The Best Multifunction Color Printer

Whether you’re setting up a home office or equipping a small business, a multifunction color printer handles printing, scanning, copying, and often faxing in one compact machine.

In 2026, the market offers everything from budget inkjets to speedy color lasers, making it easy to find a model that matches your print volume and quality needs.

BestProducts evaluated each model against consistent criteria and scored it on our 0 to 10 BP Score, drawing on specifications, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback. Below, you’ll find our top picks organized by performance and value.

Our research covers print speed, color accuracy, running costs, connectivity, and ease of use. We also considered long-term reliability and support. After analyzing dozens of models, these ten stand out for different use cases.

Scroll through the list to compare features and scores, then use the buying guide to zero in on the right choice for your workspace.

Best Multifunction Color Printer Buying Guide

Print Technology: Laser vs. Inkjet

Color laser printers use toner and heat to fuse images onto paper, delivering crisp text and fast speeds, ideal for high-volume office use.

Inkjet printers spray liquid ink and excel at photo-quality graphics, making them a favorite for home users who print presentations or family photos.

Consider your primary output: if you print mostly text documents with occasional color, a laser like the Brother HL-L3300CDW offers low cost per page.

For vibrant images and lower upfront cost, an inkjet such as the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a strong choice.

Ink tank printers (like the Canon Megatank) refill from bottles rather than cartridges, dramatically cutting per‑page costs. They are best for users who print many color pages each month but don’t need laser speed.

Laser printers, meanwhile, have fewer moving parts and often last longer, but their toner cartridges are more expensive upfront.

Print Speed and Monthly Duty Cycle

Speed matters when you have a queue of documents. Laser models typically print 20, 30 pages per minute (ppm) in color, while inkjets range from 8, 15 ppm. The Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw reaches 26 ppm, making it a solid pick for a busy office.

Duty cycle, the recommended monthly page volume, tells you how much the printer can handle without wear. Home models often cap at 500, 1,000 pages, while office lasers can handle 3,000, 5,000 pages. Overloading a printer leads to jams and reduced lifespan.

If you share a printer among several people, look for a duty cycle that matches your team’s output. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW supports up to 4,000 pages per month, enough for a small department.

For occasional home use, a lower duty cycle is fine and saves money.

Connectivity and Mobile Printing

Modern printers should work seamlessly with your devices. Wi‑Fi is standard, but look for dual‑band support for stable connections. Many models also include Ethernet for wired networks, plus USB for direct connection.

Mobile printing via Apple AirPrint, Mopria, or the manufacturer’s app lets you print from phones and tablets. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 even supports AI‑powered scanning via the HP Smart app.

If you work from a laptop, consider a printer with a front USB port for thumb drives.

Voice control is becoming common; printers like the Brother HL-L3300CDW work with Alexa for hands‑free printing. Check that the printer’s app is well‑rated on iOS and Android, buggy software can ruin the experience.

For more on setting up a productive workspace, see our Computers & Office category.

Cost per Page and Ink/Toner Efficiency

The purchase price is only part of the equation; running costs add up quickly. Inkjet cartridges are small and expensive per page, but high‑yield options help. Laser toner lasts longer, a typical color toner cartridge prints 1,500, 2,500 pages.

Ink tank printers slash costs to pennies per page, as each bottle yields thousands of prints. The Canon Megatank G3290 includes enough ink for up to 6,000 color pages out of the box.

For moderate volume, a laser like the Brother HL-L3300CDW offers a good balance of speed and cost. Always check the yield of included cartridges, some printers ship with “starter” cartridges that run out quickly.

Subscription services like HP Instant Ink can lower per‑page costs if you print consistently, but they lock you into a plan. For occasional users, buying standard cartridges may be cheaper. We recommend calculating your monthly print volume before committing to a printer type.

Paper Handling and Duplexing

A printer’s paper input capacity determines how often you need to reload. Home models typically hold 100, 150 sheets, while office lasers hold 250, 500.

An automatic document feeder (ADF) is essential for multi‑page scanning or copying, look for one that supports duplex (two‑sided) scanning to save time. The Canon PIXMA TR7120 includes a 20‑sheet ADF, ideal for home offices.

Duplex printing (automatic two‑sided) is standard on most modern printers, but confirm it’s included, some budget models omit it. For high‑volume scanning, a 50‑sheet ADF like on the Brother MFC-L3720CDW speeds up workflow.

Paper output tray capacity is also important. If the tray overflows, pages can scatter. Aim for at least 50 sheets output. Some printers have a rear feed for specialty media like envelopes or cardstock. If you print labels or thick paper, check the recommended media weight.

Additional Features: Fax, ADF, and Display

Fax capability is still needed in many medical and legal offices. Most all‑in‑one printers include a fax modem, but some modern models omit it to save space. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 includes fax and a 35‑sheet ADF.

A color touchscreen display makes navigation easier, especially for scanning to email or cloud services. Smaller screens or button‑only interfaces can be frustrating.

For a detailed look at printer accessories, check our best full size mechanical keyboard guide if you’re building a complete desk setup. Also, consider noise level, laser printers can be louder during operation.

If the printer will sit in a shared space, look for a quiet mode.

Why You Should Trust Us

BestProducts is an independent review site dedicated to helping you make informed buying decisions. 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 to 10 BP Score using a consistent set of criteria that includes print quality, speed, reliability, cost efficiency, connectivity, and user satisfaction.

Our methodology prioritizes transparency and avoids bias, we never accept payment for positive reviews. Affiliate commissions may be earned when you purchase through links on this page, but that does not affect our ratings or recommendations.

We analyzed hundreds of user reviews across multiple retail platforms, consulted professional printer reviews from trusted sources, and compared technical specifications side by side.

Our goal is to save you hours of research by highlighting the models that deliver the best value for common use cases.

For more on how we evaluate products, see our OBD2 scanner guide for an example of our research process in another category.

Final Thoughts

• Best Overall: Brother HL-L3300CDW, Combines fast color laser output, duplex printing, and a low cost per page, earning the highest BP Score in our roundup for its balance of speed, reliability, and value.
• Best for Home Use: Canon PIXMA TS6520, A compact inkjet with excellent photo quality and a 1.42″ OLED display, perfect for families who print photos and school projects.
• Best Budget Pick: Canon PIXMA TR7120, Offers a full feature set including ADF and duplex printing at an affordable price, ideal for light home office use.
• Best for High‑Volume Office: Brother MFC-L3720CDW, A robust color laser with a 250‑sheet capacity, automatic duplex, and fax, built for small teams that print thousands of pages monthly.
• Best Ink Tank Model: Canon Megatank G3290, Delivers ultra‑low running costs with included bottles for up to 6,000 color pages, making it the most economical choice for heavy color printing.

Each of these printers earned a BP Score that reflects its strengths in specific use cases. Whether you prioritize speed, cost, or print quality, one of these models will fit your workspace.

For more office equipment recommendations, browse our office chairs guide to complete your setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a laser and an inkjet multifunction color printer?

Laser printers use toner powder fused by heat, producing sharp text and fast prints, ideal for high‑volume document printing. Inkjet printers spray liquid ink and excel at color graphics and photos.

Lasers generally have lower running costs per page for black‑and‑white, while inkjets offer better photo quality and lower upfront prices. Ink tank inkjets further reduce per‑page costs by using refillable bottles.

How much should I spend on a multifunction color printer?

Budget models start around $59.99 and offer basic features for light home use. Mid‑range printers ($59.99 – $429.99) add duplex printing, ADF, and better connectivity.

High‑end office lasers can cost $429.99 but deliver faster speeds, larger paper capacities, and lower long‑term costs. Consider your monthly print volume and whether you need color accuracy for photos or presentations.

Do I need a printer with an automatic document feeder (ADF)?

If you frequently scan or copy multi‑page documents, an ADF saves time by feeding pages automatically. For occasional single‑page use, a flatbed scanner is sufficient.

Duplex ADFs (which scan both sides) are even more efficient for double‑sided originals. Most office‑oriented models include a 20‑ to 50‑sheet ADF.

Can I print wirelessly from my phone or tablet?

Yes, nearly all modern multifunction printers support Wi‑Fi and mobile printing standards like Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and the manufacturer’s app. Some also work with voice assistants such as Alexa.

Check that the printer’s app is compatible with your device’s operating system. For more on mobile‑friendly office gear, see our lightweight laptop backpack guide.

What is the best multifunction color printer for a small office?

For a small office with moderate print volume (500, 2,000 pages per month), a color laser like the Brother HL-L3300CDW or the Brother MFC-L3720CDW offers fast speeds, duplex printing, and expandable paper options.

If you need photo‑quality output, an inkjet like the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 combines speed with excellent color reproduction and includes fax. Always match the printer’s duty cycle to your team’s workload to avoid premature wear.

How do I calculate the cost per page of a printer?

Divide the price of a full set of ink or toner cartridges by their page yield (as rated by the manufacturer).

For example, if a color toner cartridge costs $70 and yields 2,000 pages, the cost per page is 3.5 cents for that color. Add the black cartridge cost. Ink tank printers have much lower costs, often less than 1 cent per page for color.

Be aware that starter cartridges may have lower yields; check the standard cartridge yield for accurate calculations.

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