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A color laser gives you sharp text, color charts and reports that do not smear. It also costs more to buy and to feed than a monochrome laser, so it makes sense only if you print color regularly.
These five picks are drawn from published specifications, not our own testing. Check toner prices and availability on the product page before ordering.
New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use, then come back here for the details.
Quick Picks
| Printer | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw | Color laser all-in-one | Sharp text plus color for a busy workspace |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw | Color laser | Color laser without a scanner |
| Brother HL-L3280CDW | Color laser | Affordable color laser printing |
| Brother HL-L3300CDW | Color laser all-in-one | Color laser with copy and scan |
| Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw | Color laser all-in-one | Color laser multifunction for offices |
5 Best Color Laser Printers for Home Use
1. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw
A current color laser all-in-one from HP’s Color LaserJet Pro line with wireless and two-sided printing.
Good for: a home office printing reports and charts. Strengths: laser text quality with color, and prints resist smearing. Weaknesses: color toner sets are expensive and the body is big. Skip it if you mostly print black-and-white.
2. HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw
A wireless color laser printer with two-sided printing and no scanner.
Good for: someone who only prints, in color, regularly. Strengths: color laser quality and automatic duplex. Weaknesses: no scanning or copying, and costly toner. Skip it if you need an all-in-one.
3. Brother HL-L3280CDW
A compact color laser printer with wireless and duplex.
Good for: home offices that want color laser output without a scanner. Strengths: laser-quality text with color and wireless. Weaknesses: color toner is expensive and it does not scan. Skip it if you need scanning or mostly print black-and-white.
4. Brother HL-L3300CDW
A wireless color laser printer sold as a multi-function model, with copy, scan and two-sided printing.
Good for: small offices printing marketing sheets and reports. Strengths: color laser output with copy and scan in one body. Weaknesses: toner cost and size. Skip it if you rarely print color.
5. Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw
A wireless color laser all-in-one with two-sided printing, from Canon’s office line.
Good for: offices that scan and print in color. Strengths: laser color output and duplex printing. Weaknesses: toner cost and size. Skip it if you print mostly text in black.
Color Laser Printers: What to Know Before Buying
Four toners, four costs
A color laser uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black toner, and each is replaced separately. Add up the price of all four and divide by their yields to estimate cost per page, as in our cost-per-page guide.
Print quality and finish
Color lasers produce sharp text and solid color fills, and prints are dry and smudge-resistant. They are weaker than inkjets at photos and smooth gradients.
Size and warm-up
Color lasers are bulky because of the four toner cartridges and fuser. Allow space and a few seconds of warm-up before the first page.
Who benefits
Offices printing color reports, charts and flyers benefit most. If you print color only now and then, an inkjet can be cheaper overall.
How to Choose
Add up the toner set
A full set of four color toners is the real cost. Check the yield of each cartridge and the price of a high-yield set.
Printer or all-in-one?
The HP 3201dw and Brother HL-L3280CDW only print. The others scan and copy too.
Check the size
Color lasers are large. Measure your shelf before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is color laser worth it for home?
If you print color documents weekly, yes. For occasional color, a print shop or an inkjet may be cheaper.
Can a color laser print photos?
It can, but it is not designed for photo quality. A photo inkjet does better.
Why is color toner so expensive?
A set has four cartridges and each is priced separately. Compare cost per page, not cartridge price.
Bottom Line
If you want a color laser that scans and copies, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw is the all-round choice. If you only print, the Brother HL-L3280CDW or HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw saves you the scanner cost.
More Printer Guides
- Best Printers for Home Use
- Best Color Printers for Home and Family Use
- Best Epson EcoTank Printers for Low Ink Cost
- Best Laser Printers for Home and Home Office
- Best Wireless Laser Printers for Home and Small Office
