The Best Office Printer

An office printer is the backbone of any productive workspace, whether you run a home business, manage a small team, or need reliable output for daily paperwork.

The best office printer balances speed, print quality, operating costs, and connectivity so you can focus on work instead of troubleshooting.

In this guide, we evaluate the top models from Brother and HP, analyzing specifications, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback to score each on our 0, 10 BP Score scale.

Below are our top picks to help you choose the right printer for your workplace.

Best Office Printer Buying Guide

Print Speed and Volume

Print speed matters most in busy offices where multiple users queue jobs. Monochrome laser printers typically output 25, 40 pages per minute, while inkjets range from 10, 20 ppm.

Consider your monthly duty cycle: if you exceed 3,000 pages, a laser engine (like those in HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw) handles high volumes without stress.

For light to moderate use, a color inkjet such as the Brother DCP-L2640DW offers adequate speed with lower upfront cost.

Auto-duplex printing (two‑sided output) saves paper and speeds up document production. Nearly all models in our roundup include duplex, but check whether scanning duplex is also supported if you process two‑sided originals regularly.

For heavy workloads, look for a printer with a high‑yield toner option.

Our dedicated laser printer guide covers high‑volume machines, while inkjet recommendations are ideal for lower‑volume offices that need color.

Print Quality and Technology

Laser printers produce sharp text and crisp monochrome graphics, making them the default for business documents. Color laser printers can handle presentations and marketing materials but often cost more per page.

Inkjet technology, especially with pigment‑based inks, now rivals laser for text quality and excels at vibrant color photos and graphics.

The Brother Work Smart 1360 uses color inkjet to deliver strong output for mixed office tasks at a very low purchase price.

For offices that produce many labels, forms, or barcodes, a laser printer’s toner adhesion is more durable. Inkjet printers sometimes smudge on coated paper, though modern dye‑based inks are water‑resistant. Evaluate your typical document mix before deciding.

For more on print quality comparisons, see our best quality printer roundup.

Cost Per Page

Total cost of ownership often matters more than the purchase price. Laser printers use toner cartridges that cost roughly 2, 5 cents per black page, while traditional inkjet cartridges can exceed 10 cents. High‑yield or supertank models drastically reduce per‑page costs.

The Brother INKvestment 5010 and Epson EcoTank ET-4800 offer refillable ink tanks that bring color pages down to under a cent. Over a few years, the savings offset the higher initial investment.

Printers with subscription ink plans (like HP Instant Ink) charge a monthly fee based on pages printed, which can be budget‑friendly for moderate use. However, you may pay for pages you don’t use.

Evaluate your average monthly volume and compare with standard cartridge costs.

Learn more about cost‑efficient options in our tank printer guide.

Connectivity and Mobile Features

Modern office printers must support Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and mobile printing standards such as AirPrint, Mopria, or Brother iPrint&Scan. Wireless connectivity lets everyone in the office print without cables, while Ethernet ensures stable, high‑speed access for heavy workloads.

Most models we recommend include both. USB‑C is emerging, but USB‑A ports remain common for direct PC connections to the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135.

Look for a printer with a touchscreen or at least a clear display for easy navigation of copy, scan, and fax functions. NFC tap‑to‑print simplifies one‑time jobs from smartphones. For a deeper dive into wireless capabilities, check our wireless printer guide.

Size and Footprint

Office real estate is precious. Compact models like the Brother Work Smart 1360 (inkjet) or HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw (laser) tuck easily on a desk or shelf.

All‑in‑ones with automatic document feeders (ADF) add height but speed up scanning multi‑page documents. Measure your available space and factor in clearance for paper trays and rear vents.

For tight spaces, small printers and compact options are worth exploring.

Additional Functions (Scan, Copy, Fax)

Most office printers double as scanners and copiers; fax is still useful for certain industries. An automatic document feeder (ADF) lets you scan or copy multi‑page sets unattended.

Duplex (two‑sided) scanning is a bonus if you frequently process double‑sided pages. The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e includes an ADF and duplex printing, making it a solid multifunction choice for home offices that occasionally fax.

For a comprehensive look at all‑in‑one printers, see our multifunction printer roundup.

Why You Should Trust Us

BestProducts is an independent review site that evaluates each product using our proprietary BP Score (0, 10 scale) based on a consistent methodology.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

We analyze specifications, user reviews across multiple sources, and expert opinions to assign a score that reflects real‑world performance and value. Our editors are not paid by manufacturers, and we disclose our affiliate relationships transparently.

This approach ensures you get honest, data‑driven recommendations.

Final Thoughts

After researching the top models, here are our top picks for different office needs, each with its BP Score.

• Best Overall: Brother DCP-L2640DW, This monochrome laser all‑in‑one earned the highest BP Score in our lineup thanks to its fast print speeds, duplex functionality, low cost per page, and reliable wireless connectivity. It’s the ideal choice for small to medium offices that primarily print text documents.
• Best Budget Pick: Brother Work Smart 1360, Also scoring 9.9, this color inkjet costs under $100 but still delivers good quality and includes a full suite of office functions. Perfect for home offices or startups with tight budgets.
• Best Monochrome Laser: HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw, With a BP Score of 9.8, this HP model offers high‑speed printing, robust build quality, and an intuitive touchscreen. It’s a strong alternative to the Brother for teams that prefer HP’s ecosystem.
• Best Color All‑in‑One: HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e, Scoring 9.6, this inkjet combines vibrant color output with a 35‑page ADF, duplex printing, and a 3‑month Instant Ink trial. It’s a great fit for offices that need occasional color documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best office printer for a small team?

For teams of 3, 10 people, a monochrome laser all‑in‑one like the Brother DCP-L2640DW (BP Score 9.9) offers the best balance of speed, low operating cost, and durability.

If you need color, consider the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 (BP Score 9.5) for its fast scanning and ink subscription option.

Should I choose a laser or inkjet office printer?

Laser printers excel at monochrome text, high speeds, and low per‑page costs, making them ideal for document‑heavy offices. Inkjet printers are better for color graphics, photos, and lower‑volume environments with mixed content. For a deeper comparison, see our business printer guide.

How much should I spend on an office printer?

Office printers range from under $100 for basic inkjets to over $500 for color lasers with high‑yield supplies. Budget $150, 250 for a reliable monochrome laser all‑in‑one, or $200, 300 for a color inkjet with low per‑page costs.

Remember to factor in ink/toner expenses over two years.

What is the average cost per page for office printers?

Monochrome laser printers average 2, 5 cents per page, while color lasers run 15, 25 cents per page. Inkjets using standard cartridges can cost 10, 15 cents for black and 20, 30 cents for color. Supertank models like the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 can drop color cost to under 1 cent per page.

Do office printers come with fax functionality?

Many all‑in‑one office printers include fax, though it’s becoming less common. Models such as the Epson EcoTank ET-4800 and HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 include fax, while some budget models omit it. If you need fax, verify the specifications before buying.

Can I print wirelessly from my phone?

Yes, all printers in our roundup support Wi‑Fi and mobile printing via Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print (or Mopria), and manufacturer apps. For the best wireless experience, look for dual‑band Wi‑Fi and NFC tap‑to‑print.

Check our wireless printer guide for more details.

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