A printer can be an invaluable part of your small business’s workspace, enhancing your productivity and increasing the efficiency of your workflow. It can be crucial for a small office where resources and/or space are limited.

Cartridge People’s Expert Recommendations

Our choices are guided by our expertise. Trusted since 2001, we provide valuable office supplies to small businesses, including printers, ink, toner and stationery. We also work with businesses to help manage their printing and support them.

1. Best Printer for Small Business
2. Best MFP for Small Business
3. Best Laser Printer for Small Business
4. Best Inkjet Printer for Small Business
5. Best Colour Printer for Small Business
6. Fast Small Business Printer
7. Best Mono Printer for Small Business
8. Best Budget Printer for Small Business
9. Best Compact Printer for Small Business
10. Best Portable Small Business Printer
11. Best Home Office Printer for Small Business

---

Best Printer for Small Business

Brother HL-L3240CDW

Professional colour prints, fast.

Functionality: Print only
Print Speed: 26ppm (mono/colour)
Resolution: Up to 600 x 2,400 dpi
Capacity: 250 sheets
Connectivity:  Wired, USB, wireless
Toner: Brother TN-248
Ideal For: SOHO

Pros:

• High resolution
• High paper capacity

Cons:

• Print only

Maintain the productivity of your small business with the Brother HL-L3240CDW.

Capable of streamlining your workflow, fast mono and colour print speeds of 26ppm support printing documents in high volumes. These prints are still a professional quality however, with a print resolution of up to 600 x 2,400 dpi.

You can store up to 250 sheets in the HL-L3240CDW’s input tray, ensuring your workforce won’t have to frequently top up their printer paper. Duplex printing allows you to halve your paper usage, reducing the cost of your business’s printing as well as being better for the planet.

Shop the Brother HL-L3240CDW

---

Best MFP for Small Business

Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF

Versatile, dependable AIO for small and home offices.

Functionality: Print, copy, scan, fax
Print Speed: Up to 35ppm (mono), 21ppm (colour)
Resolution: 4,800 x 2,400 dpi
Capacity: Up to 250 sheets
Connectivity: Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, ethernet, USB
Ink: Epson 405 Ink
Ideal For: SOHO

Pros:

• Fast max print speeds
• High resolution
• Wi-Fi Direct
• AIO

Increase the number of tasks your business can carry out with the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF all-in-one printer.

With print, scan, copy and faxing capabilities, the Epson WF-3820DWF is the ideal device for workplaces that need more than just printing from their MFP. Straightforward to use, this Epson printer features a 6.8cm touchscreen for easy and direct operation.

While the additional functionality this printer provides would be invaluable for a small business, print speed and quality are not compromised. This is thanks to printing speeds of up to 35ppm (mono) and 21ppm (colour), as well as a print resolution of 4,800 x 2,400 dpi.

Shop the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF

---

Best Laser Printer for Small Business

Canon i-Sensys LBP673Cdw

Highly productive laser printer that’s ideal for small office use.

Functionality: Print only
Print Speed: Up to 33ppm (A4)
Resolution: Up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
Capacity: 250 sheet cassette
Connectivity: Wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, network
Toner: Canon 069
Ideal For: Small offices

Pros:

• Fast print speeds
• Large paper capacity

Cons:

• Print only

A smaller laser printer, the Canon i-Sensys LBP673Cdw is ideal for businesses that need to save space but still require high performance printing.

As it’s a print only device, the i-Sensys LBP673Cdw is better for those who don’t need to scan, copy or fax. It’s lack of copy/scan/fax support is more than compensated for by its impressive printing.

Print speeds of up to 33ppm, when combined with a paper capacity of 250 sheets, helps to support those who need to print in high volumes quickly. Prints are professional despite these impressive speeds, thanks to a print resolution of up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi.

Shop the Canon i-Sensys LBP673Cdw

---

Best Inkjet Printer for Small Business

Epson Expression Home XP-3205

Professional inkjet printing at fast speeds.

Functionality: Print, copy, scan
Print Speed: Up to 33ppm (mono), 15ppm (colour)
Resolution: 5,760 x 1,440 dpi
Paper Capacity: 100 sheets (standard), 20 photo sheets
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB
Ink: Epson 604 Ink
Ideal For: Home users
Pros:

• Quick mono print speeds
• Mobile print support
• Multifunction printer

Cons:

• No fax
• Relatively low paper capacity
• Colour print speeds aren’t the fastest

The Epson Expression Home XP-3205 is our choice of the best inkjet for small businesses because of its fast print speeds (up to 33ppm) and multifunctionality (print/copy/scan). This Epson inkjet is a versatile and intuitive printer that’s ideal for the home office.

Despite being better suited to home office use, print quality is still a professional standard thanks to its print resolution of 5,760 x 1,440 dpi. This ensures mono text prints are clear and colour images are vibrant. It doesn’t matter what type of document your business needs to print, this inkjet provides a high standard of printing you’ll be proud to share with customers and colleagues alike.

Wireless connectivity is also supported, as the Epson XP-3205 works with Apple AirPrint and a variety of Epson apps.

Shop the Epson Expression Home XP-3205

---

Best Colour Printer for Small Business

Brother HL-L8260CDW

Vibrant colour prints with high levels of detail.

Functionality: Print only
Print Speed: Up to 31ppm (colour/mono)
Resolution: Up to 2,400 x 600 dpi
Capacity: 300 sheets (standard)
Connectivity: Wired, USB, wireless
Toner: Brother TN-421
Ideal For: Businesses

Pros:

• Large paper capacity
• High print resolution
• Fast print speeds (both mono and colour)

Cons:

• Print only

If your small business needs to produce colour graphics, like charts or marketing materials, you can’t go far wrong with the Brother HL-L8260CDW.

An impressive print resolution of 2,400 x 600 dpi ensures your prints are a professional standard, with a high level of detail. Colour print speeds of up to 31ppm help to support your small business by boosting its productivity levels.

The toner cartridges the HL-L8260CDW accepts feature high page yields, and when you combine this with the large paper capacity of 300 sheets (standard), you can be assured your workflows won’t be constantly disrupted.

Shop the Brother HL-L8260CDW

---

Fast Small Business Printer

Xerox C230

Quick printer for smaller offices.

Functionality: Print only
Print Speed: Up to 22ppm (mono/colour)
Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi
Capacity: 250 sheets
Connectivity: USB, wireless, Wi-Fi Direct, ethernet
Toner: Xerox 006R0438
Ideal For: Home offices

Pros:

• Fast print speeds
• Large paper capacity

Cons:

• Print only

Impressively quick print speeds empower your small-medium business to keep productivity levels high with the Xerox C230.

With a first page out time of as quick as 11 seconds in black and white, the C230 is the ideal printer for those in smaller workspaces who need to be highly productive. Similarly, a large paper capacity of 250 sheets reduces disruptions to your business’s workflow.

Wireless connectivity can also streamline the printing process, and this Xerox printer even supports mobile printing, with Apple AirPrint and Mopria connectivity options.

While it is a print only device, we recommend the Xerox C230 for those who need to print in high volumes quickly.

Shop the Xerox C230

---

Best Mono Printer for Small Business

Brother DCP-1610W

Professional mono printing for home workers.

Functionality: Print, scan, copy
Print Speed: 20ppm
Resolution: Up to 2,400 x 600 dpi
Capacity: 150 sheets
Connectivity: Wireless, USB
Toner: Brother TN-1050
Ideal For: Home office

Pros:

• MFP
• Print resolution
• Wireless connectivity

Cons:

• No fax

Produce sharp and clear black and white prints with the Brother DCP-1610W.

Featuring a print resolution of 2,400 x 600 dpi, prints for your small business will be a professional quality with the DCP-1610W. Print speeds of 20ppm ensure workflows remain efficient and productive. Print a high volume of text documents for your business thanks to the DCP-1610W’s paper capacity of 150 sheets.

A device with a smaller footprint, measuring 385 (W) x 340 (D) x 255mm (H), this mono Brother printer is ideal for those printing in working environments where space is limited. Its multifunctional capabilities (the device can also scan and copy) allow you to get more out of this one compact device.

Shop the Brother DCP-1610W

---

Best Budget Printer for Small Business

Brother MFC-J4540DW

Print, scan, copy and fax for a reasonable price.

Functionality: Print, scan, copy, fax
Print Speed: 20ipm (mono), 19ipm (colour)
Resolution: Up to 1,200 x 4,800 dpi
Capacity: 400 sheets
Connectivity: Wired, USB, wireless
Ink: Brother LC426/LC426XL
Ideal For: Home Office

Pros:

• AIO
• Large paper capacity
• Impressive print resolution

Carry out a wider variety of tasks for less with the affordably priced Brother MFC-J4540DW. Print, scan, copy and fax from the same device and save space and money for your small business.

A powerful printer that supports workflows, a paper capacity of 400 sheets ensures copy paper replacements are few and far between. The MFC-J4540DW’s print speeds are impressively fast, at 20ipm for mono prints and 19ipm for colour.

Finally, with both wired and wireless connectivity options, the Brother MFC-J4540DW allows you to connect to your printer in the way that works best for you.

Shop the Brother MFC-J4540DW

---

Best Compact Printer for Small Business

HP OfficeJet 200

A small printer for small businesses, with printing on the go.

Functionality: Print
Print Speed: Up to 10ppm (mono), 7ppm (colour)
Resolution: Up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi
Capacity: Up to 50 sheets
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
Ink: HP 62 Ink Cartridges
Ideal For: Printing on the go

Pros:

• Wireless printing
• High resolution

Cons:

• Print only
• Slower print speeds

The HP OfficeJet 200 is our pick of the best compact printer because of its ability to fit into even the most cramped of workspaces at 364 x 186 x 69mm (W x D x H).

Supporting printing from wherever works best for you, with the OfficeJet 200 you can connect wirelessly or via USB.

The control panel is intuitive, featuring 9 front-panel buttons and 2 LEDs for greater ease of use.

While print speeds aren’t the fastest, when you consider it’s a portable printer and its small footprint, these speeds are more than adequate. Store up to 50 sheets before needing to top up.

Shop the HP OfficeJet 200

---

Best Portable Small Business Printer

Canon PIXMA TR150 (With Battery)

Wireless portable printing that’s ideal for businesses who need to work from multiple locations.

Functionality: Print only
Print Speed: Around 9ipm (mono), 5.5ipm (colour)
Resolution: Up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi
Capacity: Up to 50 sheets
Connectivity: USB, wireless, Wireless Direct, Wi-Fi
Ink: Canon PGI-35/CLI-36
Ideal For: Businesses

Pros:

• Wireless printing
• Rechargeable battery

Cons:

• Print only
• Not the fastest print speeds
• Not the highest paper capacity

Chargeable via USB Type C, with the Canon PIXMA TR150 you can print at home or work. This compact printer includes a range of features designed to make mobile printing easier. These features include Wireless Direct support, which allows you to print wirelessly without needing a router, great for on-the-go printing. Operating the Canon TR150 is effortless thanks to the 1.44in OLED screen, from which you can maintain and control the printer. While print speeds of around 9ipm (mono) and 5.5ipm (colour) aren’t the fastest on this list, they’re still quick.

Shop the Canon PIXMA TR150

---

Best Home Office Printer for Small Business

Brother HL-L2400DW

Produce highly detailed prints quickly for your home office.

Functionality: Print only
Print Speed: 30ppm (mono)
Resolution: Up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
Capacity: 250 sheet
Connectivity: Wireless, USB
Toner: Brother TN-2510
Ideal For: Home offices

Pros:

• Fast mono print speeds
• High paper capacity

Cons:

• Print only
• Can’t print in colour

Support your printing productivity while working from home with the Brother HL-L2400DW. Impressively fast print speeds of 30ppm allow you to speed through your work, while the HL-L2400DW’s print resolution of up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi ensures print quality isn’t compromised. A paper capacity of 250 sheets also minimises disruptions by allowing you to print for longer without having to replace your copy paper, for more efficient workflows.

While it can only print, and can’t print in colour, the Brother HL-L2400DW is a powerful mono printer that’s great for those mainly printing text documents at home.

Shop the Brother HL-L2400DW

---

Things to Consider When Choosing an Office Printer

Inkjet vs Laser Printer

Undoubtedly, the first thing you’ll think about when it comes to choosing a printer for a small-sized business is whether you need an inkjet or laser printer. This is an important decision as it will affect the running costs of the machine. While laser printers often feature a higher upfront cost, and toner cartridges tend to be more expensive than ink, the consumables last longer so will need to be replaced less frequently, saving you money in the long-term. Laser printers also generally take less time to print.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which style of printing works best for you, as both have their advantages.

All-In-One or Print Only?

In order to decide whether you need an MFC (multifunction printer) or a print-only machine, you need to consider what tasks your business carries out. You may need to make multiple copies of an existing document for a meeting, or scan a particular page of a report for your own reference. There’s no point purchasing a machine that can also scan, copy and fax if your office never needs to use it, however, so you should think carefully about the tasks your employees carry out regularly. This type of printer allows you to complete more tasks with one machine, saving space in a smaller office.

Monochrome or Colour Printer?

Again, this decision is mostly guided by what you’re printing. If your business is only printing text documents, you should probably opt for a mono printer and save money. However, if you know you’ll need to print images or graphics, then you should choose a colour printer. Document printers should focus on the sharpness of prints as a reliable indicator of print quality. Offices mostly printing in-house documents will tend not to need colour toner or ink. Colour printing is effective for external communications and media, like posters or leaflets, for example.

If you’re concerned about the additional cost of colour ink and toner cartridges, why not find out how much money you could save with Cartridge People Compatible Own Brand?

Other Features to Look For

Here are some additional features that may be useful for a small office printer:

Printer Size: SOHO (small office/home office) printer users typically print in reduced volumes, as there are less people using the device than there would be in a larger workspace. Space may be at a premium, so you should look for a compact printer if this is the case.

Duplex Printing: This is the process of printing on both sides of the page and can save paper. Choose an auto duplex printer for added convenience. Auto duplex printing simply means the printer turns the page over for you, so you don’t have to do this manually yourself.

ADF: An Automatic Document Feeder is great for documents with multiple pages, as it stops you from having to place each page onto the scanner, meaning you can just leave the pile of paper on the machine.

Wireless/Mobile Printing: This convenient functionality means you’re not restricted by wires, which is especially important in a smaller workspace.

Print Speed: Integral for running an efficient business, quickly free up the printer for someone else with fast print speeds.

Print Resolution: Measured in DPI (dots per inch), print resolution is important to consider if you’re producing prints for external use and also when presenting important documents to colleagues.

Control Panel: Designed for better ease of use, control panel displays are important for multifunction printers as they simplify operation. You should look for things like display panels and touchscreens in the printer’s specifications.

Buy a Label Printer for Small Business

We’ve also recommended the best label printers for your business. Label printers can assist with your business’s organisational tasks. Whether it’s labelling office equipment or printing barcodes or addresses, here at Cartridge People we stock a wide range of affordable label printers.

Cartridge People Compatible Own Brand for Small Businesses

Looking to save money on your business printing? Switching to our Cartridge People Compatible Own Brand can save businesses money over time. Often, our Compatible Own Brand products offer more ink or toner for a lower price.

Resources for Small Businesses

• Printer Test Page
• How to Fix Common Printer Problems
• How to Scan a Document on a Printer
• How to Print Labels
• How to Connect My Printer to Wi-Fi
• How to Clear a Print Queue
• How to Fix Print Spooler Errors
• How to Check Printer Ink Levels
• What is Duplex Printing?
• How to Clean Printer Heads
• What Does Collate Mean in Printing?
• Printable Wall Planner

Summary

You should now have enough information to make the right choice for your business with our recommendations. The appropriate business printer can have a significant impact on your office’s productivity.

Looking for a different type of printer? Explore our full range of buyer’s guides, including our general guide to buying a printer, or shop our affordable printers!