Best Office Printer for Small Business (2026) — 10 Top Picks for Design and Creative Offices
- Eng. Evans Nusu
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
We believe in recommending tools and materials we’d use ourselves. Our recommendations are based on independent research and real-world testing. While we may receive commissions for purchases made through our links, our opinions remain our own — un-compromised and expert-led.
Buying an “office printer” is one of those decisions that looks simple until it starts quietly bleeding your time and money.
Most offices don’t lose productivity because the printer stops working; they lose it because it works just badly enough to cause constant friction: slow first-page-out times, jam-prone paper paths, unreliable Wi-Fi, flimsy ADFs that misfeed, and the classic trap a cheap printer with expensive consumables.
So we approached this like a systems problem, not a shopping list.
We reviewed the 10 best models in 2026 and ranked them using office-grade criteria that actually move the needle: reliability under repeated use, scanning workflow efficiency (ADF + duplex), real-world speed behavior (first page out vs stated ppm), running-cost risk (cartridge vs tank vs toner), and the use-case split that matters most in small businesses, admin document production vs client-facing output vs wide-format CAD/poster printing.
If you want the shortest path to a smart buy:
Pick laser if you print in bursts and need consistent documents without maintenance drama.
Pick ink-tank if you print steady volume and want the lowest long-run cost per page.
Pick wide-format (A3/11×17 or 24"/36") if your business prints drawings, posters, or presentation boards and you’re tired of outsourcing.
Start with the editor’s picks below, then use the table to match a model to your workflow.
At a glance: Editor’s picks
Editor’s pick | Model | Best for | Why it wins | Price |
Best overall office MFP |  Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw | Most small businesses (docs + scanning) | A very strong all-round office laser MFP; rated highly in independent office-printer rankings and known for sharp documents + capable ADF workflow. (rtings.com) | |
Best wide-format all-rounder (A3/11×17) |  HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e | Teams needing bigger prints for proposals/drawings | Hits the “wide-format + office features” sweet spot without plotter spend—excellent value for A3/11×17 capability. | |
Best 24-inch CAD/Poster plotter value |  HP DesignJet T210 (24") | CAD linework + posters without outsourcing | Entry-level plotter pricing for real 24-inch plotting—ideal if you print plans or boards regularly. |
Full Comparison Table
Printer | Price | Best for | Printing type |
 Brother MFC-L8930CDW | Workgroup color laser MFP | Color laser | |
Canon MF665Cdw | Best overall office MFP | Color laser | |
 Epson WF-7840 | Budget A3/13×19 wide-format | Inkjet | |
HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e | A3/11×17 office all-rounder | Inkjet | |
 Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 | Lowest cost per page (volume) | Ink tank | |
 HP DesignJet T630 (36") | Large-format AEC studio output | Plotter | |
HP DesignJet T210 (24") | 24" CAD + poster prints | Plotter | |
 Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 (24") | 24" posters + CAD, ink-tank value | Plotter/ink tank | |
 Brother MFC-J1360DW | Budget duplex all-in-one | Inkjet | |
 HP DeskJet 2855e | Cheapest occasional use | Inkjet |
The 10 best office printers for small businesses in AEC
1) Brother MFC-L8930CDW — best for busy workgroups that print a lot of color
Price range: ~$650
Quick specs (what matters):
Color laser = consistent teOffice Printer no ink drying issues
Duplex print + ADF scanning (important for multi-page documents)
Network + security features (matters when it’s on the company LAN)
Real-world benefits (why offices buy this class of printer):
Predictable output on documents. Laser is the “boring reliable” choice for invoices, contracts, forms, and client packs.
Less babysitting. A stronger paper path + office-focused design typically means fewer interruptions than entry inkjets.
Better shared-office workflow. When 3–10 people rely on one device, the difference between “consumer” and “business” models becomes obvious: connectivity, job queue handling, and admin controls matter.
Pros
Workgroup-ready feature set
Strong document output and reliability profile
Better fit for shared printing than most inkjets
Cons
Higher upfront cost
Color toner cost can bite if you print heavy graphics daily
Who it’s for: small offices, site offices, firms printing proposals + admin packs + moderate color graphics.
2) Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw — best overall office MFP for most small businesses
Price range: ~$430
Quick specs (office-relevant):
Color laser all-in-one: print/scan/copy/fax class
Duplex printing + ADF scanning
Built for high-yield cartridges and low maintenance cycles (important for TCO)
3 benefits that show up immediately in real life
“Print and forget” reliability. Laser avoids the classic inkjet headache of printhead clogs from infrequent use that's huge for admin teams that print in bursts.
Clean, client-facing output. Sharp text and consistent graphics are exactly what you want for proposals and reports.
Document capture speed. An ADF sounds basic… until you’ve scanned 80 pages manually. For accounting, HR, and contract-heavy workflows, this is a productivity multiplier.
Pros
Excellent office document quality
Strong all-around feature balance
Trusted independent review support
Cons
Physically larger than compact inkjets
Color laser consumables can be expensive if you print heavy coverage
Who it’s for: 80% of small businesses that want one device that “just works.”
CTA: See current price →
3) Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 — budget wide-format A3/13×19 all-in-one
Price range: ~$313
Quick specs:
Wide-format inkjet all-in-one
Auto 2-sided print up to 13"×19"
ADF + decent speed
Reasons people choose it
Bigger sheets for presentations. If you pitch designs, print schedules with visuals, extra paper size changes how professional your output looks.
In-house draft printing. You can keep early drafts in-house instead of outsourcing—useful for quick iteration.
Strong feature-per-dollar. This class of printer typically packs ADF/duplex/features that would cost more in laser wide-format.
Pros
Wide-format at a mid-budget price
Good office all-in-one feature set
Cons
Not ideal for heavy monthly volume if you care about ultra-low cost per page
Ink management can become a “hidden cost” if usage spikes
Who it’s for: small studios, real estate offices, project teams that need A3/13×19 occasionally.
CTA: Check price →
4) HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e — best A3/11×17 office all-rounder under ~$400
Price range: ~$340
Quick specs:
A3/wide format wireless all-in-one
ADF + duplex + friendly design
3 workflow benefits
Client-ready A3 output. When you print drawings on A3/11×17, the detail is simply easier to read.
More productive scanning/copying. With an ADF, you reduce manual handling and keep admin flowing.
Great mid-tier anchor. A mid-tier pick should be strong enough to recommend confidently, not just “cheap.”
Pros
Wide-format capability at a very approachable price
Good feature set for general office use
Cons
Not the best choice if your main goal is the absolute lowest cost per page
Like many inkjets, it’s less forgiving if the office prints very irregularly (ink maintenance cycles)
Who it’s for: offices that print A3 occasionally for proposals, drawings, or marketing.
CTA: See current price →
5) Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 — best for high volume + lowest operating cost
Price range: ~$430
Ink-tank printers win when you care about cost per page more than anything else.
Quick specs:
Supertank/ink-tank architecture
ADF + duplex
Designed for professional office environment
3 real-world benefits
Predictable running cost. The “ink shock” from cartridges is real, get low cost upfront (printer) and less cost per page afterward.
Great for routine printing. Invoices, purchase orders, schedules, admin packs, if those are daily, EcoTank economics can dominate.
Less management. You’re not swapping cartridges constantly, which matters when nobody “owns” printer maintenance.
Pros
Excellent long-term economy profile
Good fit for consistent monthly volume
Cons
Upfront cost higher than budget inkjets
Not the pick for “print once a week” offices (laser is often better for that usage pattern)
Who it’s for: busy admin teams, SMBs printing hundreds to thousands of pages monthly.
CTA: Check price →
6) HP DesignJet T630 (36") — premium wide-format plotter for AEC studios
Price range: ~$2,025
When you move into 36-inch plotting, you’re no longer shopping “printers.” You’re buying production capability.
Quick specs:
36-inch large-format color plotter
Auto sheet feeder + Built for CAD/posters and wide-format workflows
3 reasons teams buy a 36" plotter
1) If you print construction drawings, site plans, or presentation boards weekly, outsourcing becomes slow and expensive.
2) Fast iteration. In design + construction management, speed of iteration is money. Being able to print, mark up, revise, adds a competitive advantage.
3) Client presentation quality. A clean 36" board at the right scale looks like a “real firm,” not a small team improvising.
Pros
True 36" capability with office-friendly handling
Strong fit for frequent plotting
Cons
Big spend + big footprint
Media/ink management is its own mini-workflow
Who it’s for: architecture/engineering firms, contractors producing large plans, real estate marketing with big boards.
CTA: See current price →
7) HP DesignJet T210 (24") — best entry-level CAD/poster plotter
Price range: ~$719
If you want plotter output but don’t need 36-inch width, 24-inch is often the “smart money” tier.
Quick specs:
24-inch wide-format plotter
Designed for CAD linework + posters
Network connectivity
3 workflow benefits
CAD line clarity. Plotters are built for output in technical drawings.
Print on-demand. No waiting on print shops for every revision set.
Better internal control. You decide paper type, scale, and turnaround — helpful for deadline pressure.
Pros
Best tier for real AEC workflows
Strong for CAD + posters without 36" cost
Cons
Not “plug-and-play” for everyone; plotters require setup discipline (drivers, media, workflow)
Who it’s for: small design studios, contractors, survey/land teams, anyone regularly printing plans.
CTA: Check price →
8) Canon imagePROGRAF TC-21 (24") — 24" poster/plotter pick with ink-tank value
Price range: ~$784
Think of this as a “marketing + CAD” hybrid direction in a 24-inch footprint.
Quick specs:
24" large-format printer for posters/plotting
Automatic roll + cut sheet feeder
3 use-case wins
Poster and presentation output. If you sell projects in real estate, large visuals matter.
Lower anxiety about ink cost. Tank-style economics generally feel better than constant cartridge swaps.
Office-friendly footprint vs 36". For many teams, 24" is all they need.
Pros
Ideal for posters + CAD output
Value direction via ink-tank style
Cons
Not a high-speed production plotter
If you need heavy CAD throughput, you may prefer more “CAD-first” plotter ecosystems
Who it’s for: firms doing client boards + occasional plans at 24-inch width.
CTA: See current price →
9) Brother Work Smart 1360 (MFC-J1360DW) — best budget duplex all-in-one for tiny offices
Price range: ~$110
This is your “starter office printer” when budget matters more than speed.
Quick specs:
Color inkjet all-in-one
Automatic duplex printing
Compact display
3 real-world benefits
Gets you the essentials cheap. Print/scan/copy, duplex, wireless and enough for small office footprint.
Works for single-desk offices, small retail backrooms, and home offices.
Low barrier to entry. Good for early-stage businesses that will upgrade later.
Pros
Duplex
Capable all-in-one
Compact and simple for light use
Cons
Not built for department-level volume
Ink costs can overtake savings if printing ramps up
Who it’s for: solo operators, very small teams, low-volume admin printing.
CTA: Check price →
10) HP DeskJet 2855e — cheapest option for occasional printing
Price range: ~$60
This is the “I just need something that prints” pick.
Quick specs:
Entry-level color inkjet all-in-one
Print/scan/copy + wireless
3 benefits (within its limits)
Low cost. If cashflow matters today, this gets ink on paper cheaply.
Good for occasional tasks. For simple tasks like shipping labels, homework.
Easy setup class. This tier is designed for mainstream users.
Pros
Cheapest purchase price
Fine for simple routine tasks
Cons
Not cost-effective long-term for real office volume
Feature and speed limitations vs “office” models
Who it’s for: very light printing, temporary setups, “backup printer” use.
CTA: See current price →
Buying guide: How to choose an office printer like an engineer
1) Start with your workflow, not the brand
Ask two questions:
How many pages per month will you print (roughly)?
Do you scan multi-page documents weekly (invoices, contracts, IDs)?
If you print in bursts (quiet weeks + busy weeks), laser printers are more stable. If you print steady volume, ink-tank often wins on operating cost.
2) “Duplex printing” ≠ “duplex scanning”
Duplex printing: prints both sides automatically.
Duplex scanning: scans both sides of a page.
The best office experience is a capable ADF that handles multi-page jobs with minimal jams and re-feeding.
If your office scans vendor invoices, signed docs, and IDs daily, prioritize scanning workflow above print speed.
3) Don’t get fooled by “ppm” (pages per minute) alone
Two practical speed metrics:
First page out time (how quickly the first sheet appears)
Sustained speed (ppm when printing long documents)
For most offices, “fast first page” feels more valuable than “high ppm” because many jobs are 1–5 pages.
4) Total cost of ownership (TCO): the hidden winner
TCO is why people regret printer purchases.
A simple rule:
Budget inkjet can be cheap today and expensive tomorrow.
Laser is usually reliable with predictable consumables.
Ink-tank often wins when your monthly volume is consistent.
Click here to Download the “Printer TCO checklist” PDF
5) Wide-format: A3/11×17 vs 24"/36" plotter
Choose A3/11×17 (OfficeJet / WF-7840) if you need occasional bigger sheets and want one office device.
Choose a 24"/36" plotter if you need roll media, CAD plotting, and frequent plan output.
FAQ
Laser or ink-tank for a small business?
Laser is great for reliability and burst printing; ink-tank shines when you print consistent volume and care about cost per page.
What’s the #1 spec I should prioritize?
For most offices: ADF scanning quality + duplex + reliability beat raw ppm.
Do I need a plotter for CAD?
If you print plans weekly, yes. If it’s occasional, A3/11×17 wide-format can be enough.
Which is best for very light printing?
The HP DeskJet 2855e is the lowest-cost entry point — but it’s not designed for heavy office use.
Which is best for “serious” office use?
The Canon MF665Cdw is a consistently strong all-around recommendation in independent testing.
Final recommendation (what we’d buy)
If you want the safest pick for most small businesses: Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw →
If you need wide-format A3/11×17 on a budget: HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e →
If you print plans/posters regularly: HP DesignJet T210 (24") →
If your priority is operating cost and volume: Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 →
