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.
If your home office or small business still relies on a fax machine, you know the pain of a dedicated clunker taking up desk space. The fix is an all-in-one that prints, scans, copies, and faxes from one box — but picking the wrong one means getting stuck with slow speeds or a brand that locks you into expensive ink. This guide cuts through that noise for you.
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.
Here is what matters most for a fax-friendly printer: you need a reliable paper feed that doesn’t jam mid-document, fast monochrome pages so you aren’t standing around, and a brand that doesn’t brick your device with a firmware update. Let’s find the best all in one fax that actually fits your workflow.
Quick Picks
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — Best Overall
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw — Best Value
- Epson Workforce Pro WF-4834 — Heavy-Duty Pick
- Brother MFC-L3720CDW — Premium Color Laser
- Epson Workforce WF-2930 — Budget Inkjet
How To Choose The Best All In One Fax
The biggest trap buyers fall into is picking an inkjet model that prints color cheaply upfront but bleeds you dry on cartridges. For an all-in-one that faxes regularly, you want a laser printer if you mostly send black-and-white documents — the cost per page is far lower. Check the page-per-minute (ppm) rating: a monochrome laser at 30+ ppm makes faxing feel instant, while a budget inkjet at 10 ppm has you waiting. Your automatic document feeder (ADF) is non-negotiable for faxing multi-page contracts — a 35-sheet or 50-sheet ADF means you load the stack and walk away instead of feeding each page by hand. Finally, look at the duplex (automatic two-sided printing) feature: it saves paper and halves the weight of a fax you are sending.
Laser vs. Inkjet for Faxing
For an all-in-one fax machine, the most foundational decision is if you want a laser engine or an inkjet engine. Laser printers use toner powder and a heated drum, which gives you sharp text, smudge-proof pages, and a much lower cost per page — usually pennies per sheet — compared to inkjet cartridges that run dry fast. The catch: entry-level color lasers are more expensive than inkjets, and they handle photos poorly. Inkjets win on price and color vibrancy, but you pay for it over time with replacement cartridges.
Auto Document Feeder (ADF) Capacity
If you fax more than a single sheet at a time, the ADF capacity is your most important spec. A 35-sheet ADF lets you stack a medium contract and let the machine feed pages one by one. A 50-sheet ADF handles heavier workloads — think 10-page agreements plus cover sheets. Without an ADF, you are manually feeding every page, which defeats the purpose of an all-in-one for a busy office. Check whether the ADF supports duplex (two-sided) scanning, which is rare but a huge time-saver if you fax double-sided documents.
Print Speed (Pages Per Minute)
Print speed is measured in pages per minute (ppm). For a machine that also serves as your fax hub, look for at least 20 ppm in black-and-white. A model running at 10 ppm will feel sluggish when you are in a hurry — every multi-page fax adds up in wait time. Laser printers hold a clear advantage here: most budget color lasers hit 19-25 ppm, while monochrome lasers reach 30-36 ppm. Inkjets under typically top out at 10 ppm.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Speed (B&W) | Paper Capacity | ADF | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | Best Overall Fax | 34 ppm | 250 sheets | 50 pages | Amazon |
| Canon imageCLASS MF275dw | Mid-Range Speedster | 30 ppm | 150 sheets | 35 pages | Amazon |
| Epson Workforce Pro WF-4834 | High-Volume Workgroup | 25 ppm | 500 sheets | 50 pages | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Premium Color Laser | 19 ppm | 250 sheets | 50 pages | Amazon |
| Epson Workforce WF-2930 | Budget Inkjet | 10 ppm | 100 sheets | — | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother MFC-L2820DW
A compact monochrome laser that faxes, prints, and scans without the ink-drama.
If you fax and print mostly black-and-white documents, this Brother is the workhorse that saves you time and money. It prints at 34 ppm versus 10 ppm on a budget inkjet, so you are never waiting for a fax to finish. The 50-page auto document feeder (ADF) lets you stack a multi-page contract and walk away, and the 2.7-inch touchscreen makes navigating settings simple without needing a computer.
Buyers report “no command delays; fast printing, faxing,” and the machine is praised for its compact footprint that fits a small desk. Setup can be fussy — a few owners mention the included instructions are vague — but once connected via dual-band wireless or Ethernet, it runs reliably. Unlike some competitors, Brother does not block third-party toner cartridges, keeping your long-term costs low.
Unlike the Epson WF-2930, which prints color at 5 ppm, the MFC-L2820DW delivers 34 ppm in black-and-white, which makes faxing feel instant rather than a chore. It lacks color printing, so if you need occasional color documents, look at the Brother MFC-L3720CDW below instead.
Who it fits: Small offices or home workers who fax daily in black-and-white and want the lowest cost per page without worrying about firmware ink locks.
The catch: It prints monochrome only — no color scanning or copying for graphics.
Grab it if: Your faxes and documents are all text and you value speed (34 ppm) over color.
Look elsewhere if: You regularly need color prints from your all-in-one.
2. Canon imageCLASS MF275dw
A fast monochrome laser that punches above its price with 30 ppm speed.
For a mid-range price, this Canon delivers print speeds up to 30 pages per minute and a quick first print of about 5.3 seconds — so your first fax page is out nearly instantly. The 35-sheet automatic document feeder handles multi-page faxes without you feeding each sheet, and automatic duplex printing saves paper on both sides. It is Energy Star Certified and comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Owners mention that it prints “fast, crisp, clean prints” and the Wi-Fi setup is straightforward using the Canon PRINT Business app, Apple AirPrint, or Mopria. The 150-sheet cassette is smaller than the Brother’s 250-sheet tray, so you may need to reload paper more often during heavy fax runs. Some users note that black-and-white scans look faded compared to color scans — fine for faxing text, but less ideal for archiving photos.
At 30 ppm it sits just behind the Brother MFC-L2820DW (34 ppm) but well ahead of the Epson WF-2930 (10 ppm), making it a strong middle ground for offices that fax frequently but don’t need the absolute top speed. It lacks color printing, so keep that in mind if you need occasional color output.
The edge: Nearly instant first-page-out time (5.3 seconds) and compatibility with aftermarket toner cartridges keep your ongoing costs low.
The trade-off: The 150-sheet cassette fills up faster during busy fax sessions than the 250-sheet tray on the Brother.
Pick this for: A fast monochrome fax-and-print solution that won’t break your budget and works reliably with Wi-Fi.
skip it if: You need a larger paper tray or color printing from the same machine.
3. Epson Workforce Pro WF-4834
An inkjet workhorse built for high-volume faxing with a massive paper capacity.
If your office faxes large batches and needs color, this Epson packs the biggest paper capacity in the group — 500 sheets split across two 250-sheet trays — so you are not reloading mid-job. It prints 25 black-and-white pages per minute and 12 color ppm, powered by PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology that uses less energy and reduces downtime. The 50-page ADF handles multi-page faxes smoothly, and the 4.3-inch color touchscreen gives you quick navigation.
Customers note the print quality is “outstanding professional” and the wireless setup is easy via the Epson Smart Panel App with Bluetooth Low Energy. However, reviewers also note that “envelope printing is unreliable” — envelopes jam after about 75% of attempts, which is a real annoyance if you mail documents often. Unlike a laser printer, the inkjet cartridges cost more over time, especially for heavy black-and-white output.
Where the Brother MFC-L2820DW outpaces it on monochrome speed at 34 ppm versus 25 ppm, the WF-4834 fights back with color printing at 12 ppm versus 5 ppm on the cheaper Epson WF-2930. It is a strong pick for workgroups that need both speed and color in one fax-friendly box.
Built for volume
- 500-sheet total paper capacity means fewer reloads during fax-heavy days.
- Color printing at 12 ppm handles presentation-quality documents.
- Secure Data Erase and comprehensive security features for sensitive faxes.
Annoying envelope jams
- Envelope feeding fails roughly three out of four attempts according to reviews.
- Inkjet running costs are higher than laser for black-and-white faxes.
- Firmware may block third-party ink, raising long-term expenses.
Best suited for: Teams that fax color documents in volume and need twin paper trays to keep running.
Not ideal if: You regularly mail envelopes or print mostly black-and-white — a laser gives better cost-per-page there.
4. Brother MFC-L3720CDW
A color laser that handles faxing, scanning, and color documents all at pro grade.
If you need color faxing and printing without switching to an inkjet, this Brother is your premium option. It prints at 19 ppm in both black-and-white and color — so a fax header with a logo doesn’t slow down — and uses laser toner for crisp, waterproof output. The 50-sheet auto document feeder handles multi-page fax stacks, and the 250-sheet tray keeps paper flowing for moderate office use. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen gives you 48 customizable shortcuts for frequently used tasks.
Reviewers point out the print quality is sharp with “vibrant colors” and the wireless setup is easy and reliable. A reviewer noted that “paper feed occasionally pulls two pages” due to the paper curling from four hot rollers — worth monitoring if you fax heavy cardstock. A more serious issue: one owner reported that after about 1,000 pages over two years, a “Replace Waste Toner” error persisted even with a new genuine part, turning the printer into a brick. While most users have a positive experience, this is a risk to know before buying at this price tier.
At 19 ppm color, it is faster than the Epson WF-4834 (12 ppm) for color documents, but it costs noticeably more upfront. Unlike the monochrome-only Brother MFC-L2820DW, it gives you full color capability in a laser engine — ideal if you present charts or marketing materials alongside faxed text.
Professional color output
- Fast color printing (19 ppm) beats most inkjets at this level.
- Laser toner means lower cost per color page than inkjet in the long run.
- Dual-band wireless plus Wi-Fi Direct supports multiple users easily.
Potential brick risk
- One reviewer noted a waste toner error that permanently disabled the printer after moderate use.
- Paper feed can occasionally pull two sheets due to heat-induced curling.
- Higher upfront investment than monochrome lasers or budget inkjets.
Pick this if: You need professional color printing and faxing in a laser format and can accept the premium price.
Consider another if: Your fax volume is mostly black-and-white — the MFC-L2820DW gives you better speed at lower cost.
5. Epson Workforce WF-2930
An entry-level inkjet that faxes and prints in color for the smallest budgets.
If you only fax a couple of pages per week and need the lowest possible entry price, this Epson gets you in the game. It prints 10 pages per minute in black-and-white and 5 in color — slow compared to lasers, but workable for light use. It supports automatic two-sided printing to cut paper waste and has a 1.4-inch color display for basic navigation. Voice-activated printing through Alexa and Siri is a handy bonus for a printer at this tier.
Shoppers say that hardware and software setup is easy, and the compact size fits well on a short desk. The major catch, highlighted by a frustrated reviewer, is that “Epson firmware update blocks third-party cartridges, forcing purchase of expensive Epson brand.” There is a workaround using a key combo and a USB cable to roll back the firmware, but that requires technical comfort. If you do update the firmware, you are locked into Epson’s expensive ink forever. Also, this model does not have an automatic document feeder — you must feed each page by hand for faxing or scanning a multi-page document.
Compared to the Brother MFC-L2820DW, the WF-2930 runs at 10 ppm in black-and-white versus 34 ppm and lacks an ADF entirely, so faxing a 10-page document becomes a hands-on chore. It is a budget band-aid, not a long-term solution for anyone who faxes more than occasionally.
Low upfront cost
- Very affordable entry point for a color inkjet with fax capability.
- Compact size fits small workspaces easily.
- Voice-activated printing via Alexa and Siri is a unique convenience.
Ink trap and no ADF
- Firmware updates lock you into expensive Epson-brand ink cartridges.
- No automatic document feeder means manual page-by-page faxing.
- Slow print speeds (10 ppm B&W, 5 ppm color) feel sluggish for any batch work.
Only for: The lightest fax users who print a few pages a week and are comfortable never updating the printer firmware.
Avoid if: You fax multi-page documents regularly or want to avoid being locked into proprietary ink.
Understanding the Specs
Pages Per Minute (ppm)
This measures how many pages the printer spits out in one minute using standard text. A higher ppm means you spend less time waiting by the machine. For an all-in-one fax, look for at least 20 ppm for black-and-white documents — anything slower (like 10 ppm) feels painfully sluggish when you are faxing a 15-page contract. Laser printers typically dominate here, with monochrome models hitting 30-36 ppm, while budget inkjets often cap at 10 ppm.
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)
An ADF is a tray on top of the scanner that automatically feeds a stack of pages through one by one. For faxing, this is essential: a 35-sheet or 50-sheet ADF means you load the entire document and walk away, instead of standing there feeding each page manually. If you fax multi-page agreements or contracts, never buy a machine without an ADF. Also check whether the ADF supports duplex (two-sided) scanning — a rarer feature but a huge time-saver if you often fax double-sided pages.
Duplex Printing
Duplex means automatic two-sided printing. When you print a document, duplex prints on both sides and reduces paper use. It also reduces the physical weight of the fax you send. Most modern all-in-ones support duplex, but always confirm it is “automatic” (the printer flips the page itself) rather than “manual” (where you flip pages yourself).
Ink Locking / Firmware Lockdown
Some printer brands, particularly Epson, use firmware updates to block third-party or refilled ink cartridges. If you install a firmware update, the printer may refuse to work with anything except the brand’s own expensive cartridges. A few manufacturers allow workarounds (rolling back firmware), but the safest bet is choosing a brand like Brother that does not enforce this lockdown, keeping your long-term printing costs lower.
FAQ
Can I fax without a landline using an all-in-one printer?
Is a laser or inkjet printer better for faxing?
What does the automatic document feeder (ADF) do for faxing?
Can I print from my phone to an all-in-one fax printer?
How do I know if a printer will block third-party ink cartridges?
What is duplex printing and why does it matter for faxing?
How many pages per minute do I need for a fax machine to feel fast?
Will a color laser printer work for faxing black-and-white documents?
Can I scan and fax double-sided documents automatically?
What paper capacity do I need for a busy office fax machine?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
If you want one dependable pick, the best all in one fax is the Brother MFC-L2820DW because it combines blazing 34 ppm speed, a 50-page ADF for hands-free faxing, and a compact size that fits any desk — all without ink-locking firmware. If you want a faster first-page-out time on a tighter budget, grab the Canon imageCLASS MF275dw. And for a color laser that can fax and print professional charts, the standout is the Brother MFC-L3720CDW.
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.
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