A printer is an electronic device that receives texts or graphics from a computer and transfers them to a piece of paper. The process of transferring text or graphics on a piece of paper is called printing. Most printers are multipurpose in that they can do various activities either one at a time or simultaneously depending on the nature of the machine’s drivers. The best all in one printer for a small business should print, scan, and photocopy documents so that you do not need to have separate machines.
Most printers can work with all computer operating systems. Some modern printers are also accepting printing using smartphones and tablets. You can use the USB cable to link your smartphone or tablet to the printer and print your documents just as you would do using a computer. Some printers accept wireless printing, whereby you can connect your smartphone or computer to the printer via Bluetooth and print your documents. Others support WiFi connectivity, whereby you can print over the network by sending documents to the machine wirelessly for instant printing.
Earlier printers were printing black and white documents. Even today, we still have black and white printers. However, they are becoming outdated, and many businesses are considering the color printers. The best color laser all in one printer can print various size documents. You can find a printer that can print passport size photos, normal size photos, and A4 documents. If you are willing to start a cybercafe business, you will need a printer that can print various paper sizes and the ability to perform different tasks.
What are the different types of printers?

There are two main types of printers. These include impact and non-impact printers.
i) Impact printers
An impact printer prints documents by coming in contact with a paper. It prints by pressing an inked ribbon against the paper using a hammer or pins. Due to the impacts they make, the machines are noisy. There are various kinds of impact printers that include the following.
ii) Dot-Matrix Printers
Dot-matrix printers have print heads containing 9 to 24 pins whereby the pins produce patterns of dots on the paper to form characters. The more the pins, the more the dots, and thus the better the quality of the printouts. A 24 pin dot-matrix printer produces better work than a 9 pin one.
iii) Daisy-Wheel Printers
The typewriters use these kinds of printers, which are usually very slow. They are outdated, and very few businesses are still using them. For these machines, a hammer strikes a petal having a particular character against the ribbon so that the character prints on a paper.
iv) Line Printers
The printers are commonly used in businesses that print enormous materials like newspaper companies book publishers, and so on. The machines can print a line at a time, unlike most printers that print word by word.
Other types of impact printers include drum printers, chain printers, and band printers.
v) Non-Impact Printers
Non-impact printers are quieter since they do not use a striking device to produce characters. The best compact all in one printers are the non-impact printers since they create lesser disturbance in an office scenario. There are various types of non-impact printers which include the following,
vi) Ink-Jet Printers
Ink-jet printers print by spraying ink via tiny nozzles on a piece of paper through an electrical field of which the ink is arranged into characters. The droplets of ink are electrically charged as they leave the nozzle.
vii) Laser Printers
The printers utilize laser beams when printing. The machines produce characters on paper by directing a laser beam at a mirror, which bounces the beam onto a drum. Laser printers load and print a page at a time. They are fast and produce quality work as compared to other printers. The best black and white laser printer can even allow wireless printing.
Which are the nine best all in one printer for small businesses?
They include the following.
1) Epson Workforce Pro WF-4630 Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only,...
- Get performance beyond laser - the workforce wf-4630,...
- Speed through any project - professional-quality prints at...
The printer is an all in one printer that will allow you to print, scan, and photocopy documents. You will not need to buy separate machines as this will do all the work by itself. Furthermore, the scanner supports wireless printing and you do not need to use cables to connect your computer to the printer. Just print over a WiFi network.
To avoid being caught unaware, the device supports Amazon Dash Replenishment, whereby it will automatically order ink before the current one depletes. Furthermore, the equipment can print many documents per given time. It can print up to 30, 000 pages per month.
- All in one printer
- It has Amazon Dash replenishment
- Supports wireless printing
- Can print a lot per given time
- It prints colored documents
- It is expensive
2) Brother MFC-L3750CDW All-in-One Printer
- Your purchase includes One Brother MFC-L3750CDW Digital...
- Carton Contents One Set of Starter Toner Cartridges...
- Printer dimensions: 16.1” W x 19” D x 16.1” H. Printer...
Get this machine, and be sure to work continuously without having to stop to look for a tonner. The device is Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready, measures the toner level, and then orders a new one before the current one is over to ensure continuous operations. Furthermore, the machine is an all in one printer whereby it can scan, print, and photocopy.
Interestingly, the printer can print on both sizes. It helps to save papers, thus making it a cost-effective machine. It has an automatic paper feeder and can feed 50 papers at once. Remember also that the printer prints colored very impressive quality documents.
- Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
- It is an all in one machine
- Duplex printing
- Automatic paper feeder
- Does colored printing
- A bit costly
3) Brother MFC-J6545DW Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
- Print, Copy, Scan & Fax: The MFC-J6545DW all-in-one color...
- Unit Dimensions: 22.6" W x 18.8" D x 12.2" H | Unit Weight:...
- Includes: Color Inkjet MFC-J6545DW Printer, BK/C/Y/M Starter...
The Brother MFC- J6545DW is an all in one printer that can scan, print, and photocopy. It is suitable for a small business that does not have ample space to fill with machines. It is also cost-effective. The machine can do duplex printing, which makes you spend less money purchasing the sheets. Also, the printer is Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready. It can order ink from Amazon before the current one is over to keep you going.
Interestingly, the machine supports wireless printing over WiFi. It makes the machine very effective as you do not need cables for printing. The tray capacity is 250 sheets. Moreover, the device is a 50-sheet auto document feeder.
- Auto document feeder
- Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
- Wireless printing
- Duplex printing
- Large tray capacity
- No clear warranty details
4) Brother Business Color Laser Printer, HL-L8360CDW
- HIGH-QUALITY COLOR PRINTING: The Brother HLL8360CDW can...
- EASY CONNECTIVITY: Connect via wireless or Gigabit Ethernet...
- AUTOMATIC DUPLEX PRINTING: The Brother Color Laser Printer...
Here comes a machine that does not require you to have a computer as it supports mobile printing. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can prepare your documents and print them comfortably. Furthermore, the machine supports wireless printing, which can work well for both computers and smartphones.
Interestingly, the machines support duplex printing so that you can print both sides of a paper. It helps you to save money on buying sheets of paper. It is also Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready. It detects lower levels of tonner and orders new. Furthermore, it has an ethernet port for WiFi connectivity. It also does color printing of documents.
- It is Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
- It supports mobile printing
- It does duplex printing
- Wireless printing
- Cloud printing
- It is expensive
5) HP LaserJet Pro M281fdw, All-in-One Wireless Color Laser Printer
- BIG PERFORMANCE IN COMPACT SIZE – This all-in-one color...
- A FASTER PACE FOR BUSINESS - This HP color laser printer...
- HIGH-IMPACT COLOR QUALITY – Count on HP's legendary color...
The HP LaserJet Pro M281fdw printer is unique in that it supports Alexa. You can buy an Alexa device and combine the two to perform voice command operations. Tell the printer how many copies you want, and so on. Moreover, it is a wireless printer, and thus you can print documents without using connection wires.
Furthermore, it is an all in one device. The machine can do duplex printing, thus saving you the money you could have used to purchase paper sheets. Also, it can hold many sheets in the tray. The estimated paper capacity is 250 sheets.
Moreover, the machine is fast in its operations. It can print 22 pages per minute. Furthermore, you can choose to print black or color papers. It also has Amazon Dash Replenishment and supports mobile printing.
- Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
- Mobile printing
- Duplex printing
- Large capacity tray
- Fast printing
- Supports Alexa
- Alexa device sold separately
6) HP Color LaserJet Pro Multifunction M479fdn Laser Printer
- Built to keep your business moving forward – Ethernet only...
- Best-in-class security – a suite of embedded security...
- Automate complicated workflows - help save time by...
Use the ethernet port to connect to a WiFi internet and send documents via the WiFi network for printing. Furthermore, it supports Alexa voice commands. Just tell the machine to perform various functions without having to touch various buttons. Again, worry not about any security threats as the device has embedded security features to protect you from cyber threats.
With this machine, you can print two sides of a paper to save money on the sheets. Moreover, you can print documents in your USB drive, and thus you do not need to insert it to a computer. The machine is fast as it prints 28 pages per minute.
- Supports wireless printing over WiFi
- Embedded security features
- Duplex printing
- Faster printing speeds
- Large paper tray
- Alexa device sold separately
7) HP LaserJet Pro M227fdw All-in-One Wireless Laser Printer
- Main functions of the HP M227fdw all-in-one laser printer:...
- This HP M227fdw laser printer replaces the HP M225dw...
- Prints up to 30 pages/minute, input tray paper capacity up...
The printer has a large tray that can hold up to 260 sheets of paper. It has an automatic paper feeder of up to 35 pages at a go. It can print up to 2000 pages per month. Furthermore, the machine works with the Alexa device to use voice commands to instruct the printer to perform duties. Also, you can print from anywhere using your smartphone.
The printer also allows double-sided printing. You will be able to save money on papers since the paper usage will be reduced by half. The machine is an all in one printer that can scan, photocopy, print, and fax. If you want to run a photocopy shop, then this machine will suit you.
- Supports remote printing
- Duplex printing
- Works with Alexa
- Large paper tray
- It prints faster
- It is expensive
8) Xerox WorkCentre 6515/DNI Color Multifunction Printer
- Your purchase includes One Xerox WorkCentre DNI Color...
- Printer dimensions – 16.5” W x 19.9” D x 19.7” H |...
- With just a few simple steps your multifunction printer is...
The machine is Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready so that you can always receive new ink before the current one gets finished. You will be able to save 10% percent on all ink orders and cancel the subscription anytime. You will not have to stop work to look for ink.
Moreover, the printer prints multicolored documents so that you get the real picture of anything you print. Furthermore, the machine connects to the cloud to scan documents and save for future use. You can scan or print from Email, FTP, and Network.
This is because it is WiFi-enabled. Once you buy the machine, you will get a one-year warranty to enjoy free service in case the machine develops complications. The device is fast, as it can print 40 pages per minute.
- Amazon Dash Replenishment
- Connects to cloud storage
- One year warranty
- High printing speeds
- Does colored printing
- It is costly
9) Canon imageCLASS D1620 Multifunction, Monochrome Wireless Laser Printer with
- Monochrome print up to 45 ppm
- Print up to 8 1/2 x 14 inches
- 2,300 sheet maximum paper capacity. Operating temperature 50...
This printer is a fast machine that can print up to 45 pages per minute. It supports mobile printing via the AirPrint app and you do not need to use a computer to perform printing activities. Interestingly, the machine has a large paper tray that has a 2,300 sheet maximum paper capacity.
The operating temperature for this machine is 50 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It is essential to note the values to maintain your device effectively. Buy this machine and get a three-year limited warranty.
Furthermore, the machine is Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready. You will be sure to work continuously without out of ink interruptions since the machine can automatically order you ink for use before the current one expires. You can cancel the service anytime.
- Fast printing
- Large capacity paper tray
- Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
- Supports mobile printing
- It can all in one printer
- Limited warranty
Bottom line
A printer is essential equipment in any office. Documents need to be scanned, printed, photocopied, or faxed. Having an all in one printer can save a lot of money that could be used to get separate machines. A small business will need an all in one printer, either laser or ink-jet.
When choosing a printer, see that it can allow things like mobile printing, cloud printing, duplex printing, faster printing speeds, etc. If it is Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready, the better.