Let’s face it - we won’t be rid of paper anytime soon. And to fill that paper, you need printers. You may think printers all just do the same thing with different brand labels, but a randomly-chosen device for your office could break within weeks. We all know printing legal documents and promotional material yourself is far more efficient than getting someone else to do it, but you need the right printer for that, right?
1. Brother HL-L8360CDW
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
GOOD
- Intuitive touchscreen
- High optimal and maximum workload
- Cost-effective
2. Canon imageCLASS MF445dw
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
- Easy setup
- High input load
- Fast and efficient
3. HP LaserJet Pro M15w
EXCELLENT
GOOD
GOOD
- Simple to use
- Fast output
- Generous ink supply
4. Xerox B225
FAIR
GOOD
EXCELLENT
- Simple to use
- Fast output
- Generous ink supply
5. Brother MFC-L8610CDW
GOOD
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
- Alexa compatible
- Advanced scanning
- Triple-layer security
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The Small-Business Printer Guide
The first step when buying a printer – or anything, really – is knowing what to look for. Everything from the printer type, tray capacity, connectivity, to display quality takes some consideration. All the best printers for small business needs come in two types: laserjet and inkjet. Inkjet printers are older and usually bought for home use or when anticipating modest printing needs. That’s not to say that the right inkjet printer can’t serve a small business perfectly adequately – after all, we included some options in this list, too. As a final note, images tend to turn out better than text with this type of printer, but this isn’t always the case.
Laserjet printers are the go-to option for most people. As a rule, they’re fast, efficient, and have fewer technical problems than even the best inkjet printer for a small business. Their input and output trays also tend to have high capacities, letting you print large stacks of individual flyers, for example, or a thick legal file. However, inkjet printers often achieve higher quality results than that of laserjets, which explains why there are still plenty of great inkjet options on the market.
For more specialized needs, there are also various printers for photos, posters, labels, and more. Still, to meet the general printing needs of most small businesses, we decided to focus this review on multi-purpose devices instead of finding, say, the best label printer for a small business.
In all likelihood, you’re looking for a printer that has solid essential functions, but you wouldn’t mind one that goes beyond, either. Thankfully, most printers these days strive to provide scanning and copying functionalities on top of their primary purpose. Although you may use it as a single-function printer, for the most part, there’s no telling when you might need to copy or scan something, with no time to waste. Basically, if you have the budget for it, we would advise you to aim for the best 3–in–1 printer for your small business.
Our Methodology
Ease of Use
No one wants a clunky printer that needs coaxing every time you want to get a single form out of it. A printer that’s efficient and easy to configure, however, will do just fine. You need to carefully examine how easy it is to reload cartridges, change settings, and if you can connect to it via Wi-Fi. A touchscreen-operated device is often the safest option, as these are clearer and simpler to use than old-school printer interfaces; luckily, they’re also a staple on many of the best printers for a small business.
Print Quality
Print quality is a significant consideration, too - you don’t want your documents to be messy and ink-stained or too pale to read. The exact quality you’ll be aiming for depends on your business needs, of course. If you’re primarily dealing with documentation, you don't need state-of-the-art results. You might prefer to prepare for any occasion, though, so it’s important to know that you’ll often get better-quality text results with laser printers and better-quality images with inkjets. However, this is not a strict rule, so look into every feature carefully when purchasing the best photo printer for your small business or any other kind you might need.
Load Capacity and Speed
If you just need a printer for the odd document now and again, you needn’t worry too much about either of these. On the other hand, if your printer will be integral to the daily running of your business, these aspects require careful consideration. Manufacturers generally include a recommended and maximum monthly printing limit. The recommended load maintains the printers’ overall performance, while the maximum represents how much paper the printer can physically handle. The best printer/scanner for your small business will have a high number for both.
Running Costs
Though often overlooked, a printer’s long-term running cost can amount to its original price many times over. In particular, some printers cost a lot more to run than others, and ink or toner can be expensive, especially if you spend it generously. If you just need a printer for occasional use, its price tag should be prioritized over any eventual expenses. However, running costs should be your primary concern when purchasing the best printer for a small business office as they can quickly grow astronomical.
Printer Price
Before the cost of running a printer comes the cost of buying one. A cheap printer may come back to haunt you if it breaks down or runs out of ink or toner in no time at all. If you’re only planning on using it now and again, this shouldn’t worry you too much. But if your business is dependent on printing high volumes of forms, files, or anything else, then the right choice will probably be more expensive. The best printers for small business purposes will save you time and money in the long run, even with their high price bracket, so consider the price in light of the future use frequency.
Best Printer for Small Business in 2022
- Brother HL-L8360CDW
- Canon imageCLASS MF445dw
- HP LaserJet Pro M15w
Xerox B225
Brother MFC-L8610CDW

Reviews of the Best Printers for Small Business Use
Brother HL-L8360CDW Review
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
GOOD
- ⦿ All-in-one functionality
- ⦿ Easy configuration
- ⦿ High-quality text prints
Canon imageCLASS MF445dw Review
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
- ⦿ Amazing monochrome prints
- ⦿ Versatile connectivity options
- ⦿ High printing speed
HP LaserJet Pro M15w Review
EXCELLENT
GOOD
GOOD
- ⦿ Small and portable
- ⦿ Wallet-friendly
- ⦿ App-operated
Xerox B225 Review
FAIR
GOOD
EXCELLENT
- ⦿ Inexpensive cartridges
- ⦿ Lots of connectivity options
- ⦿ Solid printing speed
Brother MFC-L8610CDW Review
GOOD
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
- ⦿ Scanning capability
- ⦿ Business-quality color documents
- ⦿ Triple-layer security against unauthorized access
Many businesses now prefer laserjet printers over inkjet options, which have mostly been relegated to home use nowadays. For example, the Brother HL-L8360CDW was our laserjet printer of choice for business purposes. It has exceptionally high-performance levels and will print high-quality text documents for you. The running costs are not daunting, either. Setting up this device is simple, and its wide touchscreen interface allows for easy use. If you have the budget for its relatively steep purchase price, it’s the best multifunction laser printer for small business needs.
The answer to this question depends on what you’ll use your printer for. Different printers will give you varying levels of image and text quality, and you need to know how many papers you’ll use on a regular basis. If you’re not sure about any of that, the best all-rounder on this list is the Brother HL-L8360CDW: This workhorse of a printer will deliver you outstanding quality prints at high speed for a relatively low price. For general use, you could even call it the best printer and scanner for a small business.
You need to weigh what the printer offers against your business needs. If you can expect high printing volumes, you’ll want to look into printers that offer additional trays or come with high capacities right off the bat. If you just need a printer for occasional usage, then a cheaper and smaller model will probably suffice. If this seems too broad, check out our detailed methodology to see what aspects are crucial when choosing the best printer for your small business.