The Best Color Printer

Whether you’re printing family photos, school projects, or business reports, a reliable color printer is an essential tool for home and office tasks.

With so many options on the market, from budget-friendly inkjets to high-speed lasers, finding the right model can be overwhelming.

This guide cuts through the noise by evaluating top-rated color printers based on extensive research, expert reviews, and verified buyer feedback.

Our team at BestProducts has scored each printer on a 0, 10 BP Score using a consistent set of criteria including print quality, running costs, connectivity, and user satisfaction.

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

Below you’ll find our carefully curated list of the best color printers for every need and budget in 2026.

Best Color Printer Buying Guide

Print Technology: Inkjet vs. Laser

The first major decision is choosing between inkjet and laser technology. Inkjet printers use liquid ink to produce vivid colors and are generally more affordable upfront, making them ideal for photo printing and home use with moderate volume.

Laser printers use toner powder and excel at fast, sharp text printing, often with lower long-term costs if you print mostly documents.

For a deeper look at how these technologies compare for different workflows, see our color printer and scanner guide.

Most of our top picks are inkjet models, but we include one laser option, the Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw, for those who prioritize fast black-and-white text and low-cost color laser output.

If you need a compact machine that fits a tight desk, consider a small laser printer for lighter workloads.

Print Quality and Resolution

Color print quality depends on resolution (measured in dpi) and the number of ink cartridges or toner colors. Most inkjet printers today offer at least 4800×1200 dpi for color prints, which is suitable for sharp documents and good-looking photos.

For photographers or graphic designers, a printer with additional photo inks or a dedicated photo tray can make a difference. When evaluating models, we analyzed verified buyer feedback to ensure real-world output matches advertised specs.

Brands like Canon and Epson are known for excellent color accuracy, while Brother’s INKvestment line offers solid quality at a competitive cost per page. If scanning and copying are equally important, a multifunction color printer can handle all three tasks in one device.

Cost per Page and Ink Efficiency

One of the biggest hidden costs of color printing is ink or toner replacement. Refillable ink tank systems (like Epson EcoTank) dramatically reduce cost per page by using high-yield bottles that last thousands of pages.

Traditional cartridge-based printers, while cheaper upfront, often require frequent replacements that add up over time. Our research highlights the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 and ET-2803 as top performers for low running costs.

If you print only occasionally, a standard inkjet may still be economical. For high-volume offices, a laser printer or a high-capacity inkjet such as the Brother MFCJ5110DW (with its INKvestment system) can save significantly.

Always compare page yields before purchasing. A good scanner is also helpful if you digitize documents regularly.

Connectivity and Mobile Printing

Modern color printers should offer multiple connectivity options: USB, Wi‑Fi, and Wi‑Fi Direct for cable-free printing from laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Many models also support Apple AirPrint, Android Mopria, and cloud services like Google Cloud Print or the manufacturer’s app. In our research, we prioritized printers with strong mobile app support and reliable wireless performance based on user feedback.

For a home office, an Ethernet port and automatic duplex printing are valuable features. Some printers even include a touchscreen for easy navigation.

If you frequently print on the go, a mobile phone printer might be a better fit, but for daily use, a standard all-in-one is more versatile.

Paper Handling and Capacity

Paper capacity affects how often you need to reload. Standard home printers typically hold 100, 150 sheets, while office-oriented models can hold 250, 500 sheets. An automatic document feeder (ADF) is essential for scanning or copying multi-page documents hands-free.

The Brother MFCJ5110DW, for example, offers a 500‑sheet tray and a 50‑sheet ADF, making it ideal for busy offices.

If you print a variety of media (envelopes, cardstock, labels), check that the paper path supports these without jamming. For label printing specifically, see our dedicated guide to the best FedEx label printer or USPS shipping label printer.

For general office use, a printer with both a main tray and a bypass slot provides maximum flexibility.

Additional Features: Scanner, Copier, and Fax

Most color printers today are all-in-one devices that also scan and copy. A flatbed scanner with a high optical resolution (1200 dpi or more) ensures clear reproductions of photos and documents.

Some models include a fax function, which is still used in many offices. We evaluated each model’s scanning speed, ease of use, and software compatibility using expert reviews and user reports.

For dedicated scanning needs, a standalone document scanner might be more efficient, but for an all-in-one solution, the Canon PIXMA TR7120 and HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e offer strong scanning capabilities along with color printing.

If you primarily need a scanner, check our roundup of the best scanners for every workspace.

Why You Should Trust Us

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

Each product is scored on our 0, 10 BP Score using consistent criteria that reflect real-world performance, reliability, and value. Our team analyzes specifications, aggregates opinions from professional reviewers, and cross-references thousands of customer experiences to bring you unbiased recommendations.

We earn a small commission when you purchase through our affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us maintain our editorial independence and continue providing thorough, trustworthy reviews.

We do not accept free products or compensation in exchange for favorable coverage. Our mission is to help you make confident buying decisions based on solid research and transparent methodology.

Final Thoughts

• Best Overall: Epson EcoTank ET-2800, With its supertank system, excellent print quality, and remarkably low cost per page, this model earns our top recommendation. It consistently receives high marks from both experts and users for its reliability and value.
• Best for Home Use on a Budget: HP DeskJet 2955, This affordable all-in-one delivers solid color prints and includes a trial of HP Instant Ink, making it a smart pick for light home printing without breaking the bank.
• Best for Home Office Productivity: Epson EcoTank ET-4800, Combining low-running costs with built-in Ethernet, ADF, and fax, this Supertank model is built for daily office tasks and offers exceptional efficiency.
• Best Compact Design: Canon PIXMA TS6520, Its sleek footprint and 1.44-inch OLED display make it a stylish, space-saving choice for dorm rooms or small desks without compromising on print quality.
• Best for Small Business: Brother INKvestment MFCJ5110DW, With a massive 500‑sheet paper tray, high-yield ink cartridges, and a vibrant touchscreen, this workhorse handles heavy workloads with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best color printer for photo printing?

For high-quality photo prints, inkjet printers with multiple color cartridges or a dedicated photo tray are ideal. The Canon PIXMA TS6520 and Epson EcoTank ET-2800 both produce vibrant, detailed photos.

If you print photos often, consider a model that supports borderless printing on various paper sizes.

How much does it cost to run a color printer?

Running costs vary widely. Traditional cartridge printers can cost $0.10, $0.20 per page for color, while ink tank systems (like Epson EcoTank) reduce that to around $0.01, $0.02 per page. Laser printers are generally cheaper for monochrome text but more expensive for color.

Always check page yield and toner/ink prices before buying.

Can I print from my smartphone?

Yes, most modern color printers support Apple AirPrint, Android Mopria, or their own mobile apps for wireless printing from phones and tablets. Many also include Wi‑Fi Direct, which allows printing without a network. Our top picks all offer reliable mobile printing capabilities.

Which is better: inkjet or laser for color printing?

Inkjet generally produces superior color quality and is better for photos and mixed media. Laser is faster for text and more economical for high‑volume document printing.

For most home and home‑office users, a modern inkjet like the Epson EcoTank offers the best balance of quality and cost.

What should I look for in a color printer for a small office?

Key features: high paper capacity (250+ sheets), automatic duplex printing, an automatic document feeder, Ethernet connectivity, and low cost per page. The Brother MFCJ5110DW or Epson ET-4800 are excellent choices for small offices that need reliable, cost‑effective printing.

How do I reduce the cost of color printing?

Use draft mode for internal documents, print in grayscale when color isn’t needed, and choose a printer with an ink tank system or a subscription ink service. Also, buy ink in bulk or high‑yield cartridges.

Many of our recommended printers offer these cost‑saving features.

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