Compare the top five office colour photocopiers for small UK businesses
Jump to:
- 01 | Best colour photocopiers for your small business
- 02 | Ricoh: Best for value for money
- 03 | Toshiba: Best for intuitive design
- 04 | Lexmark: Best for ease of use
- 05 | Canon: Best for fast print speed
- 06 | HP: Best for security features
- 07 | Next steps
- 08 | FAQs
Having a colour photocopier isn’t just a luxury for modern businesses – it’s a necessity.
As Oscar Wilde put it, “Mere colour can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways” – and is such a quote ever more true than in an office environment? Whether you’re copying graphs, charts, or company reports, the right colour copier adds depth, detail, and vibrancy to the driest of documents.
But how do you choose the right one? Well, that’s where we come in. Below, we’ve assembled our list of the five best colour photocopiers for small UK businesses. Jump into our table to start comparing, skip to our FAQ section to learn more, or fill out our quick form to get quotes now. Alternatively, read on for our expert reviews.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re pitching to a board of directors, a panel of investors, or a roomful of customers. Add a splash of colour, and you’ll be speaking to their souls – as well as their wallets.
Best colour photocopiers for small businesses | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Model | Best for | Print speed (pages per minute) | Star rating | Learn more | |
| Ricoh | Aficio MP C2030 | Value for money | 25ppm | Read review | ||
| Toshiba | e-STUDIO2010AC | Intuitive design | 25ppm | Read review | ||
| Lexmark | CX517de | Ease of use | 30ppm | Read review | ||
| Canon | WG7550F | Fast print speed | 80ppm | Read review | ||
| HP | PageWide Enterprise Color 765dn | Security features | 75ppm | Read review | ||
Top 5 colour photocopiers for your small business
The best photocopiers also print, scan, and fax – in full colour
We compared the range of ‘all-in-one’ colour photocopiers and picked the best ones for small UK businesses. The ones that came out on top were the Ricoh MP C2030, Toshiba e-STUDIO2010AC, Lexmark CX517de, Canon WG7550E, and the HP PageWide Enterprise Color 765dn.
Ricoh Aficio MP C2030
Best for value for money
It’s not winning any beauty contests, but for efficiency, reliability, and pure functionality, you can’t look past the Ricoh Aficio MP C2030. It doesn’t boast the quickest print speeds on our list, but it still ticks all the boxes for your small business. It’ll copy, fax, scan, and print – all in full, striking colour. It’s not massive, either, so shouldn’t take up too much of that valuable real estate between your desk and the wall!
✔ Pros:
- Good print resolution and decent paper capacity
- One of the smallest, most compact office photocopiers money can buy
- Customisable power consumption and security options
X Cons:
- Its 25 second warm up time is one of the longest of the photocopiers on this list
Toshiba e-STUDIO2010AC
Best for intuitive design
The Toshiba e-STUDIO2010AC may have a name that’s nine years behind, but its features are anything but outdated. Its vibrant, intuitive touchscreen display lets you navigate print and copy jobs with ease – and is fully customisable, too. It’s designed to cater to the workflow of the most productive of small businesses, churning out copies with verve and voraciousness. What’s more, its inky black design offers a touch of class to your office environment – and looks great next to the cactus in the corner.
✔ Pros:
- Industry leading touch panel gives you ultimate control over your document output
- Lets you print or scan documents directly from the cloud
- Uses recycled plastics to ensure environmental responsibility
X Cons:
- Relatively slow print speed compared to other office colour photocopiers
Lexmark CX517de
Best for ease of use
The Lexmark cX517de is one of the most complete colour copying solutions for UK SMEs. It’s a durable workhorse of a photocopier – and what it lacks in frills, it makes up for with excellent ease of use. Tailor-made for small businesses, it offers a snappy print speed of up to 30ppm, as well as a compact, classy design. And it’s not just its size that’s economical – with a low power output and even lower cost of ownership, the Lexmark cuts corners in all the right places.
✔ Pros:
- First page prints in a speedy six and a half seconds
- Extra optional input trays help you customise your device and increase paper capacity
- Advanced security features are included as standard
X Cons:
- Interface screen isn’t as flashy as some of the other photocopiers on our list
Canon WG7550F
Best for fast print speed
World-renowned print innovators Canon outdid themselves with this one. With an incredible print speed of up to 80 pages a minute, the Canon WG7550F streamlines and speeds up your workflow. On top of this, it boasts an impressive sheet capacity, as well as quick printing from USB. It’ll also let you copy, scan, and fax to A3 paper, with high-resolution colour finishing to boot. What’s not to like?
✔ Pros:
- Has only one replaceable part, making it one of the easiest photocopiers to maintain
- Paper capacity of up to 2,250 sheets
- Offers full wireless connectivity to all your devices
X Cons:
- Will stretch the budget of a small business a bit more than some of its competitors
HP PageWide Enterprise Color 765dn
Best for security features
Global goliath HP claims this printer offers a competitive edge “from all angles” – and we reckon that’s not far from the truth. With low colour cost, dynamic security features, and print speeds of up to 75ppm, it’s one of the most advanced copiers on the shelf. And – like your staff (we hope) – it’s quick to wake up and start working, with a short warm up time and fast first output speed. Though the machine itself is a tad on the expensive side, it could be one of the smartest decisions you make this year.
✔ Pros:
- Optional high-yield cartridges bring versatility to your business
- Wide range of paper-handling accessories provide flexibility
- Energy efficient
X Cons:
- Cartridges with a non-HP chip may not work
Next steps
So, what next? Well, now you’ve read the above, why not add a bit more colour to your search for the right photocopier? Here’s where we can help. Just fill out our form to start comparing quotes from top colour photocopier suppliers.
Like the best colour photocopiers, our form is quick – it’ll only take a minute to complete. And unlike the best colour photocopiers, it’s also completely free. Give it a go!
FAQs
How much does a colour photocopier cost?
In general, a colour copier will set you back around 20-30% more than the cost of a black and white (mono) machine. Prices vary depending on the supplier – you can buy a colour photocopier outright, either new or used. Or if you’d prefer, leasing one on a long-term contract is also a viable option.
Is it better to buy or lease my colour photocopier?
That really depends. Leasing (or renting) a photocopier usually includes ongoing technical support and maintenance, which is perfect for small businesses.
You’ll pay a monthly fee, sure – but it doesn’t always work out more expensive. And if your business lacks a tech wizard who’s a dab hand at more than just replacing the odd cartridge, it might be your best bet.
What should I look for when choosing a colour photocopier?
Choosing the right colour photocopier is massively important – especially if you work in a busy office environment. A machine that breaks a lot, gets jammed, or can’t keep up with the pace of your workflow could cost you thousands.
Don’t fret though – our handy guide walks you through the main things to ask before you buy. Give it a read below!
▶ Read more: Choosing a photocopier: The 15 key questions to ask
