Color Laser Printers for Home: 5 Models Compared

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Color laser printers are no longer limited to office use and are now common in many homes. Different users have different needs, with some looking for simple printing and others wanting more features.

Based on our research, Brother color laser printers are the most preferred option for home use. At the same time, brands like HP, Xerox, and others are also popular, so we included several models to cover a range of home printing needs.


5 Color Laser Printers (Comparison Table)

Printer Type Functions Price
Brother MFC-L3780CDW Color Laser Print, Copy, Scan, Fax $570
Brother HL-L3220CDW Color Laser Print only $285
HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw Color Laser Print only $399
HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw Color Laser Print only $519
Xerox C235/DNI Color Laser Print, Copy, Scan, Fax $400

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

Screenshot from the Brother website

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is one of the best-balanced color laser printers for home users. It offers all-in-one functionality without being bulky or overly complex.

This model is popular among home users who want laser reliability with scanning and copying, but don’t need fax or enterprise-level features.

Key Features

  • Print speed: Up to 31 ppm (black & color)
  • Print, copy, scan, and fax
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB connectivity
  • Color touchscreen display

Pros:
✔️ Easy wireless setup
✔️ Smaller than high-end business MFPs
✔️ Suitable for regular home use

Cons:
❌ Large and heavy for a typical home printer
❌ Noticeable noise during printing
❌ Not suitable for photos or graphics-heavy printing


Brother HL-L3220CDW

Brother HL-L3220CDW color laser printer

Screenshot from the Brother website

The Brother HL-L3220CDW is a print-only color laser printer for home use. Compared to multi-function models, it is intended for simpler printing needs.

It works well for basic color documents such as homework and reports. This model fits lower printing volumes rather than frequent or heavy use.

Key Features

  • Print speed: Up to 19 ppm (black & color)
  • Print-only color laser
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • 250-sheet paper tray
  • Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct®, USB connectivity

Pros:

✔️ Affordable color laser printer
✔️ Compact and home-friendly
✔️ Automatic two-sided printing
✔️ Easy mobile printing

Cons:

❌ No scanning or copying
❌ No Ethernet port


HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw

Screenshot from the HP website

The HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw is a print-only color laser printer designed for small spaces. It’s a good option for home users who want HP’s print quality in a relatively compact form.

This model works well for documents, presentations, and occasional color printing.

Key Features

  • Print speed: Up to 25 ppm
  • Print-only color laser
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
  • HP Smart App support

Pros:
✔️ Good color consistency
✔️ Compact footprint
✔️ Fast document printing

Cons:
❌ No scan or copy features
❌ Small non-touch display


HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw

HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw printer

Screenshot from the HP website

The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw is a step up from the 3201dw, offering faster speeds and higher monthly capacity, making it suitable for more demanding home users.

It’s best for users who print frequently and want speed without stepping into enterprise-level pricing.

Key Features

  • Print speed: Up to 33 ppm
  • Print-only color laser
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB connectivity
  • Compact, modern design

Pros:
✔️ Fast color and black-and-white printing
✔️ Professional-looking output
✔️ Reliable for higher monthly volumes

Cons:
❌ Print-only (no scanning or copying)
❌ Larger than entry-level home printers
❌ HP Smart app can be difficult to use


5. Xerox C235/DNI

Xerox C235DNI color laser printer

Screenshot from the Xerox website

The Xerox C235/DNI is a color laser all-in-one printer designed for home and small home office use.

It supports printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, making it suitable for users who want multiple functions in one device.

This model is commonly used for everyday documents and moderate color printing at home.

Key Features

  • Print speed: Up to 24 ppm (black & color)
  • All-in-one: Print, copy, scan, fax
  • Automatic duplex printing
  • 250-sheet paper tray + 50-sheet ADF
  • Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
  • Mobile printing support
  • Color touchscreen display

Pros:
✔️ All-in-one functionality for home use
✔️ Multiple connectivity options
✔️ Handles multi-page scanning with ADF

Cons:
❌ Larger and heavier than compact home printers
❌ Average photo and graphic quality
❌ Touchscreen response can feel slow


Summary

In conclusion, the printers compared offer different combinations of price, size, speed, and functionality.

Some models focus on basic color printing, while others include scanning, copying, and faxing.

This comparison helps narrow down options so home users can choose a color laser printer that best matches their printing needs and budget.

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