What Features To Look For In Small Business Printers

While it’s true that most of our world has gone digital, printers still continue to play a large role in the modern office – especially that of a small business. Of course, there’s a seemingly endless number of printer choices out there, but choosing the best printer for small business needs can be difficult. That is because a small business printer must be able to keep up with the high demands of the business, while also keeping the cost per page to a minimum without sacrificing print quality.

Luckily, bluedogink.com has a number of printer models that are specifically geared toward helping your small office or home office keep up with its demands and even scale into a larger operation. Today we will explore ten best printer models for small businesses, and help you break down the unique features perfectly suited for your operation. But before we jump into the choices, let’s first set some fundamental guidelines to keep in mind throughout your search.

All-In-One or Single-Function?

Do you need a printer to scan, copy and fax, or do you just need a printer to do the one thing that its name advertised? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the latter, but if you’re looking for a device to multitask, then an all-in-one model could be the right choice for you. All-in-one-printers or Multi-Functional Printers (MFPs) include some combination of printing, scanning, copying and faxing. Among these, some can even handle scanning and printing two-sided documents. Keep in mind that the added features may add cost to the device.

Inkjet or Laser?

The two most common technologies you will encounter when it comes to choosing a printer are laser printers and inkjet printers. Increasingly often, these technologies have grown similar in their capabilities, but there are still some remaining differences. Most importantly, almost all lasers printers can print higher-quality text than inkjet printers. On the other hand, nearly any inkjet printer will produce higher-quality photos than the majority of its laser counterparts. So when it comes to making the choice, first ask yourself whether text or photos are more important to your business model, then pick the according technology.

Black and White or Color?

Your first instinct might be to say, “Well, of course, I need color – it’s 2020!” and you’re not wrong, but for some small offices, color printing may just turn out to be a waste of money and resources. Think about it, how many of your business documents are in color? If the answer is “many,” a high-quality color laser printer may be in your business’ best interest. If, on the other hand, you find yourself printing mostly black and white documents, a monochrome laser or inkjet printer would work just fine. Inkjet models usually come with full-color capabilities, but – if you’re looking – Epson WorkForce does offer a few inkjet models that are high-volume and monochrome-only. Otherwise, you’re most likely looking at a monochrome laser printer.

If you’re on the fence, just think of the cost of maintaining four color toner cartridges versus one in black. On the flip side, keep in mind that advances in color lasers now make it possible to print in high enough quality to make your own advertisement material, which could save you money otherwise spent at a print shop. Now that you’ve got a game plan, let’s take a look at some of the best small business printers out there on the market.

Best All-In-One Small Business Printer:

small business printers
Brother MFC-J985DW XL

If you’re in the market for an all in one printer or MFP, look no further than the Brother MFC-J985DW XL. This printer, copier, scanner, and fax machine lets you save money while printing more pages than ever before. In fact, the printer comes with 12 super high-yielding INKvestment cartridges; that is enough to last approximately two years without replacing. That’s right, two full years of ink come included! Also included are features such as automatic two-sided printing, duplex printing, and wireless connectivity through both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. The Brother MFC-J985DW XL comes with a 120-sheet capacity and a 2.7-inch color touch screen that makes setup and navigation a breeze.

Best Color Printer For Small Business:

color printer for business

Epson WorkForce WF-7210

Does your business require a color printer? The Epson WorkForce WF-7210 is powered by PrecisionCore and delivers print-shop-quality color graphics for your marketing or communications needs. It has the capacity to print borderless images up to 13″ x 19” in size. Offering you both high speed and adaptability, this inkjet printer features an impressive 500-sheet capacity, dual trays, duplex printing, plus a rear slot for feeding envelopes or specialty paper. This high-performance machine also includes automatic two-sided printing, Internet connectivity via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, as well as a 2.7-inch color touchscreen to ensure easy setup and navigation.

Best Laser Printer For Small Business:

small business printers

Brother HL-L6200

If you’ve decided a monochrome laser printer is right for you, we’ve got your ultimate pick. The Brother HL-L6200 is undeniably one of the best small office printers available on the market today and is made for a high volume of work. Easily print up to 48 pages per minute, including automatic two-sided and duplex printing. Gone are the days of you endlessly loading additional paper into trays – the main tray holds up to 520 sheets of paper, while a multi-purpose tray can fit an additional 50 pages. If you need even more capacity, you even have the option to add an extra tray for 520 or 260 sheets. That is some serious volume. Use Ethernet or Wi-Fi to connect your electronic devices and get access to apps such as Apple’s AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. If you still need more convincing, this printer is compatible with Amazon’s Dash Replenishment Service that lets you automatically order toner when the supply is low.

Best Color Laser Printer For Small Business:

color laser printer for offices

Canon imageCLASS LBP622cdw

Are you search for a laser printer but also need the option for printing in color? The Canon imageCLASS LBP622cdw is a single-function printer designed for small to medium-size businesses and combines fast performance with minimal upkeep. While printing in color, its high capacity cartridge helps reduce your supply costs, and the option for two-sided printing helps reduce overall paper consumption. This user-friendly printer comes equipped with a 5-inch color touchscreen, and also has the ability to create a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to your electronic or mobile devices without an external router. Easily print on the go with apps such as Apple’s AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.

Best All-In-One Small Business Laser Printer:

all in one laser printer for small offices

Canon imageCLASS MF267dw

For those of you looking for a multifunctional laser model, this small and budget-friendly laser printer offers up to 30 pages per minute output and automatic two-sided printing. The Canon imageCLASS MF267dw acts as a printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine, allowing you to easily convert one or two-sided documents into electronic files. The paper tray has the capacity to hold up to 250 sheets. This printer allows you to connect by an Ethernet connection or via Wi-Fi, allowing you to use printing apps such as Apple’s AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. By using its large LCD display, you even have the option to print or adjust settings without a computer.

Best HP Printer For Small Business:

HP LaserJet Pro M501dn

HP LaserJet Pro M501dn

Could your office benefit from HP’s high printing and performance speed? Made for high-volume use, the HP LaserJet Pro M501dn printer lets you print crystal clear text and images. It comes preinstalled with original HP Toner JetIntelligence cartridges to help get more for your money. This printer comes with a 65 page per minute yield, a 550 sheet paper tray capacity, and duplex printing capability to keep up with the demands of your business. Easily connect to the Internet to take advantage of printing on the go using various apps such as Apple’s AirPrint or Google Cloud Print.

Best Printer Scanner For Small Business

small business printers

Brother IntelliFAX-2940

The Brother IntelliFAX-2940 is designed for home offices or small businesses looking for a printer with excellent copy, scan, and fax capability. This laser fax offers features such as fax broadcasting, fax forwarding and even memory security for protecting your prints with a password. The Brother IntelliFAX-2940 also gives you the convenience of copying with a 30-page capacity and paper tray capacity of 250 sheets. As far as printing capability, it boasts a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface for printing up to 24 pages per minute.

Best all in one inkjet printer for small business

color printer
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-M5799

If you’ve ruled out an inkjet printer as a modern tool for your office, you might be in for a pleasant surprise! The Epson WorkForce Pro’s features break all the inkjet stereotypes. This compact, all in one printer, scanner and fax machine is designed for a busy workflow. It lets you print professional-quality documents while offering lower printing costs. With a 250-sheet paper trade and a 30-sheet automatic document feeder, the Epson WorkForce Pro minimizes the need for human interference. It boasts a whopping 830 sheet capacity paper tray, and the replaceable ink pack system can print up to 40,000 monochrome pages. Connect to the printer by using Ethernet or Wi-Fi, or simply interact with it through the 2.4-inch touchscreen.

Best Enterprise Printer For Small Business

enterprise printer for small business

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553dn

Does your business require more serious printing capabilities? The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553dn is the new high-end model in HP’s 500 series. This impressive machine comes at a surprisingly reasonable price point and combines high speed with excellent output quality and plenty of features. The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553dn has a 650-sheet standard paper capacity and comes with automatic duplex printing. Its exceptional output quality and the JetIntelligence HP Toner cartridges allow you to print your very own vibrant, professional-quality marketing material without leaving your office.

Overall Best Printer For A Small Business?

best small business printer

Canon MAXIFY MB2720

Our favorite of all of the small business printers is the Canon MAXIFY MB2720 Wireless Home Office All-in-One Printer. This well-rounded, affordable small business inkjet printer has great output quality and a generous paper capacity of 500 sheets. It also includes an automatic duplexer for two-sided printing. Canon’s Maxify line of printers focuses primarily on business use, while this specific model is ideal for home and small business offices. It connects easily to the Internet through an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi. The Canon Maxify MB2720 Wireless Home Office All-in-One Printer is the best overall choice for small business because it offers a combination of affordability, low running costs, great output, and paper handling, as well as all of the mobile printing features you’ve come to expect from this reputable company.

As your business expands, you need a printer that can handle the growing volume of work and allow you to scale your operation. No matter what choice you go with, remember that the best printers for small business are economical, fast and can even have a high enough quality output to take the place of professional services. Be sure to visit www.bluedogink.com to learn more or browse our full selection of small business printers.