Answering the common buyer question—what’s the best all-in-one for a small office? This guide highlights five compact, reliable options that combine printing, scanning, and often copying and fax in one device. It covers monochrome and color models, wired and wireless connections, and features like auto document feeders and duplex printing. The selections are suited for small teams, home offices with light professional work, and environments needing efficient document workflow. Use the comparison notes to pick the model that best fits your team size, print volume, and color needs.
| Product | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | Small offices needing fast mono prints | Duplex printing and efficient scanning |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 | Color documents and versatility | AI-friendly color prints with Instant Ink trial |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw | Team color documents | TerraJet color technology and duplex |
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw | Small teams needing speed | Fast mono output with auto document feeder |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Home offices and light hybrid work | Compact, versatile inkjet with copier/scanner |
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Monochrome 3-in-1
Best for small businesses needing a compact, all-in-one monochrome device. This Brother model combines a laser printer, scanner, and copier in one footprint. It delivers fast mono prints and efficient scanning, with speeds up to 36 ppm and 23.6/7.9 ipm for black/color scans. A 50-page ADF supports multi-page scanning and copying, and flexible connectivity includes dual-band wireless and Ethernet, plus USB for local use. Choose this if you primarily print black-and-white documents and want reliable, space-saving performance.
Best for: small offices with high mono print volume and straightforward, networked usage. Caution: data specifies mono-only output; color printing is not supported, which may limit mixed-document workflows.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125 Wireless All-in-One Color
Best for offices that require color prints and versatile copying, scanning, and fax capabilities. This model supports fast color printing up to 22 ppm black and 18 ppm color, with a 3-month Instant Ink trial included. It features auto two-sided printing/scanning, an ADF, and a 250-sheet input tray for moderate workloads. It suits teams that publish color reports or marketing materials in-house. Caution: Instant Ink requires ongoing service after the trial, which may affect long-term costs.
Best for: color-focused office tasks and document workflows that benefit from integrated AI-assisted formatting. Choose this if you want a color all-in-one with ongoing ink management options.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw
Best for small teams needing crisp color documents and reliable duplex workflow. This all-in-one laser printer offers up to 26 ppm for color and black, with TerraJet toner technology for vivid results. It’s designed for offices that generate professional reports and presentations and want durable color output. Caution: Toner supply and replacement costs should be planned into ongoing budget, as with most color laser systems.
Best for: teams prioritizing professional color output and consistent performance across print, scan, and copy tasks. Choose this if color-rich documents are routine in your work.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw Wireless Mono
Best for small teams seeking fast monochrome performance and reliable connectivity. The 3101fdw handles print, scan, copy, and fax with auto two-sided printing and an ADF for efficient multi-page tasks. It’s a strong choice for document-heavy workflows where speed and network stability are essential. Caution: As a monochrome device, it does not handle color printing, limiting mixed-color projects.
Best for: workgroups prioritizing high-speed black-and-white output and smooth multi-function capabilities. Choose this if color is not a requirement.
Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Color
Best for home offices and light hybrid work, the Canon PIXMA TR7120 provides a compact all-in-one design with copier and scanner, plus auto document feeder. It offers affordable versatility and strong photo and document quality for mixed-use environments. Caution: Ink costs can be higher for frequent color photo printing compared to monochrome laser options.
Best for: households or hybrid setups needing a space-saving, budget-friendly all-in-one with solid color output for light office tasks. Choose this if you prioritize compact size and multimedia printing.
Buying Guide
What should you consider when choosing an office printer scanner?
- Print volume and speed: Match ppm and scan speeds to your team’s daily workload. Higher speeds reduce bottlenecks for busy offices.
- Monochrome vs color: If most documents are text-based, a monochrome laser device can be cheaper to run. For color-heavy documents, choose color laser or color inkjet.
- Duplex and ADF: Duplex printing and a reliable auto document feeder save time on multi-page tasks and reduce manual handling.
- Connectivity: Ensure wireless, Ethernet, and USB options suit your network and local use. Multi-device support helps shared workflows.
- Operating costs: Consider toner/ink yield, replacement costs, and potential service plans or trials (like Instant Ink).)
- Paper capacity: A larger input tray reduces refill frequency for busy offices.
- Maintenance and ease of use: Look for intuitive control panels and straightforward software compatibility with your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between mono and color all-in-ones?
Mono devices print in black only, usually at lower operating costs; color devices handle graphics and color documents but may cost more per page. - Is duplex printing necessary for a small office?
Duplex printing saves paper and costs over time, and many offices use it for reports and client handouts. - What capacity should the input tray have?
A 250-page tray suits small teams; larger teams may prefer 500 pages or more. - Do I need a fax feature?
Fax is less common today but still useful in some workflows; consider if your business sends/receives faxes regularly. - What’s the advantage of an auto-document feeder?
An ADF streamlines multi-page scanning, copying, or faxing without manual page-by-page feeding. - Are Instant Ink or subscription plans beneficial?
Ink/toner subscriptions simplify replacement scheduling and can reduce downtime; evaluate long-term costs against usage.