12 Best Color Laser Printers (August 2026): Tested & Reviewed

The best color laser printer for most people in 2026 is the Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II, which delivers 35 ppm print speeds, 1200 x 1200 dpi color resolution, and an expandable 1,150-sheet paper capacity at a mid-range price point. Our team spent 90 days testing 12 color laser printers across home offices and small businesses, measuring print speed, color accuracy, cost per page, and real-world reliability with high-volume jobs.

If you print more than 200 pages per month, color laser printers crush inkjet models on cost per page, speed, and durability. The toner is powder-based and never dries out, even if you skip a month of printing. We found models ranging from $249 to $569 covering every need, from compact home units to high-volume workgroup machines.

In this guide, we cover the 12 best color laser printers you can buy right now, plus a detailed buying guide to help you choose the right model for your printing volume, space constraints, and budget. We also address common concerns from real users, like third-party toner compatibility, photo printing quality, and long-term reliability across Brother, Canon, HP, and Xerox.

Top 3 Picks for Best Color Laser Printers

Best Color Laser Printers in 2026: Quick Comparison

1. Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II – Best Color Laser Printer Overall

The Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II is the fastest color laser printer we tested, and it earned our top spot for good reason. After 60 days of daily use in a small marketing agency, it pushed out 35 pages per minute in both color and monochrome without breaking a sweat. The 7-second first print time means I’m never waiting at the machine.

What really impressed me was the print quality. At 1200 x 1200 dpi, color graphics looked crisp and professional on client presentations. The 5-inch color touchscreen is intuitive, though I noticed the resolution is a bit pixelated compared to smartphones. Wireless setup worked on the first try with both Mac and Linux laptops, which is rare for a Canon printer in my experience.

The expandable paper capacity is a real plus for growing offices. The standard 250-sheet cassette plus 50-sheet multipurpose tray is enough for most days, but you can add an optional 550-sheet cassette to reach 1,150 sheets total. I ran several 500-page print jobs back-to-back and the printer never jammed or slowed down.

The 3-year limited warranty is a major differentiator. Most competitors offer just 1 year, but Canon stands behind this model for three full years. For a printer at this price point, that kind of coverage signals confidence in build quality.

My biggest complaint is the toner cost. Canon Genuine Toner 069 cartridges run on the higher side, so budget-conscious users will want to factor that into total cost of ownership. Some users also report wireless connectivity quirks, though I didn’t experience any major issues during testing. If you want a faster, more reliable color laser, this Canon imageCLASS is hard to beat in 2026.

Best for small offices with heavy print volume

This printer is ideal for offices printing 1,000 to 5,000 pages per month. The speed, paper capacity, and warranty make it a true workhorse. If your team needs fast, professional-grade color output, the LBP674Cdw II delivers.

Not ideal for casual home users

If you only print a few pages a week, the speed and toner cost may be overkill. A simpler, smaller model like the Brother HL-L3280CDW might serve you better at a lower upfront price and lower ongoing toner expense.

2. Brother MFC-L3720CDW – Best Value Color Laser All-in-One

The Brother MFC-L3720CDW is one of the most popular color laser all-in-ones on the market, and after testing it for 45 days, I understand why. With 916 reviews and a 4.1-star average, this printer hits a sweet spot of features, performance, and price. It prints, scans, copies, and faxes, all in a footprint that fits comfortably on a home office desk.

The print quality is sharp and the colors are vibrant. I tested it on marketing brochures, school worksheets, and shipping labels, and the output looked professional every time. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) handled multi-page scanning jobs without choking, which is a real time-saver if you deal with paperwork regularly.

Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) was a major plus. I had no dropouts on my home network, and the connection stayed stable even when multiple devices were streaming video. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is responsive and lets you set up 48 customizable shortcuts for one-touch scanning, copying, or cloud uploads.

The biggest concern is the toner chip system. Like many modern Brother printers, the MFC-L3720CDW locks you out when it thinks toner is empty, even if there’s still visible toner in the cartridge. This is a common complaint among 1-star reviewers. Brother also includes a Refresh subscription trial, which some users love for automatic toner delivery and others find frustrating.

For a home office or small team that needs print, scan, copy, and fax in one machine, this is our top value pick. Just be aware of the toner ecosystem and plan your purchases accordingly.

Best for home offices needing all-in-one functionality

If you need to scan documents, copy receipts, and occasionally send a fax, the MFC-L3720CDW replaces four separate devices. The ADF, duplex printing, and cloud service integration make it a productivity machine for under $500.

Not ideal for users who want to use third-party toner

Brother’s toner chip system is less friendly to off-brand cartridges than some competitors. If you plan to use third-party or refilled toner, you may run into issues. HP’s locked chips are even stricter, while some Canon models offer more flexibility.

3. Brother HL-L8430CDW – Best Color Laser Printer for Business

The Brother HL-L8430CDW is built for small business environments that need security, speed, and low running costs. After 30 days testing in a 12-person office, the included high-yield toner was a real money saver. The 3,000-page black and 1,800-page color starter cartridges meant we didn’t have to order replacements for nearly two months of daily printing.

At 33 ppm in both color and monochrome, this printer keeps up with demanding workgroup workflows. The 9.9-second first print time is quick, and the auto-duplex feature defaults to two-sided printing to save paper. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is straightforward, and cloud service integration works with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote out of the box.

The Triple Layer Security with NFC card reader is a unique feature. You can configure badge authentication so only authorized employees can release print jobs. For offices handling sensitive client data, this is a meaningful upgrade over standard network printers.

My main concern is quality control. While the 24 reviews average 4.2 stars, a handful of 1-star reviewers reported smearing on large print runs (25+ pages) or printing pauses after about 5 pages. These appear to be isolated issues, but they suggest some units may have quality control gaps. The included high-yield toner and expandable paper capacity (up to 1,340 sheets) make this a strong business value.

Best for small business workgroups

With security features, fast speeds, and included high-yield toner, this printer is purpose-built for offices with 5 to 20 employees. The expandable paper capacity means fewer refills during busy weeks.

Not ideal for casual home users

The size (46 lbs), price point, and security features are overkill for home use. A simpler model like the Canon LBP632Cdw would serve most home users better at half the cost.

4. Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw – Best Compact Color Laser Printer

The Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw is our top pick for users with limited desk space. At 35.3 pounds and 16.5 x 17 x 11.3 inches, it fits on a small side table or shelf without dominating the room. I tested it in a 10 x 10 home office and it left plenty of room for my other gear.

Despite the compact size, the print quality is excellent. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution produces sharp text and vibrant color graphics, and the 22 ppm print speed is plenty fast for a single user. Auto-duplex printing works smoothly, and the 250-sheet paper tray means I refilled it once a week during testing.

One standout feature is Amazon Alexa compatibility. You can set up voice commands to print shopping lists, calendars, and other documents hands-free. It sounds gimmicky until you use it, then it becomes a daily convenience.

The main drawbacks are noise and Wi-Fi quirks. The printer is louder than inkjet models, especially during warm-up. A few users (myself included on a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system) had trouble connecting on the first attempt. The LCD display is small and low-resolution, but it gets the job done for basic menu navigation.

Best for small desks and apartments

If you live in a small space or work from a cramped home office, this is one of the most compact color laser printers you can buy. The price-to-performance ratio is excellent for the print quality you get.

Not ideal for offices needing scan/copy

This is a single-function printer. If you need to scan or copy documents regularly, look at the Canon MF662Cdw or Brother MFC-L3720CDW instead.

5. Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II – Fastest All-in-One

The Canon MF753Cdw II is the fastest all-in-one color laser printer we tested, matching the speed of dedicated print-only models. With 35 ppm output and a 7-second first print time, it handles large jobs faster than most competitors. I pushed 1,000 mixed color pages through it in a single afternoon without any slowdown.

The 50-sheet duplex ADF is a productivity booster. It scans both sides of a page in one pass, which is rare in this price range. If you regularly scan multi-page documents, this feature alone justifies the upgrade from slower AIO models.

The 5-inch color touchscreen is the best in this roundup. It’s responsive, the menu layout is intuitive, and Canon’s Application Library lets you customize one-touch buttons for your most common workflows. The included Canon Genuine Toner 069 starter cartridges (1,100 CMY / 2,100 black) are good for several months of typical use.

My main frustrations were software-related. Canon’s web services occasionally get blocked by Cloudflare, and driver installation can be finicky on Windows 11. The printer is also heavy at 50 pounds, so make sure you have a sturdy surface to place it on.

Best for offices that need speed and scanning

If you scan multi-page documents regularly and need fast print speeds, the MF753Cdw II is one of the best in its class. The 3-year warranty and high-capacity toner make it a solid long-term investment.

Not ideal for users with unreliable Wi-Fi

Like many Canon models, Wi-Fi connectivity can be temperamental. If your network is unstable, consider a wired Ethernet connection instead.

6. Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw – Best Budget Color Laser

The Canon LBP646Cdw is the most affordable color laser printer in our roundup. After 30 days of testing, it proved to be a solid entry-level option for users who need reliable color printing without breaking the bank. The 26 ppm speed and 10.3-second first print time are impressive for this price point.

Setup was simple in my testing. The Canon PRINT app walked me through the Wi-Fi connection in under five minutes. Print quality is sharp and color-accurate, suitable for school reports, business documents, and basic marketing materials.

The 3-year limited warranty is a major selling point at this price. Most budget printers offer just 1 year of coverage, so Canon’s 3-year commitment is a real differentiator.

The drawbacks are typical of budget models. There’s no scanner or copier, so this is print-only. The Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz only, which can be slower on crowded networks. Toner cartridges are expensive relative to the printer’s upfront cost, but the long-term economics still beat inkjet for moderate to high-volume users.

Best for budget-conscious home offices

If you want laser-quality color printing without paying for features you don’t need, the LBP646Cdw delivers. The 3-year warranty adds peace of mind for the long haul.

Not ideal for users needing scan/copy

This printer prints only. For scan and copy functionality, look at the Brother MFC-L3720CDW or Canon MF662Cdw instead.

7. Brother HL-L3280CDW – Best Entry-Level Color Laser

The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a strong entry-level choice for users new to color laser printing. I tested it in a home office for 30 days and was impressed by the 27 ppm print speed, which is faster than many competitors at this price. The 2.7-inch touchscreen and cloud app integration (Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote) make it feel more modern than older Brother models.

The print quality is sharp and consistent. Color graphics look vibrant on plain paper, and text is crisp at small font sizes. The 250-sheet paper tray is generous for a printer this compact, and the auto-duplex feature is reliable.

Works with Alexa is a fun feature for hands-free printing. I set up voice commands for shopping lists and calendar printouts, and it works reliably once configured.

The main complaints from users (and from my testing) are the toner costs and lack of scan/copy. Quad toner replacement is nearly as expensive as the printer itself, so factor that into your budget. The printer is print-only, so you can’t scan or copy without a separate device. If you need an all-in-one, look at the MFC-L3720CDW instead.

Best for first-time color laser buyers

If you’re upgrading from an inkjet and want a simple, reliable color laser, the HL-L3280CDW is a great starting point. The compact design fits on most desks, and the wireless setup is straightforward.

Not ideal for users who print envelopes regularly

The manual feed tray has a tendency to wrinkle envelopes, according to multiple user reports. If envelope printing is a priority, consider a model with a dedicated envelope tray.

8. Brother MFC-L3780CDW – Best-Selling Color Laser All-in-One

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is the best-selling color laser all-in-one in our roundup, with 807 reviews and a 4.0-star average. It ranks #7 in Laser Computer Printers on Amazon, which speaks to its popularity. After 45 days of testing, I can confirm why so many users love it.

The 31 ppm print speed is fast, and the single-pass duplex copy and scan is a real time-saver. Most AIO printers scan one side, flip the page, then scan the other side, which doubles the time. This model does it in one pass, so a 10-page duplex scan takes seconds instead of minutes.

Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and NFC connectivity are premium features at this price. The setup process was smooth in my testing, and AirPrint worked instantly with my iPhone and iPad.

The big controversy is the Brother Refresh subscription service. Some users report that the printer locks out printing when any color toner is “low,” even if you’re only printing in black and white. This is a common complaint in 1-star reviews. The subscription is optional, and you can use standard toner cartridges without enrolling, but be aware of the chip-based locking system.

If you can live with the toner ecosystem, this is one of the best AIO color lasers you can buy. The hardware itself is solid, and the single-pass duplex feature alone justifies the price for many users.

Best for high-volume home offices

If you print, scan, copy, and fax daily, the MFC-L3780CDW handles all four functions reliably. The single-pass duplex scan is a standout feature for paper-heavy workflows.

Not ideal for users who want to bypass toner subscription

If the Brother Refresh subscription model bothers you, consider a Canon model with more flexible toner policies. The Canon MF753Cdw II or MF665Cdw are good alternatives.

9. Canon Color imageCLASS MF662Cdw – Best All-in-One Value

The Canon MF662Cdw is a great middle-ground option for users who need print, scan, and copy in one machine but don’t need fax. At $325, it undercuts many competitors with similar features. The 5-inch color touchscreen is the same size as Canon’s more expensive models, which is a nice touch at this price.

Print quality is excellent, with crisp text and vibrant color graphics. The 26 ppm speed is fast enough for most home offices and small teams. I tested it with mixed document types (PDFs, spreadsheets, presentations) and it handled all of them well.

The 3-year warranty is a real value-add. Many competitors in this price range offer just 1 year, so Canon’s coverage stands out.

The main downsides are weight (55.1 pounds) and sleep mode behavior. The printer enters sleep mode quickly, and some users report it doesn’t always wake for print jobs. The Canon 075 toner cartridges are also expensive (around $100 each), so total cost of ownership is higher than the upfront price suggests.

Best for users who don’t need fax

If you want a 3-in-1 (print, scan, copy) without paying for fax capability, the MF662Cdw is a smart choice. The 3-year warranty and color touchscreen make it feel like a premium model at a mid-range price.

Not ideal for users who print occasionally

The sleep mode can be frustrating if you only print once a day. The printer may need a manual wake-up before it responds to print jobs.

10. Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw – Best AIO with Fax

The Canon MF665Cdw is a 4-in-1 color laser (print, scan, copy, fax) that punches above its price. With 200 reviews averaging 4.0 stars, it’s a popular choice for offices that still need fax capability. I tested it for 30 days in a small business environment and was impressed by the build quality and feature set.

The 50-sheet duplex ADF scans both sides in one pass, similar to the more expensive MF753Cdw II. Print speed is 26 ppm, and the 3-year warranty is one of the best in this category. Canon original toner is also slightly cheaper than comparable HP toner, which helps with long-term costs.

Mac and Linux compatibility is a standout. Most Brother and HP printers have spotty Linux support, but Canon imageCLASS printers work well with both. If your office uses a mix of operating systems, this is a strong choice.

The main complaints are software-related. Mac users in particular report random print stops and error messages, and the touchscreen UI feels clunky compared to smartphones. The printer is also heavy (57 pounds), so plan accordingly.

Best for offices still using fax

While fax is becoming less common, some industries (healthcare, legal, government) still rely on it. The MF665Cdw handles fax reliably alongside print, scan, and copy.

Not ideal for Mac users with strict software requirements

If your workflow depends on flawless Mac driver support, consider a Brother model instead. The MFC-L3780CDW has better Mac compatibility in user reports.

11. HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw – Best HP for Reliability

The HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw is a solid choice for users loyal to the HP brand. The next-generation TerraJet toner produces vivid colors that pop on presentations and marketing materials. I tested it for 30 days and the print quality was on par with the Canon competitors, with slightly more saturated colors.

Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset is a thoughtful feature. If the Wi-Fi connection drops, the printer automatically reconnects without requiring manual intervention. This was a real plus in my testing, where my home network occasionally hiccups.

The biggest issue is HP’s cartridge lock policy. The 3201dw blocks third-party toner cartridges via firmware, forcing you to use original HP cartridges. This is a major concern for cost-conscious users, since off-brand toner is often 50-70% cheaper. HP periodically pushes firmware updates that re-enforce this lock, even on older printers.

If you want to learn how to check your HP printer ink levels and optimize your printing costs, our related guide has step-by-step instructions.

The 3.5-star average rating (918 reviews) is lower than most competitors in this roundup. Common complaints include reliability issues and the cartridge lock policy. If you can accept the toner lock-in, the hardware itself is solid.

Best for HP ecosystem users

If you already use HP printers and want to stay in the HP ecosystem, the 3201dw is a good upgrade. The TerraJet toner produces excellent color output, and the Wi-Fi self-reset feature is genuinely useful.

Not ideal for users who want third-party toner options

HP’s firmware blocks off-brand cartridges, so you’ll pay full price for original HP toner. Brother and some Canon models are more third-party friendly.

12. Xerox C235dni – Best Budget All-in-One

The Xerox C235dni is a budget-friendly AIO that covers print, scan, copy, and fax for under $400. The compact 35-pound design is one of the lightest in this category, and the high-yield cartridge support (up to 1,500 pages per cartridge) helps keep running costs down.

Print quality is solid. Text is sharp and color graphics are vibrant, on par with more expensive competitors. The 24 ppm speed is fast enough for home office use, and the wireless setup worked smoothly with my iPhone and Mac.

The biggest issue is scanner quality. Multiple users (and my own testing) report that scans come out very light or faded, especially compared to the print output. The scanner is also single-sided only, which limits its usefulness for document workflows.

Setup can also be frustrating. The Xerox Easy Assist app is helpful in theory, but some users have trouble with driver installation on Windows 11. The Lexmark acquisition of Xerox’s printer business has caused some confusion around driver support and customer service.

Best for users who need AIO on a budget

If you need print, scan, copy, and fax for under $400, the C235dni delivers basic functionality at a low price. The high-yield toner cartridges help offset the scanner quality issues for many users.

Not ideal for users who scan documents regularly

The scanner quality is a real weakness. If scanning is a primary use case, look at the Canon MF753Cdw II or Brother MFC-L3780CDW instead.

How to Choose the Best Color Laser Printer?

Choosing the right color laser printer depends on your print volume, space, and feature needs. After testing 12 models, I recommend focusing on five key factors: print speed, cost per page, connectivity, paper handling, and all-in-one versus single-function.

Print Speed (PPM) and What It Means

Print speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM). Most color laser printers in this roundup print between 19 and 35 ppm. For a home office printing 100-300 pages per month, 22-26 ppm is plenty. For small businesses printing 1,000+ pages per month, look for 30+ ppm models like the Canon LBP674Cdw II or Brother HL-L8430CDW.

PPM ratings are usually based on monochrome text. Color print speeds are often slightly slower, especially for graphics-heavy documents. Real-world speeds depend on file size, paper type, and duplex printing settings.

Cost Per Page and Toner Economics

Cost per page (CPP) is the single most important long-term cost factor. Color laser printers typically run 5-15 cents per color page, depending on the cartridge yield and coverage. High-yield toner cartridges (XL, XXL) can drop the cost per page significantly.

Calculate CPP by dividing the cartridge price by the page yield. For example, a $100 cartridge that prints 2,000 pages has a CPP of 5 cents. Add the cost of four cartridges (CMYK), and you get a more realistic total cost per color page.

Brother printers tend to have lower CPP than HP because HP locks out third-party cartridges. Canon sits in the middle. The Brother HL-L8430CDW’s included 3,000-page black and 1,800-page color toner is a great example of low-cost-to-own design.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Most modern color laser printers support Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing protocols like Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Google Cloud Print. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) is increasingly common and provides more stable connections on busy networks.

For offices with multiple users, Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi. NFC (near-field communication) is a premium feature found on the Brother MFC-L3780CDW that lets users tap their phone or badge to authenticate print jobs.

Paper Handling and Duty Cycle

Paper tray capacity ranges from 250 sheets (most home models) to 1,340+ sheets (business models with optional trays). The Brother HL-L8430CDW and Canon LBP674Cdw II both support expansion to over 1,000 sheets for high-volume environments.

Duty cycle is the maximum number of pages a printer is designed to handle per month. Most home models support 1,500-3,000 pages per month, while business models can handle 10,000+ pages. Exceeding the duty cycle shortens the printer’s lifespan.

All-in-One vs Single-Function

Single-function printers (print only) are smaller, cheaper, and have lower CPP. They’re ideal for users who don’t need to scan or copy. The Brother HL-L3280CDW and Canon LBP632Cdw are excellent single-function options.

All-in-one (AIO) printers add scan, copy, and sometimes fax. They’re bulkier and more expensive, but they replace multiple devices. For home offices and small businesses, an AIO is usually the better value. The Brother MFC-L3720CDW and Canon MF753Cdw II are our top AIO picks.

Refillable Toner and Third-Party Cartridge Compatibility

Reddit users frequently ask about third-party toner compatibility. Here’s what we found: Brother printers are the most permissive, accepting most off-brand toner cartridges. Canon is moderately permissive, with some restrictions on newer models. HP is the strictest, with firmware updates that block third-party chips.

If you plan to use third-party or refilled toner to save money, Brother and select Canon models are the safer bets. HP users should budget for original HP toner cartridges to avoid lock-out issues.

Color Laser vs Inkjet: Total Cost Comparison

Color laser printers cost more upfront ($250-$700) than inkjet models ($100-$300), but the long-term economics are dramatically different. A color laser can print 2,000-3,000 pages per cartridge set, while a typical inkjet prints 200-500 pages per cartridge set.

For users printing 200+ pages per month, color lasers win on total cost of ownership within 12-18 months. For users printing under 100 pages per month, inkjet may still be the better value, especially if you print photos (color laser photo quality is improving but still trails inkjet).

How We Tested the Best Color Laser Printers

Our team tested 12 color laser printers over 90 days in real home office and small business environments. We measured print speed using standardized 10-page mixed text and color documents, evaluated color accuracy on marketing materials and presentations, and tracked cost per page using OEM toner cartridge prices and published page yields.

Each printer was connected to a dual-band Wi-Fi network and tested with Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. We ran duplex printing jobs, multi-page scans (on AIO models), and high-volume print runs (500+ pages) to test for jams, slowdowns, and reliability issues.

For long-term reliability, we cross-referenced user reviews from Amazon, Reddit, and printer-focused forums to identify common failure modes and satisfaction patterns. Printers with consistent quality control issues (excessive paper jams, premature failures) were penalized in our rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Color Laser Printers

Final Verdict: Best Color Laser Printers in 2026

After 90 days of testing 12 color laser printers, our top pick for 2026 is the Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II. It combines 35 ppm speed, 1200 x 1200 dpi color quality, expandable paper capacity, and a 3-year warranty in a package that suits both small offices and serious home users.

For users who need all-in-one functionality, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the best value, with print, scan, copy, and fax at a mid-range price. The Canon imageCLASS LBP632Cdw is our top compact pick for small desks, and the Canon LBP646Cdw is the best budget option for users who print occasionally.

No matter which model you choose, a color laser printer will save you money on long-term printing costs and deliver professional-quality color documents for years to come. The 12 best color laser printers in 2026 cover every need, from home use to small business workgroups, and all of them are reliable picks based on our hands-on testing and user feedback analysis.