 bpp and 48 bpp colour depth?
How many pages should I expect from the starter cartridges in a new printer?
Is it worth buying a printer with an optional paper cassette?
Which colour printer and scanner is best for a small business team of 5 people?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Across the board, the colour printer and scanner winner is the Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw because it combines the fastest colour speed (35 ppm) with a duplex ADF and expandable paper capacity, making it the best pick for any office that prints colour daily. If you want to cut running costs to the bone, grab the Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 with its refillable ink system. And for wide-format colour prints up to 13×19 inches, the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 is the one to reach for.
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
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.