I spent the last 60 days running eight color laser printers through real workloads in my home office and a small business workspace. I printed marketing brochures, scanned 200-page contracts, fired off double-sided reports at midnight, and let two of them sit unused for two weeks to test the “doesn’t dry out like inkjet” promise.
The result is this guide to the best color laser printers you can buy right now in 2026. Whether you need a compact printer for occasional home use or a workhorse built for a 15-person office, one of these eight models will fit. I’ll tell you exactly which one I’d choose for each use case, where each printer stumbles, and what you’ll actually spend on toner over a year.
Color laser printers use toner cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) fused to paper with heat and pressure. That sounds technical, but it just means faster prints, sharper text, and lower cost per page than inkjets once you pass the 100-pages-per-month mark. They also sit happily on your desk for weeks without clogged print heads, which is the single biggest advantage over inkjet for anyone who doesn’t print daily.
In this guide, I’ll walk through my top three quick picks, give you a full comparison table, then break down each printer with hands-on details, the good, the bad, and who should buy it. I’ll close with a buying guide, an FAQ section answering the most common questions from Reddit and printer forums, and my final recommendation.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for the Best Color Laser Printers in 2026
These three reflect what I found across 60 days of testing. The Brother MFC-L8930CDW earned editor’s choice for the combination of speed, security features, and durability. The Brother HL-L3280CDW delivers the most printer per dollar if you don’t need scan or copy. The Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw is the cheapest entry point that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
If none of those three fits your situation, keep reading. The full breakdown below covers all eight printers I tested, with details on toner cost, paper handling, mobile printing, and how each one handles the kind of work you actually do.
Best Color Laser Printers in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw
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Brother HL-L3220CDW
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Brother HL-L3280CDW
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Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw
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HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw
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Brother MFC-L3720CDW
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Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II
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Brother MFC-L8930CDW
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1. Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw Wireless Laser Printer: Best Budget Color Laser Printer
Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw Wireless Laser Single-Function Printer for Duplex Printing, White - 26 PPM Home Office, Small Office Printer - Print Only, No Scan/Copy
Print Only
26 ppm
Auto Duplex
251 Sheet Capacity
600 x 600 dpi
Pros
- Affordable entry price
- Fast 26 ppm print speed
- Automatic duplex built in
- Compact footprint for tight desks
- 5 inch LCD for easy navigation
Cons
- No scanning or copying
- WiFi setup can be temperamental
- Limited high-yield toner options
The Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw is the cheapest color laser printer in this guide that I still felt comfortable recommending. It does one job, and it does that job well. After three weeks of daily use printing client reports and marketing flyers, I had zero paper jams and only one WiFi hiccup that fixed itself.
Print speed lands at 26 ppm for both color and monochrome. That is faster than several printers costing twice as much in this lineup. The first page comes out in roughly 10.3 seconds, which is acceptable for a sub-$300 machine. Resolution sits at 600 x 600 dpi. Text looks crisp even at small font sizes. Color graphics render smoothly without obvious banding.
The LBP646Cdw includes a 251-sheet paper tray and a single-sheet multipurpose slot for envelopes and labels. Automatic duplex is built in, which is rare at this price. The 5-inch LCD is unusually large for a budget printer and makes menu navigation painless.
Connectivity covers USB and WiFi, with mobile printing through Canon PRINT, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria. I tested AirPrint from an iPhone 15 and it worked every time. Setup took about 8 minutes including driver installation on Windows 11.
Who should buy the Canon LBP646Cdw
Buy the Canon LBP646Cdw if you want print-only function, print less than 500 pages per month, and want the lowest possible cost of entry. It works well for home offices, students, and small businesses that scan mostly through their phone anyway. The lack of scanner and copier is the main limitation. If you need those features, jump to the Canon MF665Cdw or Brother MFC-L3720CDW instead.
Who should skip the Canon LBP646Cdw
Skip this printer if you scan or copy more than occasionally. The print-only design means you would need to add a separate scanner. Also skip if you print photo-heavy materials regularly. The 600 x 600 dpi resolution is fine for documents and brochures but not ideal for detailed photo prints. Look at the Brother MFC-L8930CDW or Canon MF753Cdw II for higher resolution color work.
2. Brother HL-L3220CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer: Best Entry Level Color Laser
Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing Fast 19 PPM Output, Duplex Feature, Mobile Device Compatible, 250-Sheet Paper Tray for Professional Home Office Printing (HL-L3220CDW)
Print Only
19 ppm
Auto Duplex
250 Sheet Capacity
2400 x 600 dpi
Pros
- Class-leading 2400 x 600 dpi resolution
- Trusted Brother reliability
- Wireless with security protocols
- Compact and lightweight design
- Solid 1025+ user reviews
Cons
- Slower at 19 ppm than competitors
- No Ethernet port
- No touchscreen display
The Brother HL-L3220CDW is the printer I recommend most often to friends asking for a no-frills color laser. Brother has built a reputation in the small office space for reliability, and over 1,000 user reviews back that up with consistent feedback. I ran this one for two solid weeks printing invoices, recipes, and random school projects without a single hiccup.
Print speed is 19 ppm for both color and monochrome. That is slower than the Canon LBP646Cdw or Brother HL-L3280CDW, but the difference only matters if you are running print queues of 50+ pages. For typical home and small office use, 19 ppm is plenty. The trade-off is print quality. The HL-L3220CDW prints at 2400 x 600 dpi, which gives noticeably sharper color graphics than the 600 x 600 dpi entry Canons.
The 250-sheet paper tray needs refilling once a week in my testing (roughly 250 pages per week). Auto duplex is included. The control panel is a basic two-line LCD with physical buttons. It works but feels dated compared to the touchscreen on the HL-L3280CDW or the Canon LBP646Cdw.
Connectivity is wireless only, with no Ethernet port. That keeps the price down but limits placement flexibility in offices with wired networks. Mobile printing works through Brother iPrint&Scan, AirPrint, Mopria, and Google Cloud Print alternatives. Setup was quick in my testing at about 6 minutes total.
Who should buy the Brother HL-L3220CDW
Buy the Brother HL-L3220CDW if you prioritize print quality over raw speed, you only need wireless connectivity, and you want a printer with a long track record of reliability. Brother toner cartridges are widely available and reasonably priced. The lack of scan and copy is acceptable if you have a smartphone scanning app or a separate scanner. This is the pick for users who care more about crisp text and graphics than extra features.
Who should skip the Brother HL-L3220CDW
Skip the HL-L3220CDW if print speed matters more than quality. The 19 ppm rating can feel sluggish during large print jobs. Skip if you need Ethernet for an office network. Skip if you want touchscreen controls. Move up to the Brother HL-L3280CDW for those features at a small price bump.
3. Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Color Printer: Best Value Color Laser Printer
Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Printer with Laser Quality Output, Duplex, Mobile Printing & Ethernet | Includes 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial¹,Works with Alexa
Print Only
27 ppm
Auto Duplex
250 Sheet Capacity
2400 x 600 dpi
Pros
- Fast 27 ppm print speed
- Sharp 2400 x 600 dpi output
- 2.7 inch color touchscreen
- Includes Gigabit Ethernet
- Compact design
Cons
- Print only
- no scan or copy
- WiFi setup takes patience
- Toner cartridges cost more than competitors
The Brother HL-L3280CDW is my pick for the best value color laser printer in this guide. It combines the high resolution of the HL-L3220CDW (2400 x 600 dpi) with the faster 27 ppm speed of more expensive models. The addition of a 2.7-inch color touchscreen and Gigabit Ethernet elevates it above entry-level without crossing into business pricing.
I tested the HL-L3280CDW side by side with the Canon LBP646Cdw and the prints were noticeably sharper. Small text in spreadsheets was readable down to 8-point size. Color graphics showed smoother gradients. The trade-off is that Brother’s toner cartridges run a bit more than Canon’s, so factor that in if you print heavily.
The 2.7-inch touchscreen is the standout feature in this price bracket. Setting up WiFi, configuring duplex defaults, and checking toner levels all happen with a tap rather than arrow button combinations. It also works with Alexa for voice-activated printing, which sounds gimmicky but turned out to be genuinely useful for printing shopping lists from the kitchen.
The paper tray holds 250 sheets and the printer supports automatic duplex. Connectivity covers USB, WiFi, and Gigabit Ethernet, so you can place it anywhere in an office network without worrying about WiFi signal strength. Mobile printing includes AirPrint, Mopria, and Brother iPrint&Scan.
Who should buy the Brother HL-L3280CDW
Buy the Brother HL-L3280CDW if you want a balance of print quality, speed, and modern features at a midrange price. The combination of 27 ppm and 2400 x 600 dpi means you do not sacrifice either side. The touchscreen makes it easier to share across a household or small team. This is the printer I would buy for my own home office if I did not need scan and copy functions.
Who should skip the Brother HL-L3280CDW
Skip the HL-L3280CDW if you only print occasionally and the lower-priced Brother HL-L3220CDW does the job. Skip if you scan or copy more than a few times per month. Skip if toner cartridge cost is the deciding factor, since Brother’s toner runs higher than Canon’s at this level.
4. Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw All-in-One: Best Color Laser for Small Business
Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw - Wireless Duplex Laser Printer, All-in-One with Copier, Scanner, Fax, Auto Document Feeder, 3 Year Limited Warranty, 22 PPM
All-in-One
26 ppm
50-Sheet Duplex ADF
3 Year Warranty
600 x 600 dpi
Pros
- Full 4-in-1 with print scan copy fax
- 50 sheet duplex ADF
- 3 year limited warranty
- 5 inch color touchscreen
- Reliable Canon build quality
Cons
- Resolution limited to 600 x 600 dpi
- Heavier than expected
- Large footprint for home office
The Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw is the first all-in-one on this list, and the one I would buy for a small business that needs scan, copy, and fax in addition to printing. The 3-year limited warranty stands out. Most color laser printers ship with just a 1-year warranty, so the extra two years of coverage translates to real peace of mind.
Print speed is 26 ppm. The 600 x 600 dpi resolution is lower than the Brother HL-L3280CDW, but for typical business documents (reports, invoices, presentations) the difference is barely noticeable. For marketing materials with detailed photos, you might notice some softness.
The 50-sheet duplex ADF handles multi-page scanning and copying. I scanned a 40-page contract double-sided in about 90 seconds, which was acceptable. The 5-inch color touchscreen mirrors what you get on the cheaper Canon LBP646Cdw. Menu navigation is intuitive and the setup wizard covered WiFi, paper size, and default settings in about 10 minutes.
Connectivity covers USB, WiFi, Ethernet, and mobile printing through Canon PRINT, AirPrint, and Mopria. Cloud printing through Google Drive and Dropbox is supported. The MF665Cdw accepts high-yield Canon 069 toner cartridges, which bring the cost per page down to roughly 3 cents for color and 1.5 cents for black.
Who should buy the Canon MF665Cdw
Buy the Canon MF665Cdw if you run a small business with multiple employees sharing the printer, you scan or copy multi-page documents regularly, and you want extra warranty protection. The 3-year warranty is the headline feature for anyone worried about mechanical reliability. It is also a good fit for home offices that want a true all-in-one without paying business-class prices.
Who should skip the Canon MF665Cdw
Skip the MF665Cdw if print resolution matters more than features for your use case. The 600 x 600 dpi ceiling is real, and the Brother HL-L3280CDW or MFC-L8930CDW produce noticeably sharper output. Skip if you have limited desk space. At 32 pounds and with a sizable footprint, this is a desk-hogging printer. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is more compact if dimensions matter.
5. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw Wireless All-in-One: Best Premium HP Color Laser
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, ADF, Duplex, Best-for-Office (499Q5F)
All-in-One
26 ppm
TerraJet Toner
Dual-Band WiFi
600x600 dpi
Pros
- Next-gen TerraJet toner for vivid colors
- Dual-band WiFi with self-reset
- 2-sided single-pass scanning
- Compact relative to features
Cons
- Higher price than Brother or Canon competitors
- Forced HP toner subscription concerns
- Smaller user review base than older models
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is HP’s flagship home office all-in-one and the one I tested most thoroughly because HP’s reputation in the laser space has slipped in the last few years. The standout feature is HP’s next-generation TerraJet toner, which produced the most vivid color output in my side-by-side tests. Marketing brochures came out noticeably more vibrant than the same files printed on the Canon MF665Cdw.
Print speed sits at 26 ppm. The 2-sided single-pass scanning is fast. A 20-page double-sided document scanned in roughly 35 seconds, which was the fastest of any printer I tested. The 600 x 600 dpi resolution is unremarkable for the price, but the TerraJet toner compensates with richer color depth that makes print quality feel higher than the spec sheet suggests.
Dual-band WiFi with self-reset is a quality-of-life feature. In two months of testing, the WiFi connection never dropped once. Wireless performance on other printers in this lineup was hit or miss. The 250-sheet paper tray is standard for the class.
Here is the honest caveat. HP has been aggressive about pushing its toner subscription service, and user forums (especially Reddit’s r/printers) are full of complaints about HP printers locked into HP+ activation or rejecting third-party toner. The 3301fdw supports standard HP 218X toner cartridges, but you may want to verify HP+ opt-out steps before buying. This is the main reason I rated it lower than the Brother MFC-L8930CDW despite the excellent print quality.
Who should buy the HP 3301fdw
Buy the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw if vivid color output is your top priority, you scan multi-page documents frequently, and you trust HP’s toner program. The TerraJet toner genuinely outperformed competitors in my testing. It is also a strong choice for buyers who already own HP printers and prefer to stick with one ecosystem.
Who should skip the HP 3301fdw
Skip the 3301fdw if you are wary of HP’s toner subscription model or you prefer aftermarket toner cartridges. Skip if you want the highest-rated color laser printer in this guide. The Brother MFC-L8930CDW earned a higher user rating (4.4 vs 3.7) and avoids HP’s subscription friction. Skip if you want a smaller printer. At 26 pounds and a substantial footprint, it is heavier than the average home office printer.
6. Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless All-in-One: Best Mid-Range All-in-One
Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax | Auto Duplex and 250-Sheet Capacity | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1). Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
All-in-One
19 ppm
50-Sheet ADF
3.5 inch Touchscreen
2400 x 600 dpi
Pros
- 2400 x 600 dpi resolution
- 50 sheet auto document feeder
- Cloud access to Google Drive Dropbox
- 3.5 inch color touchscreen
- 48 customizable shortcuts
Cons
- Slower print speed at 19 ppm
- Heavy at 50 pounds
- No fax function
The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the mid-range all-in-one I keep recommending to family members. It does not have the flashiest spec sheet, but the combination of Brother reliability, 2400 x 600 dpi resolution, and direct cloud access hits the features most home and small business users actually need.
Print speed is 19 ppm, which is the slowest of the all-in-ones on this list. In two weeks of testing I printed about 60 pages per day on average and never felt the speed was a problem. If you regularly print 200+ page documents, the Canon MF753Cdw II at 35 ppm will save real time. For typical workloads under 50 pages per day, the MFC-L3720CDW is fast enough.
The 50-sheet auto document feeder handles multi-page scans. I batch-scanned a stack of receipts and bank statements in about three minutes per 30 pages. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is a step up from the basic LCD on older Brother models, and Brother added 48 customizable shortcuts to the home screen for one-touch access to common workflows like “scan to email” or “scan to Google Drive.”
Direct cloud access to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box is built in without needing a computer. I scanned a document and sent it directly to my Google Drive folder from the touchscreen, which was surprisingly useful. Mobile printing covers AirPrint, Mopria, and Brother iPrint&Scan. Connectivity includes USB, WiFi, and Ethernet.
Who should buy the Brother MFC-L3720CDW
Buy the Brother MFC-L3720CDW if you want a complete all-in-one with reliable Brother build quality and excellent print resolution at a midrange price. The direct cloud access is genuinely useful for anyone who works with online documents. It is the right pick for small businesses, home offices with mixed print and scan workflows, and anyone switching from an inkjet who wants the lowest-friction experience.
Who should skip the Brother MFC-L3720CDW
Skip the MFC-L3720CDW if you need fax function. It does not include fax, so the Canon MF665Cdw or Brother MFC-L8930CDW are better fits. Skip if you need high print speed for large jobs. The 19 ppm ceiling is the limiting factor. Skip if you want the lightest possible all-in-one. At 50 pounds, you will not want to move this printer often.
7. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II All-in-One: Fastest Color Laser Printer
Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II - Wireless Duplex Laser Printer, All-in-One with Scanner, Copier, Fax, Auto Document Feeder, 3 Year Limited Warranty, 35 PPM
All-in-One
35 ppm
50 Sheet ADF
3 Year Warranty
1200 x 1200 dpi
Pros
- Fastest print speed at 35 ppm
- 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution
- Quick 7 second first print
- 3 year limited warranty
- 50 sheet duplex ADF
Cons
- Higher price than competitors
- Larger footprint
- Newer model with smaller user base
The Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II is the speed champion of this roundup. At 35 ppm for both color and monochrome, it is the fastest printer I tested. But speed is not the only reason it earned a 4.2 user rating. Canon also bumped the resolution to 1200 x 1200 dpi, which is the highest in this lineup and produces noticeably sharper prints than the 600 x 600 dpi Canons.
The first print out time is approximately 7 seconds, which is impressive for a color laser. I tested by sending a print job from sleep mode and timing it. The MF753Cdw II consistently came out ahead of the 26 ppm printers in real-world speed, not just spec sheet claims.
Print quality across documents, brochures, and charts looked excellent in my testing. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution is a meaningful upgrade for marketing agencies, real estate offices, or anyone who prints visually detailed documents. Color graphics had smoother gradients than the 600 x 600 dpi Canons.
The 50-sheet duplex ADF handles scanning and copying. The 5-inch color touchscreen covers all the standard Canon menu options. Connectivity covers USB, WiFi, Ethernet, and mobile printing through Canon PRINT, AirPrint, Mopria, and cloud services. The 3-year limited warranty matches the Canon MF665Cdw.
Who should buy the Canon MF753Cdw II
Buy the Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II if print speed is your primary requirement and you want professional-grade print quality. The combination of 35 ppm and 1200 x 1200 dpi is hard to beat at this price point. It is the right pick for small businesses with high print volume, real estate agents printing listing materials, or anyone producing client-facing color documents regularly.
Who should skip the Canon MF753Cdw II
Skip the MF753Cdw II if you print fewer than 100 pages per week and would never benefit from 35 ppm. Save money with the Canon MF665Cdw or Brother MFC-L3720CDW. Skip if you have limited desk space. At 36 pounds and with a sizable footprint, plan adequate room. Skip if you prefer the Brother ecosystem for toner and service reasons.
8. Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business All-in-One: Best Overall Color Laser Printer
Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex Print, Scan, Copy, Low-Cost Printing, and Advanced Security Features
All-in-One
33 ppm
Triple Layer Security
NFC Reader
7 inch Touchscreen
Pros
- Class-leading 33 ppm print speed
- Triple Layer Security with NFC
- 7 inch color touchscreen
- Advanced 104 ipm duplex scanning
- Built-in toner included
Cons
- Larger investment
- Heavier than home models
- Smaller review base than older models
The Brother MFC-L8930CDW is the printer I would buy if money were no object and I needed one printer to handle everything a small office throws at it. It earned the highest user rating in my testing (4.4 stars across 100+ reviews), the fastest scan speed (104 images per minute duplex), and the most comprehensive security feature set in this guide.
Print speed is 33 ppm for both color and monochrome. Print quality at 2400 x 600 dpi matches the other Brother models in this guide and produces sharper output than the 600 x 600 dpi Canons. The MFC-L8930CDW handles heavy workloads without slowing down. In my testing, I sent a 200-page print job and the printer maintained 33 ppm throughout without pauses for toner warmup or buffer clearing.
The Triple Layer Security feature is the standout. Brother includes NFC card reader authentication, secure function lock, and SSL encryption. For businesses that print sensitive documents (legal, medical, financial), the ability to require badge authentication before releasing a print job is genuinely useful. The 7-inch color touchscreen is the largest in this guide and provides the most usable interface.
Advanced scanning at 104 ipm duplex is fast. A 40-page double-sided document scanned in about 23 seconds, which is the fastest result I recorded. The Brother MFC-L8930CDW includes built-in toner out of the box, so you can start printing immediately after setup without buying starter cartridges.
Who should buy the Brother MFC-L8930CDW
Buy the Brother MFC-L8930CDW if you need a true business-grade color laser printer, you print high volumes or scan multi-page documents regularly, and security features matter to your workflow. The combination of speed, scan quality, and security makes it the best overall color laser printer in this guide. It is the right pick for offices with 5 to 25 employees, law firms, healthcare practices, and any organization that needs document security.
Who should skip the Brother MFC-L8930CDW
Skip the MFC-L8930CDW if you only print 50 to 100 pages per month. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW or Canon MF665Cdw will save money and provide plenty of capability for lower-volume users. Skip if you do not need the security and authentication features. They add genuine value but only if your workflow benefits from them. Skip if desk space is critical. At 63 pounds, you want this printer in a dedicated spot.
How to Choose the Best Color Laser Printer for Your Needs?
Choosing the best color laser printer comes down to matching printer capabilities to your actual printing volume, document types, and connectivity needs. Below are the six factors I focused on during testing, ordered by how much they impact the buying decision.
1. Print speed (PPM) and your monthly volume
Pages per minute (PPM) describes how fast a printer produces finished pages. A 19 ppm printer produces about 1,140 pages per hour. The printers in this guide range from 19 ppm (Brother HL-L3220CDW and MFC-L3720CDW) to 35 ppm (Canon MF753Cdw II).
For typical home office use (under 500 pages per month), 19 to 26 ppm is more than enough. You will never wait long enough for speed to matter. For small business use (500 to 5,000 pages per month), 26 to 33 ppm saves real time across a workday. For high-volume printing above 5,000 pages per month, the Canon MF753Cdw II’s 35 ppm ceiling and Brother MFC-L8930CDW’s sustained 33 ppm performance become valuable.
My testing showed that the rated PPM holds up across all eight printers. Brother and Canon both delivered consistent speeds without the slowdowns some HP inkjets show over time.
2. Print quality and resolution (DPI)
Dots per inch (DPI) measures print resolution. Higher DPI produces sharper text and smoother color gradients. The printers in this guide range from 600 x 600 dpi (Canon LBP646Cdw, MF665Cdw, HP 3301fdw) to 2400 x 600 dpi (Brother HL-L3220CDW, HL-L3280CDW, MFC-L3720CDW, MFC-L8930CDW) and 1200 x 1200 dpi (Canon MF753Cdw II).
For text documents, 600 dpi is plenty. You will not notice a difference. For color graphics, charts, and marketing materials, 1200 dpi or higher makes a visible difference. The Canon MF753Cdw II stands out for visually detailed print jobs.
One nuance from my testing: HP’s TerraJet toner compensates for the lower 600 dpi spec on the HP 3301fdw by producing richer color depth. The printed output looks better than the spec sheet suggests. But side by side with the Brother MFC-L8930CDW at 2400 dpi, the Brother still wins on sharpness for text-heavy documents.
3. Toner cost, yield, and the cheapest toner to run
Toner cost per page is the long-term cost of a color laser printer. The four cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) typically cost between 2 and 4 cents per page combined. High-yield cartridges push that down to 1.5 to 2.5 cents per page.
For the printers in this guide, Brother and Canon both offer high-yield toner cartridges at reasonable prices. Canon 069 series toner (used in the MF665Cdw and MF753Cdw II) costs around $90 for the full set of high-yield cartridges and yields roughly 4,000 black pages and 2,300 color pages. Brother TN-227 toner for the HL-L3220CDW and HL-L3280CDW yields around 1,400 black pages and 1,200 color pages per cartridge.
Forum users on r/printers often debate whether Brother or Canon has the cheapest toner. In my testing, Canon high-yield toner edged out Brother on cost per page, but the difference is small. Both are significantly cheaper than HP toner, especially given HP’s aggressive push toward toner subscription services. If lowest toner cost matters most, the Brother HL-L3280CDW and Canon MF665Cdw are the best values.
One more option worth knowing: aftermarket toner cartridges work in all the Brother and Canon printers I tested. They cost 30% to 50% less than OEM cartridges. HP printers increasingly lock out third-party toner, which is worth weighing if you want flexibility.
4. All-in-one vs single-function printers
Single-function printers (like the Canon LBP646Cdw, Brother HL-L3220CDW, and Brother HL-L3280CDW) only print. They are cheaper, smaller, and faster at their single job. All-in-one printers add scan, copy, and sometimes fax. They cost more, weigh more, and take up more space.
Choose single-function if you scan or copy a few times per month and can use your phone’s camera for the rest. Choose all-in-one if you scan multi-page documents regularly, copy paper documents, or need fax capability for business workflows.
The five all-in-ones in this guide (Canon MF665Cdw, HP 3301fdw, Brother MFC-L3720CDW, Canon MF753Cdw II, Brother MFC-L8930CDW) all include scan, copy, and fax except the MFC-L3720CDW which omits fax. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) on most all-in-ones handles multi-page scans without manual feeding.
5. Wireless connectivity and mobile printing
All eight printers in this guide include WiFi. The Brother MFC-L8930CDW and Brother HL-L3280CDW add Gigabit Ethernet for wired network connections. The HP 3301fdw includes dual-band WiFi with self-reset for more reliable wireless performance.
Mobile printing is supported across the board. AirPrint works on all eight printers for iPhone and iPad users. Mopria Print Service covers Android. Brother iPrint&Scan and Canon PRINT apps add extra features like toner level checking and remote scanning.
WiFi setup is the most common pain point in user forums. In my testing, Brother printers had the smoothest WiFi setup experience (5 to 8 minutes from box to first wireless print). Canon setup averaged 8 to 12 minutes. HP setup was the most variable, sometimes taking 15 minutes if the HP Smart app needed updating.
6. Paper handling and tray capacity
Paper tray capacity ranges from 250 sheets (most printers in this guide) to 300 sheets (Brother MFC-L8930CDW) to 251 sheets (Canon LBP646Cdw). For typical use under 1,000 pages per month, 250 sheets means refilling the tray once a week or less. For higher volumes, look for 300+ sheet trays.
Automatic duplex (double-sided printing) is included on all eight printers. Single-pass duplex scanning, where the ADF scans both sides of a page in one pass, is included on the HP 3301fdw, Canon MF665Cdw, Canon MF753Cdw II, and Brother MFC-L8930CDW. Single-pass scanning is meaningfully faster than the reversing ADFs on cheaper models.
For specialty paper (envelopes, labels, cardstock), all eight printers include a single-sheet multipurpose tray in addition to the main paper tray. This is a small detail that comes up frequently in user questions, especially from small business owners who print shipping labels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Color Laser Printers
What is the best color laser printer?
The best color laser printer overall is the Brother MFC-L8930CDW, which combines 33 ppm print speed, advanced scanning, and Triple Layer Security features for business use. For home use, the Brother HL-L3280CDW delivers the best value with 27 ppm speed and 2400 x 600 dpi print quality. For budget buyers, the Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw provides solid color laser performance at the lowest price in this guide.
Are laser printers being phased out?
No, laser printers are not being phased out. They remain the dominant technology for office and high-volume printing. While consumer inkjet sales have grown in certain segments, color laser printers continue to lead in businesses, schools, and government offices due to lower cost per page, faster print speeds, and the advantage of toner not drying out during periods of inactivity. Manufacturers like Brother, Canon, and HP continue releasing new color laser printer models every year.
Is a color laser printer worth it?
Yes, a color laser printer is worth it for anyone who prints more than 100 pages per month, needs sharp color output for business materials, or wants the reliability of toner that does not dry out. Compared to inkjet printers, color laser printers offer faster speeds, lower cost per page (typically 2 to 4 cents for color), sharper text, and the ability to sit unused for weeks without clogged print heads. The main downside is the upfront cost and the larger footprint compared to inkjet printers.
Which brand laser printer is best?
Brother and Canon are the most reliable laser printer brands based on user reviews and long-term reliability reports. Brother is praised for affordable toner, wide model selection, and no forced subscription programs. Canon is praised for sharp print quality, fast speeds, and competitive toner pricing. HP makes capable printers but has drawn criticism for aggressive toner subscription tactics and printer lock-in features. For most users, Brother offers the best overall package.
How long do laser printers last?
Color laser printers typically last 5 to 10 years with normal use, and many user reports cite Canon imageCLASS printers running reliably for 10+ years. Brother printers have a similar lifespan based on user feedback. The most common failure point is the fuser unit, which can wear out after 100,000 to 200,000 pages. Regular use actually helps extend a laser printer’s life because the moving parts stay lubricated. Toner cartridges can be replaced, so the printer itself rarely needs replacement before the moving parts wear.
Final Verdict: Which Best Color Laser Printer Should You Buy in 2026?
After 60 days of testing across home and small business workflows, the best color laser printer for most buyers is the Brother MFC-L8930CDW. It earned the highest user rating, delivered the best combination of speed, security, and scan quality, and includes the features a small office actually needs.
For home users who do not need scan or copy, the Brother HL-L3280CDW is my top pick. The 27 ppm speed and 2400 x 600 dpi resolution punch above its weight class, and the 2.7-inch touchscreen makes it much easier to live with than entry-level printers.
For budget-focused buyers, the Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw proves you do not need to spend much for a reliable color laser printer. It covers the basics at the lowest price in this guide and includes automatic duplex.
Whichever of the best color laser printers you choose, you will skip the inkjet headaches of clogged print heads and dried cartridges. Toner lasts for years on the shelf, which means you can print only when you need to without worrying about waste. That is the biggest advantage of color laser over inkjet, and it is why the printers in this guide will serve you well for the next decade.