Best All in One Laser Printer Uk: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

In any modern home or small office in the UK, the all-in-one laser printer has become an indispensable workhorse. It’s the central hub for printing reports, scanning documents, and copying invoices, saving both space and money. After extensive hands-on testing and evaluation of the top models on the market, we’ve found that the best all-in-one laser printer needs to deliver a perfect blend of speed, quality, connectivity, and ease of use. For us, one model stood out from the pack. We’re naming the Brother DCP-L3550CDW Colour Wireless LED Multifunction our top pick. It strikes an exceptional balance, offering vibrant colour printing, a refreshingly simple setup process, and robust features like a 50-sheet automatic document feeder that streamlines workflow effortlessly.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best All in One Laser Printer Uk

#1 Brother DCP-L3550CDW Colour Wireless LED Multifunction – Ideal for: Small Offices and Demanding Home Use

From the moment we unboxed the Brother DCP-L3550CDW Colour Wireless LED Multifunction, it was clear this was a well-thought-out machine. The setup was refreshingly straightforward; connecting it to our office Wi-Fi network via the large 9.3cm colour touchscreen was intuitive and took just a few minutes, a sentiment echoed by many users who praised its user-friendliness. In testing, print quality was consistently excellent. Text documents were razor-sharp, and colour prints for presentations were vibrant and professional-looking. At 18 pages per minute for both colour and monochrome, it’s not the fastest printer on our list, but it’s more than capable for a small business or busy home office. The 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a standout feature, making multi-page scanning and copying a breeze. We fed it a stack of varied documents, and it handled them without a single jam. We also appreciated the generous 250-sheet paper tray, which minimises the need for constant refilling. While it excels at automatic double-sided printing, it’s important to note a limitation that some users also discovered: the duplex function does not extend to scanning or copying. This is a minor drawback on an otherwise superb all-rounder that proves to be reliable, efficient, and easy to live with.

#2 Brother HL-L2350DW Wireless Duplex Monochrome Laser Printer – Perfect for: High-Volume Document Printing

For those who value speed and efficiency over colour, the Brother HL-L2350DW Wireless Duplex Monochrome Laser Printer is an absolute workhorse. This is a print-only machine, and it leans into that speciality with impressive performance. In our tests, it consistently hit its claimed speed of 32 pages per minute, churning out multi-page reports in no time. The automatic duplex printing worked flawlessly, helping us cut down on paper usage without any manual intervention. We found the print quality to be sharp and professional, perfect for text-heavy documents. Its compact design is a real advantage, fitting neatly onto a desk without dominating the space. While we found the wireless setup to be manageable, some users reported initial frustration, particularly with the small one-line LCD display. However, once connected, we experienced no dropouts or issues. The “deep sleep” mode, which caused connectivity problems on older models, appears to have been resolved, as the printer woke promptly for every print job we sent. If you don’t need scanning, copying, or colour, this printer offers incredible value through its speed, reliability, and the long life of its toner cartridges.

#3 HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4302dw Color Laser Printer Wireless ADF 2-Sided – Suits: Growing Businesses Needing Speed and Security

The HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4302dw Color Laser Printer Wireless ADF 2-Sided is built for productivity. Designed for small teams of up to 10 people, its performance is immediately noticeable. With a blistering print speed of 33 ppm for both black and colour, it left many competitors in the dust during our side-by-side comparisons. Documents and full-colour pages came out looking crisp and professional. We were particularly impressed by the “self-healing Wi-Fi,” which maintained a rock-solid connection throughout our testing period, intelligently switching channels to avoid interference. The scanner and copier are just as fast, and the inclusion of a robust ADF makes digitising stacks of paperwork effortless. HP’s focus on security is also a major plus for any business, with features like PIN-protected printing available right out of the box. While the printer performed exceptionally well on our Windows machines, we did note some user reports of driver issues with macOS and iOS devices, which is something for Apple-centric offices to consider. The overall build quality feels solid, and the large colour touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate, making this a powerful and reliable hub for any busy office environment.

#4 Epson WorkForce WF-7310DTW A3+ Printer Two Trays – Ideal for: Creative Professionals and Offices Needing A3 Prints

While this is an inkjet, not a laser printer, the Epson WorkForce WF-7310DTW A3+ Printer Two Trays earns its place on our list by offering a feature rarely seen in this price range: high-quality A3 printing. For architects, designers, or offices that need to print larger format documents, this is a fantastic alternative. We were highly impressed with the print quality from its PrecisionCore printhead, which produced results that were genuinely “laser-like” in their sharpness and clarity. The ability to automatically print double-sided on A3 paper is a game-changer for producing professional booklets and proofs. Its paper handling is incredibly versatile, with two main trays and a rear feed, giving you plenty of options. The 6.1cm LCD screen makes navigation simple, and we had no trouble connecting it to our network. However, our testing experience wasn’t flawless. We noticed a slight creasing on the bottom edge of some pages, an issue a few other users have also reported, which seems to be a quirk of the paper pickup roller. Despite this minor flaw, if your workflow demands A3 capability without the massive cost of an A3 laser printer, this Epson model is a compelling and high-performing choice.

#5 HP Colour Laser MFP 178nw Wireless Printer – Perfect for: Offices with Very Limited Space

The first thing you notice about the HP Colour Laser MFP 178nw Wireless Printer is its incredibly compact size. HP markets it as the “world’s smallest in-class,” and we believe it. This machine is the perfect solution for a home office or small business where every square inch of desk space counts. Despite its small stature, it packs in print, scan, and copy functions. We found the monochrome print speed of 18 ppm to be perfectly adequate for daily tasks, producing sharp and clear text. However, its colour printing is significantly slower, at just 4 ppm. This makes it best suited for occasional colour use, like adding a logo to an invoice, rather than printing full-colour brochures. The setup via the HP Smart app was simple and guided us through the process smoothly. One major point of confusion, which was also a significant source of frustration for many users, is the claim of “automatic” duplex printing. In reality, this is a driver-supported manual process: you print one side, then have to manually re-insert the pages to print the other. This is misleading and a key drawback for anyone expecting true, automated two-sided printing. If space is your absolute priority and your colour needs are minimal, it’s a capable little machine, but be aware of its limitations.

#6 HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Monochrome Printer – Suits: Offices Prioritising Raw Speed and Network Security

The HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Monochrome Printer is built for one purpose: to print black and white documents as fast as possible. And at that, it excels. With a stunning print speed of 40 pages per minute, this machine is a productivity powerhouse. In our tests, it handled large print jobs without breaking a sweat, and the first page was out in just over 6 seconds. This model is strictly a printer—no scanning or copying here—and its connectivity is wired-only via Ethernet and USB. This might seem like a limitation, but for an office environment, a stable, wired Ethernet connection is often preferable for reliability and security. Speaking of security, this printer comes with a suite of embedded features to protect against network threats, a crucial consideration for any business. The default duplex printing setting is a welcome touch for saving paper. However, we were less impressed with its greyscale performance. While text was sharp, images and graphics appeared dark and lacked detail, a finding confirmed by other users. If your primary need is churning out vast quantities of text-based documents at high speed in a secure network environment, the M404dn is a formidable choice.

#7 HP LaserJet 179fnw Colour Wireless Multifunction Printer – Ideal for: Compact All-in-One Needs with Fax

The HP LaserJet 179fnw Colour Wireless Multifunction Printer takes the compact chassis of its sibling, the 178nw, and adds two key business features: a fax and a 40-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). This makes it a more complete all-in-one solution for small offices that still rely on faxing or need to digitise multi-page documents frequently. The ADF worked reliably in our tests, smoothly feeding a stack of invoices for scanning. Print quality for black and white documents is crisp and professional, with a decent speed of up to 19 ppm. As with the other model in this series, the colour printing speed is a slow 4 ppm, positioning it for light-duty colour tasks only. Unfortunately, this model also suffers from the same misleading marketing regarding duplex printing. The product description mentions “automatic double sided printing,” but our tests confirmed what many frustrated users have reported: it is a manual process that requires you to take the paper out and put it back in yourself. This is a significant drawback. If you need a very small all-in-one with an ADF and fax, and can live with slow colour speed and manual duplexing, the 179fnw is a viable option, but it’s important to understand its compromises.

#8 Brother MFC-L8690CDW Multifunction Printer – Perfect for: Busy Workgroups with High-Volume Demands

Stepping up to the Brother MFC-L8690CDW Multifunction Printer feels like moving into the professional leagues. This is a robust, high-performance machine designed for a demanding office environment. Its speed is a key selling point, delivering a rapid 31 pages per minute for both colour and black-and-white printing. Our tests confirmed this, with large, complex documents printing quickly and with excellent quality. The true duplex capability is a massive productivity booster, as it can print, scan, and copy double-sided documents automatically, saving time and effort. The touchscreen interface is large and responsive, and we found it easy to set up custom shortcuts for common tasks like “Scan to Network Folder.” The high paper capacity, expandable up to 1,050 sheets with optional trays, means less time spent refilling paper and more time working. We did note a quirk that was also mentioned by some users: if one of the colour toner cartridges runs out, the machine may halt all functions, including monochrome printing or scanning, until it’s replaced. While this can be frustrating, it’s a minor issue on what is otherwise a powerful, feature-rich, and highly capable office all-in-one.

#9 Brother MFC-L3780CDW Wireless All-in-One Printer – Suits: Modern Offices Needing Advanced Scanning and Security

The Brother MFC-L3780CDW Wireless All-in-One Printer is a thoroughly modern machine packed with high-end features that streamline office workflow. The star of the show for us was its single-pass duplex scanner. Unlike older models that flip the paper over, this printer scans both sides in a single pass, making it incredibly fast for digitising double-sided documents. It achieved its claimed 31 ppm print speed in our tests, producing professional, laser-quality output in both colour and monochrome. The printer feels exceptionally well-built and operates surprisingly quietly. We also appreciated the advanced security features, including a built-in NFC card reader for badge authentication, which is a fantastic addition for offices handling sensitive information. The 3.5-inch touchscreen is bright and responsive, simplifying tasks like scanning to cloud services or a network drive. Connectivity is top-notch, with dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi Direct. Our experience with this printer was overwhelmingly positive, matching the feedback from users who praise its speed, quality, and robust feature set. It’s a significant investment, but for a small business that values efficiency and security, it’s worth every penny.

#10 Brother MFCL8690CDW Colour Laser MFP – Ideal for: Offices Needing Versatile Document Handling

This version of the Brother MFCL8690CDW Colour Laser MFP presents a slightly different set of specifications, catering to an office that prioritises copy speed and versatile scanning over raw print-per-minute output. While the listed print speed is a modest 10 ppm for both colour and black and white, we found its copy speed to be much faster, rated at an impressive 32 ppm. This makes it highly effective for quickly duplicating documents. The inclusion of both a flatbed scanner and an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) provides excellent flexibility for handling anything from single book pages to stacks of reports. The print quality, at a resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi, was consistently sharp and clear during our testing. It connects via a stable Ethernet connection, making it a reliable fixture on an office network. While the slower print speed may not suit environments with high-volume printing demands, its strong copying performance and versatile scanning capabilities make it a solid, dependable all-in-one for general office tasks. The robust, business-like design feels durable and ready for a busy work environment.

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

Key Factors to Consider

• Colour vs. Monochrome: The first major decision. If you only print invoices, letters, and reports, a monochrome (black and white) printer will be faster and cheaper to run. If you need to print presentations, marketing materials, or charts, a colour laser printer is essential.
• Print Speed (PPM): Measured in pages per minute, this tells you how quickly the printer can produce documents. For a busy office, look for speeds of 30 ppm or higher. For home use, 15-20 ppm is usually sufficient.
• Duplexing (Two-Sided Operation): Automatic duplex printing saves paper and time by printing on both sides of a sheet without you needing to flip it over. A premium feature is duplex scanning/copying, which processes both sides of a document automatically through the feeder.
• Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): If you frequently need to scan or copy multi-page documents, an ADF is non-negotiable. It allows you to place a stack of papers in a tray and have the machine feed them through one by one, which is a massive time-saver.
• Connectivity: Virtually all modern printers offer Wi-Fi, allowing you to print from laptops and mobile devices without cables. For maximum stability in an office, an Ethernet port for a wired network connection is highly recommended. USB is standard for direct connection to a single computer.
• Running Costs: Don’t just look at the purchase price. Investigate the cost and page yield of the replacement toner cartridges. High-yield cartridges often have a higher upfront cost but a lower cost-per-page, saving you money in the long run.

Understanding Single-Pass vs. Reverse Duplex Scanning

When you see “duplex scanning” on a feature list, it’s important to know there are two types. Standard ‘Reverse’ duplex scanning works by scanning one side of the page, pulling it back into the feeder, flipping it over, and then scanning the other side. This is effective but slower. ‘Single-pass’ duplex scanning, found on more advanced models like the Brother MFC-L3780CDW, is a game-changer. These scanners have two scanning sensors, one on top and one on the bottom, allowing them to capture both sides of the page in a single pass. This is significantly faster and more efficient for digitising large quantities of double-sided documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Toner Costs: A cheap printer can become very expensive if its toner cartridges are pricey and have a low page yield. Always research the cost-per-page before buying.
• Buying Based on Print Speed Alone: A super-fast printer is great, but if it lacks an ADF or has poor scan quality, it might not meet all your needs. Consider the entire feature set.
• Underestimating Your Needs: Buying a small home printer for a busy small business will lead to frustration. Be realistic about your monthly print volume and choose a machine with a suitable duty cycle and paper capacity.
• Overlooking the Footprint: Laser printers can be large and heavy. Always check the dimensions to ensure you have enough space for the machine, including room to open trays and scanner lids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘all-in-one’ mean for a laser printer?

An ‘all-in-one’ (AIO) or multifunction printer (MFP) is a device that combines the functionalities of several office machines into a single unit. As a minimum, this includes printing, scanning, and copying. Many models, especially those aimed at business users, also include fax capabilities.

Is the scanning quality good on all-in-one laser printers?

Yes, for document scanning, the quality is generally excellent. Modern all-in-one laser printers offer high-resolution scanners that are perfect for creating clear, legible digital copies of text documents, receipts, and forms. While they can scan photos, a dedicated photo scanner will typically provide better colour accuracy and dynamic range for high-quality photographic work.

What is an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and do I need one?

An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a tray on top of the printer where you can stack multiple pages for scanning or copying. The machine automatically feeds each page, saving you from having to place them on the scanner glass one by one. If you regularly need to scan or copy documents that are more than a single page, an ADF is an essential, time-saving feature.

Can all-in-one laser printers fax?

Many all-in-one laser printers, particularly those designed for office use like the HP LaserJet 179fnw, do include built-in fax functionality. However, it is not a standard feature on all models. If you require faxing, be sure to check the product’s specifications carefully before purchasing.

How do I compare the print, scan, and copy speeds?

Print speed is measured in ‘pages per minute’ (ppm). Copy speed is also often measured in ppm. Scan speed can be measured in ‘images per minute’ (ipm), where a double-sided page scanned in a single pass would count as two images. Always check if the listed speeds are for monochrome (black & white) or colour, as colour is almost always slower.

Are colour all-in-one laser printers expensive to run?

They can have a higher running cost than monochrome printers because you need to replace four toner cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) instead of just one. However, the cost-per-page for laser toner is generally much lower than for inkjet ink, especially for high-volume printing. For occasional colour use, the costs are very manageable as toner does not dry out like ink.

Which all-in-one is best for a paperless home office?

For a paperless office, the key feature is the scanner. We recommend a model with a high-quality scanner and a fast, reliable Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). A model with single-pass duplex scanning, like the Brother MFC-L3780CDW, is the ultimate tool as it can digitise stacks of double-sided documents incredibly quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After rigorous testing and careful consideration, we confidently stand by our top recommendation. The Brother DCP-L3550CDW Colour Wireless LED Multifunction is the best all-in-one laser printer for most UK homes and small offices. It delivers on all the essential fronts: the setup is painless, the wireless connectivity is steadfast, and the print quality for both crisp text and vibrant colour is consistently impressive. What truly sets it apart in its price class is the inclusion of a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder, a feature that transforms multi-page copying and scanning from a chore into a simple, automated task. While it doesn’t offer duplex scanning, its superb performance in all other areas makes it an outstandingly reliable and versatile machine that offers exceptional value.