10 Best Duplex Color Printer 2026 in the United States

The Brother MFC-J1010DW is a compact all-in-one color inkjet printer ideal for home offices and small businesses seeking easy duplex (two-sided) printing. It delivers decent print speeds of up to 17 pages per minute in black and 9.5 ppm in color, suitable for moderate daily use. The print quality is sharp with a high maximum resolution, handling typical documents and photos nicely. Automatic duplex printing saves both time and paper, making it eco-friendly. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet, along with mobile and cloud printing through the Brother app, providing wireless convenience. It also integrates with Alexa to monitor ink levels and reorder cartridges, helping to avoid unexpected ink runs.

The printer supports a 150-sheet adjustable input tray and a 20-page automatic document feeder for handling multi-page jobs without frequent refilling. Ink cartridges may be pricier compared to some competitors, which is common for inkjet printers, so running costs might increase with heavy printing. Its compact design, measuring about 13.5 by 15.7 by 6.6 inches and weighing 16.4 pounds, fits easily in smaller workspaces. One minor drawback is the 1.8-inch color display, which may make menu navigation less comfortable for some users. While the print speed is decent, it may not be the best choice for very high-volume output. This Brother model effectively balances functionality and space-saving design with good duplex color printing and solid connectivity options, making it a versatile, user-friendly printer without the bulk or high upfront cost of larger machines.

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW Wireless Digital Color All-in-One Printer is designed for small businesses and home offices, offering robust capabilities and features. One of its strongest points is the print speed, reaching up to 31 pages per minute for both monochrome and color prints, which is impressive and beneficial for high-volume printing tasks. Additionally, the printer supports single-pass duplex copying and scanning, enhancing efficiency for document handling.

The print quality is laser-grade, ensuring professional and clear outputs suitable for various business documents. Another significant advantage is its wide range of connectivity options, including dual-band wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, and NFC, providing flexibility in connecting multiple devices simultaneously. The printer also integrates with voice control methods, adding a layer of convenience in operation. The paper handling capacity is quite substantial, with a maximum input sheet capacity of up to 250 sheets, accommodating everyday business needs effectively.

However, the size and weight of the printer (47.8 pounds) might be a consideration for those with limited space. Next, while the toner costs can be high, Brother offers a Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service that could save up to 50% on toner, which is a useful option for consistent usage. The initial page print time of less than 12.5 seconds and the resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi (dots per inch) for both black and white and color printing enhance its reliability and output quality. On the downside, the printer’s relatively large dimensions may not fit seamlessly into compact office setups, and the cost of replacement toner cartridges should be considered in the long-term operational expenses.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is a solid choice if you need a color printer that can handle two-sided printing automatically, which saves paper and is great for office or home use. Its standout feature is the cartridge-free ink tank system, which means you won’t have to buy tiny, expensive cartridges often. Instead, you refill the tanks with ink bottles that last a long time—enough to print thousands of pages before needing a refill. This can save you a lot on ink costs in the long run. The print quality is impressive, delivering sharp text and vibrant photos thanks to Epson's special ink technology.

It connects easily via USB or Wi-Fi and supports printing from smartphones, even with voice commands, making it convenient to use without technical hassle. On the downside, the print speed is somewhat slow, especially for color prints (about 5 pages per minute), so it might not be ideal if you need to print large volumes quickly. The paper tray holds up to 100 sheets, which is decent but not very large. The printer is fairly compact but a bit on the heavy side at over 16 pounds, so it’s mostly suited for a fixed spot.

If saving on ink and having versatile printing features like scanning, copying, and automatic duplex are important to you, the ET-2850 offers good value, although it’s not the fastest printer in its class.