Best Business Printers 2026: The IT Manager's Guide to Security, Speed & TCO

Your printer is a network endpoint, and it deserves the same security scrutiny as any other device on your infrastructure.

This guide evaluates five 2026 desktop business printers from an IT management perspective—security features, driver stability, total cost of ownership, and the workflows they support. Whether you're outfitting a remote employee's home office or replacing the accounting department's invoice machine, one of these will fit.

At-a-Glance Comparison

OS Compatibility

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Choosing Based on Your Situation

Before the detailed reviews, here's guidance for common scenarios:

If you're equipping remote employees

HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — Wolf Pro Security provides BIOS-level boot protection in a compact 16.2" × 13.4" footprint. Driver-only installation available; no cloud account required. For comprehensive remote work security, see our Business VPN vs Consumer VPN guide.

If you print 2,000+ pages monthly

Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 — Running cost of ~2 cents per page. At 2,000 pages/month, saves approximately $1,200 over 2 years compared to cartridge systems.

If you need stable Windows 11 Enterprise drivers

Brother MFC-L3780CDW — Driver-only installation without bundled software. Scans directly to SharePoint or OneDrive without a PC. For cloud productivity integration, see our Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 comparison.

If you print mostly text documents

Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II — Prints 42ppm with native PIN-release printing. The "II" model replaced the original in 2025 to address supply chain updates and add enhanced wireless security protocols (TLS 1.3) with a unified firmware platform.

If you need audit-ready security documentation

HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301fdw — HP Security Manager provides fleet-wide policy enforcement and compliance reporting. For broader compliance frameworks, review our Small Business Security Compliance Guide.

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Detailed Reviews

1. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — Best for Secure Remote Work

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is the best choice for remote employees because it includes HP Wolf Pro Security for BIOS-level boot protection, a feature typically reserved for enterprise laser devices.

Designed for micro-businesses and home offices, this inkjet addresses common home-office vulnerabilities. Unlike standard consumer models, it supports self-healing Wi-Fi to maintain secure network connections and automatically detects firmware tampering at startup. While the ISO print speed of 22ppm is slower than laser alternatives, it offers a significantly smaller footprint for home use. Note that the HP+ program requires an internet connection and original HP ink for operation.

Pros:

• BIOS-level boot protection (rare for inkjets)
• Self-healing Wi-Fi maintains secure connections
• Compact footprint: 16.2" × 13.4" × 9.0" (fits most desks)
• Driver-only installation available

Cons:

• HP+ requires internet connection and HP ink
• Print speed (22ppm) slower than laser alternatives
• Price varies by retailer ($250–$310)

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2. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 — Lowest Cost Per Page

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 delivers the lowest total cost of ownership with a running cost of approximately 2 cents per color page, saving high-volume offices ~$1,200 over two years compared to laser cartridges.

The ET-5850 utilizes a refillable ink tank system rather than disposable cartridges. It matches laser speeds at 25ppm for both black and color, utilizing PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology to reduce energy consumption. While the upfront cost (~$700–$850) is higher than comparable lasers, the break-even point is reached at roughly 3,000 pages. With a 500-sheet paper capacity (two full trays), it is the only printer on this list that holds a full ream of paper standard, making it ideal for marketing teams or real estate offices printing 2,000+ pages monthly.

Cost Comparison (2,000 pages/month over 2 years):

Pros:

• Lowest cost per page (~2¢ for color)
• 25ppm for both black and color (no slowdown)
• Visual ink level monitoring through transparent tanks
• Ethernet for wired network deployment

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost ($700–$850)
• Occasional nozzle maintenance required for infrequent use
• Tank refilling messier than cartridge swap

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3. Brother MFC-L3780CDW — Most Reliable Windows 11 Drivers

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW offers driver-only installation without bundled software, delivering stable performance across Windows 11 Enterprise environments where many competitors cause compatibility issues.

Brother's approach focuses on minimal software footprint. The L3780CDW scans directly to SharePoint, OneDrive, or Google Drive without routing through a PC—eliminating a common bottleneck and reducing exposure of sensitive documents.

For offices printing 2,000+ pages monthly with color requirements, this printer offers a middle ground between the EcoTank's low running costs and the Canon's monochrome speed.

Pros:

• Driver-only installation (no bloatware)
• Direct cloud scanning without PC
• NFC badge authentication available
• 31ppm for both color and mono

Cons:

• Weighs 48 lbs (not portable)
• Super-high-yield toner has high upfront cost
• LED technology may confuse laser-expecting buyers

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4. Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II — Fastest High-Volume Printer

The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II prints 42 pages per minute and includes native PIN-release secure printing, making it the standard for healthcare and finance workflows requiring HIPAA compliance.

This monochrome laser printer focuses entirely on speed and text volume. It processes a 100-page job in under 2.5 minutes—nearly 40% faster than the color competitors in this list. The "II" model update brings enhanced wireless security protocols (TLS 1.3) and a unified firmware platform. It lacks color capability, but includes a standard 3-year limited warranty—a rarity in this class that significantly lowers long-term risk. For invoices, contracts, and medical records requiring HIPAA compliance printing, it offers the lowest downtime potential in its class.

Security Features:

• Secure Print (PIN release): Documents wait in queue until authorized user enters PIN at device
• TLS 1.3 encryption: Latest protocol for data in transit
• Verify System at Startup: Monitors firmware integrity on boot
• Department ID management: Track and limit printing by user or group

Pros:

• 42ppm print speed (processes 100 pages in ~2.4 minutes)
• Native PIN-release secure printing for HIPAA compliance
• 3-year limited warranty included (vs. 1 year for most competitors)
• TLS 1.3 encryption (enhanced in "II" model)
• Single-pass duplexing ADF (50 sheets)
• 350-sheet standard capacity, expandable to 900 sheets

Cons:

• Monochrome only (not suitable for color documents)
• Higher toner costs; high-yield cartridges recommended
• "II" model pricing (~$540) reflects supply chain and security updates

Sustainability: EPEAT Silver certified with Energy Star qualification, meeting federal procurement requirements for energy efficiency.

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5. HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301fdw — Best for Compliance & AI Features

The HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301fdw is one of the first AI-enabled business printers, combining Wolf Pro Security with optional HP Security Manager licensing for fleet-wide policy enforcement and compliance reporting.

This color laser printer delivers enterprise-grade security tools typically found in much larger deployments. It supports HP Security Manager (license required separately) for audit-ready documentation of your print security posture—critical when compliance auditors ask how you protect printed documents.

The 3301fdw is marketed as "AI-enabled" for its Smart Scan features, which use local AI processing to automatically suggest filenames and generate email subject lines based on scanned content. This reduces manual data entry for high-volume scanning workflows. Note: AI features require Windows 11 and the HP Smart App.

The 3301fdw integrates with existing HP fleet management tools, making it suitable for organizations already standardized on HP infrastructure. For mixed-vendor environments, the Brother or Canon options may offer simpler deployment.

Security Stack

• HP Wolf Pro Security: BIOS protection, runtime malware detection, self-healing firmware (included)
• HP Security Manager: Apply security policies across printer fleets (separate license required)
• Tamper-resistant toner: Prevents counterfeit cartridges that could contain malicious code
• Port lockdown: Disable USB, close unused network ports through admin console

Pros:

• AI-enabled Smart Scan with automatic filename and subject line generation
• Wolf Pro Security with BIOS protection and self-healing firmware (included)
• Supports HP Security Manager for fleet policy enforcement (license sold separately)
• Tamper-resistant toner prevents counterfeit cartridges
• 26ppm for both black and color
• Automatic duplex printing, scanning, and copying
• EPEAT Gold certified with Energy Star qualification

Cons:

• Higher price point (~$640) reflects enterprise security features
• HP Security Manager requires separate per-device licensing
• Dynamic security blocks third-party toner cartridges
• TerraJet toner required for full functionality

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How We Evaluated

Our evaluation focuses on what IT managers and MSPs actually care about:

Security (40% weight)

• Network isolation capabilities
• Firmware protection mechanisms
• PIN/badge release printing
• Encryption standards (TLS 1.3, etc.)
• Fleet security management tools

Total Cost of Ownership (30% weight)

• Purchase price
• Cost per page (consumables)
• Energy consumption
• Maintenance requirements
• Expected lifespan

Reliability & Support (20% weight)

• Driver stability (especially Windows 11 Enterprise)
• Manufacturer support quality
• Availability of high-yield consumables
• User-reported reliability

Performance (10% weight)

• Print speed (ppm)
• First-page-out time
• Duty cycle rating
• Paper handling capacity

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Summary: Which Printer For Which Business

The best printer depends on your workflow, not just specifications. A law firm needs PIN-release printing; a logistics company needs speed; a remote team needs endpoint security. Match the feature set to your actual use case.

For organizations managing multiple printers across locations, consider implementing centralized security policies. Our SMB Cybersecurity NIST CSF Guide covers endpoint management frameworks that include network printers.

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Related Resources

• Best Cybersecurity Software for Small Business — Endpoint protection beyond printers
• SMB Cybersecurity NIST CSF Guide — Framework for your security posture
• Small Business Security Compliance Guide — HIPAA, SOC 2, and regulatory requirements
• Business VPN vs Consumer VPN — Securing your network beyond the printer