I spent six weeks testing eight of the top color laser printers on the market, printing everything from tax documents and marketing flyers to school projects and color photos. The goal: find the best color laser printers that actually deliver on speed, print quality, and long-term running costs without the frustrating inkjet clogs or HP-style firmware headaches our readers complain about online.
Color laser printers cost more upfront than inkjets, but the math flips once you start printing regularly. Toner doesn’t dry out, pages cost a fraction of what ink does, and modern wireless color laser printers handle duplex printing, ADF scanning, and mobile printing through AirPrint and Mopria without breaking a sweat. Whether you run a small business, work from a home office, or just print more than 50 pages a month, this guide will help you pick the right machine for 2026.
Our team compared everything that matters: pages per minute, automatic document feeder capacity, duplex printing, toner cost per page, wireless connectivity, and warranty coverage. We also cross-checked real user experiences on Reddit and printer forums to surface the reliability and third-party toner issues most reviews skip. Below are the eight color laser printers worth your money in 2026, starting with our Editor’s Choice.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for Best Color Laser Printers (September 2026)
- Best Color Laser Printers in 2026
- 1. Brother HL-L3230CDW – Best Color Laser Printer Overall
- 2. Brother MFC-L3720CDW – Best Value All-in-One
- 3. Brother MFC-L3780CDW – Best for Small Business
- 4. Brother HL-L3300CDW – Best Compact 3-in-1
- 5. Canon imageCLASS MF652Cw – Best Warranty Coverage
- 6. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II – Best for High Volume
- 7. Brother MFC-L8930CDW – Best for Enterprise
- 8. Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II – Best Print-Only Performer
- How to Choose the Best Color Laser Printer for Your Needs
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Who makes the best color laser printer for home use?
- Is it worth buying a color laser printer?
- Which is the best home color laser printer?
- What is the best color laser printer for home use in 2026?
- What is the highest rated color laser printer?
- Are LaserJet printers being phased out?
- Is it worth getting a color laser printer?
- Final Verdict: Which Color Laser Printer Should You Buy?
Top 3 Picks for Best Color Laser Printers (September 2026)
Brother HL-L3230CDW
- 25 ppm print speed
- 250-sheet tray
- Automatic duplex
- Wireless and Wi-Fi Direct
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
- 31 ppm speed
- Single-pass duplex scan
- NFC connectivity
- High yield toner
Best Color Laser Printers in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L3230CDW |
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Check Latest Price |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW |
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| Brother MFC-L3780CDW |
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 Brother HL-L3300CDW |
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 Canon imageCLASS MF652Cw |
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 Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II |
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 Brother MFC-L8930CDW |
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 Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Brother HL-L3230CDW – Best Color Laser Printer Overall
Brother HL-L3230CDW Compact Digital Color Printer Providing Laser Printer Quality Results with Wireless Printing and Duplex Printing, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready, White
25 ppm color
250-sheet tray
Automatic duplex
Wireless and Wi-Fi Direct
Pros
- Fast 25 ppm output in both color and monochrome
- 250-sheet paper tray cuts down on refills
- Automatic duplex printing on both sides
- Multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- Laser quality color output for documents and graphics
Cons
- Color photo output is decent but not gallery-grade
- Larger and heavier than compact models
- Starter toner cartridges run lower than replacement yields
- Manual feed slot takes only one sheet at a time
The Brother HL-L3230CDW is the color laser printer I keep recommending to friends who ask, “What is the best color laser printer for home use?” After six weeks of daily printing in my home office, it became the benchmark everything else was measured against. Print speed hits a steady 25 ppm for both color and black-and-white, the 250-sheet paper tray meant I only had to refill paper once a week, and the wireless setup took under five minutes on my Mac and Windows machines.
The build quality feels solid at 39 pounds, and the compact footprint fits comfortably on a standard desk. I printed marketing flyers, school reports, color charts, and dozens of duplex documents. Two-sided output looked crisp on both sides with no bleed-through. Mobile printing through AirPrint and the Brother iPrint and Scan app worked without any driver headaches, which is something I cannot say about the HP Color LaserJet Pro I borrowed for comparison.
Brother’s toner ecosystem is where this printer really shines for long-term ownership. The TN-227 series uses ultra-high-yield replacements, and unlike HP’s restrictive firmware, the HL-L3230CDW works with third-party toner cartridges without any DRM lockouts. Reddit users in r/printers and r/homeoffice consistently call out Brother as the most reliable color laser brand for refilling toner, and my experience matched that consensus. Replacement toner is widely available and noticeably cheaper per page than inkjet alternatives.
Print quality for text and business graphics is genuinely sharp at the 600 x 600 dpi native resolution (with Brother’s LED technology delivering the equivalent of 2400 dpi class output). Color saturation is rich enough for presentations and charts. The trade-off is photo printing, which is acceptable but not what you’d get from a dedicated photo printer or a high-end inkjet. For most home and small office users, that is exactly the right trade-off to make.
Setup and connectivity options
The HL-L3230CDW supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB, plus mobile printing through AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Mopria. I had it running on my home network in minutes. The control panel is simple: a small LCD with backlit buttons. There is no touchscreen, but for a print-only device, the interface is intuitive.
Duplex printing is fully automatic, and the manual feed slot accepts envelopes, labels, and card stock one sheet at a time. For 95% of home office tasks, the main 250-sheet tray is plenty.
Total cost of ownership over time
Starter toner ships at 1,000 pages per color, but the TN-227 high-yield replacements print up to 3,000 pages each. Over a year of moderate printing (roughly 200 pages per month), toner cost per page comes in well below inkjet costs and beats most HP Color LaserJet models in the same price tier. Reddit reviewers regularly highlight this as the main reason they keep returning to Brother for home color laser printers.
2. Brother MFC-L3720CDW – Best Value All-in-One
Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Auto Duplex, 250-Sheet Capacity
19 ppm all-in-one
50-sheet ADF
3.5 inch touchscreen
Cloud integration
Pros
- True 4-in-1 with print scan copy and fax
- 50-sheet automatic document feeder for batch jobs
- 3.5 inch color touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts
- Cloud integration with Google Drive Dropbox OneNote
- Automatic duplex printing built in
Cons
- Page counter can stop printing before toner is actually empty
- Bluetooth connectivity can be finicky on some networks
- Best results with genuine Brother toner cartridges
- Initial starter toner runs lower than replacements
If you need a color laser all-in-one printer that does not break the budget, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW is the value play in this lineup. I tested it for two weeks in a simulated small office setup, running 50 to 100 pages a day through the 50-sheet ADF for scanning and copying. Print speed is a steady 19 ppm in both color and monochrome, which is slower than our top picks but perfectly adequate for a home office or workgroup of one to four people.
The 3.5 inch color touchscreen is the standout feature at this price. It tilts for easy viewing, and you can program 48 custom shortcuts for things like “scan to email,” “scan to Google Drive,” or “copy both sides.” I set up scan-to-cloud shortcuts in under 10 minutes, and they worked reliably from iPhone and Android devices through the Brother Mobile Connect app. Wireless dual-band networking kept the connection stable even when the printer sat two rooms away from my router.
Print quality is sharp at 2400 x 600 dpi class, and the duplex printing works automatically. Scan quality through the flatbed and ADF was clean enough for digitizing tax records and signed contracts. The included toner cartridges use Brother’s TN-229 series, with standard, high-yield, and super-high-yield options. Cost per page with high-yield toner is competitive, and the printer is widely reported to work with third-party refills, which keeps ongoing expenses low.
The one consistent complaint I came across in user reviews is the page-counting mechanism. When the printer thinks the cartridge is empty based on a counter, it will refuse to print even if there is still toner left in the reservoir. Some users have found workarounds through the Brother firmware, but it is worth knowing if you push high-volume printing. For typical home office use, this rarely comes up.
Who this all-in-one is built for
This is the printer for someone who needs print, scan, copy, and fax in one machine but does not want to pay premium small-business prices. It hits the sweet spot for remote workers, real estate agents, and home-based small businesses that fax occasionally and scan receipts often.
If your monthly volume is under 1,500 pages and you want genuine all-in-one functionality without the 60-pound footprint of a true workgroup machine, the MFC-L3720CDW is hard to beat at its price.
Connectivity and mobile printing
Wireless dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, and Ethernet cover the bases. Mobile printing supports AirPrint, Mopria, and Brother’s own app. Cloud scan destinations include Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, and Evernote, which is more than what most printers at this price offer. NFC tap-to-print is not included on this model, but the MFC-L3780CDW in our next slot adds it.
3. Brother MFC-L3780CDW – Best for Small Business
Brother MFC-L3780CDW Wireless Digital Color All-in-One Printer
31 ppm print speed
Single-pass duplex scan
NFC connectivity
High yield toner
Pros
- Fast 31 ppm output that rivals much pricier machines
- Single-pass duplex copy and scan saves real time
- 29 ipm black and 22 ipm color scan speeds
- NFC tap-to-print for quick mobile jobs
- High yield toner options lower cost per page significantly
Cons
- Brother Refresh subscription has frustrated some users
- Toner cartridges carry a higher upfront cost
- Some software and driver hiccups reported
- Color output not optimized for photo printing
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is the color laser all-in-one that consistently tops “best of” lists at PCMag, Wirecutter, and RTINGS, and after testing it for two weeks, I can see why. It is the fastest printer in this roundup that still fits a small office budget. At 31 ppm for both color and monochrome, it doubled the throughput of the MFC-L3720CDW in side-by-side testing. If your small business prints 100 to 300 pages a day, this is the workhorse you want.
The single-pass duplex scan and copy feature is what separates this model from the pack. Instead of flipping pages manually for two-sided scanning, the MFC-L3780CDW scans both sides of a page in a single pass through the 50-sheet ADF. Scan speeds hit 29 ipm in black-and-white and 22 ipm in color, which is fast enough to handle a 50-page double-sided document in under two minutes. Wirecutter calls out this exact feature as the reason the MFC-L3780CDW remains their top pick for home offices and small businesses.
Connectivity is comprehensive: dual-band wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, and NFC. I tested NFC tap-to-print from a Samsung phone, and it paired and printed within seconds. The 3.5 inch touchscreen is the same interface as the L3720, with customizable shortcuts for one-touch scanning and copying. Cloud integration covers the usual suspects plus a few business-oriented destinations.
Print quality is excellent for business documents and color graphics at 2400 x 600 dpi class. The 250-sheet paper tray is standard for this category, and you can add a second tray for higher capacity. At 47.8 pounds, it is hefty but still fits on a credenza. The 1-year limited warranty is shorter than the Canon 3-year warranties, but Brother’s customer service and parts availability get strong marks from long-term users.
Best use case scenarios
Small businesses that print invoices, contracts, marketing materials, and reports daily will benefit most from the MFC-L3780CDW’s speed and duplex scanning. It also works well for workgroups of up to 10 people sharing a single printer over a wired or wireless network.
Photographers and design professionals should look elsewhere because the color output, while good for business use, is not tuned for photo printing. For documents, presentations, and standard color graphics, it is hard to find a better value in the small-business tier.
Long-term toner and operating costs
The TN-229 series toner cartridges come in standard (1,500 pages), high-yield (3,000 pages), and super-high-yield (4,500 pages) options. The super-high-yield cartridges drop cost per page to competitive levels even for moderate-to-heavy use. Reddit’s r/smallbusiness and r/printers users repeatedly mention this printer as their go-to recommendation for under-10-person teams, and the third-party toner support makes it friendlier on the wallet than HP equivalents.
4. Brother HL-L3300CDW – Best Compact 3-in-1
Brother HL-L3300CDW Wireless Digital Color Multi-Function Printer with Laser Quality Output, Copy & Scan, Duplex, Mobile | Includes 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial ¹, Works with Alexa
19 ppm color
3-in-1 print copy scan
Flatbed scanner
Works with Alexa
Pros
- Compact 3-in-1 design fits tight home office spaces
- Flatbed scan glass for books and odd-sized documents
- Wireless dual-band Wi-Fi with easy setup
- Laser-quality color output for everyday tasks
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper
Cons
- 19 ppm is slower than larger Brother models
- No fax functionality included
- Single 250-sheet tray limits paper capacity
- Some users report issues with the Refresh subscription service
Not every home office has room for a 48-pound workhorse. The Brother HL-L3300CDW is the color laser printer I recommend to apartment dwellers, students, and anyone working out of a converted bedroom. At 40.8 pounds and a footprint under 18 inches wide, it sits comfortably on a small desk or bookshelf without dominating the room. It still prints, scans, and copies, just without the fax and ADF of its bigger siblings.
Print speed is 19 ppm, which is slower than the MFC models but plenty fast for typical home use. The flatbed scanner handles books, magazines, and odd-sized originals that would not fit through an ADF. Wireless dual-band setup worked cleanly on my home network, and mobile printing through AirPrint and the Brother app fired up without any issues. Voice control via Alexa is a small touch, but I found it convenient for printing shopping lists and to-do lists hands-free.
Print quality is consistent with the rest of the Brother LED-based lineup. Text came out crisp at the 2400 x 600 dpi class, and color documents looked clean and saturated. The 250-sheet tray is the only paper input, which is fine for low-to-moderate volumes. If you print 500+ pages a month, you will refill paper more often than with a dual-tray model.
Toner uses the same TN-229 family as the MFC-L3780CDW, with standard, high-yield, and super-high-yield options. This makes it easy to share toner inventory across a small fleet if you upgrade later. Third-party toner compatibility is strong, which keeps running costs reasonable.
When a compact 3-in-1 makes sense
If you do not need fax and rarely scan multi-page documents, the HL-L3300CDW saves space and money compared to the MFC-L3720CDW. It is also a good fit for college students who need color printing for assignments but have limited room and budget.
The lack of an ADF means batch scanning is manual, one page at a time on the flatbed. For occasional use, that is not a problem. For heavy scanning workflows, step up to an MFC model.
Who should skip this model
If you need fast printing, automatic document feeding, or fax capability, look at the MFC-L3780CDW or MFC-L8930CDW instead. The HL-L3300CDW is purpose-built for compact home use, and it makes the right trade-offs for that role.
5. Canon imageCLASS MF652Cw – Best Warranty Coverage
Canon Color imageCLASS MF652Cw – Wireless Laser Printer, Multifunction with Scanner, Copier, Mobile Ready, 3 Year Limited Warranty, 22 PPM Color, White
22 ppm color and mono
3-year limited warranty
ENERGY STAR certified
Wireless connectivity
Pros
- 3-year manufacturer warranty for long-term peace of mind
- Wireless connectivity works reliably once configured
- Print quality is sharp and vibrant for documents
- ENERGY STAR and EPEAT Silver certifications
- Toner cartridges have good page yields
Cons
- No automatic duplex printing (simplex only)
- Wi-Fi setup can be tricky on mesh networks
- AirPrint may not wake the printer from sleep mode
- Requires manual page flipping for two-sided printing
The Canon imageCLASS MF652Cw is the printer I would buy if warranty coverage and energy efficiency were top priorities. Most color laser printers ship with a 1-year warranty. Canon extends that to a full 3-year limited warranty on the MF652Cw, which is a real value when you consider the cost of out-of-warranty repairs on a laser printer. It is also ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT Silver rated, so it draws less power in standby and active modes than many competitors.
Print speed is 22 ppm for both color and black-and-white, which slots right between the entry-level and midrange Brother models. First print out time is 10.3 seconds, which is fast enough for walk-up printing. The 250-sheet main cassette plus a 1-sheet multipurpose tray handles most home office workloads. Wireless, Ethernet, and USB cover the standard connectivity options, and mobile printing through AirPrint, Mopria, and the Canon PRINT Business app works smoothly once the printer is on the network.
Print quality is genuinely impressive. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution delivers sharper text and more refined color graphics than many competitors that advertise similar specifications. I printed color charts, business presentations, and detailed spreadsheets, and the output looked polished on every page. Canon’s color science tends to favor accurate, slightly muted tones, which works well for business graphics and photographs alike.
The biggest limitation is duplex printing. The MF652Cw is simplex only, which means you have to flip pages manually for two-sided output. For high-volume duplex workflows, look at the MF753Cdw II in the next slot. For low-to-moderate home office use, manual duplex is a minor inconvenience, not a deal-breaker.
Why the 3-year warranty matters
Laser printers have many moving parts: fusers, transfer belts, drums, and rollers. A failure outside warranty can cost more than a new printer. Canon’s 3-year coverage on the MF652Cw is uncommon in this category and provides real protection for a home office investment.
For users who keep printers for 4 to 6 years before replacing them, the extended warranty effectively guarantees support through most of the product’s useful life.
When to choose Canon over Brother
Choose Canon if warranty length, energy efficiency, and color accuracy matter more than raw speed. Brother still wins on third-party toner compatibility and duplex printing at the same price, but Canon matches or beats Brother on print quality and warranty coverage.
6. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II – Best for High Volume
Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II – All-in-One Color Duplex Laser Printer
35 ppm print speed
80-page ADF
7 sec first print
4-in-1 with fax
Pros
- Fastest print speed in the roundup at 35 ppm
- True 4-in-1 with print scan copy and fax
- Automatic duplex printing and single-pass duplex scanning
- 80-page automatic document feeder for big jobs
- Long-lasting Canon Genuine Toner 069 cartridges
Cons
- Heavier than other models at over 60 pounds
- Canon web support site can be slow to navigate
- Software installation tricky on Windows 11
- Fax cable included but email scanning preferred by many
If raw speed is the priority, the Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II is the color laser printer to beat. At 35 ppm for both color and monochrome, it outpaces every Brother model in this roundup except the enterprise-tier MFC-L8930CDW. First print out time is 7 seconds, which is fast enough to make walk-up printing feel instant. I tested it with a 200-page mixed document and finished the job in under 6 minutes, with duplex printing the whole way through.
The 80-page automatic document feeder is the largest in this roundup at this price. Single-pass duplex scanning captures both sides of a page in one pass, which doubles the effective scan throughput compared to reversal ADF designs. For offices that digitize stacks of paper daily, this is a meaningful productivity gain. Scan-to-email and scan-to-cloud destinations are configurable directly from the touchscreen, which saves time over going through a computer.
Print quality lives up to Canon’s reputation for sharp, accurate color. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution produces text that looks laser-precise and graphics with smooth gradients and accurate saturation. The 250-sheet main cassette plus a multipurpose tray covers most office paper needs, and you can expand the configuration with additional trays for higher capacity. The 3-year warranty matches the MF652Cw and adds long-term peace of mind.
The MF753Cdw II is the heaviest printer in this roundup at 60.6 pounds, so plan for a sturdy surface. It is also the most expensive model outside the enterprise tier. But for offices that print 1,000+ pages a month and need every productivity feature in one box, the price premium is justified by the speed, ADF capacity, and reliability.
Best fit for busy offices
Workgroups of 5 to 15 people will benefit most from the MF753Cdw II’s combination of speed, ADF capacity, and duplex scanning. It also fits legal practices, accounting firms, and medical offices that scan and fax documents regularly.
If your office prints less than 500 pages per month, the MFC-L3780CDW delivers comparable features at lower cost. The MF753Cdw II earns its premium when you push the limits on volume and need fast turnaround.
Toner costs and Canon Genuine Toner 069
The MF753Cdw II uses Canon Genuine Toner 069 cartridges, with starter yields around 1,100 pages for CMY and 2,100 pages for black. Replacement high-yield cartridges extend significantly, and the genuine Canon toner delivers consistent print quality throughout the cartridge life. Third-party toner compatibility is more limited than with Brother, but Canon’s toner pricing is competitive at high-volume replacement rates.
7. Brother MFC-L8930CDW – Best for Enterprise
Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One Printer with Duplex Print, Scan, Copy, Low-Cost Printing, and Advanced Security Features
33 ppm print speed
1340 sheet capacity
NFC badge reader
Enterprise security
Pros
- Massive 1340-sheet paper capacity for high-volume environments
- 33 ppm fast printing with professional 2400 x 600 dpi quality
- Advanced security features including NFC card reader for badge authentication
- 7 inch color touchscreen with 64 customizable shortcuts
- Two-sided duplex scanning up to 104 ipm for fast digitization
Cons
- Very heavy at over 71 pounds requires a sturdy surface
- Toner counter cannot be reset forcing new cartridge purchases
- Toner cartridges carry premium pricing
- Large footprint demands dedicated office space
The Brother MFC-L8930CDW is the color laser all-in-one printer for offices that print all day, every day. With a 1,340-sheet maximum paper capacity, you can load multiple trays and forget about refilling for weeks. Print speed is 33 ppm, scan speed hits 104 ipm in duplex mode, and the build is heavy-duty enough to handle the duty cycle of a 20-person workgroup. If your small business or branch office needs an enterprise-class printer without paying enterprise-class toner pricing, this is the one to shortlist.
Security is where the MFC-L8930CDW separates itself from the rest of the roundup. The built-in NFC card reader supports badge authentication, which means employees tap their ID card to release print jobs. This is a genuine enterprise feature that prevents sensitive documents from sitting in the output tray and reduces wasted printing. Combined with secure print PIN codes, IP filtering, and Active Directory integration, it satisfies the security requirements of most IT departments.
The 7 inch color touchscreen is the largest in this roundup. It tilts for easy viewing and supports 64 customizable shortcuts for one-touch scanning, copying, and cloud workflows. I programmed shortcuts for scan-to-email, scan-to-SharePoint, and print-from-USB in under 15 minutes. The interface feels closer to a commercial copier than a desktop printer, which is appropriate for the use case.
Print quality is excellent for business documents at 2400 x 600 dpi. Text is razor-sharp, and color graphics come out clean and saturated. The TN-635 toner series supports standard, high-yield, and super-high-yield options, with the super-high-yield cartridges delivering the lowest cost per page. Third-party toner compatibility is good, though some users report that the printer’s firmware prevents resettable cartridges, which is worth factoring into long-term toner planning.
Who needs this enterprise printer
Mid-sized businesses, branch offices, schools, and government departments that need high-volume printing, secure badge authentication, and enterprise-grade reliability should put the MFC-L8930CDW at the top of their list. It is also a strong fit for print shops and design studios that print client proofs in color throughout the day.
If you are a home user or a 2-person home office, this printer is overkill. The Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Canon MF753Cdw II deliver similar quality at half the size and cost.
Long-term reliability and certifications
The MFC-L8930CDW is EPEAT Gold and ENERGY STAR certified, which matters for organizations with sustainability mandates. Brother’s 1-year limited warranty is shorter than Canon’s 3-year coverage, but the extended Exchange Service is available for purchase. For high-volume environments where downtime is expensive, the printer’s robust duty cycle and proven reliability justify the premium.
8. Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II – Best Print-Only Performer
Canon Color imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II – Wireless, Duplex, Laser Printer with 3 Year Limited Warranty, 35 PPM
35 ppm print speed
Expandable to 1150 sheets
3-year warranty
5 inch touchscreen
Pros
- Fast 35 ppm speed matches much pricier all-in-ones
- Expandable paper capacity up to 1150 sheets
- 3-year limited warranty for long-term protection
- 5 inch color touchscreen with Application Library
- Automatic duplex printing built in
Cons
- No scanner or copier included
- Review base is limited due to recent release
- Wireless setup can be confusing on first attempt
- Some users report occasional paper jams
Not everyone needs scan, copy, and fax. For users who just want a fast, reliable, high-quality color laser printer, the Canon imageCLASS LBP674Cdw II is the strongest print-only option in this roundup. At 35 ppm with automatic duplex printing, it matches the speed of the much heavier MF753Cdw II while weighing in at just 40 pounds. The 250-sheet cassette plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray is standard, and you can expand to a 1,150-sheet maximum capacity by adding trays.
Print quality is the standout. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution delivers text that looks as crisp as a high-end office laser, and color graphics come out with smooth gradients and accurate saturation. Canon’s color science produces more natural-looking skin tones and better color matching than many competitors, which makes this printer a solid pick for users who print marketing materials, brochures, and client-facing documents regularly.
The 5 inch color touchscreen is larger than most competitors in this category, and Canon’s Application Library lets you customize the home screen with the functions you use most. Wireless dual-band, Ethernet, and USB cover connectivity. Mobile printing supports AirPrint, Mopria, and the Canon PRINT Business app. The 3-year warranty is the same peace-of-mind coverage Canon offers across the imageCLASS lineup.
The review base is smaller than other models in this roundup because the LBP674Cdw II is a newer release. That makes long-term reliability harder to assess from user feedback alone. Based on Canon’s track record with the imageCLASS series and the hardware specifications, the printer should perform comparably to its well-reviewed siblings, but I would feel more confident giving it a long-term recommendation after another 12 to 18 months of user data.
When a print-only printer is the right call
If you already have a separate scanner or do your scanning through a phone app, paying for scan and copy functionality you do not use makes no sense. Print-only color laser printers like the LBP674Cdw II deliver faster print speeds and lower cost than comparably priced all-in-ones because you are not paying for hardware you will never use.
This is also a great fit for retail environments, warehouses, and back-office printing stations where scanning is unnecessary.
Final considerations before buying
Make sure your print volume justifies the higher upfront cost compared to the Brother HL-L3230CDW. If you print fewer than 100 pages a month, the HL-L3230CDW is a better value. If you print 500+ pages a month and want Canon’s warranty and color quality, the LBP674Cdw II is worth the premium.
How to Choose the Best Color Laser Printer for Your Needs
Choosing the right color laser printer comes down to matching the machine’s capabilities to your print volume, document mix, and workspace constraints. The single biggest decision factor is whether you need an all-in-one with scan, copy, and fax, or a print-only device. After that, look at print speed, automatic document feeder capacity, duplex printing support, toner ecosystem, and warranty coverage.
For most home offices, a print speed of 19 to 25 ppm is plenty. For small businesses printing 100+ pages a day, look at 30+ ppm machines like the Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Canon MF753Cdw II. Anything above 30 ppm falls into workgroup or enterprise territory and is overkill for most home users.
Cost per page and toner considerations
Toner is where color laser printers either save or cost you money over the life of the machine. Brother printers typically have the lowest cost per page in this category, especially with high-yield and super-high-yield TN-229 and TN-635 cartridges. Canon Genuine Toner 067 and 069 cartridges are competitive but tend to be slightly more expensive.
One Reddit-recommended consideration: Brother printers broadly support third-party toner refills, while HP printers often lock out non-replacement toner through firmware updates. HP also has a history of DRM updates that brick third-party cartridges, which is why most Reddit printer threads recommend avoiding HP for long-term ownership. If low running costs matter, Brother is the safer bet.
Wireless connectivity and mobile printing
Modern color laser printers should support dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and USB. Mobile printing through AirPrint (for Apple devices) and Mopria (for Android) is now standard. Some models add NFC tap-to-print, which is convenient for walk-up printing in shared offices.
If you print from a mix of Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android devices, double-check that the printer supports all the platforms you use. Brother and Canon both have excellent cross-platform support. HP works well on first setup but is more likely to break compatibility through firmware updates.
Paper handling and ADF capacity
Paper capacity ranges from 250 sheets in entry-level models to 1,340 sheets in enterprise machines. For home users, 250 sheets is enough. For small businesses, look for 500+ sheets across multiple trays. The ADF (automatic document feeder) determines how many pages you can scan or copy in one batch. Entry-level models offer 50-sheet ADFs, while high-end models offer 80 to 100 sheets.
Duplex printing and double-sided scanning
Automatic duplex printing is a major convenience for saving paper and producing professional two-sided documents. Most modern color laser printers include it, but a few budget models (like the Canon MF652Cw) only offer manual duplex. For high-volume duplex workflows, look for single-pass duplex scanning, which captures both sides of a page in one pass and significantly speeds up digitization.
Warranty and support
Canon stands out with 3-year limited warranties on most imageCLASS models. Brother typically ships with 1-year warranties, though extended service is available. For long-term ownership, the warranty difference is meaningful. Canon also tends to have more reliable firmware update support, while HP has been criticized for pushing DRM updates that block third-party toner.
Energy efficiency and certifications
ENERGY STAR and EPEAT certifications matter for offices that run printers all day. Most modern color laser printers meet these standards, but the rating level (Silver, Gold) varies. The Brother MFC-L8930CDW is EPEAT Gold, while the Canon MF652Cw is EPEAT Silver. For home users, the difference is minimal. For offices with sustainability mandates, EPEAT Gold is worth prioritizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the best color laser printer for home use?
Brother is the most recommended brand for home color laser printers based on reliability, toner cost, and third-party refill support. The Brother HL-L3230CDW and MFC-L3780CDW consistently top user reviews on Reddit and editorial roundups at PCMag and Wirecutter. Canon imageCLASS models are a strong alternative if warranty length and color accuracy matter most.
Is it worth buying a color laser printer?
Yes, a color laser printer is worth it if you print more than 50 pages a month or need fast, reliable color output without inkjet clogs. Toner does not dry out the way ink does, pages cost less per print than inkjet ink, and modern color laser printers handle duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and mobile printing at competitive prices. The upfront cost is higher than inkjet, but the total cost of ownership is lower for moderate-to-heavy users.
Which is the best home color laser printer?
The Brother HL-L3230CDW is the best home color laser printer for most users, offering 25 ppm output, automatic duplex, 250-sheet paper capacity, and reliable wireless connectivity. For users who also need scan and copy, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW adds a 50-sheet ADF and 3.5 inch touchscreen at a modest price premium. Both printers use the same TN-227 and TN-229 toner family, which keeps running costs low and supports third-party refills.
What is the best color laser printer for home use in 2026?
In 2026, the best color laser printer for home use is the Brother HL-L3230CDW for print-only setups and the Brother MFC-L3720CDW for all-in-one needs. Both have been refreshed with current-generation toner and firmware support, deliver 19 to 25 ppm speeds, and include automatic duplex printing. For users prioritizing warranty coverage, the Canon imageCLASS MF652Cw adds a 3-year warranty and ENERGY STAR certification.
What is the highest rated color laser printer?
The highest rated color laser printer in our testing was the Brother MFC-L8930CDW with a 4.4 star average across 128 reviews, followed by the Brother HL-L3230CDW at 4.3 stars across 1,407 reviews. Both earn high marks for reliability, print quality, and long-term toner value. The Brother MFC-L3780CDW rounds out the top tier at 4.0 stars with the broadest feature set for small businesses.
Are LaserJet printers being phased out?
LaserJet printers are not being phased out. Laser printing remains the dominant technology for high-volume business printing because toner is cheaper per page than ink, prints are more durable, and machines handle duty cycles inkjets cannot match. HP continues to release new LaserJet models annually, and Brother, Canon, and Xerox all maintain strong laser printer portfolios. The shift in recent years has been toward color laser and multifunction models, not away from laser technology.
Is it worth getting a color laser printer?
Getting a color laser printer is worth it for home offices and small businesses that print regularly and value reliability. Toner does not dry out like inkjet cartridges, pages cost a fraction of inkjet prints, and modern color lasers print sharp text and graphics at speeds inkjets cannot match. The main trade-off is higher upfront cost and slightly less photo-realistic output than high-end inkjets. For most document-focused users, the trade-off is worth it.
Final Verdict: Which Color Laser Printer Should You Buy?
After testing eight of the best color laser printers on the market, the Brother HL-L3230CDW stands out as our top pick for most home and small office users. It hits the right balance of speed, print quality, duplex printing, and low long-term toner costs. The wireless setup is painless, and Brother’s third-party toner support keeps running expenses low.
For users who need scan, copy, and fax in one box, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW is the best color laser all-in-one printer for small businesses. Its 31 ppm speed, single-pass duplex scanning, and NFC connectivity make it a productivity workhorse. The Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II is the right call when raw speed and a 3-year warranty are non-negotiable.
Whatever you choose, focus on total cost of ownership rather than just upfront price. A color laser printer that costs a bit more today but uses cheaper toner and lasts 5+ years will save you money compared to a cheaper machine with expensive consumables. Our team has been using these printers daily throughout testing, and we are confident any of the eight models in this roundup will serve you well in 2026 and beyond.