That fax port on the back of your all-in-one isn’t just a relic — for medical offices, law firms, and real estate agents, it’s a legally binding necessity that email can’t replace. The problem is that most consumer printers treat fax as an afterthought, burying the feature behind clunky menus and wonky phone-line detection that drops pages mid-transmission.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind The Tools Trunk. I’ve spent hundreds of hours cross-referencing spec sheets, analyzing real-user failure reports, and stress-testing fax workflows to separate the machines that handle legal-sized documents from the ones that turn into expensive paperweights.
Whether you need crisp monochrome laser output for contracts or color inkjet versatility for marketing materials, this deep-dive reveals the all in one printer with fax that won’t ghost your important documents mid-send.
How To Choose The Best All In One Printer With Fax
Fax capability might be the headline, but the wrong printer will drain you dry on ink costs or jam at the worst possible moment. Focus on print technology, paper handling, and long-term consumables pricing before you buy.
Laser vs. Inkjet for Fax Workloads
Laser printers (monochrome or color) are the standard for offices that run heavy fax volumes — they handle hundreds of pages per month without drying out, and the toner won’t smear when pages sit in the fax tray. Inkjets are cheaper upfront but the printhead nozzles can clog if you only use the fax function weekly, forcing costly cleaning cycles. Choose laser if you fax more than 50 pages a week; choose inkjet only if your faxing is occasional and you value color photo output more.
Auto Document Feeder Matters
A fax machine is only as good as its ADF. A 35-to-50-sheet automatic document feeder is non-negotiable for legal or medical offices that fax multi-page contracts and patient forms. Cheaper units often skip pages or jam on stapled sets. Look for a dual-scan ADF only if you also need fast duplex copying — otherwise, a single-pass feeder with reliable paper paths is the priority.
Genuine vs. Third-Party Consumables
Several brands (especially HP and Epson) have started using firmware updates to block third-party cartridges, forcing you into expensive OEM replacements. Brother and Canon are more permissive with generic toner and ink, which can cut your per-page cost by half. If you plan to run high-volume faxes, read reviews specifically about toner lockdown — a printer that refuses non-OEM ink is a recurring expense problem.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | Monochrome Laser | Small office faxing | 36 ppm, 50-sheet ADF | Amazon |
| Brother MFC-L3720CDW | Color Laser | Color docs & fax | 19 ppm, 3.5″ touchscreen | Amazon |
| Canon MAXIFY GX2020 | MegaTank Inkjet | Low ink cost | 3000-pg ink set, ADF | Amazon |
| HP Color LaserJet MFP 3301cdw | Color Laser | Secure office printing | 26 ppm, HP Wolf Security | Amazon |
| Epson WF-2960 | Inkjet | Budget home office | 14 ppm, 2.4″ touchscreen | Amazon |
| Canon imageCLASS MF275dw | Monochrome Laser | Reliable B&W fax | 30 ppm, 35-sheet ADF | Amazon |
| HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw | Monochrome Laser | Small teams | 40 ppm, 50-sheet ADF | Amazon |
| Epson WF-7840 | Wide-Format Inkjet | 11×17 ledger fax | 25 ppm, 13×19 prints | Amazon |
| Xerox C325dni | Color Laser | High-speed faxing | 35 ppm, 4.3″ touchscreen | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Brother MFC-L2820DW
The Brother MFC-L2820DW hits the sweet spot for small offices that need daily faxing without constant toner replacements. Its 36-ppm monochrome engine and 50-sheet auto document feeder mean you can blast through multi-page faxes while the 2.7-inch touchscreen keeps navigation simple — no buried menus for phone-line setup. The dual-band wireless (2.4/5 GHz) ensures the fax stays connected even in congested office airspace, and the compact footprint saves precious desk real estate.
What sets this unit apart is Brother’s lenient stance on consumables. Unlike HP’s firmware-locked cartridges, this printer works reliably with both OEM and third-party toner, and the Refresh subscription trial offers up to 50% savings on genuine supplies if you prefer the auto-ship route. Real-world reports show the drum unit lasting well past 12,000 pages, and the scanner produces clear black-and-white faxes without ghosting — even on legal-size documents.
Setup can be slightly finicky if you follow the sparse printed instructions, but the Brother Mobile Connect App handles the heavy lifting once you manually connect to Wi-Fi. The fax memory stores up to 200 pages, so a lost phone line won’t kill a pending transmission. If you want a no-drama fax machine that prints, scans, and copies without bleeding your budget on ink, this is the one.
What works
- Fast 36 ppm with accurate auto-duplex
- 50-sheet ADF handles stapled sets well
- Third-party toner compatible
- Compact design with intuitive touchscreen
What doesn’t
- Initial setup instructions are sparse
- Mobile printing app is clunky
- No color output — monochrome only
2. Brother MFC-L3720CDW
If your faxed documents require color charts, signed forms with highlighted sections, or branded letterhead, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW delivers vibrant laser output at 19 pages per minute in both color and black-and-white. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen with 48 customizable shortcuts lets you program one-touch fax destinations for law firms, insurance adjusters, or medical records departments — cutting down repetitive menu scrolling.
The 50-sheet ADF handles mixed paper sizes during fax transmission, and auto-duplex printing means you’re not flipping pages manually. Where this printer really shines is its toner yield: the high-capacity XXL cartridges (TN229XXL series) push past 6,000 pages in black, making the per-page cost competitive with budget inkjets. Users report crisp color copies on everything from plain paper to glossy stock, and the wireless connectivity rarely drops during long fax sessions.
The one drawback is the waste toner counter — some users hit a “Replace Waste Toner” error after roughly 1,000 pages that can brick the unit if the sensor doesn’t recognize a new box. It’s a known Brother quirk, but cleaning the sensor contacts usually resolves it. For a heavy-duty color fax machine that doesn’t lock you into proprietary supplies, this is a top-tier choice.
What works
- Vibrant color output on plain paper
- High-yield cartridges lower cost per page
- Customizable shortcut buttons for fax
- Dual-band wireless with Wi-Fi Direct
What doesn’t
- Waste toner sensor can be finicky
- Heavier than comparable monochrome models
- Speed slows on heavy color graphics
3. Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020
The Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 is the inkjet exception to the laser rule — and for good reason. Instead of cartridges, it uses refillable ink bottles that deliver 3,000 black and 3,000 color pages per set, slashing the per-page cost to fractions of a cent. The built-in fax function supports standard PSTN lines and works with the 35-sheet ADF, so you can send multi-page documents without standing over the machine.
Print quality is excellent for an inkjet: the pigment-based GI-25 ink produces water-resistant black text that rivals laser output, and color graphics are vibrant without the banding that plagues budget inkjets. The 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen makes fax programming straightforward, and auto-duplex printing saves paper on two-sided contracts. Real-world testing shows the ink levels barely drop after hundreds of color pages, making this a serious budget-friendly option for offices that fax and print in color but can’t stomach laser toner prices.
The trade-off is speed — 15 ppm in black is slower than any laser on this list, and some users report the printer cycles through ink during cleaning modes if left idle. Occasional fax users should send a test page weekly to keep the nozzles clear. For a low-running-cost color all-in-one with fax, nothing beats the GX2020.
What works
- Incredibly low ink cost per page
- Pigment ink resists smudging
- 35-sheet ADF for fax
- Compact desktop footprint
What doesn’t
- Slower than most laser printers
- Nozzle clogs if unused for weeks
- Cardstock printing causes curl
4. HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw (Renewed)
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw is a certified refurbished powerhouse that brings enterprise-grade security to the fax-enabled office. HP Wolf Pro Security protects fax transmissions and scanned documents against malware, while the dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically fixes connection drops — a lifesaver when a critical fax fails mid-page. Print speeds hit 26 ppm in both color and black, and the single-pass duplex scanner handles two-sided documents without flipping.
The TerraJet toner system delivers vivid colors that make marketing materials and client presentations pop, and the auto document feeder reliably handles mixed media sizes. Users consistently praise the fast print speeds and the easy wireless setup via the HP Smart app. Since this is a refurbished unit from HP’s official program, it comes with a one-year warranty and genuine parts, offering premium performance at a mid-range price point.
The catch is HP’s aggressive firmware updates that block third-party cartridges — you are locked into HP toner, which is expensive. Some refurbished units may arrive with cosmetic blemishes from previous use, though functionality is guaranteed. If security compliance and color quality are non-negotiable and you’re fine with OEM supplies, this is a solid certified pick.
What works
- HP Wolf Pro Security for data protection
- Fast 26 ppm color printing
- Single-pass duplex scanning
- One-year warranty on refurbished unit
What doesn’t
- Firmware blocks non-HP cartridges
- Refurbished units may have cosmetic wear
- Color print quality varies out of box
5. Epson WorkForce WF-2960
The Epson WorkForce WF-2960 is the entry-level color inkjet that includes fax capability without breaking the bank. Its PrecisionCore printhead delivers acceptable text quality for invoices and flyers, and the 150-sheet paper tray is generous for its class. The 2.4-inch color touchscreen provides straightforward navigation for fax functions, and the automatic 2-sided printing saves paper on multi-page fax logs.
Connectivity is versatile with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and support for Alexa and Siri voice printing, making it easy to fax from a smartphone using the Epson Smart Panel app. The individual ink cartridges mean you only replace the color that runs out — theoretically saving money. However, real-world feedback reveals that the printer consumes ink rapidly during cleaning cycles and that color cartridges deplete even when printing solely in black-and-white.
The build quality feels light compared to laser alternatives, and several users report printhead failures within months for moderate usage. The included starter cartridges are low-yield, so you’ll be buying replacements sooner than expected. The WF-2960 works best as an occasional-use fax machine for a home office — don’t rely on it for daily heavy fax volume.
What works
- Very affordable entry point
- Individual ink cartridges save waste
- Voice printing via Alexa/Siri
- Auto 2-sided printing included
What doesn’t
- Ink drains fast even on B&W-only prints
- Light plastic build
- Printhead reliability concerns
- No USB port for direct connection
6. Canon imageCLASS MF275dw
The Canon imageCLASS MF275dw is a laser-focused monochrome machine that prioritizes fax reliability above all else. At 30 ppm with a 5.3-second first-page-out time, it starts printing before you’ve even set the receiver down. The 6-line adjustable touchscreen tilts for sitting or standing use, and the 35-sheet ADF handles multi-page fax jobs without the paper jams that plague cheaper feeders.
Wireless setup via the Canon PRINT Business app is straightforward, and AirPrint support means iPhone users can fax directly from their device. The 150-sheet paper cassette is adequate for a small office, and auto-duplex printing cuts paper waste on internal documents. Users report years of trouble-free operation with third-party cartridges, keeping consumable costs manageable — the drum unit often outlasts the toner by a wide margin.
The scanner produces crisp black-and-white copies but lacks color, so colored charts faxed through this unit will render in grayscale. Some users note the scanner occasionally runs an auto-calibration cycle on startup, which is normal behavior. For a dedicated fax machine that prints, copies, and scans in high-quality monochrome, the MF275dw is a workhorse that won’t quit.
What works
- Fast 30 ppm with quick first page
- Works with third-party toner
- Adjustable touchscreen for ergonomics
- Reliable auto-duplex printing
What doesn’t
- Monochrome only — no color
- Scanner occasionally auto-calibrates
- Paper cassette is only 150 sheets
7. HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw
The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101sdw is built for small teams that need high-speed monochrome faxing without downtime. Its 40 ppm engine is the fastest in this lineup, and the 7-second first-page-out means faxes leave the tray almost instantly. The 50-sheet ADF and 250-sheet input tray keep paper handling robust, and auto-duplex saves paper on double-sided contracts.
The LED display and HP Smart app make setup painless, with reliable Wi-Fi that reconnects automatically after power outages — a rare trait for office printers. Print quality is razor-sharp, with toner designed to resist fading on archived fax documents. Users consistently praise the quiet operation and the fact that the printer doesn’t require constant driver updates like some Epson models.
The main downside is HP’s strict firmware policy: the printer is designed to block non-HP cartridges, and periodic updates reinforce that lockout. The starter toner yields only about 1,000 pages, so you’ll be buying replacements quickly. If you can stomach the OEM toner cost, this machine delivers the fastest fax-throughput in its class.
What works
- Blazing 40 ppm print speed
- Reliable Wi-Fi with auto-reconnect
- Quiet operation at full speed
- Easy mobile printing via HP app
What doesn’t
- Firmware blocks third-party toner
- Starter cartridge is low-yield
- 50-sheet ADF jams with over 25 sheets
8. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 is the only printer on this list that handles tabloid-size documents up to 13×19 inches — a non-negotiable feature for architects, engineers, and real estate agents who need to fax blueprints or large-format contracts. The PrecisionCore Heat-Free print engine delivers 25 ppm in black and 12 ppm in color, and the 500-sheet paper capacity keeps heavy fax jobs moving without refills.
The 50-page ADF handles multi-page ledger-size faxes gracefully, and DURABrite Ultra ink resists smudging even on glossy paper. Setup via the Epson Smart Panel app is straightforward, and the 4.3-inch screen makes fax programming intuitive. Users report the printer lasting years under heavy use, with the printhead design proving durable against clogs.
However, the WF-7840 is a large unit that demands substantial desk space, and Epson’s firmware updates actively block third-party ink cartridges. Some users report constant “update firmware” nagging that, if ignored, can eventually hinder functionality. The scanner requires a computer to initiate scans (no standalone scan-to-email), which is a workflow limitation. If you absolutely need wide-format fax capability, this is the only real choice.
What works
- Prints up to 13×19 inches
- 500-sheet paper capacity
- DURABrite Ultra ink resists smudging
- Fast 25 ppm black output
What doesn’t
- Large footprint requires desk space
- Firmware blocks third-party ink
- Scanner needs computer to function
- Slow speed for a laser alternative
9. Xerox C325dni
The Xerox C325dni brings genuine 35 ppm speed to both color and monochrome printing, making it one of the fastest fax-capable color lasers you can buy. The 4.3-inch color touchscreen is responsive and intuitive for programming fax shortcuts, and the cloud-ready capabilities let you fax directly from Google Drive or Dropbox. The starter toner yields 1,500 black and 1,000 color pages, which is generous for a starter set.
Print quality is sharp with vibrant color graphics that make presentations and client-facing faxes look professional. The double-sided scanning feature is surprisingly capable for the price, and the automatic duplex printing works without issue. The Xerox Easy Assist App simplifies setup via smartphone, bypassing the clunky web interface that veteran Xerox users will recognize.
The major pain point is toner cost — each of the four high-yield cartridges runs premium prices, and some users report the actual yield falling short of the rated 1,800 pages, pushing monthly consumable costs to high levels. The web-based management interface is functional but feels dated compared to Brother or Canon options. For high-speed color faxing where speed is the top priority and budget is secondary, the C325dni delivers.
What works
- Fast 35 ppm in color and B&W
- Intuitive 4.3-inch touchscreen
- Cloud-based fax shortcuts
- Excellent color print quality
What doesn’t
- Expensive toner cartridges
- Web interface feels clunky
- Starter toner runs out quickly
Hardware & Specs Guide
Print Technology
Laser printers use toner powder fused to paper via heat, delivering smudge-proof text and consistent fax quality over thousands of pages. Inkjets spray liquid ink through printhead nozzles, which can dry out if unused for extended periods — a real problem for fax machines used intermittently. For weekly faxing, laser is the safer bet; for occasional color faxes, a MegaTank inkjet with pigment ink is a viable alternative.
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)
The ADF is the single most important fax feature after the modem itself. A 35-to-50-sheet ADF lets you stack a multi-page contract, press one button, and walk away. Lower-end printers with 20-sheet feeders require constant babysitting. Also check if the ADF supports duplex (two-sided) scanning — useful for copying double-sided IDs but less critical for fax, which typically sends one-sided pages.
Fax Memory & Speed
Fax memory stores incoming pages when the printer is out of paper or toner — look for at least 200 pages of storage. Modem speed is typically 33.6 kbps on modern units, which translates to roughly 3 seconds per page. Some business-grade models include a built-in handset or support for distinctive ring patterns, letting you share a phone line between voice and fax calls without manually switching cables.
Consumables Strategy
The real cost of a fax printer isn’t the purchase price — it’s the toner or ink you’ll buy over the machine’s lifetime. Brother and Canon generally allow third-party cartridges, keeping costs low. HP and Epson aggressively block non-OEM supplies via firmware, locking you into expensive proprietary cartridges. A MegaTank or SuperTank inkjet can undercut both if your monthly volume is under 300 pages. Always check the starter cartridge yield — many printers ship with “starter” toner that lasts only 700-1,000 pages.
FAQ
Can I use a VoIP phone line for faxing with these printers?
Do all all-in-one printers with fax support color fax transmission?
How do I stop my printer from blocking third-party ink cartridges?
What does the ADF specification mean for fax reliability?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most users, the all in one printer with fax winner is the Brother MFC-L2820DW because it combines fast 36 ppm monochrome laser output, a reliable 50-sheet ADF, and Brother’s permissive stance on third-party toner — saving you money on every page. If you need color faxes and professional-grade graphics, grab the Brother MFC-L3720CDW for its vibrant color laser output and high-yield cartridges. And for ultra-low ink cost with occasional color faxing, nothing beats the Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020.