Laser printers are an excellent choice for both home and office purposes. Though color laser printers have higher upfront costs than inkjet printers, they offer better cost-efficiency per page in the long term. Laser printers also provide advanced printing options in addition to quality. If you’re also searching for a laser printer, check out the 7 best color laser printers under $500.
You’ll also get helpful features on a color laser printer, like wireless connectivity, easy operation, duplex printing, vivid color printing, low maintenance cost, and more. Finding the best color laser printer under a mid-budget segment can be challenging for some people due to different requirements. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered in all possible aspects so that you can pick the right one.
How We Chose These Color Laser Printers For You?
We’ve curated these color laser printers for you under the $500 price bracket by evaluating the following criteria:
- Print Quality: The first focus should be on high-quality printing with better color accuracy and sharpness of the images or document texts.
- Monochrome or Color Print: Using a color laser printer will allow you to get black & white printing for office work or color & B/W printing for personal use. You can also use document printing & color photo printing for a small business or professional work.
- Printing Speed: Printing speed, measured by per-page printing speed, must be the primary selection criteria. Laser printers offer high-volume document printing in less time.
- Efficiency: Laser printers usually have higher efficiency per toner, ranging from 1,000-1,500 pages per toner or even higher.
- Features: You’ll get necessary features like wireless connectivity, duplex (double-sided) printing, 3-in-1 technology (scan, copy, and print), a touchscreen display, and better energy efficiency. It may also include a USB port for direct printing from a connected USB flash drive, mobile app support, enhanced security features, multiple page size support, and more.
- Durability: Laser printers are designed to last long and work seamlessly without having to worry about printhead clogs or paper jamming issues frequently. It offers better reliability and low maintenance costs.
- Affordability: As we’ve picked a suitable mid-budget segment of color laser printers within the $500 price range, you can choose multiple options from the list. Meanwhile, you should check toner replacement costs in your location, which can fluctuate over time and vary by region.
- User Reviews: We’ve evaluated user reviews and feedback from Amazon USA customers depending on the overall price-to-performance ratio, easy setup, printing satisfaction, etc.
So, you should consider these things when selecting the best color laser printer for under $500. Now, let’s jump into the printer list below:
1. Xerox C230/DNI Color Printer
The Xerox C230/DNI color printer can be a good choice for students, home office, or small business purposes on an entry-level budget. There is no option to scan and copy in this printer, which comes under the $250 price range.
Though it’s an inexpensive option compared to other multifunctional printers, you may not get additional features or high-resolution print/copy. It offers a maximum 22/24 ppm (A4/Letter) print speed and around 11 seconds of first printout time. However, the toner replacement cost is relatively higher than that of others in the segment.
Specifications:
| Product | Xerox C230/DNI |
|---|---|
| Price | $249 |
| Type | Print Only |
| Display | 1-Line LCD Screen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 22 pages/min (A4) 24 ppm (Letter) |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 22 pages/min (A4) 24 ppm (Letter) |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 1,500 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 11 Seconds |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
| App/Software | Apple AirPrint, Chromebook Printing, Mopria Print Service & Mopria Scan |
| Dimensions | 16.2″ x 15.5″ x 9.6″ |
| Weight | 16.1 Kg |
| Features | Standard automatic 2-sided print, Smart Start Installer, EPEAT & ENERGY STAR certified, Draft Mode, Tray and Toner status, Watermark, Secure Password Reset, Login Restrictions, advanced security features, CMYK Starter Print Cartridges, Windows 11 compatible |
Pros
- Great bang for the buck
- Simple installation, easy to operate
- Ideal for small/medium home offices and businesses
- Reliable, good-quality print/scan
- Good build, compact design
Cons
- No touch display
- The print color isn’t as good as the competitors
- Toner cartridges are comparatively expensive
What Users Say About This Product?
Customers are pretty satisfied with this printer for the overall document print quality. Some users have found better value for money performance for small to medium home offices and businesses.
2. Canon Color imageCLASS MF653Cdw
The Canon Color imageCLASS MF653Cdw is one of the best-in-class color laser printers suitable for small to medium-sized moderate workloads. It offers all-in-one functionality like printing, scanning, and copying. The overall printing speed, sheet tray capacity, mobile app support, energy efficiency, USB direct printing, etc, are notable features that you can get under the $300 budget.
You can get up to 22 pages per minute of color output, which is fast enough in the segment. The printer can deliver its quick first printout in around 10.3 seconds, which is also good. It also includes a single-sheet multipurpose tray for media paper handling. Considering the toner replacement cost, you may have to spend around $70 or more to get a standard 067 black/color cartridge as per your need.
Specifications:
| Product | Canon Color imageCLASS MF653Cdw |
|---|---|
| Price | $299 |
| Type | 3-in-1 (Print, Copy, Scan) |
| Display | 5-inch Color Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0 High‐Speed, Ethernet |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 22 pages/min |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 22 pages/min |
| Max Print Size | Up to 8.5″ x 14” |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 2,500 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 10.3 Seconds (Black / Color, Letter) |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
| App/Software | Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, Canon PRINT Business |
| Dimensions | 17.8″ x 18.2″ x 14.2″ |
| Weight | 18.01 Kg |
| Features | 067 / 067 High Capacity Toner, Auto 2-sided Printing, 1-Sheet Multipurpose Tray, ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver, USB Direct Print, Windows compatible |
Pros
- Fantastic 3-in-1 printer for the price
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent print quality with vibrant colors
- Faster printing speeds
- Wi-Fi connectivity is good
- USB Direct Print is an advantage
- The mobile-ready feature is useful
Cons
- Louder printing noise
- Photo printing quality could be better
- Missing document feeder
- Double-sided printing requires manual intervention
What Users Say About This Product?
Customers are satisfied with this printer due to the print quality, easy installation, Wi-Fi connectivity, dual-sided printing, touch display, and more. They appreciate it for the reliability and affordability of home offices and small businesses.
3. Canon imageCLASS MF642Cdw
Under the $400 price range, the Canon imageCLASS MF642Cdw can be considered a stunning laser color printer. It offers multifunctionality such as scanning, printing, and copying in quick time. This printer also includes multiple connectivity options, a color touchscreen, mobile/cloud app support, energy efficiency, document feeder feature, secure print, and more.
You can expect around 22 pages per minute printing speed, and the approximate first printout time is 10.3 seconds. Regarding the toner replacement, you can get the Canon 054 in black or color cartridges, and the price range starts at $60. Sadly, it doesn’t have a dedicated multipurpose tray.
Specifications:
| Product | Canon imageCLASS MF642Cdw |
|---|---|
| Price | $399 |
| Type | Multifunction (Print, Scan, Copy) |
| Display | 5-inch Color Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0 High‐Speed, Ethernet |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 22 pages/min |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 22 pages/min |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 2,500 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 10.3 Seconds |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
| App/Software | Apple AirPrint, Canon PRINT Business, Mopria Print Service, Google Cloud Print |
| Dimensions | 16.9″ x 16.5″ x 16.5″ |
| Weight | 22 Kg |
| Features | ENERGY STAR Qualified, Canon 054 Starter cartridge, LDAP, Secure Print, IPv6 support, MAC address filtering, Document Feeder up to 50 sheets, automatic duplex printing, USB Direct Print, EPEAT Silver, Amazon Alexa compatible, Smart Reorder of Ink/Toner via Alexa, Windows compatible |
Pros
- High-quality printing
- Robust build quality
- All-in-one functionality
- User-friendly interface
- Multiple connectivity options
Cons
- A bit costly
- No Fax, no 2-sided automatic scanning
What Users Say About This Product?
As per the customer feedback, this specific printer delivers excellent print quality with easy configuration. Users are also happy with the overall connectivity, reliability, and printing speeds.
4. Brother MFC-L3720CDW All-in-One
We also have the Brother MFC-L3780CDW on the list, which delivers decent output quality under the $400 price bracket. It easily offers low print costs, making it ideal for a budget color laser all-in-one printer. Some of the notable features are an auto document feeder, secure print, customized shortcuts for easy tasks, toner level checks, energy efficiency, fax forwarding, etc.
You can replace the toner cartridge compatible with Brother MFC-L3720CDW, with a price range starting around $40, depending on which ink is required. This printer has one of the fastest printing speeds, around 19 pages per minute, and the first printout time of approximately 10.3 seconds. It does have 50 sheets of additional paper tray capacity.
Specifications:
| Product | Brother MFC-L3720CDW |
|---|---|
| Price | $392 |
| Type | All-in-One (Print, Scan, Copy, Fax) |
| Display | Inbuilt 3.5-inch Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 19 pages/min |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 19 pages/min |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 3,000 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 10.3 Seconds |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi / 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| App/Software | Brother mobile connect app, Brother iPrint&Scan app, Scan to Cloud/Email |
| Dimensions | 16″ x 17.5″ x 15.8″ |
| Weight | 19.9 Kg |
| Features | Auto Document Feeder up to 50 pages, Secure Print, 2 Month Refresh Subscription Trial, up to 48 custom shortcuts, toner level checking feature, Auto-Duplex, Network-Ready, Brother TN229 or TN229XL Toner, ENERGY STAR compliant, EPEAT Silver, Eco Mode, Toner Save Mode, Fax Forwarding, Windows compatible |
Pros
- Great affordable laser printer
- Excellent for home office and small offices
- Good build quality
- Simple installation and use
- Decent color print quality
- Stable dual-band wireless connectivity
- Quick yet high-resolution scanning
Cons
- Lacks duplex scanning and USB Direct printing
- Subpar color accuracy
- Less compatible with glossy photo paper
What Users Say About This Product?
According to Amazon USA customers, this specific printer is easy to use, and the overall price-to-performance ratio is good enough. The printing speed and scanning capacity are excellent.
5. HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301fdw All-in-One
HP’s Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is undoubtedly a good all-in-one color laser printer for home and small office work. It offers excellent print quality, multiple connectivity options, faster printing speeds, an auto document feeder, multiple software support, etc.
This printer can print up to 26 pages per minute, and the first printout time is around 10.8 seconds without any additional paper tray. However, the pricing is slightly higher, and the HP 218A starter terrajet toner cartridge replacement cost starts around $60 or above, indicating a higher operating cost per page.
Specifications:
| Product | HP Color Laserjet Pro MFP 3301fdw |
|---|---|
| Price | $428.90 |
| Type | All-in-One (Print, Scan, Copy, Fax) |
| Display | 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Dual-Band Wi-Fi with Self-Reset, USB 2.0, inbuilt Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 26 pages/min |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 26 pages/min |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 2,500 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 10.8 Seconds |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 600 x 600 dpi / 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| App/Software | HP Smart app, Apple AirPrint, Mopria Certified |
| Dimensions | 16.46″ x 16.5″ x 13.44″ |
| Weight | 17 Kg |
| Features | 50 sheet auto document feeder, HP Wolf Pro Security, auto 2-sided printing, HP 218A starter terra-jet toner cartridges, 2-sided single-pass scanning, Energy Star & EPEAT certified, Windows 11 compatible |
Pros
- All-in-one – Prints, scans, copies, and faxes
- Faster print and scan speed
- Elegant and compact design
- Document printing quality is excellent
- Good compatibility with glossy papers
- Reliable and easy to set up
- Seamless smartphone compatibility
Cons
- Expensive than its competitors
- Photo printing quality is average
- Starter toner cartridges run out quickly
- Not suitable for mid-sized businesses
What Users Say About This Product?
As per the user reviews on Amazon USA, this particular printer stands out well in terms of print quality, scanning, and ease of use. Customers are satisfied with this product due to wireless connectivity, USB port, decent noise level, and more.
6. KYOCERA ECOSYS P5026cdw
The KYOCERA ECOSYS P5026cdw’s A4 document printout is fast and reliable for quality. It’s built to last long with less maintenance without additional expenses. The overall monthly printout capacity is around 2,800 pages, and the first printout time is around 10.5 seconds, which is quite good.
You’ll get an additional paper tray capacity of up to 50 sheets in this printer. Still, its higher price tag and a tiny LCD screen can be a dealbreaker for many. The best part is that the toner cartridge (black/color) comes at pretty cheap rates than its competitors.
Specifications:
| Product | KYOCERA ECOSYS P5026cdw |
|---|---|
| Price | $499 |
| Type | All-in-One (Print, Scan, Copy, Fax) |
| Display | 2-Line LCD Screen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 27 pages/min |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 27 pages/min |
| Paper Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 2,800 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 10.5 Seconds |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| App/Software | Apple AirPrint, Mopria & KYOCERA Mobile Print |
| Dimensions | 16.2″ x 16.2″ x 12.9″ |
| Weight | 21 Kg |
| Features | Standard Duplex Printing, USB direct printing, TK-5242C/TK-5242M/TK-5242K/TK-5242Y starter toner cartridges, Thin Print support, SD card support, Energy Star & EPEAT certified, Windows compatible |
Pros
- Best-in-class versatile color network printer
- Great for home offices or small businesses
- High-performance print controller
- Good printing speed with less noise
- Excellent build quality with long-life parts
- Affordable toner cartridge replacement costs
- Offers low operating costs and less maintenance
Cons
- High initial cost, relatively expensive
- The 2-line LCD is outdated; no touch input
- Photo printing details might not be crisp
- Not beginner-friendly
What Users Say About This Product?
Amazon USA customers are pretty happy with this printer for its document printing speed and quality. The accessibility of multiple connectivity options and software support is excellent.
7. Brother MFC-L3780CDW All-in-One
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW is an all-in-one color laser printer that delivers excellent output quality with cost-effective print per page. The overall scan, print, & copy quality, as well as operation speed, is a plus point. It can be used for home office and small business purposes and has plenty of features and security options.
The overall printing speed is 31 pages per minute with a maximum of 4,000 print capacity per month, including an additional paper tray capacity of up to 30 pages, which is excellent for the price. Meanwhile, the toner replacement cost is also affordable, considering the printer’s price range.
Specifications:
| Product | Brother MFC-L3780CDW |
|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 |
| Type | All-in-One (Print, Copy, Scan, Fax) |
| Display | 3.5-inch Color touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Dual-Band Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 31 pages/min |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | 31 pages/min |
| Paper Capacity | 250-500 sheets |
| Monthly Print Volume | Up to 4,000 pages |
| First Print-Out Time | Approx. 10.5 Seconds |
| Print/Copy Resolution | Up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
| Scan Resolution | Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| App/Software | Brother Mobile Connect App, AirPrint, Mopria |
| Dimensions | 18.2″ x 16.1″ x 15.8″ |
| Weight | 21.6 Kg |
| Features | Single Pass Duplex Print/Copy/Scan, 50-page auto document feeder, Energy Star & EPEAT-Silver certified, Advanced security features, NFC badge authentication, Toner Save Mode, USB direct print, Refresh trial subscription, 48 custom shortcuts, check toner levels, 30-page multipurpose tray, Brother Toner TN229/TN229XL/TN229V/TN229XXL, Wi-Fi Protected Setup, Windows compatible |
Pros
- Easy initial setup and use
- Duplex print, scan, and copy
- Fast and reliable printing speed of 31 ppm
- Suitable for small business purposes
- High-resolution scanning in a quick time
- Cost-effective toner replacement
- NFC badge authentication is an advantage
Cons
- Color accuracy is average
- Poor-quality printing on glossy photo paper
- Misaligned scanning issues may appear
What Users Say About This Product?
Existing customers have found this printer easy to use with good quality document print/scan/copy. The wireless connectivity, NFC badge authentication, USB direct printing, faster printing speeds, duplex print/scan/copy, etc, are worthy features to have on a color laser printer under the $500 price tag.
Choosing the Best Color Laser Printers Under $500
So, selecting the right color laser printer under the $500 budget involves several aspects, such as price-to-performance ratio, printing quality, multipurpose usage, page capacity, printing speed, easy-to-operate, and more. Of course, wireless connectivity and advanced features are always great things to consider at every price point. Depending on your specific budget and usage pattern, you can easily pick the best one from this list that can serve you better in a cost-effective way.
