9 Best Copier Printer | 36ppm Without the Inkjet Headaches

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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.

You want a copier printer that prints fast, copies cleanly, and doesn’t eat your paycheck in ink or jam every other week. This guide picks nine models that earn their desk space, from speedy black-and-white workhorses to color lasers that keep running costs low.

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’ll see exactly which copier printer handles high-volume jobs, which one keeps running costs low, and which all-in-one is worth your money for home or small business.

Our Picks at a Glance

Brother HL-L2480DW
Best OverallBrother HL-L2480DW4.5★624 ratingsA 36ppm monochrome laser that delivers crisp text and low-cost toner for home offices. This Brother is the single most reliable choice for anyone who prints mostly black-and-white documents.Check Price on Amazon
Canon PIXMA TR7120
Best ValueCanon PIXMA TR71204.3★434 ratingsA compact color inkjet with an ADF and duplex printing at a budget-friendly price. If your printing is mostly color documents and photos, this Canon delivers impressive quality for the money.Check Price on Amazon
HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw
Compact PickHP LaserJet MFP M235sdw4.2★255 ratingsA 30ppm compact laser with a 7-second first page and easy setup for inkjet converts. This HP delivers a fast first page — 7 seconds from sleep to print, which is quicker than the Brother HL-L2480DW’s 8.5 seconds.Check Price on Amazon

How To Choose The Best Copier Printer

Before you buy, you need to know what you’ll be printing most. If your documents are mostly black-and-white text like forms and letters, a monochrome laser will serve you better and cost less per page than a color inkjet. If you need color charts, photos, or marketing materials, your options shift to inkjet or color laser.

Match the print speed to your volume

Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm). A model that delivers 36ppm will breeze through a 30-page job in under a minute, while a 14ppm inkjet makes you wait. If you only print a few pages a day, speed matters less than reliability and running costs.

Understand toner vs. ink costs

The purchase price is only the beginning. Laser printers use toner powder that lasts far longer than liquid ink, which is why monochrome laser owners often report going months on a single cartridge. Check the cartridge yield in pages, not just the price of a replacement.

Quick Comparison

Model Best For Print Speed (B&W) Duplex Functions Amazon
Brother HL-L2480DW★ Best Overall Home offices wanting fast, reliable B&W 36 ppm Automatic Print, Copy, Scan Amazon
Canon PIXMA TR7120Best Value Budget buyers who need color 14 ppm Automatic Print, Copy, Scan Amazon
HP LaserJet MFP M235sdwCompact Pick Small offices wanting a compact laser 30 ppm Automatic Print, Scan, Copy Amazon
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw Small teams needing dependable speed 40 ppm Automatic Print, Scan, Copy Amazon
Brother MFC-L2820DW Offices that also need fax 34 ppm Automatic Print, Copy, Scan, Fax Amazon
Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 High-volume color printing on a budget 15 ppm Automatic Print, Copy, Scan, Fax Amazon
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw Teams printing professional color docs 26 ppm Automatic Print, Scan, Copy, Fax Amazon

In‑Depth Reviews

★ Best Overall

1. Brother HL-L2480DW

Our pick — 4.5★ from 600+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.

36 ppm2.7″ Touchscreen

A 36ppm monochrome laser that delivers crisp text and low-cost toner for home offices.

This Brother is the single most reliable choice for anyone who prints mostly black-and-white documents. It hits 36 pages per minute, which is roughly 2.6x faster than the Canon PIXMA TR7120’s 14ppm, so a 30-page job finishes before you’ve even sat down. The flatbed glass scanner and copier are built into a compact footprint, giving you three functions without hogging your desk.

Setup is where this machine wins people over. Owners describe it as easy to connect on Apple devices, with a 2.7″ touchscreen that shows cartridge life at a glance. Quality is the most-praised aspect by far, with over 170 owners singling it out, and the print quality draws consistent praise for crisp, clear text. It also supports dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or USB, so you can connect it however your network is arranged.

The 250-sheet paper tray handles real workloads, and automatic duplex printing saves paper on both-sided jobs. The included TN830 toner cartridge has lasted one owner nearly six months of normal use, and the Refresh subscription trial is optional — you can buy Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner whenever you need it. Buyers report it as “superior to HP,” calling out its reliability and affordable replacement toner.

Fast mono printing

  • Fast 36ppm B&W printing that sails through big jobs
  • Easy setup, especially on Apple devices
  • Quiet operation and crisp text quality
  • Low-cost Brother Genuine toner keeps running costs down

No duplex scanner

  • Wireless connectivity gets mixed feedback from some owners
  • Monochrome only — no color printing here

Speed seekers: you want a fast, dependable B&W laser for a home office and don’t want to babysit an inkjet.

Scan heavy: you need color documents or photos — this one is strictly black and white.

Best Value

2. Canon PIXMA TR7120

14 ppm B&WADF

A compact color inkjet with an ADF and duplex printing at a budget-friendly price.

If your printing is mostly color documents and photos, this Canon delivers impressive quality for the money. Its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system produces sharp text and vivid colors, and the compact white design fits neatly into a small workspace. At just 14.8″D x 14″W x 8.2″H, it takes up noticeably less depth than the HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw, which measures 12.13″D x 16.46″W x 11.59″H.

Reliability is the standout theme here. One owner printed roughly 500 pages without a single jam, and another ran four months on the original cartridge with flawless performance. An Auto Document Feeder (ADF) lets you scan or copy multi-page stacks without feeding each sheet by hand, and automatic 2-sided printing cuts paper use. The 1.42″ monochrome OLED screen shows ink levels and printer status clearly.

The honest trade-off is speed. At 14ppm black-and-white, it’s much slower than a laser, so it’s not built for heavy office volume. The starter ink cartridges run out quickly, and the paper tray is small, holding 50-100 sheets. Owners mention it handles 220gsm cardstock well — a nice bonus for craft projects — and the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service make mobile printing simple.

All-in-one compact

  • Excellent print quality for both documents and photos
  • Reliable — hundreds of pages without jams
  • Compact size with ADF and duplex printing
  • Affordable replacement ink

Ink costs add

  • Slower print speed than laser models
  • Small paper tray (50-100 sheets)
  • Starter ink runs out quickly

Space savers: home users who want color printing without spending premium money.

High volume: you need fast, high-volume printing — a laser will serve you better.

Compact Pick

3. HP LaserJet MFP M235sdw

30 ppmDual-band Wi-Fi

A 30ppm compact laser with a 7-second first page and easy setup for inkjet converts.

This HP delivers a fast first page — 7 seconds from sleep to print, which is quicker than the Brother HL-L2480DW’s 8.5 seconds. It prints up to 30 pages per minute in black and white, and buyers who switched from inkjets after 30-plus years describe the setup as simple and the Wi-Fi as rock-solid. One owner replaced a Brother HL-L5200DW and got true crisp black-and-white output with no jams across about 400 pages.

Its dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset is designed to detect and fix connectivity problems automatically. Built-in security features help protect the printer from attacks, and wireless printing works from Microsoft, Mac, AirPrint, Android, and Chromebook devices. Ethernet is included for a wired connection.

The recurring caveat is occasional paper jams, which one owner notes is common across HP printers they’ve owned. Scanning also gets mixed feedback — some find it easy, others report issues — so if scanning is your primary job, weigh that carefully. At 12.13″D x 16.46″W x 11.59″H, it’s a compact footprint for a laser, making it a strong fit for a small office of 1-5 people.

Tank-like build

  • Very fast 7-second first page out
  • Easy setup with stable dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Crisp black-and-white print quality
  • Compact size for a laser all-in-one

Slow color

  • Occasional paper jams reported
  • Scanning functionality gets mixed reviews

Office workhorse: small offices that want a quick, compact laser for B&W documents.

Color jobs: heavy scanners or teams printing color — this is monochrome only.

Top Performer

4. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw

40 ppm250-sheet Tray

A 40ppm monochrome laser with a 250-sheet tray and reliable Wi-Fi for small teams.

At 40 pages per minute, this is the speed king of the monochrome models in this roundup. It’s designed for small teams printing professional-quality black-and-white documents, and it delivers with a 250-sheet input tray plus a 50-sheet auto document feeder for multi-page scans and copies. The first page prints in just 7 seconds, so you’re not waiting around.

Reliability is the headline. Owners call it fast, quiet, and dependable, noting it reconnects to Wi-Fi automatically after a power outage — a small but huge convenience. One small business owner uses it to print checks from QuickBooks without issues. The monochrome output is crisp, and setup is simple, with wireless configuration that mostly just works.

The catch is HP’s cartridge policy. This printer blocks non-HP toner cartridges, and a few owners note the HP Smart software can be buggy with offline issues. One reviewer advises skipping firmware updates to use cheaper toner. If you’re comfortable using HP-branded cartridges, this machine is a strong, fast, reliable choice for a busy home office.

Secure printing

  • Blazing 40ppm monochrome speed
  • Reliable Wi-Fi that reconnects after outages
  • 250-sheet tray and 50-sheet ADF
  • Crisp, professional print quality

Setup complex

  • Blocks non-HP toner cartridges
  • HP Smart software can show offline issues

Security first: you need the fastest B&W printing for a busy small team.

Easy setup: you want to use third-party toner — HP chips will block it.

Most Versatile

5. Brother MFC-L2820DW

34 ppmFax + ADF

A 34ppm monochrome laser with fax, ADF, and a 2.7-inch touchscreen in a compact body.

This Brother adds fax to the usual trio of print, copy, and scan, making it the most complete option for offices that still rely on faxing. It prints at up to 34 pages per minute, scans at up to 23.6/7.9 ipm (images per minute) for black-and-white/color, and a 50-page auto document feeder handles multi-page jobs unattended. The 2.7″ touchscreen gives you access to cloud apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and OneNote.

Setup is a genuine highlight — one owner called it the simplest ever, completed in about 20 minutes via Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet. It works wirelessly with Linux (Ubuntu, Mint), Windows 10/11, and Android devices, which is rare flexibility. Customers note the lack of an HP app to contend with, calling it user-friendly and glitch-free compared to HP models they’ve used.

The trade-off is the scanner: one owner notes it’s single-page only with no document feeder, though quick and button-based with no account required. Toner costs stay low with the TN830 series, and the included cartridge lasts well. Connectivity gets mixed reviews from some, but the broad praise for ease of use and print quality makes this a dependable all-rounder for a small office.

Reliable duplex

  • Full fax, print, copy, and scan in one unit
  • Very easy setup on multiple platforms
  • Fast 34ppm printing and quick scanning
  • Low-cost toner with TN830 series

Basic display

  • Scanning may be single-page only for some users
  • Wireless connectivity gets mixed feedback

Busy desks: you need fax capability or cross-platform wireless support in a compact laser.

Touchscreen fans: heavy multi-page scanning is your main workload — check the ADF limits first.

Best for High Volume

6. Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020

3,000-page YieldRefillable Tanks

A refillable ink tank 4-in-1 that prints up to 3,000 color pages per ink set.

This Canon is built around one idea: print up to 3,000 black-and-white and 3,000 color pages on a single set of ink bottles. Instead of swapping cartridges, you pour ink from GI-25 bottles into refillable tanks — a system that dramatically cuts per-page costs when you print a lot of color. It’s a full 4-in-1 with print, copy, scan, and fax, plus a 2.7″ LCD color touchscreen.

Print quality is the most-praised aspect, with over 220 owners singling it out. Photos look surprisingly good for an ink tank model, and plain paper prints come out sharp with good colors. Setup is easy, especially on Mac and iPhone, and the 250-sheet tray handles real workloads. One owner ran hundreds of pages and the ink level barely moved, confirming the economy of the tank system.

The honest downside is mixed reliability feedback. Some report serious problems, including one who found color printing disappointing despite multiple deep cleanings, and another who called it an “ink hog” early on. A 35-sheet Auto Document Feeder handles multi-page jobs, but cardstock can curl in duplex mode. If you print mostly color at high volume, this is a compelling value; if you need flawless color every time, weigh the mixed reviews carefully.

Low running costs

  • Up to 3,000 B&W and 3,000 color pages per ink set
  • Surprisingly good photo quality
  • Easy setup and low per-page costs
  • Includes fax and 35-sheet ADF

Slow first page

  • Mixed reliability reports, including color issues
  • Cardstock can curl in duplex mode
  • Some reviewers point out heavy early ink use

Budget ink: high-volume home users who print lots of color and want to avoid cartridge costs.

Speed demons: anyone who needs guaranteed color output — reliability gets mixed marks.

Premium Pick

7. Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw

26 ppm Color5″ Touchscreen

A 26ppm color laser with TerraJet toner for vivid client-facing documents.

This HP uses TerraJet toner designed to bring more vivid colors to your business documents, printing at up to 26 pages per minute in both black and color. It’s a full 5-in-1 with print, scan, copy, fax, plus a 2-sided single-pass scanner for fast multi-page jobs. The 250-sheet input tray and auto document feeder keep the workflow moving for small teams.

Owners who get a good unit love it. One small business owner praised the fast setup, intuitive touchscreen, and AirPrint/HP Smart compatibility, calling the text crisp and graphics vibrant. It’s compact, sturdy, and quiet, with a scanner that handles cloud and email scans well. For a third-time HP color laser buyer, it printed without smudging and was quick to add to a Windows system.

The reliability picture is genuinely mixed. Some report severe toner defects like streaks and banding on new units, with starter toner draining to 20% after fewer than 50 pages. HP’s support got poor marks, and replacement 218A/218X toner was reportedly out of stock for weeks. Others found aftermarket toner works fine with a warning about non-OEM. If you buy this, budget for OEM toner and know the reliability risk.

High-speed color

  • Vivid TerraJet color output
  • Fast 26ppm in color and B&W
  • 2-sided single-pass scanning
  • Easy AirPrint and HP Smart setup

Toner pricey

  • Mixed reliability reports, including toner defects
  • HP support and toner availability issues
  • Requires HP-chipped cartridges

Fast teams: you need professional color output and are comfortable with HP’s cartridge policy.

Cost conscious: reliability is your top priority — the reports here are too mixed to ignore.

Understanding the Specs

Pages Per Minute (ppm)

This is the speed rating for printing, measured in pages per minute. A 36ppm laser will finish a 30-page report in under a minute, while a 14ppm inkjet makes you wait over two minutes. For a busy home office, aim for 30ppm or higher in black-and-white.

Auto Document Feeder (ADF)

An ADF lets you load a stack of pages and have them scanned or copied automatically, one after another, without feeding each sheet by hand. A 50-sheet ADF handles most jobs, while 80-sheet versions like the Brother MFC-L8930CDW are built for heavier workloads.

Duplex Printing

Duplex means the printer automatically prints on both sides of the page. This cuts paper use roughly in half for reports and double-sided documents. Automatic duplex means you don’t have to flip pages manually — the machine does it for you.

Mono vs. Color Laser

Monochrome lasers print only in black and white but cost less per page and are very reliable. Color lasers add cyan, magenta, and yellow toners for full-color documents and graphics, with higher running costs. Inkjet models like the Canon MegaTank offer color at a lower initial price.

FAQ

Is a laser printer better than an inkjet for a copier printer?
For black-and-white text, yes — laser printers use toner powder that lasts much longer than liquid ink and rarely dries out or clogs. The Brother HL-L2480DW, for example, prints 36ppm and owners often run months on a single cartridge. Inkjets like the Canon MegaTank GX2020 can be cheaper for high-volume color, but they have more moving parts that can fail.
How many pages per minute do I really need?
It depends on your volume. A home user printing 10-20 pages a day will be fine with 14-26ppm. A busy office printing large reports should look at 30ppm or higher — the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw hits 40ppm and finishes a 40-page job in a minute. Speed matters most when you’re often waiting on print jobs.
What does a copier printer’s duplex function actually do?
Duplex printing automatically prints on both sides of the page without you flipping the paper. All the models in this guide have automatic duplex, which is standard on modern multi-function printers. It roughly halves your paper use on double-sided documents and is faster than manual page flipping.
Will a color laser printer cost more to run than an inkjet?
Yes, generally. Color laser toner cartridges are expensive upfront, though high-yield options like the Brother MFC-L8930CDW’s TN635XXL offer 7,500-page black and 6,500-page color output, lowering per-page cost. Ink tank systems like the Canon GX2020 print up to 3,000 color pages per ink set, which can be cheaper if you print color in very high volume.
What is an Auto Document Feeder and why does it matter?
An ADF is a tray that holds a stack of pages and feeds them through the scanner automatically for copying or scanning. A 50-sheet ADF, found on the Brother MFC-L2820DW, handles most multi-page jobs. The Brother MFC-L8930CDW steps up to an 80-page ADF with two-sided scanning at 104ipm, which is ideal for offices that scan lots of documents daily.
Can I print from my phone to these copier printers?
Nearly all of them support mobile printing. The Canon PIXMA TR7120 works with Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service, and the Brother MFC-L8930CDW prints from PC, Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Most also have companion apps like Brother Mobile Connect or the Canon PRINT App for wireless printing and scanning from anywhere.
What is the difference between a copier printer and a printer?
A printer only prints from a computer or device. A copier printer, also called a multi-function or all-in-one, adds a scanner and copier — and often fax — in the same unit. That’s why models like the Brother MFC-L2820DW are called 4-in-1, because they print, copy, scan, and fax without needing separate machines.
How long does toner last in a monochrome laser printer?
Toner cartridges are rated by page yield, and real-world results vary. One Brother HL-L2480DW owner approached the end of their first cartridge after about six months of normal use. High-yield options like the TN830XL extend that further, and the Brother MFC-L8930CDW’s XXL toner offers 7,500-page black output for heavy offices.
Why do some printers block third-party toner cartridges?
Some brands use chips in their cartridges to verify they’re genuine, and the printer may refuse non-branded toner. Both HP models in this guide — the 3101sdw and 3301fdw — state they block cartridges without HP chips. If you want the freedom to use cheaper third-party toner, look at Brother models, which many shoppers say work well with non-genuine cartridges.
What paper capacity should a home office copier printer have?
A 250-sheet input tray, found on the Brother HL-L2480DW, HP 3101sdw, and Canon imageCLASS MF665Cdw, is the balance for a busy home office. It holds a full ream of paper, meaning you rarely reload mid-task. The Canon PIXMA TR7120’s smaller tray holds 50-100 sheets, which is fine for light use but requires more frequent refilling.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

If you want one dependable pick, the copier printer winner is the Brother HL-L2480DW because it pairs 36ppm speed with rock-solid reliability and low-cost toner — the crowd favorite holds a 4.5-star average across hundreds of owners. If you want color printing while staying affordable, grab the Canon PIXMA TR7120. And for a busy office that needs fax plus speed, the Brother MFC-L2820DW 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 August 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.

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