Rating of the best color MFPs for 2022

Technological progress has brought office equipment out of the zone of offices and enterprises into the personal spaces of average citizens. The student actively uses printing materials, family archives are replenished with fresh photographs taken directly at home, preparation of documents and scanning to any institutions is also carried out at the home desk and on a multifunctional device.
It is the multifunctional unit that can be very compact and, at the same time, a reliable assistant for the whole family in many aspects.
The MFP consists of three components:

1. copier;
2. printer;
3. scanner.

How to choose the right MFP

To save space and time, it is more profitable to replace separate printers and copiers with a single device that has a color printing function.

Print method

There are several printing options:

1. jet;
2. LED;
3. laser.

A laser device is an order of magnitude more expensive, but the quality and speed cannot be compared with an inkjet device. An image produced with an inkjet printer bleeds when liquid enters it.

Expendable materials

It is very important to seriously approach the consumable part of the device.

In this aspect, the following parameters are considered:

• how many copies and sheets are obtained from one complete set of cartridges;
• method of refilling cartridges and cost;
• what is the percentage of printing color images of the total.

CISS

The continuous ink supply system is a cost effective alternative to low volume disposable cartridges. It is these cartridges and their constant purchase that greatly overestimate the costly part of the service.
Multiple refilling of CISS, namely, 100 ml containers, allows you to save significantly.

Print speed

The speed is characterized by the number of sheets printed per minute. Fast speed can be considered a volume of 55-60 printed in black and white sheet per minute.
With a print volume of more than 200,000 sheets per month, whether it is an office load or a home one, the choice should definitely be in favor of the laser model.
A tray capacity of over 1,000 sheets and a speed of 43 pages per minute is suitable for an office of 3-4 people.

Interfaces

The most common connection method is a pair of USB and Wi-Fi. Connection to the local network with its users is made via the Internet.Bluetooth adapters slightly expand the connection area, provided that the MFP device is equipped with Bluetooth.

The standard USB interface is wired, connected via an existing connector.

Additional functions

• Printing on both sides

If you need duplex printing, you should choose a machine with this automatic function, which makes it possible to avoid manual paper turning.

• Authorization

To preserve the confidentiality of documents, there is a function to print the file only after entering the password.

• Format

A common format is A4. If it is necessary to output files in A3, A2, A1, A0 format, as a rule, for advertising and promotional activities, or drawing documents, you should especially pay attention to this possibility of printing in an MFP.

• Broadcast

Devices can be equipped with the ability to transfer documents after scanning to a declared email address, or to the cloud.

• Manufacturer

There are a number of world brands, the quality of which has been confirmed over the years. The choice of equipment from a well-known manufacturer will avoid disappointment with the result with large investments.

Errors when choosing

With predominant printing in black and white, you should not opt ​​for a color MFP.
The price factor of the MFP determines the print. Based on economic considerations, users choose inkjet models, however, consumables under heavy loads cost a round sum. The correct ratio of the upcoming volumes of work and the ratio of quality to print speed will allow you not to make a mistake.

Overview of the best color MFPs

Combining three devices into one compact device has made the MFP popular and accessible to a wide audience.

Equipment of the middle price category

Epson L3050

The multifunctional device from the world famous brand has the ability to print photos

The unit can be used to print:

• films;
• cards;
• envelopes;
• gloss on paper;
• labels;
• photographs;
• images on glossy paper.

The device uses piezoelectric inkjet printing, which is a proprietary development of a Japanese manufacturing company.

The kit contains:

1. disk with programs and drivers;
2. 4 ink tanks - cyan, black, yellow and magenta.

Saving ink is due to the universal system of their continuous supply.

• with inkjet printing on 4 colors;
• availability of USB, Wi-Fi interfaces;
• excellent speed on A4 format for black and white - 33 lines per minute, for color 15 lines;
• provided for desktop placement;
• with a flatbed type scanner;
• with a scanner color depth of 24 bits and 256 shades of gray;
• the scanner is equipped with a CIS contact sensor;
• the ability to change the scale on the copier 25÷400%;
• maximum copies in a cycle 20 pieces;
• with standard paper feed for 100 sheets per tray;
• equipped with a continuous ink supply system;
• equipped with four cartridges resources in color 7500 pages, in black and white transmission for 4500 pages;
• supports operating systems Mac OS, Windows;
• economical power consumption in active mode 11 W;
• with a moderate noise level of 36 dB;
• with 1 year warranty;
• complete with installation manual and warranty card;
• inexpensive consumables;
• ease of connection;
• excellent quality photo printing on matte paper;
• via Wi-Fi you can print from your phone, tablet, laptop.

• without PostScript support;
• "Untested" software that complicates the connection procedure.

Canon PIXMA MG 3640S

The budget version of the MFP is not only equipped with a photo printing function, but also has an economical consumption - up to 7,000 pages in color from one complex refill.

• the presence of a monochrome display of 1.2 inches diagonally to display information of active processes;
• photos in four colors;
• a large resource of cartridges;
• the ability to print with margins excluded;
• color format 10 * 15 cm is printed in 44 seconds;
• with a flatbed type scanner;
• scanner depth parameters in 48-bit color and with 16 shades of gray;
• standard 100-sheet tray;
• 180 resource pages for both black and white and color cartridges;
• with two standard interfaces and support for AirPrint;
• relatively silent operation with a level of 43.5 dB;
• and low operating power consumption of 16 W;
• easy connection to the phone with iOS and Android;
• with the possibility of self-filling cartridges;
• great for home use;
• connection to several gadgets via Wi-Fi;
• excellent price / quality ratio;
• compact size saves working space.

• the speed is inferior to the laser device;
• a long pause before the start.

HP DeskJet 2630

An inexpensive model from a global brand will quite cope with the average amount of work at home or in a small office.

• suitable for printing photos;
• scanner with a contact type sensor;
• displays 256 shades of gray and 24 bits of color depth;
• scans up to A4 format;
• cyclic copying is made with a maximum of 9 copies;
• 65-sheet feeder;
• cartridge yields of 100 pages in color and 120 pages in black and white;
• processor frequency 260 MHz;
• CISS;
• two standard interfaces;
• the presence of an LCD panel for broadcasting information about the active processes of the unit;
• with 1 year warranty.

• fast ink consumption;
• no borderless printing.

Canon PIXMA G2411

The inkjet type of printing of the device determined a moderate speed, however, the Japanese quality and the ability to output images to photographic paper made the model popular.

• the presence of a monochrome display of 1.2 inches;
• resource for 7000 pages in color from one gas station;
• Possibility of borderless printing;
• CISS;
• the unit scans the A4 page in 19 seconds;
• copy per cycle is 20 copies;
• with standard 100-sheet tray;
• low power consumption in active mode 9 watts.

• moderate speed;
• without wifi.

HP Smart Tank 515

The 3 in 1 device is designed for a monthly volume of 1000 pages.

• famous brand;
• suitable for printing photos;
• color format 10 * 15 cm prints in 76 seconds;
• with a flatbed type scanner;
• scanner with 24-bit color depth and 256 shades of gray;
• copies 99 pages per cycle;
• standard tray for 100 sheets;
• the device operates at a frequency of 1200 MHz;
• Windows, Android, iOS, Mac OS operating systems are supported;
• the presence of a display on liquid crystals;
• economical ink consumption;
• average noise level more than 50 dB;
• The kit includes 4 ink bottles, cable.

• users note the appearance of stripes when printing;
• insufficient length of the connection cable.

Model	Format maximum, mm	Interface	Resolution in color, max, dpi	Black and white image resolution, max, dpi	Speed, ppm, black/white/color	Scanner, resolution, dpi	Copier, resolution, color + black and white, dpi	Weight, kg	Dimensions, mm
Epson L3050	210*297	USB, WiFi	5760*1440	5760*1440	33/15	1200*2400	1200*2400	4.9	445*169*304
Canon PIXMA MG 3640S	210*297	USB, WiFi	4800*4800	-	9.9	1200*2400	-	5.4	449*152*304
HP DeskJet 2630	210*297	USB, WiFi	4800*1200	1200*1200	14	1200*1200	600*300	3.42	425*249*548
Canon PIXMA G2411	210*297	USB	4800*1200	4800*1200	8.8	600*1200	-	6.3	445*163*330
HP Smart Tank 515	210*297	USB, WiFi, Bluetooth	4800*1200	1200*1200	22	1200*1200	600*600	5.14	447*158*373

Expensive models

Brother MFC L 3770 CDW

The Japanese manufacturer brought its products to the Russian market less than 10 years ago. Quality assurance is not the only reason for the high cost. The devices are equipped with a number of protection systems that are in high demand for a certain category of consumers.

A favorite among LED printers with excellent speed, it has the function of auto-feeding of scanner originals.

The unit is used to print:

• on glossy and matte paper;
• films;
• envelopes;
• labels;
• cards.

The device has an electronic sorting function.

• suitable for home and small office;
• with a maximum size of 216*356mm;
• the presence of a color liquid crystal display of relevant information;
• the possibility of printing on two sides;
• extended list of interfaces;
• short warm-up period of 25 seconds;
• scanner with 256 shades of gray and 24-bit depth;
• with 50 sheets autofeed capacity;
• you can send images by e-mail;
• copying goes at a speed of 24 pages per minute;
• with scaling from 25 to 400%;
• trays with 280-sheet infeed and 150-sheet output;
• with a memory capacity of 512 MB;
• the processor operates at a frequency of 800 MHz;
• the presence of a fax with a memory of 500 sheets;
• with a moderate noise range from 33 (standby) to 47dB (operation);
• NFC module for accelerated connection to the phone;
• with a 3.7-inch diagonal screen for simplified control;
• stable communication on all types of interfaces;
• change settings and description of technical parameters on the accessible website.

• expensive cartridges;
• long installation and start from scratch.

Ricoh SP C 261 SFNw

A fax machine that prints by laser.

• rated for 30,000 sheets per month;
• scans from the original to A4;
• autofeed on the original scanner;
• supports the TWAIN standard;
• with sending the image by e-mail;
• 4 cartridges in operation;
• resources 1600 in color and 2000 pages of cartridges;
• work is carried out on an Intel Celeron M processor with a memory capacity of 256 MB;
• fax resolution 200 dpi and memory for 100 pages;
• 80 PCL, PostScript fonts installed;
• Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, Mac OS operating systems are supported;
• the presence of a color display on liquid crystals.

• loud cooling coolers;
• expensive cartridges.

HP Color LJ Pro MFP M 181fw

The four-color laser printer is equipped with an automatic document feeder for the scanner.

• the presence of a display on liquid crystals;
• monthly productivity up to 30,000 sheets;
• standard A4 sheet format;
• scanner with a contact type sensor;
• auto-feed with a capacity of 35 sheets;
• supports the TWAIN standard;
• you can send documents by e-mail;
• cartridge resource for 900 and 1100 sheets of color and black and white;
• processor at 800 MHz;
• with power consumption in active mode 337 W;
• 360 days warranty.

• users note the need for periodic reboots for unconfirmed reasons.

KYOCERA ECOSYS M6635 cidn

The 3 in 1 unit belongs to the class of corporate equipment.

• a decent set of ready-made applications;
• designed for a streaming process;
• with high speed of work;
• advanced scanning and copier functionality;
• personal scan interfaces are created in real time;
• availability of WiFi connection;
• economic model;
• with high resources of cartridges;
• Powered by Cortex F9 Dual core processor;
• large memory of 1024 MB;
• with color LCD display with a diagonal of 7 inches;
• moderate power consumption.

• high price of cartridges.

Expensive models:

Model	Format maximum, mm	Interface	Resolution in color, max, dpi	Black and white image resolution, max, dpi	Speed, ppm, black/white/color	Scanner, resolution, dpi	Copier, resolution, color + black and white, dpi	Weight, kg	Dimensions, mm
Brother MFC L 3770 CDW	210*297	USB, Wi-Fi, Internet RJ 45	2400*600	2400*600	24/24	1200*2400	600*600	24.5	410*414*509
Ricoh SP C 261 SFNw	210*297	USB, Wi-Fi, Internet RJ 45	2400*600	2400*600	20/20	1200*1200	600*600	30	420*473*493
HP Color LJ Pro MFP M 181fw	210*297	USB, Wi-Fi, Internet RJ 45	600*600	600*600	11.8	1200*1200	600*600	16.3	435*343*435
KYOCERA ECOSYS M6635 cidn	210*297	USB, Ethernet RJ46	1200*1200	1200*1200	35	600*600	600*600	36.5	480*620*577

Conclusion

MFPs are represented on the modern market by an abundance of models. Before choosing, you need to clearly define the upcoming loads and the required functionality of the device. Otherwise, some of the opportunities will not be used and the costs will remain unjustified.