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You buy an all-in-one printer to save desk space, not to sign up for a surprise ink subscription or to wrestle with paper jams on a deadline. What you actually need is one machine that prints, scans, copies, and faxes without turning a simple document run into a chore. The picks here cut through the cartridge confusion so you find the printer that fits your desk and your daily workload.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind The Tools Trunk. 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.
The right all in one printer should handle your everyday tasks—from school forms to client invoices—without making you think about ink, speed, or connectivity.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best All In One Printer
Picking the right all-in-one means balancing upfront cost with the long-term cost of supplies. A budget-friendly inkjet might look attractive, but laser printers often deliver a lower cost per page over time.
Laser vs. Inkjet: The First Big Decision
Laser printers use toner powder (a fine dry plastic-based powder) and are typically faster and sharper for black-and-white text documents. Inkjet printers use liquid ink cartridges and are better for high-quality color photos and graphics. Your primary output—spreadsheets vs. family photos—will point you to the right technology.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | B&W Speed (ppm) | Color Speed (ppm) | Duplex Printing | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2820DW★ Best Overall | Monochrome Laser Efficiency | 36 | — | Automatic | Amazon |
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdwPremium Pick | Premium Monochrome Laser | 35 | — | Automatic | Amazon |
| HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw | Affordable Laser Speed | 30 | — | Automatic | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Professional Color Laser | 19 | 19 | Automatic | Amazon |
| Epson Workforce Pro WF-3823 | Fast All-Around Inkjet | 21 | 11 | Automatic | Amazon |
| Canon PIXMA TR7120 | Budget Color Inkjet | 14 | 9 | Automatic | Amazon |
| Epson Workforce WF-2930 | Value Inkjet for Home | 10 | 5 | Automatic | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother MFC-L2820DW
Our pick — over 4★ from 850+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
Crisp black-and-white text at 36 pages per minute is the fastest speed in this list—trusty workhorse that doesn’t hiccup.
The Brother MFC-L2820DW is a black-and-white laser that prints 36 ppm (pages per minute) — faster than the HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw’s 30 ppm. The 2.7-inch touchscreen is intuitive, and connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Ethernet, and USB—so you can place it anywhere and print from any device in the office.
One buyer summed it up perfectly, noting that “after several months of use I’m highly satisfied with the print quality (nearly all being text based), print speed, scan quality and scan speed.” The 50-sheet auto document feeder (ADF) makes scanning multi-page documents simple, and the automatic duplexing (two-sided printing) saves paper without slowing you down.
Reliable monochrome workhorse
- Fast print speeds at 36 ppm for black & white documents
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
- Intuitive 2.7″ touchscreen for easy navigation
No color printing
- Only prints in black and white (no color output)
- Initial setup can require downloading the Brother app for full features
Ideal for: Small offices or heavy text-document users who want the lowest long-term print cost and zero color-ink hassle.
One caveat: This is a monochrome-only unit, so skip it if you regularly need to print color charts, photos, or presentations.
2. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw
Super-fast first page out in 7 seconds, plus self-resetting Wi-Fi—business teams stay online without fuss.
This HP delivers 35 ppm (pages per minute) with an initial print time of just 7 seconds, meaning you are not waiting around for the first page to appear. It comes with a 250-sheet input tray and a 50-sheet ADF, which cuts down on the number of times you need to reload paper for bigger jobs. Compared to the Brother MFC-L2820DW, the HP is slightly slower at 35 ppm vs 36 ppm, but its self-resetting Wi-Fi is a key advantage for busy teams.
Reviewers praise its sturdy Wi-Fi that stays connected even after a power loss, unlike older brands that struggled. One long-term buyer said, “We had a power outage for several hours; the HP went right back on the Internet with no problem.” It is designed for small teams of 1-5 people and offers strong security features to protect your network.
Fast duplex printing
- Fast 35 ppm print speed with a quick 7-second first-page-out
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset for reliable connections
- Large 250-sheet tray and 50-sheet ADF handle bigger workloads
Expensive toner
- Uses HP-only cartridges with chips that can block third-party ink
- Monochrome only—no color printing capability
Reach for this if: You run a busy small team and need a rock-solid black & white printer that stays online and fast.
Look elsewhere if: The need for color prints is a must, or you prefer the flexibility of third-party toner options.
3. HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw
At 30 ppm, this laser is still faster than most inkjets in this segment—budget-friendly speed for small teams.
It is 6 ppm slower than the top-pick Brother MFC-L2820DW’s 36 ppm, but the HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw still delivers 30 ppm for black & white. The automatic duplex printing is a highlight, and the dual-band Wi-Fi has a self-reset feature that automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues, saving you from frustrating network dropouts.
Buyers consistently note how easy the setup is via the HP Smart app. One review stated, “Easy setup via HP123 app on iPhone; connected 4 computers, iPad, and 3 iPhones in 20 minutes.” It is perfect for 1-5 users who need professional-looking black-and-white reports without a complicated configuration process. The included starter toner cartridge is rated for about 700 pages, per the manufacturer.
Compact all-in-one
- Fast 30 ppm print speed for a budget-friendly laser printer
- Self-resetting dual-band Wi-Fi for reliable connections
- Easy setup using the HP Smart mobile app
Slow scan speeds
- The control panel is attached to the paper tray, which can feel flimsy
- No color printing—strictly a black & white laser
Who it beats: This is the best entry-level monochrome laser for small teams that want speed without paying for premium features.
One thing to note: It uses HP toner cartridges with chips, so the ongoing supply cost is something to factor in for high-volume printing.
4. Brother MFC-L3720CDW
Color and black-and-white both print at 19 ppm—vibrant output without the wet-ink mess, and no speed penalty for color.
If you need color charts, marketing materials, or anything with a splash of color, this Brother laser provides vibrant output at the same speed as its black-and-white output (19 ppm for both). The 3.5-inch color touchscreen gives you access to 48 customizable shortcuts, so you can jump directly to your most-used functions. The 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet adjustable paper tray keep the work flowing without constant attention.
Reviewers highlight its reliable wireless connection and quiet operation. One reviewer noted, “Reliable wireless, sharp print, vibrant colors, fast, quiet, efficient toner, good scanner with touchscreen.” It also supports mobile printing via the Brother app and direct connection to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
Color laser efficiency
- Color printing at 19 ppm—same speed as B&W output
- Large 3.5″ color touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts
- 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet paper tray for bigger jobs
High initial cost
- Waste toner error can be a persistent issue for some units, potentially bricking the printer
- Paper feed can sometimes double-feed or cause page curl
Choose this for: An office that needs high-quality color documents and the reliability of laser technology without the high per-page cost of an inkjet.
Be aware: The waste toner issue is a known risk in some units, and the printer is pricey, so consider an extended warranty if you need absolute uptime.
5. Epson Workforce Pro WF-3823
This inkjet matches laser speeds for black documents (21 ppm) while keeping the ability to print vibrant color graphics (11 ppm).
Delivering 21 ppm for black & white and 11 ppm for color, the WF-3823 is surprisingly fast for an inkjet. It uses Epson’s PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, which is designed to be more reliable and produce accurate dot placement, according to the brand. The 250-sheet paper tray and 35-page ADF handle moderate-volume printing without constant reloading. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen makes navigation simple.
One review praised its “great price for good print speed and quality,” noting its suitability for home and small business. Another buyer remarked that “it works perfectly” for a home office. The DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks ensure that your prints are professional-quality and resistant to smudging.
Low running costs
- Fast 21 ppm B&W speed, rivaling many laser printers
- Heat-Free PrecisionCore technology for reliability
- Large 250-sheet paper capacity for less frequent refills
Bulky footprint
- The automatic document feeder can sometimes pull two pages at once
- Replacement ink cartridges are expensive
Solid pick for: A home office that wants laser-like speed for black & white but still needs vibrant color prints for brochures or photos.
The main trade-off: The ongoing cost of ink can be high, and the ADF isn’t perfect for high-volume scanning.
6. Canon PIXMA TR7120
Color speed hits 9 ppm—80% faster than the Epson WF-2930’s 5 ppm—in a compact, budget-friendly inkjet.
For a budget-friendly all-in-one, the TR7120 delivers a solid 14 ppm for black & white and 9 ppm for color—an 80% faster color speed than the Epson WF-2930 (5 ppm). That makes it a good choice for a home user or hybrid worker who needs occasional color. The 1.42-inch Monochrome OLED screen gives you a clear view of ink levels and printer status, and the dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) keeps the connection stable.
One reviewer had a real experience with its reliability, noting, “But then as soon as I bought it I had to print nearly 500 pages. Not a single jam.” The ADF handles multi-page documents, and the automatic duplex printing reduces paper waste. Just be aware that the paper tray is small.
Versatile media handling
- Solid 14 ppm black / 9 ppm color speeds for the price
- Reliable dual-band Wi-Fi for stable connections
- Compact footprint that fits easily on a small desk
Small ink tanks
- Color cartridges are combined into one unit, so if one color runs out, you replace the whole thing
- Ink is expensive, and off-brand alternatives are limited
Designed for: Home users or students who need a capable color printer without a big upfront investment.
A word of caution: If you print a lot of color pages, the per-page ink cost adds up quickly—consider a laser if your volume is high.
7. Epson Workforce WF-2930
The most affordable all-in-one here—10 ppm black / 5 ppm color—built for light home printing with voice control via Alexa and Siri.
At 10 ppm for black and 5 ppm for color, the WF-2930 is the slowest of the group, but for its price, it delivers the essential functions without major hassle. The ADF and automatic duplex printing are valuable features at this budget level, and the 1.4-inch color display makes navigating basic tasks straightforward. It supports voice-activated printing through Alexa and Siri, which is a handy perk for hands-free operation.
One buyer described its footprint perfectly: “Fits well on my short desk. Very little room is needed for this printer.” However, another buyer was less happy with the consumables: “I needed a fax and all in one printer so I bought this one but im not happy with all the ink cartridges it comes with.” The four separate Claria 232 ink cartridges mean you replace only the color that runs out, but the initial setup cost is higher.
Budget-friendly printing
- Very budget-friendly entry point for a color all-in-one
- Compact footprint fits on small desks
- Voice-activated printing with Alexa and Siri
No automatic duplex
- Slow print speeds, especially for color (5 ppm)
- Uses four separate ink cartridges, which can feel expensive to replace
Right for: A home user who needs the absolute lowest upfront cost for a color printer and doesn’t print often.
Not your first pick if: You print in any volume—the slow speed and higher per-page ink cost make a laser a better long-term investment.
Understanding the Specs
Print Speed (ppm)
The “pages per minute” metric tells you how fast the machine can produce standard text documents. For laser printers, speed is usually a key advantage—many exceed 30 ppm. For inkjets, color speed is often much slower than black & white speed, so check both numbers if you print a lot of color graphics.
Duplex Printing & ADF
Automatic duplex printing means the printer can print on both sides of the paper without you having to flip the stack manually. An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) lets you load a stack of original pages and scan, copy, or fax them one after another without standing there feeding each page. Both save you meaningful time during everyday office tasks.
FAQ
What is the difference between laser and inkjet printers?
Is duplex printing the same as automatic duplex printing?
Will a monochrome printer work for my color documents?
How many pages does a typical toner cartridge last?
Do these printers work with my smartphone?
What is an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)?
How do I know the cartridge is compatible with my printer?
Can I use third-party ink in these printers?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the all in one printer winner is the Brother MFC-L2820DW because it combines breakneck 36 ppm black & white speed, a simple touchscreen, and the low-cost-per-page reliability of laser technology. If you want color output without a laser budget, grab the Canon PIXMA TR7120 for its solid print speeds and compact design. And for a premium monochrome office workhorse with a self-resetting Wi-Fi connection, the standout is the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw.
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, The Tools Trunk earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.