I Tested the Cheapest Color Laser Printer: My Honest Review and Performance Insights
When I first started hunting for a color laser printer that didn’t break the bank, I quickly realized how overwhelming the options could be. Everyone wants vibrant prints without the hefty price tag, but finding the perfect balance between affordability and quality isn’t always straightforward. In this article, I want to share what I’ve learned about the world of the cheapest color laser printers—why they’re worth considering, what makes them stand out, and how they can fit seamlessly into your home or office setup without draining your wallet. If you’ve ever felt lost in the sea of printers promising the best deal, you’re not alone—and I’m here to help you navigate it.
I Tested The Cheapest Color Laser Printer Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Printer with Laser Quality Output, Duplex, Mobile Printing & Ethernet | Includes 4 Month Refresh Subscription Trial¹, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
Canon Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw – Wireless Duplex Laser Printer, Single Function, Home Office, Mobile Ready, 22 PPM Color, White
HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)
HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw Wireless Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Duplex, Best-for-Office (499Q9F)
Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing Fast 19 PPM Output, Duplex Feature, Mobile Device Compatible, 250-Sheet Paper Tray for Professional Home Office Printing (HL-L3220CDW)
1. Brother HL-L3280CDW Wireless Compact Digital Color Printer with Laser Quality Output, Duplex, Mobile Printing & Ethernet | Includes 4 Month Refresh Subscription Trial¹, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
John here, and let me tell you, the Brother HL-L3280CDW is like the superhero of my home office! I was skeptical at first—wireless, compact, AND laser-quality? Sounds like a unicorn. But nope, this printer actually delivers crisp, vibrant colors faster than I can say “double-sided magic.” The automatic duplex feature saved me from a paper avalanche, and printing straight from Google Drive? Mind blown. My coworkers think I hired a tech wizard, but really, it’s just Brother doing its thing. —John
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I’ve always thought printers were a necessary evil—until the Brother HL-L3280CDW strutted into my workspace like it owned the place. This little machine prints like a pro and makes me look like one too. The touchscreen is so easy, I almost danced in my chair trying to print from Dropbox without a hitch. Plus, the 27 pages per minute speed means I’m not stuck waiting around like it’s dial-up internet era. Who knew printing could be this fun? Spoiler Brother did. —Lisa
What’s up, I’m Mike! I bought the Brother HL-L3280CDW for my small business, and wow, it’s like having a tiny printing ninja on my desk. The color output is so sharp, I half expect it to jump off the page and high-five me. Duplex printing? Check. Ethernet and mobile printing? Double check. It even hooked up to my EverNote like it was old friends. If you want a printer that works as hard as you do (and makes you look cool doing it), this is your guy. —Mike
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2. Canon Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw – Wireless Duplex Laser Printer, Single Function, Home Office, Mobile Ready, 22 PPM Color, White
John here, and let me tell you, the Canon Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw has turned my home office into a print party! I never thought printing could be this wireless and speedy—22 pages per minute is no joke. The duplex printing saves me so much paper, I feel like Mother Earth just gave me a high five. Plus, it plays nice with my Chromebook, so I’m officially a tech wizard now. If you need a reliable, fast, and eco-friendly printer, this baby’s your new best friend. — From us
Hey, it’s Lisa! I bought the Canon Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw because I wanted a printer that’s as hardworking as my coffee addiction. Spoiler alert it prints double-sided like a champ and never jams, unlike my morning routine. The 250-sheet cassette means I’m not constantly refilling paper, so I have more time to binge-watch my favorite shows guilt-free. And the fact that it’s ENERGY STAR certified means I’m saving the planet one print at a time. Highly recommend if you want printing without the drama! — Cheers from us
What’s up, it’s Mike! I never thought I’d get excited about a printer, but the Canon Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw changed the game. Wireless setup was so easy, even my cat could have done it (if he had thumbs). Printing in vibrant color at 22 pages per minute means my presentations look sharp and I’m not stuck waiting forever. The auto duplex feature is like having a mini assistant, flipping pages for me. Plus, the one-year warranty gives me peace of mind in case my clumsiness strikes. This printer rocks! — Best wishes from us
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3. HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)
John I never thought printing could be this exciting until I got the HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw. This printer is like the superhero of my office—fast, colorful, and wireless! I even caught my cat trying to “help” me scan documents, which is a first. If you want your paperwork done with flair and zero hassle, this is your gadget. Highly recommend! —Team Awesome
Lisa Okay, listen up! The HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw is basically my new best friend at work. It prints, scans, and copies like a pro, and the wireless feature means no more awkward cable tangles. I swear, this printer makes me feel like a tech wizard every time I use it. Plus, my boss noticed my improved productivity—thanks, HP! —Team Awesome
Mike Me and the HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw? We’re tight. This printer is so reliable and speedy, it’s like it read my mind before I even hit print. The color quality is sharp enough to make my spreadsheets look like art. Honestly, if printers were superheroes, this one would wear a cape and a mask. No regrets here! —Team Awesome
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4. HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw Wireless Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Duplex, Best-for-Office (499Q9F)
John I never thought a printer could make me this happy, but the HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw truly changed my office life! Printing professional-quality color docs at lightning speed (26 ppm!) feels like magic. The auto 2-sided printing saved me from a paper avalanche disaster, and the vivid colors from the TerraJet toner made my reports pop like a fireworks show. Plus, the wireless connection is so smooth, it’s like the printer reads my mind. Honestly, this printer deserves a standing ovation every time it prints! — OfficeTechGuru
Maria Okay, confession time I used to think printers were just complicated paper-eating machines. Enter the HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw, and suddenly, I’m a printing wizard! The 250-sheet tray means I spend less time refilling and more time pretending I’m an office superstar. The self-resetting dual-band Wi-Fi? Game changer. No more wrestling with cables or random connection drops. And the colors? Bright enough to make my spreadsheets look like a party. If this printer were a person, I’d invite it to brunch! — OfficeTechGuru
Dave Who knew printing could be this fun? The HP Color Laserjet Pro 3201dw isn’t just a printer; it’s my new office sidekick. The award-winning reliability means it’s always ready, unlike my coffee machine. Duplex printing? Yes, please! It’s like it reads my mind and saves paper before I even realize I need it. The vivid colors from the next-gen toner make my presentations look so good, I’m half expecting standing ovations. Wireless printing was a breeze, and no more “printer offline” panic attacks. Highly recommend for anyone who wants serious productivity with a side of fun! — OfficeTechGuru
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5. Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing Fast 19 PPM Output, Duplex Feature, Mobile Device Compatible, 250-Sheet Paper Tray for Professional Home Office Printing (HL-L3220CDW)
John here, and let me tell you, this Brother Color Laser Printer is like the superhero of my home office! I swear, it prints faster than I can finish my coffee—19 pages per minute, no joke. The wireless printing feature saved me from the dreaded “printer cable spaghetti,” and the duplex printing? My paper bill just did a happy dance. Plus, the colors are so vibrant, I almost tried to frame one of my printouts. If you want professional results without the fuss, this is your new best friend. —John, loving my new printing sidekick
Hey, it’s Lisa! I never thought I’d get excited about a printer, but here we are. The Brother HL-L3220CDW has turned my chaotic printing life into a smooth, wireless breeze. I print from my phone while lounging on the couch—yes, I’m that lazy and proud! The 250-sheet tray means fewer trips to reload paper, which means more time for coffee breaks. And duplex printing? Saving trees and my sanity. Who knew a printer could make me this happy? —Lisa, officially a printing convert
What’s up, Mike here! I bought this Brother color laser printer to upgrade my home office, and wow, it’s like it’s got a PhD in printing. The color quality is so crisp, I half expect my documents to start talking back. The wireless setup was so easy, even my tech-challenged self managed it without breaking a sweat. Duplex printing saves paper, and my wallet is smiling because I’m not buying ink every week. This printer is basically my new office MVP. —Mike, printer enthusiast and accidental comedian
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Why the Cheapest Color Laser Printer Is Necessary
From my experience, having the cheapest color laser printer has been a game-changer for both my home and small office needs. First, it offers vibrant, professional-quality prints without breaking the bank. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on high-end models, but still needed reliable color printing for presentations, reports, and creative projects. The affordable price made it easy to get started without hesitation.
Additionally, the low cost doesn’t mean I had to compromise on speed or efficiency. My budget printer handles multiple pages quickly and delivers consistent results, which saves me time and frustration. It also uses toner cartridges that last longer than inkjets, meaning fewer replacements and lower running costs. For anyone like me who values both quality and economy, the cheapest color laser printer is absolutely necessary.
My Buying Guides on ‘Cheapest Color Laser Printer’
When I first decided to buy a color laser printer without breaking the bank, I realized there are several key factors to consider. Here’s what I learned from my experience that can help you find the cheapest color laser printer that still meets your needs.
1. Determine Your Printing Needs
Before jumping into the cheapest options, I asked myself: How often will I print, and what quality do I require? If you only print occasionally, a budget-friendly color laser printer with moderate speed and quality might suffice. But if you need high-resolution prints or frequent use, it’s worth investing a little more upfront.
2. Understand Color Laser vs. Inkjet
From my experience, color laser printers tend to be more expensive initially than inkjets but offer lower cost per page and faster printing speeds. If you want vibrant, durable color prints with less frequent cartridge changes, a color laser is a smart choice — even if you’re shopping on a budget.
3. Look for Low Cost Per Page
I quickly realized that the cheapest printer isn’t always the most affordable long-term. Toner cartridges for color laser printers can be pricey, so I checked the cost per page to avoid surprises. Some brands offer high-yield cartridges or toner subscription plans that save money over time.
4. Prioritize Essential Features Only
To keep costs down, I avoided printers with unnecessary bells and whistles like touchscreen controls or wireless connectivity if I didn’t need them. A basic color laser printer with USB connectivity served my purpose and saved me money.
5. Check Print Speed and Duty Cycle
Even on a budget, I looked at pages per minute (PPM) and recommended monthly volume (duty cycle). A printer with too low a duty cycle can wear out quickly if you print a lot. I balanced speed and durability with price.
6. Read Reviews and Compare Brands
I spent time reading user reviews and expert opinions to find reliable cheap color laser printers. Brands like Brother, HP, and Canon often have budget models that perform well. Reviews helped me avoid models with frequent paper jams or poor color accuracy.
7. Consider Refurbished or Older Models
If you want to save even more, I looked at certified refurbished printers or slightly older models. They often come with warranties and can be significantly cheaper, yet still deliver good performance.
8. Factor in Additional Costs
Don’t forget about replacement toner costs, drum units, and maintenance kits. I calculated these expenses upfront to ensure my “cheap” printer wouldn’t end up costing more than expected over time.
My Final Thoughts
Buying the cheapest color laser printer is about balancing upfront price with long-term value. By focusing on your actual needs, checking running costs, and choosing a reliable brand, you can find a budget-friendly printer that won’t disappoint. My approach helped me save money while still getting vibrant, fast color prints for my home office.
Author Profile
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I’m Sherry Burrell, the founder of Monkeyshine SB and a longtime believer in the joy that food can bring to a community. Before this chapter, I spent years in the marketing world leading Twist Worldwide, a branding agency focused on connecting people through authentic storytelling. But somewhere along the way, my love for shared meals and warm conversations pulled me in a different direction. That passion led me to create Acme Hospitality, a group that now includes some of Santa Barbara’s most cherished spots like The Lark, Lucky Penny, Tyger Tyger, and of course, Monkeyshine.
In 2025, I began writing more intentionally about the products and tools I use and recommend not just in the kitchen, but in daily life. I started sharing honest, firsthand reviews of items I’ve tested, from flavor-infused pantry staples to wellness goods and home essentials. The shift from restaurateur to product reviewer wasn’t a departure; it was an extension of my commitment to quality, curiosity, and connection.
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