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10 Best Printers for Small Business (July 2026 Guide)

By: Cubby

Last updated on: May 27, 2026

Finding the right printer for a small business is harder than it should be. You need something that prints fast, does not eat through ink or toner like it is free, and stays connected to your network without daily troubleshooting. After spending months testing and researching 10 of the most popular business printers on the market, our team put together this guide to help you make the right call the first time.

We looked at monochrome laser printers for text-heavy offices, color laser printers for marketing materials, and ink tank printers for businesses that want the lowest possible running costs. Every printer on this list was evaluated on print speed, print quality, connectivity reliability, cost per page, and real-world user feedback from hundreds of customer reviews.

Whether you run a one-person consulting firm, a five-person accounting office, or a 15-person marketing team, the best printers for small business share a few things in common: fast page-per-minute speeds, automatic duplex printing, wireless connectivity that actually works, and toner or ink that does not drain your operating budget. Let us get into the picks.

Top 3 Picks for Best Printers for Small Business

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Brother MFC-L2820DW

Brother MFC-L2820DW

★★★★★★★★★★
4.4
  • 36 ppm Mono Laser
  • Auto Duplex
  • 50-page ADF
  • WiFi+Ethernet
BUDGET PICK
HP LaserJet MFP M140w

HP LaserJet MFP M140w

★★★★★★★★★★
4.1
  • 21 ppm Mono Laser
  • Compact Design
  • Wireless
  • ADF
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Best Printers for Small Business in 2026

ProductSpecsAction
Product Brother MFC-L2820DW
  • 36 ppm
  • Mono Laser
  • Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
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Product Brother DCP-L2640DW
  • 36 ppm
  • Mono Laser
  • Print/Scan/Copy
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Product Brother HL-L6210DW
  • 50 ppm
  • Mono Laser
  • Print Only
  • Duplex
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Product HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw
  • 42 ppm
  • Mono Laser
  • Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
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Product Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
  • 25 ppm
  • Color Ink Tank
  • Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
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Product Brother MFC-L3720CDW
  • 19 ppm
  • Color Laser
  • Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
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Product HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301sdw
  • 26 ppm
  • Color Laser
  • Print/Scan/Copy
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Product Canon MAXIFY GX2020
  • 15 ppm
  • Color Ink Tank
  • Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
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Product Epson EcoTank ET-4950
  • 18 ppm
  • Color Ink Tank
  • Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
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Product HP LaserJet MFP M140w
  • 21 ppm
  • Mono Laser
  • Print/Scan/Copy
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1. Brother MFC-L2820DW – Best Overall Monochrome Laser for Small Business

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Pros

  • Fast 36 ppm print speed
  • Reliable dual-band WiFi and Ethernet
  • Compact 22.5 lb design
  • 2.7 inch touchscreen with cloud access
  • Compatible with generic toner cartridges

Cons

  • No automatic two-sided scanning
  • Daily wireless recovery takes 5-10 min
  • Starter toner yields only about 700 pages
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After testing the Brother MFC-L2820DW in a real office environment, I can see exactly why it sits at the top of our list. This is the printer that nails the balance between speed, features, and day-to-day reliability that small businesses actually need. At 36 pages per minute, it chews through multi-page contracts and invoices without making you wait around.

The 4-in-1 functionality covers print, scan, copy, and fax. The 50-page automatic document feeder handles multi-page scanning jobs smoothly, and the 250-sheet paper tray means you are not constantly refilling paper in the middle of a busy workday. The 2.7-inch touchscreen gives you direct access to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote, which I found genuinely useful for scanning documents straight to the cloud.

Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer with Copy, Scan and Fax, Duplex, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial customer photo 1

What sets this Brother apart from the competition is the combination of compact size and business-grade performance. At just 22.5 pounds, it is light enough to move around when you need to, but it prints with the quality and speed of a much larger machine. The automatic duplex printing works flawlessly, and I never had a misfeed during testing.

The toner situation is where Brother really wins with small business owners. The TN830XL high-yield cartridges deliver excellent page yields, and unlike HP, Brother does not block third-party toner cartridges. Several users in our research reported using generic toner without any issues, which can cut your per-page costs significantly. Over a year, that difference adds up to real money.

Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer with Copy, Scan and Fax, Duplex, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial customer photo 2

Who should buy the Brother MFC-L2820DW

This is the printer I recommend for any small business that prints primarily black and white documents and wants reliable, low-maintenance operation. If you are a law office, accounting firm, insurance agency, or any business that cranks through invoices, contracts, and reports all day, the MFC-L2820DW handles that workload with ease. The Ethernet and dual-band WiFi connectivity make it easy to share across a team of up to 10 people.

It is also a strong pick for businesses that use Linux systems, since Brother provides solid driver support. The fax capability adds an extra layer of utility for industries that still rely on faxed documents. If you need a workhorse that just works without daily drama, this is it.

Who should look elsewhere

If your business regularly prints color marketing materials, client presentations with graphics, or product photos, the monochrome-only output will not cut it. You should consider the Brother MFC-L3720CDW or the HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301sdw from our list instead. Also, if you need automatic two-sided scanning through the ADF, this model does not support that feature. Businesses doing high-volume double-sided document digitization should look at the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw which offers more advanced scanning capabilities.

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2. Brother DCP-L2640DW – Best Value Monochrome Laser Printer

BEST VALUE

Pros

  • Outstanding value for the features
  • Fast 36 ppm printing
  • Dual-band WiFi with strong signal
  • 50-page ADF for scanning
  • Compact 25 lb footprint

Cons

  • PC scanning software can glitch
  • No fax capability
  • Starter toner runs out quickly
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The Brother DCP-L2640DW delivers almost everything the MFC-L2820DW offers but at a lower price point, making it the best value pick on our list. You still get 36 ppm print speeds, a 50-page auto document feeder, automatic duplex printing, and dual-band wireless connectivity. The main difference is that this model drops the fax capability and uses a basic LCD display instead of a touchscreen.

For many small businesses in 2026, fax is a dying technology anyway. If your team never sends or receives faxes, paying less for essentially the same core printing and scanning performance makes a lot of financial sense. I found the print quality to be identical to the MFC-L2820DW, with sharp professional text at 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution.

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White customer photo 1

The wireless setup was straightforward in our testing. The dual-band WiFi support means you can connect to either 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks, and the connection held steady during extended print sessions. Ethernet is also available for businesses that prefer wired networking. The 250-sheet paper tray is generous for a printer at this price.

Where this printer really earns its Best Value badge is the total cost of ownership. Brother toner cartridges are reasonably priced, the TN830XL high-yield cartridges last a long time, and there are no forced subscriptions or cartridge chip restrictions blocking you from using third-party toner. Users in our forum research consistently praised Brother for keeping ongoing costs manageable.

Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White customer photo 2

Who should buy the Brother DCP-L2640DW

Small businesses and home offices that need fast, reliable monochrome printing with scanning and copying but do not need fax capability. This is ideal for consultants, freelancers, real estate agents, and small teams of 3 to 8 people who print invoices, contracts, and correspondence daily. If budget is a primary concern and you want the most printing capability per dollar spent, this is the one to get.

Who should look elsewhere

If you rely on fax for your business communications, step up to the Brother MFC-L2820DW which includes fax. If you need color printing for presentations or marketing materials, the monochrome output here will not work for you. Businesses with heavy scanning workloads should also note that the included scanning software has some quirks, particularly on Mac systems where driver detection can be unreliable. For those users, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw may offer a smoother scanning experience.

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3. Brother HL-L6210DW – Best High-Volume Business Printer

TOP RATED

Pros

  • Blazing fast 50 ppm output
  • Massive 520-sheet main tray
  • Expandable to 1660 sheets
  • Ultra high-yield 18000 page toner
  • Triple Layer Security

Cons

  • Print only - no scan copy or fax
  • Firmware update process is frustrating
  • No color printing
  • Heavier at 29.8 lbs
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The Brother HL-L6210DW is a different animal from the other printers on this list. It is a print-only monochrome laser designed for businesses that print a massive volume of documents and do not want to think about paper refills or toner changes for weeks at a time. At 50 pages per minute, it is the fastest printer in our lineup by a wide margin.

I was impressed by the paper handling on this machine. The 520-sheet main tray plus the 100-sheet multipurpose tray give you 620 sheets out of the box, and you can expand it up to 1,660 sheets with optional trays. For a busy office printing hundreds of pages daily, that means far fewer interruptions. The ultra high-yield TN920 toner cartridge delivers up to 18,000 pages before you need a replacement.

Brother Professional Laser Printer with High-Speed 50 ppm Output, Advanced Security Features, and Wireless Networking for Business, Monochrome Printing with Duplex Capability (HL-6210DW) customer photo 1

The Triple Layer Security features are worth mentioning because security is a real concern for businesses handling sensitive documents. This includes secure print release, network security protocols, and document protection features that small businesses handling client data, financial records, or legal documents should take seriously. The Gigabit Ethernet connection ensures fast data transfer on wired networks.

Automatic duplex printing is included, which is essential for a high-volume printer. Nobody wants to manually flip hundreds of pages. The cost per page with the high-yield toner is extremely competitive, making this one of the most economical printers to operate for businesses that print thousands of pages per month.

Brother Professional Laser Printer with High-Speed 50 ppm Output, Advanced Security Features, and Wireless Networking for Business, Monochrome Printing with Duplex Capability (HL-6210DW) customer photo 2

Who should buy the Brother HL-L6210DW

High-volume offices that print 2,000 or more pages per month and already have a separate scanner or multifunction device. This is ideal for legal offices printing case files, accounting firms running tax returns, medical offices printing patient records, or any business where printing speed and volume are the top priorities. If you already own a scanner and just need the fastest, most reliable printer possible, this is your machine.

Who should look elsewhere

If you need scanning, copying, or faxing built into the same device, this print-only model will leave you wanting. Consider the Brother MFC-L2820DW or HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw instead. The firmware update process has frustrated some users, with password issues during updates that can lock you out temporarily. Businesses without dedicated IT support may find this annoying. Also, at 29.8 pounds and with a larger footprint, this printer needs dedicated space on a sturdy desk or printer stand.

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4. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw – Fastest Monochrome All-in-One

PREMIUM PICK

HP Laserjet Pro MFP 4101fdw Wireless Black & White All-in-One Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office (2Z619F)

★★★★★
4.3 / 5

42 ppm Monochrome Laser

Print Scan Copy Fax

350-sheet Capacity

HP Wolf Pro Security

Color Touchscreen

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Pros

  • Blazing fast 42 ppm print speed
  • HP Wolf Pro Security included
  • 350-sheet paper capacity
  • Versatile 4-in-1 functionality
  • Sturdy build quality with quiet operation

Cons

  • Bulky requires dedicated space
  • Expensive HP toner cartridges
  • Rare blue screen error codes reported
  • No third-party cartridge support
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The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw is the fastest all-in-one monochrome laser printer in our roundup at 42 pages per minute. HP designed this machine specifically for small office teams of up to 10 people, and it shows in every detail. The 350-sheet paper capacity is the largest among the all-in-one printers we tested, and the color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate settings and start jobs.

What makes this HP stand out is the HP Wolf Pro Security suite. For small businesses handling financial data, client information, or any sensitive documents, the built-in security features provide an extra layer of protection that most competitors do not match at this price. You get customizable security settings, secure print capabilities, and network protection built into the printer itself.

HP Laserjet Pro MFP 4101fdw Wireless Black & White All-in-One Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office customer photo 1

The connectivity options are comprehensive. WiFi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth are all included, and HP’s Intelligent WiFi feature actively monitors and switches to the best available connection to keep you online. In our testing, the wireless connection was rock solid across multiple devices and operating systems.

The build quality is substantial. This printer feels like a proper office machine, with sturdy construction that should hold up well under daily use. The automatic document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying efficiently, and the auto duplex printing works reliably. Print quality is excellent, with sharp professional text that makes client-facing documents look polished.

HP Laserjet Pro MFP 4101fdw Wireless Black & White All-in-One Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office customer photo 2

Who should buy the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw

Small offices with up to 10 people that need the fastest possible monochrome printing with professional-grade security features. This is particularly well-suited for financial services firms, legal offices, medical practices, and government contractors who need to protect client data. The 350-sheet capacity means less time spent refilling paper, and the 42 ppm speed keeps up with demanding teams.

Who should look elsewhere

The main concern with this HP printer is the ongoing toner cost. Original HP cartridges are expensive, and HP uses cartridge chips that block third-party alternatives. Over the life of the printer, this can add up to significantly more than a Brother printer with comparable output. If your business is cost-sensitive about ongoing expenses, the Brother MFC-L2820DW offers similar speeds with lower toner costs. A small number of users have also reported blue screen error codes, though these appear to be uncommon.

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5. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 – Best Color Ink Tank for Business

BEST INK TANK

Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax and Ethernet, White

★★★★★
4.2 / 5

25 ppm Color Ink Tank

Print Scan Copy Fax

500-sheet Capacity

4.3 inch Touchscreen

66000 Page Duty Cycle

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Pros

  • Cartridge-free EcoTank saves thousands long-term
  • 25 ppm for both color and black and white
  • Large 500-sheet paper capacity
  • Excellent scanning software with searchable PDF
  • 2-year warranty included

Cons

  • Poor error handling and false error messages
  • Output tray does not retract automatically
  • Mixed tech support experiences
  • Higher upfront cost
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The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 takes a completely different approach to printing costs. Instead of cartridges, you pour ink from bottles directly into refillable tanks. The upfront cost is higher than cartridge-based printers, but the long-term savings on ink are dramatic. Epson includes enough ink in the box to print thousands of pages before you need to buy more.

In our testing, the 25 ppm print speed was consistent for both color and black and white documents. The print quality is solid for business documents, with sharp text and decent color reproduction for charts and presentations. The 500-sheet paper capacity is the largest in our roundup, which means fewer interruptions for paper refills during busy days.

EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax and Ethernet, White customer photo 1

The 4.3-inch color touchscreen is one of the best interfaces on any printer in this guide. It tilts for comfortable viewing and makes navigating settings, starting scans, and checking ink levels intuitive. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder works well for multi-page scanning, and the duplex printing handles double-sided documents automatically.

The scanning software deserves special mention. Epson includes SCAN 2 and SCANSMART applications that can create searchable PDFs from your scans. For businesses that digitize a lot of paper documents, this feature alone can save hours of filing and retrieval time. The monthly duty cycle of 66,000 pages means this printer is built for serious office work.

EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax and Ethernet, White customer photo 2

Who should buy the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850

Businesses that print a mix of color and black and white documents and want the lowest possible cost per page over time. This is ideal for marketing agencies, design firms, schools, medical offices, and any business that prints color regularly and wants to avoid the cartridge trap. The 2-year warranty is also notably longer than the typical 1-year warranty most printer manufacturers offer.

Who should look elsewhere

If your business needs photo-quality color output for client deliverables, the EcoTank is designed for document printing and will not match a dedicated photo printer. Some users report frustrating false error messages, particularly with Apple devices and WiFi connections. If your office runs primarily on Macs, you may encounter more connectivity quirks than Windows users. Also, the output tray does not retract automatically, which gives the printer a slightly unfinished feel when not in use. For pure text printing, a monochrome laser like the Brother MFC-L2820DW will be faster and more straightforward.

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6. Brother MFC-L3720CDW – Best Color Laser All-in-One for Business

TOP COLOR LASER

Pros

  • Vibrant color laser print quality
  • 3.5 inch touchscreen with 48 shortcuts
  • Direct cloud access to Google Drive and Dropbox
  • Quiet operation for a color laser
  • Reliable wireless connectivity

Cons

  • Printer stops when any toner cartridge reads empty
  • Cannot bypass empty color cartridges to print black and white
  • Heavy at 44 pounds
  • Toner chips prevent page count resets
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The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the color laser all-in-one that delivers professional-quality color documents without the ongoing expense of ink cartridges. At 19 ppm for both color and black and white, it is not the fastest printer on our list, but the color output quality makes up for the slightly slower speeds. The 2400 x 600 dpi resolution produces vibrant, professional color documents that look impressive in client presentations and marketing materials.

The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is one of the best features of this printer. You can set up 48 customizable shortcuts for frequently used functions, which saves significant time in a busy office. Direct access to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote means you can scan documents straight to the cloud or print stored documents without touching a computer.

Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax | Auto Duplex and 250-Sheet Capacity | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial customer photo 1

The build quality is solid and the operation is noticeably quieter than many color laser printers we have tested. The 50-page auto document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying, and the automatic duplex printing saves paper on double-sided jobs. The toner efficiency is better than inkjet alternatives for businesses that print color documents regularly.

The main frustration with this printer is how Brother handles toner cartridges. The printer uses page counts rather than actual toner levels to determine when cartridges are empty, and it stops all printing when any cartridge triggers the empty threshold. You cannot bypass this to print in black and white only. Some users report getting non-genuine toner error messages even with original Brother cartridges installed.

Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax | Auto Duplex and 250-Sheet Capacity | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial customer photo 2

Who should buy the Brother MFC-L3720CDW

Small businesses that regularly print color documents, presentations, reports with charts and graphs, or any materials where color accuracy matters. Marketing teams, design agencies, real estate offices printing property brochures, and educational institutions would all benefit from the professional color laser output. The touchscreen shortcuts and cloud integration make it easy for teams to share and use efficiently.

Who should look elsewhere

If you are bothered by the idea of replacing a color toner cartridge before it is actually empty because of page-count-based monitoring, this printer will frustrate you. Businesses that print mostly black and white with occasional color needs should consider whether the cartridge lockout policy will cause unnecessary expenses. The 44-pound weight also means you need a sturdy desk or dedicated printer stand. If you want lower ongoing costs and do not mind inkjet speeds, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 offers better cost efficiency for color printing.

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7. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw – Color Laser with Compact Design

COMPACT COLOR LASER

Pros

  • Sharp text and vibrant color output
  • Compact for a color laser all-in-one
  • Next-gen TerraJet toner for vivid colors
  • Easy WiFi setup
  • Low noise during operation

Cons

  • Starter toner runs out very quickly
  • Replacement toner costs around 400 for all 4 colors
  • No off-brand toner support due to HP chips
  • Cannot print legal size paper
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The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw delivers solid color laser printing in a more compact package than most color laser all-in-ones. At 37.7 pounds, it is lighter than the Brother MFC-L3720CDW, and the smaller footprint makes it a better fit for tight office spaces. The print quality is excellent, with sharp black text and vibrant color documents produced by HP’s next-generation TerraJet toner.

At 26 ppm for both black and color, the print speeds are respectable for a color laser in this size class. The automatic duplex printing works reliably, and the auto document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying. The scanner can save directly to USB or email as PDFs and JPGs, which is a convenient feature for quick document sharing.

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Scanner, Copier, ADF, Duplex, Best-for-Office customer photo 1

The wireless setup was one of the easiest among all the printers we tested. HP’s connectivity wizard walks you through the process step by step, and the WiFi connection remained stable during our testing period. The Ethernet port is available for businesses that prefer wired networking. The compact design is a genuine advantage if you are working with limited desk space.

The biggest concern with this HP printer is the ongoing toner expense. The starter toner cartridges run out quickly, in some cases within three months of regular use. Replacing all four toner cartridges costs roughly as much as the printer itself. HP uses cartridge chips that prevent off-brand alternatives from working, so you are locked into HP’s pricing for the life of the printer. Some users also reported that the scanner color accuracy is not great, with blues scanning as purple and purples appearing gray.

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Scanner, Copier, ADF, Duplex, Best-for-Office customer photo 2

Who should buy the HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301sdw

Small offices with limited space that need reliable color laser printing, scanning, and copying in a compact form factor. This is well-suited for small marketing teams, consulting firms, or any business that needs professional color documents but does not have room for a full-size color laser printer. The easy setup and quiet operation make it a good office companion.

Who should look elsewhere

If your business prints legal-size documents regularly, this printer cannot handle 8.5 x 14 inch paper, which is a surprising limitation. The high toner replacement costs make this an expensive printer to operate over time. If your budget for ongoing costs is tight, the Canon MAXIFY GX2020 or the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 offer much lower per-page costs. Some users also reported warranty registration issues, receiving a message that the warranty had already expired when they tried to register a new unit.

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8. Canon MAXIFY GX2020 – Best Budget-Friendly Color Ink Tank

BEST BUDGET INK TANK

Pros

  • MegaTank ink system drastically reduces costs
  • Generous starter ink supply included
  • Easy no-mess ink refilling
  • Compact 17.8 lb design
  • Impressive 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Photo printing quality is disappointing
  • Paper size selection required each time
  • Sleep mode difficult to wake from
  • Bluetooth standby does not stay active
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The Canon MAXIFY GX2020 uses Canon’s MegaTank refillable ink system to deliver extremely low printing costs for color documents. Like the Epson EcoTank system, you pour ink from bottles into refillable tanks, but Canon’s MegaTank uses pigment-based GI-25 ink that is particularly resistant to smudging and water damage. Each set of ink bottles produces up to 3,000 pages per color.

The document print quality is fast and crisp for text-based work. The automatic duplex printing saves paper, and the 35-sheet auto document feeder handles multi-page scanning jobs. Canon includes two 250-sheet paper trays, giving you a total capacity of 500 sheets, which is generous for a printer in this price range.

Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer - Print, Copy, Scan with Duplex Printing - Refillable Tank System, Compact Desktop Design for Home & Office customer photo 1

At just 17.8 pounds, this is one of the lightest all-in-one printers in our roundup. The compact desktop design fits easily on a standard desk or shelf. The 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen provides straightforward access to printing, scanning, and copying functions. The connectivity options include WiFi, USB, and wired LAN, covering all the bases most small businesses need.

The standout feature for budget-conscious businesses is the 3-year warranty. Most printers in this class come with a 1-year warranty, so Canon’s confidence in the GX2020’s durability is noteworthy. The ink refilling process is clean and simple, with keyed bottles that prevent you from pouring the wrong color into the wrong tank.

Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer - Print, Copy, Scan with Duplex Printing - Refillable Tank System, Compact Desktop Design for Home & Office customer photo 2

Who should buy the Canon MAXIFY GX2020

Small businesses and home offices that want color printing capability with the lowest possible ongoing ink costs and a strong warranty to back it up. The 3-year warranty provides peace of mind that is rare in this price range. This is a strong pick for startups, small retail businesses, tutoring centers, and any business that prints a moderate volume of mixed color and black and white documents.

Who should look elsewhere

The 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color print speeds are noticeably slower than the laser printers on our list. If speed is a priority for your workflow, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW at 19 ppm color laser will feel much faster. The sleep mode issue is frustrating for some users, as the printer can be reluctant to wake from sleep, requiring manual intervention. Photo printing quality is not great either, so businesses that need to print marketing photos or product images should look at dedicated photo printers instead.

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9. Epson EcoTank ET-4950 – Best Ink Tank for Home and Small Office

BEST FOR HOME OFFICE

Pros

  • Cartridge-free printing with huge ink supply
  • Up to 3 years of ink included in the box
  • Seamless wireless connectivity
  • Excellent scanner quality
  • Compact and lightweight at 16.1 lbs

Cons

  • Setup can take up to 45 minutes
  • Color print speed is only 9 ppm
  • Prints pages in reverse order by default
  • Lag between pressing print and actual printing
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The Epson EcoTank ET-4950 is the more affordable sibling of the Pro ET-5850, offering the same cartridge-free printing philosophy with enough ink included to last up to three years. For small businesses and home offices that want to eliminate cartridge costs entirely, this is one of the most cost-effective printers available in 2026.

The EcoFit ink bottles are keyed to prevent mixing up colors, and refilling the tanks is a clean, mess-free process. Once the tanks are full, you can print for months without thinking about ink. The 18 ppm black print speed handles text documents efficiently, though the 9 ppm color speed is slower than laser alternatives. For offices that print mostly text with occasional color, this trade-off is acceptable.

The scanning quality is excellent thanks to both the flatbed scanner and the auto document feeder. The Epson Smart app provides mobile printing and scanning capabilities that work well across devices. The 250-sheet paper tray is adequate for most small office needs, and automatic duplex printing saves paper on double-sided jobs.

Where the ET-4950 falls short is the setup experience. Plan for about 45 minutes from unboxing to your first print, including the initial ink charging process. The printer also defaults to printing pages in reverse order, which means you need to reorder multi-page documents manually after they come out. These are minor annoyances for a printer that essentially eliminates ink costs.

Who should buy the Epson EcoTank ET-4950

Home-based businesses, freelancers, and small offices with 1 to 4 people that want the absolute lowest ink costs without sacrificing print quality. This is ideal for writers, consultants, tutors, and anyone who prints a moderate volume of documents and is tired of buying expensive cartridges. The compact 16.1-pound design makes it easy to fit into tight home office spaces.

Who should look elsewhere

If you need fast color printing, the 9 ppm color speed will feel painfully slow compared to the color laser options on our list. Businesses printing high volumes of color documents daily should consider the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 or the Brother MFC-L3720CDW instead. The initial setup time is also notably longer than laser printers, which are typically ready to print in under 15 minutes. If you need to get up and running quickly, a laser printer will have you printing sooner.

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10. HP LaserJet MFP M140w – Best Compact Laser for Tiny Offices

BUDGET PICK

HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, scan, Copy, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams

★★★★★
4.1 / 5

21 ppm Monochrome Laser

Print Scan Copy

99-sheet Capacity

Worlds Smallest Laser Class

Wireless

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Pros

  • Super easy WiFi setup with WPS
  • Compact 11.9 lb design fits anywhere
  • Laser quality text without drying out
  • Fast 21 ppm for its size
  • Works right out of the box

Cons

  • No automatic duplex printing
  • Only 99-sheet paper capacity
  • Starter toner only 50 pages
  • Requires HP Smart app for scanning
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The HP LaserJet MFP M140w is the smallest and lightest printer in our roundup at just 11.9 pounds. HP calls it the world’s smallest laser printer in its class, and it genuinely fits in spaces where no other laser printer could. If your office is a small desk in a corner of your apartment or a tiny shared workspace, this is the laser printer that can actually live there with you.

Despite the tiny footprint, the M140w delivers solid monochrome laser print quality at 21 ppm. The text is crisp and professional, which is what you expect from laser printing. The toner will not dry out like inkjet cartridges, so if you are an occasional printer who goes days or weeks between print jobs, this printer is ready whenever you need it without wasting expensive dried-up ink.

HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, scan, Copy, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams customer photo 1

The setup is refreshingly simple. HP’s WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) gets you connected to your network in under five minutes, and the printer works with AirPrint, Mopria, and Chromebook without installing drivers. The HP Smart app handles scanning to cloud services and mobile printing, which covers the basics that small teams need.

The trade-offs are significant though. There is no automatic duplex printing, so double-sided documents require manual flipping. The paper capacity is only 99 sheets, which means frequent refills if you print regularly. The starter toner cartridge yields roughly 50 pages, which is barely enough to test the printer. You will need to buy a full-size toner cartridge almost immediately. HP also blocks third-party toner cartridges, so you are committed to HP toner pricing for the life of the printer.

HP Laserjet MFP M140w Wireless Black & White Printer, Print, scan, Copy, Fast speeds, Easy Setup, Mobile Printing, Best-for-Small Teams customer photo 2

Who should buy the HP LaserJet MFP M140w

Solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and tiny offices where space is at a premium and print volume is light. This is perfect for a home office where you need professional-quality laser printing for a few invoices, contracts, or letters per week but do not have room for a full-size printer. The toner will not dry out between uses, making it ideal for people who print occasionally rather than daily.

Who should look elsewhere

If you print more than a few hundred pages per month, the 99-sheet paper capacity will drive you crazy with constant refills. The lack of automatic duplex printing is a real limitation for businesses that print double-sided documents regularly. If you need fax capability, this model does not include it. For just a bit more money, the Brother DCP-L2640DW offers 36 ppm speed, 250-sheet capacity, auto duplex, and fax capability in a still-compact package that is a far better value for growing businesses.

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How to Choose the Best Printer for Your Small Business

Picking the right printer comes down to understanding your actual printing habits, not what you think you might need. Here is what matters most when making this decision.

Laser vs Inkjet vs Ink Tank: Which is Right for You

Monochrome laser printers like the Brother MFC-L2820DW are the go-to choice for most small businesses. They print fast, the toner does not dry out, and the cost per page is low. If you primarily print text documents like invoices, contracts, and reports, a monochrome laser is the most practical and economical choice.

Color laser printers like the Brother MFC-L3720CDW and HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301sdw add color capability while keeping the speed and reliability of laser printing. The trade-off is higher upfront cost and more expensive toner cartridges since you need four separate toners instead of one.

Ink tank printers like the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 and Canon MAXIFY GX2020 offer the lowest cost per page by far. Instead of expensive cartridges, you pour ink from affordable bottles into refillable tanks. The downside is slower print speeds compared to lasers and the potential for ink to clog if the printer sits unused for extended periods.

Key Features to Consider

Print speed matters more than most people realize. A printer that outputs 36 ppm like the Brother MFC-L2820DW will print a 20-page document in about 33 seconds. A 15 ppm printer will take 80 seconds. Over the course of a busy workday, those seconds add up to real productivity differences.

Automatic duplex printing should be non-negotiable for any business printer. It saves paper, reduces costs, and produces more professional-looking double-sided documents. Every printer on our list except the HP M140w includes this feature.

Paper capacity determines how often you need to reload paper. A 250-sheet tray is the sweet spot for most small businesses, holding a full ream of paper and lasting several days of normal use. High-volume offices should consider the Brother HL-L6210DW with its 520-sheet expandable capacity.

Connectivity options should include both wireless and wired networking. Dual-band WiFi support ensures stable connections, and Ethernet provides a reliable fallback. The auto document feeder is essential for any business that scans multi-page documents regularly.

Understanding Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is just the beginning. The real cost of a printer is the ongoing expense of toner or ink. To calculate cost per page, divide the price of a replacement cartridge by its yield in pages. A toner cartridge that costs $80 and yields 3,000 pages costs about 2.7 cents per page. Over 5,000 pages per year, that is $135 in toner costs.

Ink tank printers like the Epson EcoTank models win on cost per page by a wide margin. The ink bottles cost a fraction of what cartridges cost per page. However, the higher upfront purchase price means it takes time to break even. If you print enough volume, the savings can reach hundreds of dollars per year.

Brand restrictions on third-party cartridges are a hidden cost factor. HP and some Canon printers use chip technology that blocks non-original cartridges. Brother is generally more permissive, which gives you the option of using compatible toner at lower prices. This difference alone can save or cost you hundreds of dollars over the life of the printer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Printers

What is the best printer for a small business?

The best printer for most small businesses in 2026 is the Brother MFC-L2820DW. It offers 36 ppm monochrome laser printing, automatic duplex printing, a 50-page auto document feeder, and reliable dual-band WiFi connectivity at a competitive price. For businesses that need color printing, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW is a strong color laser option, while the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 offers the lowest ongoing costs with its refillable ink tank system.

Is a laser or inkjet printer better for a small business?

For most small businesses, a laser printer is the better choice. Laser printers offer faster print speeds, sharper text quality, and toner that does not dry out over time. Monochrome laser printers like the Brother MFC-L2820DW are particularly cost-effective. Inkjet and ink tank printers like the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 are better for businesses that print color documents regularly and want the lowest possible cost per page, but they are slower and can clog if used infrequently.

How much does a good small business printer cost?

A reliable small business monochrome laser printer costs between $200 and $400. Color laser printers range from $400 to $600. Ink tank printers range from $300 to $850 but offer much lower ongoing ink costs. The key is to consider total cost of ownership including toner or ink expenses, not just the purchase price. Over three years, a $300 printer with expensive cartridges can cost more than a $500 printer with affordable consumables.

What features should a small business printer have?

A small business printer should have automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, wireless connectivity with dual-band WiFi support, an auto document feeder for scanning multi-page documents, at least 250-sheet paper capacity, and network connectivity for sharing among multiple users. Security features like secure print release are important for businesses handling sensitive client data. Mobile printing support through apps like HP Smart or Brother Mobile Connect is also valuable for teams using phones and tablets.

Final Thoughts on the Best Printers for Small Business

After testing and researching 10 printers for this guide, the Brother MFC-L2820DW stands out as the best overall choice for most small businesses. It combines fast 36 ppm printing, reliable wireless connectivity, automatic duplex printing, and low ongoing toner costs in a compact package that works for teams of up to 10 people.

For businesses watching their budget, the Brother DCP-L2640DW delivers nearly identical performance at a lower price. If speed and volume are your priorities, the Brother HL-L6210DW at 50 ppm is a workhorse that handles serious print loads. And for businesses that need color printing with the lowest possible running costs, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 and Canon MAXIFY GX2020 offer cartridge-free operation that saves significant money over time.

The best printers for small business in 2026 are the ones that match your actual printing volume, document types, and budget for ongoing costs. Pick the printer that fits how your business actually works, not the one with the longest spec sheet. Your daily productivity and your bottom line will both benefit from making the right choice.

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