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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
The real clue that a color MFP printer will actually work for you isn’t the brand name. It is the pages-per-minute number for color — because a slow color printer turns a quick task into a wait. This guide breaks down the nine best color MFP printers based on what really matters: real-world speeds, running costs, and honest owner feedback.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
if you need a fast office workhorse, a budget-friendly home unit, or a low-running-cost tank system, the right color mfp printer saves you time and frustration by matching the technology to how often you print and what you print.
Quick Picks
- Canon Color imageCLASS MF662Cdw — Best Overall
- Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw — Top Speed
- Brother MFC-L3780CDW — Business Grade
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw — Premium Office
- Brother MFC-L3720CDW — Reliable Workhorse
- Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 — Cost-Efficient Tank
- Brother HL-L3300CDW — Budget Laser
- Canon PIXMA TR7120 — Budget Inkjet
- HP Envy Photo 7975 — Home Photo
How To Choose The Best Color MFP Printer
The two biggest buying mistakes are overpaying for a fast laser when you only print a dozen pages a month, and buying a cheap inkjet that burns through cartridges every three weeks. Here are the specs that separate the keepers from the costly mistakes.
Color Pages Per Minute — The Real Speed Score
A printer that prints 26 color pages per minute (ppm) finishes a 10-page report in about 23 seconds. A printer that prints 9 color ppm takes over a minute for that same job. The speed difference is the single biggest feel-good factor in a busy home or small office. Match the ppm to your weekly print volume — not to your ambition.
Running Cost — Cartridge vs. Tank vs. Toner
Inkjet printers with standard cartridges cost roughly 15-20 cents per page. Refillable tank systems like the Canon MegaTank drop that to about 1 cent per page. Color laser toner is generally 5-15 cents per page but the upfront cost is higher. For volume printing (over 200 pages a month), a tank system or laser quickly pays off.
Duplex and ADF — Convenience You Actually Use
Automatic two-sided (duplex) printing cuts paper waste in half. An automatic document feeder (ADF) lets you scan or copy a stack of pages without standing there feeding each sheet. Both are minor on the spec sheet but huge in daily use. If you scan multi-page documents, an ADF is non-negotiable.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Color PPM | Duplex | ADF | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imageCLASS MF662Cdw | Best Overall Speed | 26 ppm | Auto | 50-sheet | Amazon |
| Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw | Top Performer | 35 ppm | Auto | 50-sheet | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3780CDW | Business Speed | 31 ppm | Auto | 50-sheet | Amazon |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw | Premium Office | 26 ppm | Auto | 50-sheet | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Reliable Laser | 19 ppm | Auto | 50-sheet | Amazon |
| Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 | Lowest Running Cost | 10 ppm | Auto | 35-sheet | Amazon |
| Brother HL-L3300CDW | Budget Laser | 19 ppm | Auto | Flatbed only | Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Budget Inkjet | 9 ppm | Auto | ADF | Amazon |
| HP Envy Photo 7975 | Home Photo | 10 ppm | Auto | ADF | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Canon Color imageCLASS MF662Cdw
The color laser that starts fast and stays fast, finishing a page in 10.3 seconds.
You get print, scan, and copy in one box with a 5-inch color touchscreen that makes navigation simple. The key number is the initial page print time of 10.3 seconds versus the HP Envy Photo 7975’s 22 seconds. In color, this printer delivers 26 ppm versus the Canon PIXMA TR7120 at 9 ppm.
Buyers report the ink quality is “crisp with bright color contrast” and the setup is straightforward, though one reviewer noted “initial connection drops after sleep” is fixed by a manual IP adjustment. The 250-sheet cassette handles a small office’s weekly load, and the 1-sheet multipurpose tray handles odd-sized stock. The trade-off is the cost of Canon Genuine Toner 075 cartridges — several owners flagged them as expensive. But the 3-year limited warranty adds real confidence for that upfront investment.
It also prints at 26 ppm in black and white versus the Canon PIXMA TR7120’s 14 ppm, so mixed-print jobs move quickly too. This printer earns the top spot because it balances raw speed, build quality, and warranty length without a single deal-breaking flaw.
Speed Demon
- Fast 10.3-second first page out.
- 26 ppm in both color and black and white.
- 3-year limited warranty included.
- 5-inch color touchscreen with customizable shortcuts.
Costly Consumables
- Replacement toner cartridges are expensive.
- Large footprint needs a dedicated desk space.
- Wi-Fi drops after sleep for some users.
Best for busy offices: Anyone printing 200+ pages per month who wants fast color output without waiting on the first sheet. Buyers on a tight consumables budget may prefer a tank system like the Canon MegaTank GX2020.
Skip if: You rarely print and want the absolute lowest purchase price; an inkjet is cheaper upfront.
2. Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw
The fastest color laser here, printing 35 pages per minute without taking a breath.
This is a full 4-in-1: print, scan, copy, and fax, all duplex. The headline spec is 35 ppm in both black and color, making it the speed king of this list. The one-pass duplex scanner (a scanner that reads both sides of a page in a single pass) means a 20-page double-sided document scans in about 30 seconds. Owners mention the printer is “fast, quiet, excellent print quality” and that the “duplex scanning is incredible.”
The paper system is flexible: a 250-sheet standard cassette and a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, expandable up to 850 sheets with the optional PF-K1 cassette. It uses Toner 069 / 069 High Capacity. A few owners raised two concerns: one received a gray-market unit (non-U.S. serial number that cannot be registered with Canon USA for warranty), and another owner reported the printer “regularly lost network connectivity” without resolution from Canon support. Those experiences underscore the importance of buying from a trusted seller and checking the serial, and suggest this unit may be more reliable on a stable wired Ethernet connection if Wi-Fi proves flaky.
If you need class-leading speed and duplex scanning and can manage the higher upfront investment, this is one of the most productive machines here. Budget extra time for the initial setup — reviewers call the configuration pages “terrible” and the menu system “non-intuitive.”
Productivity Beast
- 35 ppm color and B&W — fastest on this list.
- One-pass duplex scanning saves huge time.
- Expandable to 850-sheet paper capacity.
- Sharp, consistent laser output for text and color graphics.
Setup Hurdle
- Complex initial setup and menu navigation.
- Some buyers received units with unusable support.
- Wi-Fi connectivity issues reported by several owners.
- More expensive toners than some office lasers.
Power user pick: A fast color laser for high-volume offices where every second counts. The scan-and-print speed is unbeatable at this price.
Reach for this if: You scan double-sided pages constantly. Look elsewhere if you want a low-maintenance Wi-Fi connection with easy next-day support.
3. Brother MFC-L3780CDW
A laser that prints 31 ppm and scans double-sided pages in one pass — no flipping.
Brother positions this as a small-business machine, and the specs match: a scan speed of 29 images per minute (black) and 22 ipm (color) for single-pass duplex scanning — the fastest scan spec in its price tier. The print engine does 31 ppm in color and the same in black, versus 26 ppm for the Canon MF662Cdw and 26 ppm for the HP MFP 3301fdw. Customers note it is “very easy setup with Airprint” and “fast, quiet, no jams.”
Connection options include dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, and USB — future-proof for any office setup. The 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet paper tray handle a typical small team’s workload. Owners warn about Brother’s “Refresh” ink subscription program — one user described a “greedy and buggy” system that caused an urgent print failure due to a payment processing issue. Skip the subscription and buy standard-yield or high-yield toner directly instead; the printer works fine without it.
One pro tip from multiple reviews: when setting up, remove the hidden sheet protector under the toner cartridges or you will get blank pages. That small detail aside, this is a fast, well-built color laser that earns its place among top-tier options.
Scanning Champion
- Single-pass duplex scanning saves huge time.
- 31 ppm color and B&W.
- Gigabit Ethernet plus dual-band Wi-Fi.
- Reliable print quality with no jams reported.
Subscription Trap
- Brother Refresh subscription can cause printing issues.
- Color photos are decent but inkjet is better for photos.
- Web interface is less capable than some competitors.
Ideal for fast-paced offices: If you scan stacks of double-sided pages daily, the duplex scan speed alone makes this the pick. The printer is also the quietest laser in its class according to owners.
Skip if: You are a one-person home office who prints under 50 pages per month — the upfront cost is overkill for low volume.
4. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw
A fast office laser with self-healing Wi-Fi, but it locks out non-HP toner.
This HP uses TerraJet toner, which the company says delivers “more vivid colors” for professional reports. The speed matches the Canon MF662Cdw at 26 ppm in color and black, but the HP adds a 50-sheet ADF and single-pass duplex scanning. Buyers praise it as “fast, intuitive setup with responsive touchscreen” and “excellent print quality with crisp text and vibrant color.” One owner noted that the print quality is cost-effective with high-yield toner.
The standalone standout feature is dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset, which automatically detects and fixes connection problems — a small but real convenience in a busy office. However, HP has built the printer to block non-HP toner cartridges through firmware updates. One reviewer flagged this directly: “firmware/software updates can brick the printer” and recommended disabling auto-update and buying toner only from HP. Another buyer received a unit with severe color print defects (streaks, missing toner) and could not get replacement toner from HP support for weeks because the 218A/218X model was out of stock everywhere. The introductory toner depleted after about 50 pages, per that same review.
If you are willing to stay inside HP’s ecosystem, this is a well-built, fast machine with excellent print quality. If you want toner-brand flexibility, the Canon MF662Cdw or Brother MFC-L3780CDW are safer choices.
Smart Office Hub
- Self-healing Wi-Fi reduces support calls.
- 26 ppm color and B&W with single-pass duplex scan.
- Fast, intuitive setup according to multiple buyers.
- High-yield toner makes per-page cost reasonable.
Ecosystem Lock-In
- Blocks non-HP toner; firmware updates can brick the printer.
- Introductory toner depletes quickly (~50 pages).
- Some buyers experienced severe color defects with poor support.
Best for HP loyalists: If you already buy HP toner and trust the brand’s ecosystem, the build quality and self-healing Wi-Fi are excellent.
Reach for this if: You want a polished app experience and auto-troubleshooting Wi-Fi. Look elsewhere if you want to buy third-party toner or need bulletproof support for a mission-critical printer.
5. Brother MFC-L3720CDW
A brother that prints fast and reliably, with 48 one-touch shortcuts on the screen.
This Brother delivers 19 ppm in color — not as fast as the Canon MF662Cdw or MFC-L3780CDW, but well within the range of what a mid-size team needs. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen gives you 48 customizable shortcuts for your most-used tasks, from scan-to-email to cloud uploads to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote. The 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet adjustable paper tray keep the workflow uninterrupted. One buyer stated: “Sharp print, vibrant colors, fast, no jams.”
Connectivity includes dual-band wireless (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, and USB 2.0 — enough for a wired or wireless setup. Reviewers point out that the printer is “quiet” and “toner efficient, saves money.” A potential risk: one owner reported that after about 1,000 pages over two years, a waste toner error appeared. A replacement genuine box showed “No Waste Toner Detected” and Brother support could not resolve it, effectively bricking the printer. This appears to be an uncommon but painful edge case.
Paper handling is not perfect — reviewers mention double-feeds and some paper curl due to the four hot rollers in a color laser engine. For the price, this is a reliable, well-connected color MFP that handles typical office work without complaint.
Shortcut King
- 48 customizable shortcuts for frequent tasks.
- Sharp, vibrant prints at 19 ppm.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct.
- Direct cloud service integration (Google Drive, OneNote).
Paper & Support Concerns
- Paper double-feeds and curl reported.
- Waste toner error can brick the printer if it occurs.
- Not as fast as 26+ ppm office lasers.
Solid mid-range laser: The shortcut-rich touchscreen and cloud integration make this a smart buy for a small office that uses scan-to-cloud and email tasks daily.
Skip if: Your office prints over 500 pages per week — a faster 26+ ppm unit will save significant time. Also avoid if you cannot accept any risk of a waste toner error causing a full printer replacement.
6. Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020
The inkjet that prints up to 3,000 color pages before you refill — no cartridges.
This is the low-running-cost champion. The MegaTank system uses refillable ink bottles (GI-25 pigment-based) instead of cartridges, and the maker claims the included bottles yield up to 3,000 black and 3,000 color pages. Buyers confirm the value: one owner states “ink levels barely moved after heavy use” and another says “MegaTank system dramatically lowers ink costs.” The 2.7-inch LCD color touchscreen gives you visual ink level monitoring — a useful feature. The 35-sheet ADF handles multi-page scanning.
It prints at 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color — slower than any laser on this list, but speed is not the point. The point is that the per-page ink cost drops to roughly a penny, versus 15-20 cents for cartridge inkjets. One reviewer notes “cardstock prints with curl unless single-sided” and the printer is “loud but works.” Another buyer experienced a frustrating issue where the printer “fails to print most colors despite multiple deep cleanings, wasting ink.” That is a notable risk for color-critical document work.
If you print heavily (300+ pages per month) and want to stop buying cartridges every few weeks, this is the most economical pick here. For photo prints, plain-paper output is sharp but not at the level of a dedicated photo printer.
Lowest Running Cost
- Up to 3,000 color pages per ink set.
- Dramatically lower per-page ink cost than cartridges.
- Reliable Wi-Fi and smooth paper handling.
- Auto duplex saves paper.
Speed & Print Quality Limits
- Slower than lasers: 10 ppm color.
- Some units have color printing defects that cannot be corrected.
- Cardstock prints curl when duplexing.
- Loud operation noted by owners.
Best for high-volume homes: Anyone printing hundreds of pages monthly and tired of cartridge costs. The tank system pays off quickly at that volume.
Choose the Canon MF662Cdw instead if: You need fast print speeds (26 ppm vs. 10 ppm) and can accept higher toner costs for that speed.
7. Brother HL-L3300CDW
A color laser that doesn’t clog, but the black toner lasts only 110 pages.
This is an entry-level color laser that does print, copy, and scan in a compact body. It prints at 19 ppm in both color and black. It uses flatbed scan glass (no ADF) and a 250-sheet paper tray. Buyers who love it say: “Great for infrequent printing: no clogging; reliable wireless; good color quality; saves money vs. inkjet.” One owner called it “probably the best home printer out there” for infrequent use because lasers do not dry out like inkjets.
However, several owners flagged critical issues. One buyer reports “black toner lasts only 110 pages” and “no easy customer support” available. Another reviewer states the printer is “garbage” that “prints a washed-out black slider on every page” and “mangles envelopes.” The starter toner included in the box yields very few pages for the initial purchase cost. The printer does not include an Ethernet port, which may be a limitation in a wired-office environment.
For a buyer who needs a color laser occasionally and does not mind replacing toner frequently, the no-clog advantage over inkjet is real. But the low starter toner yield and mixed reliability reports make it a cautious pick.
No-Clog Laser
- No drying-out issues between prints unlike inkjets.
- Wireless setup is easy and reliable.
- Good color quality for documents.
- Costs less upfront than faster lasers.
Low Toner Yield
- Black toner lasts only 110 pages per some owners.
- No Ethernet port for wired networking.
- No ADF for scanning multi-page documents.
- Customer support is difficult to reach per buyers.
Suitable for infrequent color printing: If you print a few pages every two weeks and hate dried-out inkjets, this laser works. The lack of ADF and low toner yield mean it is not a volume machine.
skip it if: You print over 100 pages per month — the Canon MF662Cdw’s 26 ppm and much higher starter toner yield will save you time and money.
8. Canon PIXMA TR7120
A compact inkjet that printed 500 pages with no jams for one buyer.
This is a budget-friendly all-in-one for home users or hybrid workers. It uses a 2-cartridge hybrid ink system (one black, one color with cyan, magenta, and yellow). It prints at 14 ppm black and 9 ppm color, which is slow compared to lasers but fine for occasional home use. The 1.42-inch monochrome OLED screen shows ink levels and printer status. One buyer reports: “Printed 500 pages with no jams.” The setup is trivial, and the compact footprint fits small desks.
The trade-offs are significant for anyone who prints more than light duty. Shoppers say that ink is “expensive” and limited off-brand cartridges are available. The paper tray is small (50-100 sheets maximum). The 9 ppm color speed trails the Canon MF662Cdw’s 26 ppm — a 10-page color report takes over a minute here versus about 23 seconds on the laser. A buyer who tracks running costs said this printer is “good for light use; not for heavy printing.”
If you need a cheap color MFP for occasional school projects, tax forms, and the odd photo, this Canon works. The starter ink runs out quickly per buyers, so factor a -30 cartridge into your total cost.
Compact & Reliable
- Small footprint fits any desk.
- Trivial setup via smartphone app.
- Auto duplex saves paper.
- ADF for scanning multi-page documents.
Slow & Costly Ink
- 9 ppm color is very slow vs. lasers.
- Ink cartridges are expensive.
- Small paper tray (50-100 sheets).
- Starter ink depletes quickly.
Good for light home use: If you print a dozen pages each week, the low purchase price and compact size work. The reliability (500 pages no jams per one owner) is a real plus.
Upgrade to the Canon MegaTank GX2020 if: Your monthly print volume regularly exceeds 100 pages — the tank system’s running cost is a fraction of this cartridge model’s.
9. HP Envy Photo 7975
A home photo printer with AI-assisted formatting, but buyers report it died within four weeks.
This HP inkjet targets families who print photos, homework, and web pages. It prints up to 15 ppm black and 10 ppm color, with a separate photo tray for 5×7 or 4×6 photo paper. The AI-enabled feature reformats web pages and emails so you do not waste paper printing headers and sidebars — a genuinely useful trick. Several owners mention setup is “a breeze” with the HP app, and “the colors of the ink look good.”
But there is a reliability red flag in the reviews. One verified buyer states the printer is “dead after 4 weeks; bad firmware/mechanics.” The same owner reports a 75% jam rate, paper tearing and crushing, and faint lines on photos. The “quiet print” mode cannot be disabled, though the printer is still described as loud. These complaints cluster around hardware failure and poor mechanics. Other buyers love it, but the risk of an early failure is higher here than on the Canon PIXMA TR7120 or the Brother lasers.
If you want a home printer with a dedicated photo tray and clean web-page printing, and you are willing to accept the reliability gamble, this can work. If dependability is your priority, the Canon PIXMA TR7120 (at a similar price tier) has far fewer early-failure reports.
Photo-Friendly Features
- Separate photo tray for borderless 5×7 and 4×6 prints.
- AI reformats web pages to eliminate wasted paper.
- Easy wireless setup via HP app according to happy owners.
- Good color quality for inkjet photos.
Reliability Concern
- Multiple reviews report failure within a month.
- 75% jam rate and faint print lines cited by some buyers.
- Quiet mode is forced on and printer is still loud.
- Instant Ink trial locks you into ongoing ink costs.
Consider for photo-centric home use: The separate photo tray and AI web-print feature are genuinely useful for families.
Look elsewhere if reliability matters: The early-failure cluster in reviews makes this a riskier buy than the Canon PIXMA TR7120 or the Brother HL-L3300CDW at a similar price.
Understanding the Specs
Color Pages Per Minute (Color PPM)
This is the real speed number for a color MFP printer. It tells you how many full-color pages the printer can produce in one minute. A 9 ppm printer (like the Canon PIXMA TR7120) takes about 67 seconds to print a 10-page color report. A 26 ppm printer (like the Canon MF662Cdw) finishes that same report in about 23 seconds. If you print in color more than occasionally, higher ppm saves you significant time. Ignore the “Max Speed” marketing numbers — stick to the published color ppm.
Duplex Printing (Automatic Two-Sided)
“Duplex” simply means the printer can automatically print on both sides of a page. For a typical 10-page document, duplex cuts your paper usage from 10 sheets to 5. Every single MFP on this list has automatic duplex, but many budget inkjets (including some not shown here) do not. If you print reports, flyers, or any multi-page files, duplex is the difference between a neat staple-ready document and manually flipping pages. Check for “auto duplex” on the spec sheet — not all MFP printers include it.
ADF (Auto Document Feeder)
The automatic document feeder is the slot on top of the scanner that holds a stack of pages and feeds them through one at a time. Without an ADF, you manually lift the scanner lid and place each page on the glass one by one. For scanning or copying a 10-page contract, an ADF saves you roughly two minutes of standing there. The standard size on these office lasers is 50 sheets. The Canon MegaTank GX2020 and budget inkjets typically offer a smaller 35-sheet ADF. If you scan multi-page documents, never buy a printer without an ADF.
Laser vs. Inkjet: Which Print Technology?
Laser printers use toner powder (a fine plastic-based dust) that is fused onto paper with heat. Inkjet printers spray liquid ink through tiny nozzles. Laser is generally faster, never dries out between uses (great for occasional printing), and produces sharp text. Inkjet usually beats laser on photo color quality, especially on glossy photo paper. The catch with inkjet: if you let it sit unused for 3-4 weeks, the nozzles can clog, requiring a cleaning cycle that wastes expensive ink. Laser toner does not have that problem, but laser color output can look slightly less vibrant on photos than a good inkjet.
FAQ
What is a color MFP printer?
What does duplex printing mean on a color MFP?
What is the difference between a color MFP and a regular color printer?
Is a color laser MFP better than an inkjet MFP?
How many pages should a color MFP print per minute for a small office?
How do I connect a color MFP to my Wi-Fi network?
Does a color MFP need special paper for color printing?
Are color MFP printers expensive to run?
Should I choose Canon or Brother for a color MFP printer?
Can a color MFP printer scan directly to email or cloud storage?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
If you want one dependable pick, the color mfp printer winner is the Canon Color imageCLASS MF662Cdw because it delivers the fastest color print speed in its class (26 ppm) with a 10.3-second first page and a 3-year warranty that outpaces similar lasers. If you want an inkjet’s low running cost, grab the Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020, which prints up to 3,000 color pages on a single refill. And for a high-volume office that needs the absolute fastest scanning, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW (31 ppm) single-pass duplex scanner is the pick.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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