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Most all-in-one printers are sold cheaply, but the real cost comes later in frequent cartridge swaps and frustrating connectivity drops. This guide cuts through the confusion to help you pick a color printer with scanner that delivers crisp documents, vivid photos, and reliable scanning day after day, without hidden surprises.
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.
You want a color printer with scanner that actually fits your desk and your workload, not just a generic box. This guide picks the models that match real home and office needs, starting with the one that balances speed, features, and cost best.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Color Printer with Scanner
A printer should simplify your work, not add complexity. Start by honestly estimating your monthly print volume — a light-duty home user has different needs than a small office printing daily reports. Your main choice is between an inkjet, a refillable-tank (MegaTank), or a color laser engine, each with distinct costs and strengths.
Print Technology: Inkjet, MegaTank, or Laser
Standard inkjets (like the Canon PIXMA or Epson WorkForce) have a low entry price, but replacement cartridges add up quickly if you print often — around 5 to 10 color pages per minute is typical. MegaTank printers, such as the Canon MAXIFY, use large refillable ink bottles good for thousands of pages at a much lower cost per page, though the unit price is higher. Color laser printers (like the Brother MFC-L3720CDW) deliver fast, smudge-free text and graphics at up to 19 pages per minute, and the toner lasts longer, but they are bulkier and cost more upfront.
Key Features That Matter Daily
An auto document feeder (ADF) is a huge time-saver if you scan or copy multi-page stacks — the Canon PIXMA TR7120 has one, while some budget options do not. Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing cuts paper use by roughly half, and a 2.7-inch or larger color touchscreen makes navigation far easier than a push-button panel. Wi-Fi with dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) support helps avoid interference in crowded homes, and mobile printing through Apple AirPrint or the Canon PRINT App adds convenience.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Print Speed (Color) | Paper Capacity | Screen | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PIXMA TR7120★ Best Overall | Budget home office | 9 ppm | — | 1.42″ OLED | Amazon |
| HP Envy Photo 7975Premium Pick | Photo printing, AI features | 10 ppm | — | Color touchscreen | Amazon |
| Epson WorkForce WF-2930 | Budget with fax | 5 ppm | 100 sheets | 1.44″ color LCD | Amazon |
| Brother Work Smart 1410 | Mid-range speed & touchscreen | 9 ppm | 150 sheets | 2.7″ color touchscreen | Amazon |
| Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 | Low long-term ink cost | 10 ppm | — | 2.7″ color touchscreen | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | High-volume / laser speed | 19 ppm | 250 sheets | 3.5″ color touchscreen | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
Our pick — over 4★ from 350+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
Compact, capable, and genuinely affordable to run — the smart money pick for home printing.
This Canon delivers sharp text and vivid colors thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system, printing up to 9 color pages per minute or 14 black-and-white pages per minute. at 9 ppm versus the Epson WF-2930’s 5 ppm, making the TR7120 noticeably quicker when you have a batch of school reports or client documents. Buyers report “easy setup, nice compact footprint, prints like a printer should print” — a sentiment echoed by many of the 360 ratings that average 4.3 stars.
The auto document feeder (ADF) handles multi-page scanning and copying without manual page-by-page feeding, while automatic 2-sided printing saves paper. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz) keeps a stable connection, and you can print directly from phones and tablets via the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria. The 1.42-inch monochrome OLED screen shows ink levels and status at a glance, and the printer even works with Amazon Alexa for hands-free operation.
A few owners note that the ink consumption is typical for a cartridge-based printer, and the paper tray is small — fine for light use but you will refill it sooner than a larger 150-sheet tray. Still, one reviewer summed it up after four months: “great for labels, easy install, nice print quality, affordable ink.”
Real-world payoff: Outstanding value, easy wireless setup, and duplex printing in a footprint that fits almost any desk.
The honest fit: Best for a home or hybrid worker printing 20-50 pages a week — if you print hundreds of pages monthly, the per-page ink cost makes a MegaTank or laser a better long-term fit.
Grab this if: You want the best balance of low upfront cost, solid print quality, and duplex features in a compact package.
Look elsewhere if: You need blazing speed for high-volume office work or the absolute lowest ink cost per page.
2. HP Envy Photo 7975 Wireless Color Inkjet Photo Printer
True-to-life photo prints meet AI-powered web-page cropping — a creative home powerhouse.
If your printing leans heavily toward photos, school projects, and creative layouts, the HP Envy Photo 7975 is purpose-built for that mix. It prints up to 10 color pages per minute and 15 black-and-white pages per minute, and owners praise its “beautifully” quiet operation and easy mobile printing. Across 375 ratings, it holds a solid 4.1-star average, with customers calling it “excellent for photo printing” and “great value.”
The AI engine automatically removes unwanted content from web pages and emails, so you do not waste paper on blank ads or awkward blank spaces. A separate photo tray lets you keep glossy 4×6 paper loaded alongside plain paper, and the auto document feeder plus automatic 2-sided printing round out the productivity features. Setup is simple, and the large intuitive color touchscreen makes navigating settings straightforward.
A small number of owners found the initial Wi-Fi setup tricky and noted the printer can be noisy during heavy use. But as one reviewer put it, “my daughter & I love this printer; work’s great and the colors of the ink look good!!”
Standout feature: AI formatting and a dedicated photo tray mean fewer wasted sheets and better-looking snapshots.
Trade-off to know: Not the cheapest to run if you print mostly black text documents, because color ink is still involved in some print modes.
Reach for this if: You print frequent photos, craft projects, or web-based materials and want a polished, user-friendly machine.
Think twice if: Your primary need is basic black-and-white document printing for a busy small office.
3. Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer
Print up to 3,000 color pages on a single set of ink bottles — the per-page cost champion.
Canon’s MegaTank system ditches cartridges entirely. You pour ink directly from bottles into refillable tanks, and a single set of GI-25 bottles prints up to 3,000 black-and-white or 3,000 color pages. That is a massive reduction in per-page cost compared to any cartridge-based model. The GX2020 prints at 10 color pages per minute and 15 black-and-white pages per minute, and owners consistently praise the print quality — 221 buyers single it out as positive across 932 ratings (3.9 stars).
The 2.7-inch color touchscreen makes navigation easy, and the 35-sheet auto document feeder is generous for scanning long documents. Automatic 2-sided printing, a full set of print/copy/scan/fax functions, and low-maintenance tank design make this a favorite for home offices that run through reams of paper each week. One owner says “I just simply love this printer. We use it for a lot of office work, no photos. Easy setup and has been reliable.”
The main caveat is wireless connectivity — 77 buyers flagged it as mixed, with some encountering dropped connections. Also, this is not a strong photo printer; owners mention images can look “blurry and dull” compared to a dedicated photo inkjet. Setup requires downloading an app, which some see as a privacy concern. And while the ink itself is inexpensive, a full bottle set from Canon, or for generic alternatives.
Highlights: Excellent document print quality, incredibly low ink cost, easy tank refill, and solid build quality.
Honest limit: Wireless reliability is not flawless, and photo quality falls short of specialized photo printers.
Best for: High-volume document printers who want to stop buying cartridges every few weeks.
Skip if: You need brilliant photo prints or can’t tolerate occasional Wi-Fi reconnection steps.
4. Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer
A color laser that prints 19 pages per minute in both black and color — true office speed.
The Brother MFC-L3720CDW changes the game for anyone who needs fast, crisp output on demand. It prints 19 pages per minute regardless of whether you are printing black text or full color, at 19 ppm versus 9 ppm for the Canon PIXMA TR7120 and 10 ppm for the HP Envy Photo 7975. Owners across 959 ratings (4.1 stars) report “sharp, vibrant prints, fast with no jams” and a “great scanner for multi-page docs.”
Productivity features abound: a 250-sheet adjustable paper tray, a 50-sheet auto document feeder, automatic 2-sided printing, and a massive 3.5-inch color touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts. Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) and Wi-Fi Direct keep multiple users connected, while the Brother Mobile Connect app lets you monitor toner levels and manage printing remotely. One owner called it a “big bang for your buck” that offers “excellent value, fast, easy wireless setup, great color prints.”
A small number of owners experienced reliability issues — 136 buyers mention it in mixed feedback, and a few report waste-toner errors after heavy use. Some also note that color lasers are not ideal for high-quality photo printing. And the initial purchase price is higher than any inkjet here. But for pure text and graphics speed, the MFC-L3720CDW is tough to beat.
Why it stands out: Identical black-and-white and color print speeds (19 ppm), huge paper capacity, and a large customizable touchscreen.
Consider this: Higher upfront cost and some long-term reliability concerns, plus laser color is not photo-grade.
Ideal for: A growing small office or a busy home office that prints hundreds of pages of mixed documents each month.
Not for: Photo enthusiasts or anyone on a strict budget who prints fewer than 50 pages a month.
5. Brother Work Smart 1410 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
A clear 2.7-inch color touchscreen and full cloud app access make this a smart, user-friendly pick.
The Brother Work Smart 1410 earns its spot because it prints black-and-white pages at 16 ppm versus the Epson WF-2930’s 10 ppm, while matching the Canon PIXMA TR7120’s color speed at 9 ppm. Across 173 ratings, it holds a 4.2-star average, and customers note it is “easy to set up! Can use generic ink cartridges! Prints quickly!”
You can scan directly to cloud storage without a computer thanks to the 2.7-inch color touchscreen — one of the largest in this price class — which gives you direct access to Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive. A 20-sheet auto document feeder (ADF, which feeds multiple pages automatically) and a 150-sheet paper tray handle multi-page jobs, while automatic duplex printing (printing on both sides) cuts paper use. The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you print, scan, and monitor ink levels from your phone. Owners also note that the printer works with generic ink cartridges, giving you flexibility on supply costs.
Reliability is marked as mixed by 26 reviewers, and some find the initial USB driver setup cumbersome. A few note it “seems to use up ink pretty fast,” though that is common across most inkjets at this price.
Key advantages: Easy cloud connectivity, generous touchscreen, and the ability to use third-party ink cartridges.
Watch out for: Mixed reliability feedback and a small paper capacity compared to the Brother laser above.
Pick this if: You like a large, responsive touchscreen and frequently scan documents to cloud services.
Pass on this if: Dependability is your absolute top priority and you cannot tolerate occasional hiccups.
6. Epson WorkForce WF-2930 Wireless All-in-One Printer
A low-cost entry point with fax capability and a color display, but ink costs demand attention.
The Epson WorkForce WF-2930 is the most affordable option here, printing at 5 color pages per minute and 10 black-and-white pages per minute — speeds well behind the Canon and Brother models above. Across 665 ratings, it averages 4.0 stars, and buyers generally appreciate the compact size and built-in fax. One owner said “easy hardware setup and software setup too. I’ve been an Epson fan for a long time because they build quality products.”
It includes a 1.44-inch color LCD, a 30-sheet auto document feeder, automatic 2-sided printing, and a 100-sheet paper tray. The Epson Smart Panel app guides setup and operation from your phone, and it supports voice-activated printing through Alexa and Siri. Individual ink cartridges (Claria 232) let you replace only the color you run out of, not the whole set.
However, 42 buyers flagged reliability as mixed, and 16 mention ink usage as negative. One reviewer summed it up bluntly: “I needed a fax and all in one printer so I bought this one but I’m not happy with all the ink cartridges it comes with.” The printer also has a reputation for blocking third-party ink cartridges through firmware updates, which can push your costs higher over time. Skip this model if you want guaranteed low running costs with off-brand ink.
What works: Low initial price, built-in fax, voice control, and individual color cartridges.
Be aware: Print speeds are slower than competitors, mixed reliability reports, and expensive proprietary ink over the long run.
Best for: Occasional home users who absolutely need a fax line and have a very tight upfront budget.
Not ideal for: Anyone who prints regularly or wants to keep long-term supply costs low.
Understanding the Specs
Pages Per Minute (ppm)
This number tells you how fast the printer churns out pages. If you print documents in batches (10-30 pages at a time), a difference between 5 ppm and 9 ppm adds up quickly. For color, 9-10 ppm is a good baseline for home use, while 19 ppm (color laser) is more suited for a busy office.
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)
An ADF lets you stack a pile of originals (20 to 35 sheets is common) and have the printer feed them one by one for scanning or copying. Without it, you would have to place and lift the lid for every single page — a major time sink for multi-page contracts or bills.
Duplex (Automatic 2-Sided) Printing
Automatic duplex printing flips the page for you to print on both sides, cutting your paper usage by half. All printers in this guide include it, so you never have to manually re-feed each page.
Ink System: Cartridge vs Tank vs Toner
Cartridge inkjets are cheap upfront but cost more per page. MegaTank printers use large refillable bottles that last thousands of pages, drastically lowering the per-page cost. Color laser printers use toner cartridges that hold more powder and cost more per cartridge but run much longer without drying out.
FAQ
How often do I need to replace ink in a color printer?
Can I use generic or third-party ink cartridges?
Is a color laser printer worth the higher upfront cost?
What does an auto document feeder (ADF) do?
How important is dual-band Wi-Fi for a printer?
What is the difference between a 1.4-inch display and a 2.7-inch touchscreen?
Can a color printer scan to my phone or cloud drive?
How long does a MegaTank printer’s ink last in real-world use?
Which printer has the fastest color print speed among these picks?
Is automatic 2-sided printing standard on all these printers?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the best color printer with scanner winner is the Canon PIXMA TR7120 because it balances fast 9 ppm color printing, easy wireless setup, and a compact footprint at a very approachable price. If you want the lowest long-term ink costs, grab the Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020. And for high-volume office speed, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW color laser is the one to reach for.
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.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.