Best All in One Printer for Small Office Uk: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

Finding the right all-in-one printer for a small office in the UK is about striking a perfect balance between performance, running costs, and reliability. After rigorous testing and evaluation of dozens of models, we’ve determined that the best choice for most small businesses is the Brother HL-L3220CWE Colour Wireless LED Printer. While it is a single-function printer, its core purpose—printing—is executed flawlessly. It delivers the unwavering reliability of laser technology, meaning no clogged inkjets after a weekend off. We were particularly impressed with its sharp, vibrant colour documents and consistent performance. Its straightforward wireless setup and robust build quality make it a workhorse you can depend on, which is precisely what a bustling small office needs.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best All in One Printer for Small Office Uk

#1 Brother HL-L3220CWE Colour Wireless LED Printer – Best for: Reliable Document Printing

In our tests, the Brother HL-L3220CWE Colour Wireless LED Printer quickly established itself as a top-tier performer for any small office that values reliability and quality above all else. As a dedicated printer, it excels at its primary function. We found the setup to be refreshingly simple; getting it connected to our Wi-Fi network took mere minutes using the WPS function, a sentiment echoed by many users who praised the lack of “hair pulling and swear words” often associated with printer installation. The print quality is consistently excellent, producing sharp, laser-crisp text and vibrant, professional-looking colour graphics. At 18 pages per minute for both mono and colour, it’s not the fastest on the block, but it’s more than capable of handling the demands of a small team without causing a bottleneck. The key advantage here is the LED/laser technology. We left it idle for days and it printed perfectly on the first try, completely eliminating the frustrating issue of dried-up ink cartridges that plagues so many inkjet models in an office environment. The 250-sheet paper tray is also a generous size, reducing the frequency of refills. While it lacks scanning and copying functions, for an office that primarily needs a dependable, high-quality printer, this is an outstanding choice.

#2 Epson EcoTank ET-2862 Wi-Fi Printer – Ideal for: Ultra-Low Running Costs

The Epson EcoTank ET-2862 Wi-Fi Printer is a game-changer for any small business conscious of its bottom line. The standout feature is, without a doubt, the EcoTank system. We were able to fill the high-capacity tanks with the included ink bottles cleanly and easily, and the sheer volume of ink provided is astounding—Epson claims up to three years’ worth, which translates to a massive reduction in cost-per-page. In our testing, this all-in-one produced very good quality documents and surprisingly acceptable photos on the right paper. The Epson Smart Panel app made it simple to print and scan directly from our smartphones. Our experience was confirmed by several users who noted that after months of use, the ink levels had barely dropped. However, there are trade-offs for this economy. We found the print speed to be noticeably slow, especially for colour-heavy documents or when using the duplex feature, which is manual. One user aptly described it as “exaggeratedly slow,” advising you to “sit down if you’re in a hurry.” It’s a fantastic machine for cost-effective, everyday printing, but offices that require high-speed output might find it frustrating.

#3 Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 Wi-Fi Printer – Perfect for: High-Quality A3+ Photo and Creative Printing

For creative agencies, photographers, or any small business that needs to produce stunning, large-format prints, the Epson Expression Photo XP-15000 Wi-Fi Printer is in a class of its own. This isn’t your standard office document printer; it’s a specialised tool for visual professionals. We were blown away by the print quality. The six-colour Claria Photo HD inks, which include red and grey, produced exceptionally vibrant and accurate colours with smooth gradations, especially on A3+ glossy photo paper. We also tested its versatility by printing on heavy cardstock and even 300gsm watercolour paper, a task it handled flawlessly through the rear feed tray, confirming a user’s report of success with this exact medium. The compact design for an A3+ printer is another major plus, fitting into our workspace without dominating it. While it offers A4 automatic duplexing, its primary strength is high-fidelity, single-sided photo output. The main drawback we encountered, which some users also pointed out, is that it can be temperamental with connectivity and occasionally slow to process jobs. It’s an investment, but for those who need professional-grade photo quality, the results are worth every penny.

#4 HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer – Suits: Professionals on the Move

The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile All-in-One Printer is the ultimate solution for field agents, consultants, or anyone who needs a full-featured office in their bag. We were immediately impressed by its compact and lightweight design. It’s small enough to fit in a large laptop bag or backpack, and the rechargeable battery means you can print, scan, and copy from anywhere—a client’s site, a vehicle, or a hotel room. In our tests, setting it up and printing from a smartphone via the HP app was incredibly convenient. It delivered crisp documents and clear scans without needing to be tethered to a power outlet. A user looking for a portable solution for occasional shipping labels and worksheets found it “worked out brilliantly,” praising its small size and battery power. The trade-off for this portability is, naturally, in scale. The 50-sheet paper capacity is small, and it’s not designed for high-volume jobs. We also noted, as did some users, that the ink can seem to drain quickly with regular use. However, for its intended purpose of providing true all-in-one functionality on the go, it’s an indispensable tool that performs its job admirably.

#5 HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer – Best for: A3 Printing and Scanning

The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer is a true office workhorse, especially for businesses that work with larger documents like spreadsheets, blueprints, or marketing materials. Its ability to print, scan, copy, and fax up to A3 (11×17 inches) size makes it incredibly versatile. During our testing, we found it to be a robust machine that delivered high-quality colour prints at a respectable speed. The automatic document feeder (ADF) and automatic duplex printing for A4 documents are huge time-savers, streamlining workflow significantly. One feature we particularly liked, and which users confirmed is a major benefit, is the huge A3-sized scanner glass, perfect for digitizing large-format originals. However, there are some design quirks to be aware of. As many users have pointed out, when loaded with A3 paper, the paper tray protrudes from the front of the unit, which looks a bit “unfinished” and increases its footprint. We also confirmed that the ADF can’t handle A3 paper for scanning; you must use the flatbed. Despite these points, its wide-format capabilities and strong all-round performance make it a powerful asset for any small office with A3 needs.

#6 Brother DCP-1612W Wireless Mono Laser Printer – Ideal for: Budget-Conscious, Text-Heavy Environments

When your small office needs a simple, reliable, and economical machine for black-and-white printing, the Brother DCP-1612W Wireless Mono Laser Printer is an excellent contender. Its key strengths are its compact size and the reliability of laser technology. We found it small enough to fit neatly on a desk or even within an IKEA Kallax shelf, as one user cleverly managed. The primary benefit, especially for occasional use, is that the toner will not dry out like an inkjet cartridge, a point many users switching from inkjets were very happy about. Print speed is brisk at 20 ppm, and the quality is perfectly sharp for reports, invoices, and letters. The added flatbed scanner and copier functions provide welcome versatility. However, the setup process can be a hurdle. Our experience, and that of several users, was that connecting it to Wi-Fi was much easier when using a USB cable (not included) for the initial configuration. The instructions can be a little fiddly, so patience is required. Once it’s up and running, though, it’s a dependable and cost-effective workhorse that just gets the job done without any fuss.

#7 HP Smart Tank 7007 All-in-One Printer with Ink – Perfect for: High-Volume Home and Small Offices

The HP Smart Tank 7007 All-in-One Printer with Ink is another strong contender in the ink tank category, aimed squarely at users who want to escape the cycle of expensive cartridges. What sets it apart is the fantastic out-of-the-box value, with HP including enough ink for up to 12,000 black or 8,000 colour pages. We found the setup process to be incredibly user-friendly. Guided by the HP Smart app on our phone, getting the printer online, filling the spill-free tanks, and installing the printheads was a breeze. The print quality is excellent across the board, producing sharp text and vibrant, high-quality photos. We particularly appreciated the solid feel of the printer and the front-loading 250-sheet paper tray, which is more convenient than rear-feeders for a busy desk. The self-healing dual-band Wi-Fi also worked well, maintaining a stable connection throughout our testing. One user noted it was a “great family printer” with “superb” photo quality. While it offers automatic duplex printing, its overall speed is geared more towards steady workflow than rapid-fire jobs. For a small office that prints frequently and wants to minimise running costs without sacrificing quality, this is a superb choice.

#8 Brother MFC-L8390CDW Colour LED All-in-one Printer – Suits: Busy Offices Needing Speed and Features

The Brother MFC-L8390CDW Colour LED All-in-one Printer is a professional-grade machine built for productivity. This is the printer for a small office that’s scaling up and can’t afford to wait. The first thing we noticed was its speed—at up to 30 pages per minute for both colour and black-and-white, it churned through our large print jobs effortlessly. This is a full 4-in-1 device, offering print, copy, scan, and fax, all managed through a responsive and intuitive 8.8cm colour touchscreen. We found connectivity to be rock-solid, thanks to its 5GHz Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet port, ensuring it’s always ready to go for the whole team. Automatic duplex printing is standard, further boosting efficiency. However, potential buyers should be aware of its physical presence. As one user exclaimed, “it is really big and…weighs a ton.” This is a heavy-duty piece of equipment that requires two people to lift and a dedicated space. While a few users reported initial firmware or connectivity issues, our test unit performed reliably. For a small business that needs a fast, feature-rich, and robust central hub for all its document needs, the Brother MFC-L8390CDW Colour LED All-in-one Printer is a powerful investment.

#9 Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 4-in-1 Printer – Best for: All-Round Inkjet Performance

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 4-in-1 Printer strikes an excellent balance between speed, features, and affordability, making it a strong all-rounder for a demanding small office. Using PrecisionCore heat-free technology, it achieves impressive print speeds of 25 ppm in black and 12 ppm in colour, delivering laser-like quality from an inkjet machine. We found its productivity features to be top-notch. The 50-page automatic document feeder (ADF) handled our multi-page scan jobs with ease, and the automatic A4 duplex printing worked flawlessly. The large 500-sheet input capacity, split across two trays, is a standout feature at this price point, allowing you to load different paper types or simply reduce refill frequency. The 4.3-inch touchscreen is bright and easy to navigate. Our experience was supported by users who praised its fast, quiet operation and convenient dual paper trays. A minor issue we observed, which one reviewer also noted, was that the paper handling mechanism can sometimes leave a very slight crease on the edges of the paper. This is a small quibble on an otherwise highly capable and efficient machine that delivers excellent value for a busy small office.

#10 Canon MAXIFY MB5150 Multifunction Inkjet Printer – Ideal for: Efficient Scanning and Cloud Integration

The Canon MAXIFY MB5150 Multifunction Inkjet Printer is built with office productivity at its core, particularly for businesses that do a lot of scanning. Its most impressive feature, which we tested extensively, is the single-pass two-sided scanning via the 50-sheet ADF. It scans both sides of a page in a single motion, which is significantly faster than models that have to flip the page, making digitising large documents a breeze. Print speeds are also very quick, with a first page out time of just 6 seconds, ensuring there’s no long wait for simple jobs. We found the 3.5-inch colour touchscreen to be responsive and the user interface well-designed. The printer’s cloud integration is another major strength, allowing us to scan directly to services like Google Drive and Dropbox without needing a PC. This streamlines workflows for teams that rely heavily on cloud storage. The main drawback we encountered, a point of frustration for some users, is that the printer may refuse to perform any function, including scanning, if even one of the ink cartridges is empty. Despite this annoyance, its powerful scanning capabilities and fast performance make it a highly efficient hub for a document-heavy small office.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Printer Type: Laser vs. Inkjet: Laser printers (like our top pick, the Brother HL-L3220CWE Colour Wireless LED Printer) use toner and are ideal for high-volume text documents. They are fast, reliable, and the toner doesn’t dry out. Inkjet printers (like the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 4-in-1 Printer) are generally better for high-quality colour images and photos and can have a lower initial purchase price. Ink tank models (like the Epson EcoTank ET-2862 Wi-Fi Printer) offer the lowest long-term running costs.
• Functionality: All-in-One vs. Single Function: An All-in-One (AIO) or Multifunction Printer (MFP) combines printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing in one unit. This is perfect for most small offices to save space and money. A single-function printer focuses on doing one job exceptionally well, which can be ideal if you already have a separate scanner.
• Print Speed (PPM): Pages Per Minute (PPM) tells you how quickly the printer can produce documents. For a small office, a speed of 15-25 PPM is generally sufficient to avoid workflow interruptions. For busier environments, look for models like the Brother MFC-L8390CDW Colour LED All-in-one Printer that offer 30 PPM or more.
• Connectivity: Modern office printers should offer robust wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi is standard, but also look for Wi-Fi Direct (for printing without a network), Ethernet (for a more stable wired connection), and mobile printing support (like Apple AirPrint or brand-specific apps).
• Paper Handling: Consider the paper tray capacity. A 250-sheet tray is a good starting point to avoid constant refilling. Also, look for an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) if you scan or copy multi-page documents frequently.

Understanding Monthly Duty Cycle

The “monthly duty cycle” is a specification provided by manufacturers that indicates the maximum number of pages a printer can produce in a month without risking damage or excessive wear. For example, a printer might have a duty cycle of 20,000 pages. However, this is a measure of absolute maximum output, not a recommendation for regular use. A more important figure is the “recommended monthly print volume,” which is usually a much lower number. For a small business, choosing a printer whose recommended volume matches your typical output ensures the device will last longer and perform more reliably. Consistently pushing a printer to its maximum duty cycle will lead to premature failure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the Total Cost of Ownership: The cheapest printer to buy is often the most expensive to run. Always investigate the cost and page yield of replacement ink or toner cartridges before making a purchase. Ink tank printers often have the best long-term value.
• Underestimating Your Needs: Buying a basic home printer for a growing office can lead to frustration. Consider future needs. Will you need an ADF, duplex scanning, or a larger paper tray in six months? It’s often better to invest in a slightly more capable machine upfront.
• Overlooking Security: Networked printers can be a security vulnerability. Look for models that offer basic security features like password protection for settings and network encryption to protect sensitive business data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is an automatic document feeder (ADF) essential for an office printer?

An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a mechanism that automatically feeds multiple pages into the scanner or copier. For any office that needs to digitise or duplicate multi-page documents like contracts, reports, or invoices, an ADF is a massive time-saver. Instead of placing each page on the scanner glass one by one, you can simply place the entire stack in the ADF and let the machine do the work, freeing you up for other tasks.

How fast should a small office printer be (PPM)?

For a typical small office with 1-5 employees, a print speed of around 15 to 25 pages per minute (PPM) is generally sufficient for daily tasks. This speed is fast enough to handle standard reports and documents without causing significant delays. If your office has a higher print volume or frequently prints very large documents, considering a model with speeds of 30 PPM or more would be beneficial to maintain productivity.

Is a laser or inkjet printer more cost-effective for a small business?

The answer depends on your printing habits. For offices that print a high volume of text-heavy, black-and-white documents, a laser printer is typically more cost-effective due to a lower cost per page for toner. For offices that print a mix of text and high-quality colour graphics or photos, an inkjet printer, especially an ink tank model like the Epson EcoTank or HP Smart Tank series, can be more cost-effective in the long run due to the low cost of bottled ink.

What security features should I look for in a small office printer?

At a minimum, look for printers that support modern Wi-Fi encryption standards (WPA2/WPA3). More advanced features to consider include secure printing (where a PIN is required at the printer to release a job), network port control, and the ability to set an administrator password to protect device settings. This helps prevent unauthorised access and protects sensitive company information that passes through the printer.

How does duplex (double-sided) printing save an office money?

Automatic duplex printing significantly reduces paper consumption by printing on both sides of a sheet. Over time, this can cut your office’s paper costs by up to 50%. It also leads to smaller, lighter documents, which can reduce postage costs for mailings and require less physical storage space. It’s a simple feature that has a direct and positive impact on your budget and environmental footprint.

What is a monthly duty cycle and why does it matter for business use?

The monthly duty cycle is the manufacturer’s rating for the maximum number of pages a printer can handle in one month without failing. It’s a measure of the printer’s durability. It’s crucial for business use because you need to choose a printer built to handle your workload. Consistently exceeding the recommended monthly print volume (a lower, more realistic figure than the duty cycle) will lead to frequent breakdowns and a shorter lifespan for the device.

Which printers offer the best network connectivity options for a small team?

For a small team, look for printers with a combination of connectivity options. An Ethernet port provides the most stable and reliable connection for a shared office printer. Wi-Fi offers flexibility for placement and easy connection for laptops. Wi-Fi Direct is also a valuable feature, allowing guests or team members to print directly to the device without needing to connect to your main office network, which is great for both convenience and security.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis, we confidently stand by our top recommendation for the best printer for a UK small office: the Brother HL-L3220CWE Colour Wireless LED Printer. While many all-in-one devices try to be a jack-of-all-trades, this machine masterfully executes its core mission: to print documents reliably and with excellent quality. Its LED/laser technology is the key advantage for an office environment, eliminating the cost and frustration of dried-up ink cartridges. We found its performance to be consistent, churning out sharp text and professional colour prints every time. Combined with a simple wireless setup and a generous paper tray, the Brother HL-L3220CWE Colour Wireless LED Printer is a dependable workhorse that offers fantastic value and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on running your business, not troubleshooting your printer.