Imagine a world where your printer doesn’t just print. It also copies, scans, and even faxes! That’s the magic of a multifunction printer, or MFP. These amazing machines can do so much, but picking the perfect one can feel like a puzzle. So many brands and features can make your head spin, and you might worry about spending money on something that doesn’t quite fit your needs.
That’s where we come in! This post is your friendly guide to understanding MFPs. We’ll break down what makes them great and help you figure out which one is best for your home or office. Forget the confusion and frustration. By the end of this article, you’ll feel confident about choosing an MFP that makes your tasks easier and saves you time.
Let’s dive in and discover how these all-in-one wonders can transform the way you work and create!
Top Multifunction Printers Recommendations
No. 1
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function Laser Printer with Copy and Scan, Duplex, Mobile, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
No. 2
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, Copy, ADF, Duplex Printing Best-for-Home Office, 3 Month Instant Ink Trial Included, AI-Enabled (405T6A)
- The OfficeJet Pro 8125e is perfect for home offices printing professional-quality color documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print speeds up to 10 ppm color, 20 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 225-sheet input tra
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
No. 3
HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, fax, ADF, Duplex printing best-for-office, 3 month Instant Ink trial included, AI-enabled (403X0A)
- The OfficeJet Pro 9125e is perfect for offices printing professional-quality color documents like presentations, brochures and flyers. Print speeds up to 18 ppm color, 22 ppm black.
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, copy, fax, auto 2-sided printing and scanning, auto document feeder, and a 250-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
No. 4
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Print, Scan, Copy, ADF, Duplex Printing Best-for-Home Office, 3 Month Trial of Instant Ink Included, AI-Capable (C2VJ4A)
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The OfficeJet Pro 8125 is perfect for home offices printing professional-quality color documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print speeds up to 20 ppm black, 10 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out, and you save up to 50% on ink; after 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 225-sheet input tray
- 2.7-INCH TOUCHSCREEN – Quickly navigate your printer with a large color touchscreen and a phone-like user interface
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
No. 5
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer with Automatic Duplex Printing and 1.8” Color Display | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1) (MFC-J1360DW) (Uses LC501 Series Inks)
- BEST FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Get all your work done with an all-in-one multifunction printer. Print, copy, and scan on one compact printer for home use and home offices. Brother inkjet printers produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED PRINTING FEATURES: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6) .
No. 6
Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer with Copy, Scan and Fax, Duplex, Black & White | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1), Works with Alexa
- BEST FOR SMALL OFFICES – Combining space-saving efficiency and premium monochrome (black & white) print quality with affordability, the Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers dynamic laser print, copy, scan, and fax multi-functionality in a compact footprint
- EFFICIENT PRINTING & SCANNING – Produces black & white documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (bk/cl). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page copy, scan, and fax
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Ethernet, or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- 2.7" TOUCHSCREEN – The intuitive 2.7” touchscreen enables effortless navigation with the added ability to print-from and scan-to popular Cloud-based apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, OneNote, and more(5)
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(6)
No. 7
Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax | Auto Duplex and 250-Sheet Capacity | Includes Refresh Subscription Trial(1). Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
- Professional Performance: Dominate your business printing with this Brother Genuine color laser printer delivering exceptional print speeds up to 19 ppm and stunning laser-quality output that makes your documents stand out from the competition
- Advanced Connectivity: Take command of your workflow with dual-band wireless networking (2.4GHz/5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, and USB 2.0 interface, enabling multiple users to connect and print seamlessly from any device in your office
- Productivity Powerhouse: Maximize efficiency with the 50-sheet auto document feeder, 250-sheet adjustable paper tray, and automatic duplex printing, ensuring uninterrupted performance for your demanding business needs
- Smart Integration: Transform your workflow with the intuitive 3.5" color touchscreen featuring 48 customizable shortcuts and direct access to popular cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote for seamless document management
- Mobile Command Center: Leverage the power of mobile printing with remote access capabilities, toner level monitoring, and complete printer management directly from your mobile device through the exclusive companion app
No. 8
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Office Printer, Scanner, Copier, ADF, Duplex, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for small teams printing, scanning and copying professional-quality color documents and reports. Print speeds up to 26 ppm black/color.
- PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIVITY – Proficiency with every print—next-generation TerraJet toner brings your business to life with more vivid colors.
- ORIGINAL HP TONER CARTRIDGES – This HP printer uses Original HP 218A standard and 218X high yield LaserJet toner cartridges.
- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 250-sheet input tray.
- AWARD-WINNING RELIABILITY – Performance you can count on page after page, and always ready for the high demands of business.
Your Guide to Multifunction Printers: More Than Just Printing!
Multifunction printers, or MFPs, are handy machines that do more than just print. They can also copy, scan, and sometimes even fax! They save space by combining several devices into one. This guide helps you pick the right one for your needs.
What to Look For: Key Features of a Great MFP
When you shop for an MFP, keep these important features in mind.
Printing Power
- Print Speed: How fast does it print pages per minute (ppm)? Faster is better for busy homes or small offices.
- Print Resolution: This is measured in dots per inch (dpi). Higher dpi means sharper, clearer text and pictures.
- Color vs. Black & White: Do you need to print colorful photos and charts, or just text documents? Color printers use more ink and cost more.
Scanning and Copying Smarts
- Scanner Resolution: Like print resolution, higher dpi means better scanned images.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): This lets you scan or copy multiple pages at once without putting them on the glass one by one. It’s a big time-saver!
- Scanner Type: Most have flatbed scanners. Some also have ADFs.
Connectivity and Convenience
- Wi-Fi: Connect wirelessly from your computer, phone, or tablet.
- USB: A standard connection for most computers.
- Ethernet: A wired network connection, good for offices.
- Mobile Printing: Apps like AirPrint (Apple) or Mopria (Android) let you print easily from your smartphone.
Ink or Toner: The Heart of Your MFP
The type of ink or toner your MFP uses is very important.
Inkjet vs. Laser
- Inkjet: These printers use liquid ink. They are usually cheaper to buy upfront. They are great for printing photos with vibrant colors. However, ink can be expensive, and it might dry out if you don’t use it often.
- Laser: These printers use toner powder. They are often more expensive to buy. But, toner cartridges last much longer, and printing costs per page are usually lower. Laser printers are excellent for crisp text and fast document printing.
Quality Matters: What Makes an MFP Great (or Not So Great)
Several things affect how good your MFP performs.
Factors That Boost Quality
- Higher Resolution: As mentioned, higher dpi for printing and scanning means better results.
- Good Quality Ink/Toner: Using the brand’s recommended ink or toner often gives the best results.
- Solid Build: A well-made printer feels sturdy and lasts longer.
Factors That Can Reduce Quality
- Low Resolution: Blurry text or grainy photos.
- Using Cheap, Off-Brand Ink: This can cause poor color accuracy and damage your printer.
- Dust and Debris: Keep the scanner glass and printer area clean.
User Experience and Use Cases: Who Needs What?
Think about how you will use your MFP.
For Home Users
A simple inkjet MFP with Wi-Fi is often perfect. It handles homework, photos, and occasional documents. Look for easy mobile printing.
For Students
Speed and cost are key. A fast inkjet or a budget-friendly laser MFP can save time and money on printing papers. ADF for scanning notes is a plus.
For Small Offices
A laser MFP is usually the best choice. They print fast, handle high volumes, and have lower running costs. Features like ADF and network connectivity are essential.
Frequently Asked Questions about Multifunction Printers
Q: What is a multifunction printer (MFP)?
A: An MFP is a device that combines printing, copying, scanning, and sometimes faxing into one machine.
Q: What’s the difference between inkjet and laser MFPs?
A: Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are good for photos. Laser printers use toner powder and are better for fast, crisp text documents.
Q: Is Wi-Fi important for an MFP?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi lets you print wirelessly from many devices, which is very convenient.
Q: What does ADF stand for, and why do I need it?
A: ADF stands for Automatic Document Feeder. It lets you scan or copy multiple pages without manually placing them on the glass each time.
Q: How do I know if an MFP will print good photos?
A: Look for a higher print resolution (measured in dpi) and check if the printer is an inkjet model, as they are generally better for photos.
Q: Will my old computer connect to a new MFP?
A: Most new MFPs have USB ports, so they should connect to most computers. Wi-Fi and Ethernet offer more modern connection options.
Q: How often do I need to replace ink or toner?
A: This depends on how much you print. Laser toner lasts much longer than inkjet ink for most users.
Q: Can I print from my phone or tablet?
A: Yes, many MFPs support mobile printing through apps like AirPrint or Mopria, or directly via Wi-Fi.
Q: What does “print resolution” mean?
A: Print resolution tells you how sharp and detailed your printed pages will be. A higher number (like 1200 x 1200 dpi) means better quality.
Q: Are MFPs expensive to run?
A: The running cost depends on the type of printer and how much you print. Laser printers often have lower running costs due to longer-lasting toner.