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10 Best Color Laser Printer For Photos 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Office (499Q3F)

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,195
Print Resolution
Color Accuracy
Print Speed

Most important from
469 reviews

Print Resolution
Print and color quality is superb, making it an excellent choice for high-quality printing tasks.
Color Accuracy
Print and color quality is superb, making it an excellent choice for high-quality printing tasks.
Print Speed
It prints fast and the quality of copies is amazing, capturing even the faintest details accurately.
Paper Handling
The printer's drawer feed mechanism is superior to gravity feed, resulting in zero paper jams.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward and connecting to Wi-Fi is painless, enhancing user convenience.

The HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw is designed for office environments and small teams needing reliable color printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. One of its notable strengths is its print resolution and color accuracy, thanks to the next-generation TerraJet toner that produces vivid colors, which is essential for photo printing. With print speeds of up to 30 pages per minute for both black and color, it efficiently handles moderate workloads, making it ideal for small businesses or home offices. The automatic two-sided printing feature and a 250-sheet input tray also enhance productivity.

While this printer is excellent for general office use, it may not satisfy professional photographers who require extremely high fidelity in color reproduction, as laser printers can sometimes struggle to match the depth and detail of a high-quality inkjet printer when it comes to photo prints. Additionally, the toner costs can be a consideration, as the Original HP 218A standard cartridges might not be the most economical for heavy users, although the high-yield 218X options offer better value in the long run.

In terms of connectivity, the dual-band Wi-Fi feature allows for convenient wireless printing, complemented by the user-friendly HP app that lets you manage printing tasks from your smartphone. Security features such as HP Wolf Pro Security enhance its appeal for office use by protecting sensitive data. The HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301sdw is well-suited for those in small offices needing versatile and efficient printing capabilities, but it may not be the best option for users whose primary focus is high-quality photo printing.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,195
Print Resolution
Color Accuracy
Print Speed

Most important from
469 reviews

Print Resolution
Print and color quality is superb, making it an excellent choice for high-quality printing tasks.
Color Accuracy
Print and color quality is superb, making it an excellent choice for high-quality printing tasks.
Print Speed
It prints fast and the quality of copies is amazing, capturing even the faintest details accurately.
Paper Handling
The printer's drawer feed mechanism is superior to gravity feed, resulting in zero paper jams.
Connectivity Options
Setup is straightforward and connecting to Wi-Fi is painless, enhancing user convenience.
#2

Brother MFC-L3780CDW Wireless Digital Color All-in-One Printer with Laser Quality Output, Single Pass Duplex Copy & Scan | Includes 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial, Works with Alexa

Rating
9.8
Color Accuracy
Print Speed
Paper Handling

Most important from
461 reviews

Color Accuracy
While it's not a dedicated photo printer, the color output is fast, bright, and perfectly acceptable for documents.
Print Speed
The print speed is impressive and it's remarkably quiet, unlike older models that take ages and frequently jam.
Paper Handling
Despite a couple of jams on larger print jobs, they were easy to clear, and having the printer on a mobile cart helps manage this.
Connectivity Options
Setup is incredibly easy, even without using the mobile app. Airprint works instantly.

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a versatile all-in-one color laser printer designed for small businesses and home offices. It offers excellent print resolution with a maximum of 2400 x 600 dpi, ensuring sharp and clear photos. The color accuracy is commendable for business documents, though it might not meet the highest standards required for professional photo printing. The print speed is impressive, reaching up to 31 pages per minute for both color and monochrome prints, which can significantly improve productivity in a busy office setting. Additionally, it features single-pass duplex copy and scan, further enhancing efficiency.

The paper handling capacity is versatile, accommodating various media sizes including envelopes, card stock, and glossy photo paper, with a max input capacity of 250 sheets. Connectivity options are robust, including Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, and NFC, allowing for easy and flexible integration into different network environments. The printer is also compatible with mobile devices, making it convenient for on-the-go printing.

On the downside, toner costs and yield may be a concern, though the printer supports high-yield and super high-yield toner cartridges that can help reduce the cost per page over time. The initial investment might be higher, especially with the optional paper tray. At 47.8 pounds, it is also quite heavy and may require a dedicated space. The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a strong performer for small business environments that need reliable and efficient color laser printing capabilities, though those specifically seeking top-tier photo print quality might want to explore other options.

Rating
9.8
Color Accuracy
Print Speed
Paper Handling

Most important from
461 reviews

Color Accuracy
While it's not a dedicated photo printer, the color output is fast, bright, and perfectly acceptable for documents.
Print Speed
The print speed is impressive and it's remarkably quiet, unlike older models that take ages and frequently jam.
Paper Handling
Despite a couple of jams on larger print jobs, they were easy to clear, and having the printer on a mobile cart helps manage this.
Connectivity Options
Setup is incredibly easy, even without using the mobile app. Airprint works instantly.
#3

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Wireless All-in-One Color Laser Printer, Scanner, Copier, Fax, Best-for-Office

Rating
9.6
Print Resolution
Print Speed
Paper Handling

Most important from
4429 reviews

Print Resolution
The printer has worked flawlessly for ten months and it's fast, with perfect print quality.
Print Speed
The printer has worked flawlessly for ten months and it's fast, with perfect print quality.
Paper Handling
The printer has recurring issues with paper jams and electrical parts, leading to significant frustration and regret.
Toner Cost and Yield
Expensive toner, but comparable to alternatives.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw offers a robust solution for small teams needing a versatile all-in-one device. It stands out with its fast color print speed of up to 33-35 pages per minute, making it efficient for high-volume tasks. Additionally, the auto 2-sided printing and auto document feeder enhance productivity for scanning and copying large documents quickly. The printer's print resolution is impressive, delivering sharp details and vibrant colors, which is crucial for photo printing.

The printer supports multiple connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, and wireless printing, allowing flexibility in different office setups and easy printing from mobile devices. HP Wolf Pro Security ensures data protection, which is a significant advantage for office environments.

One potential drawback is the weight; at 45 pounds, it may be cumbersome to move or reposition. This model is best suited for small office teams needing a reliable, secure, and fast all-in-one color laser printer, but those looking for a dedicated photo printer might need to evaluate the specific photo printing capabilities further.

Rating
9.6
Print Resolution
Print Speed
Paper Handling

Most important from
4429 reviews

Print Resolution
The printer has worked flawlessly for ten months and it's fast, with perfect print quality.
Print Speed
The printer has worked flawlessly for ten months and it's fast, with perfect print quality.
Paper Handling
The printer has recurring issues with paper jams and electrical parts, leading to significant frustration and regret.
Toner Cost and Yield
Expensive toner, but comparable to alternatives.

Buying Guide for the Best Color Laser Printer For Photos

Choosing the right color laser printer for photos can be a bit challenging, but with the right approach, you can find a model that meets your needs. The key is to understand the specifications that matter most for photo printing and how they align with your specific requirements. Here are the key specs you should consider and how to evaluate them to make the best choice.
Print ResolutionPrint resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI), determines the level of detail and clarity in your printed photos. Higher DPI values mean more detailed and sharper images. For photo printing, a resolution of at least 1200 x 1200 DPI is recommended. If you need professional-quality prints, look for printers with even higher resolutions, such as 2400 x 2400 DPI. Consider what level of detail you need in your photos to choose the right resolution.
Color AccuracyColor accuracy refers to how well a printer can reproduce the colors in your photos. This is crucial for photo printing, as you want your prints to look as close to the original image as possible. Look for printers that offer advanced color management features and use high-quality toner. Some printers are specifically designed for photo printing and offer better color accuracy. If you are a professional photographer or need prints for display, prioritize color accuracy.
Print SpeedPrint speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), indicates how quickly a printer can produce prints. While not as critical for photo quality, it can be important if you need to print large volumes of photos quickly. Color laser printers typically have slower print speeds for photos compared to text documents. If you need to print a lot of photos in a short time, look for a printer with a higher PPM for color prints. For occasional photo printing, print speed may be less of a concern.
Paper HandlingPaper handling refers to the types and sizes of paper a printer can accommodate. For photo printing, you will need a printer that can handle various photo paper sizes and types, such as glossy or matte finishes. Check the printer's specifications to ensure it supports the paper sizes you plan to use, such as 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 inches. If you plan to print on different types of photo paper, make sure the printer can handle them without issues.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity options determine how you can connect your devices to the printer. Common options include USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. For photo printing, wireless connectivity can be very convenient, allowing you to print directly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer without needing to connect cables. Some printers also offer mobile printing apps and support for cloud services. Consider how you plan to connect to the printer and choose one with the appropriate connectivity options.
Toner Cost and YieldToner cost and yield refer to the price of replacement toner cartridges and how many pages they can print before needing to be replaced. This is important for managing the ongoing cost of printing photos. High-yield toner cartridges can print more pages and may be more cost-effective in the long run. Check the cost of toner cartridges for the printer you are considering and compare the yield to estimate your printing costs. If you print photos frequently, look for a printer with affordable toner and high yield.

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