A medium-sized business printer needs to do a lot more than a home inkjet: handle higher monthly print volumes, support networked access across a whole office, and ideally offer scanning, faxing, and secure print release for shared spaces where confidential documents shouldn’t sit in an output tray. Picking the wrong one usually shows up later as high per-page costs or frequent service calls. Here are six commercial printers worth considering for a medium-sized business in 2026.
HP LaserJet Enterprise
HP’s LaserJet Enterprise line is built for higher-volume office printing with strong network security features, including HP’s own threat-detection tools that monitor for firmware tampering, which matters more than it used to for networked office hardware. Print speeds and paper handling scale up well across the range, and HP’s broad service network makes finding local support and consumables straightforward almost anywhere. It tends to sit at a moderate to premium price point depending on configuration, but the combination of security features and reliability makes it a common choice for IT-managed offices.
Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE
Canon’s imageRUNNER ADVANCE series is a multifunction workhorse aimed at busy offices that need printing, scanning, copying, and faxing from one machine, with a touchscreen interface that supports customizable workflows for repetitive scanning or routing tasks. Canon’s print quality, especially for color output, tends to be a step above some competitors, which is useful for offices that print client-facing materials in-house rather than outsourcing to a print shop. Maintenance contracts through Canon’s dealer network are common in medium-business setups, which can simplify long-term cost planning.
Brother MFC-L Series
Brother’s MFC-L series multifunction laser printers are popular with smaller and medium businesses for their lower upfront cost and generally lower cost-per-page compared to some enterprise-tier machines from HP or Canon. They handle the core needs well: networked printing, scanning to email or a shared folder, and reasonably fast output for a mid-tier machine. They’re not built for the highest print volumes a larger enterprise machine could handle, but for a business with a few dozen employees, they’re often more than sufficient and considerably easier on the budget.
Xerox VersaLink
Xerox’s VersaLink series focuses on cloud connectivity and app-based customization, with support for scanning directly to cloud storage services and a customizable touchscreen that can be tailored to a business’s specific document workflows. Xerox has a long history in office printing and its per-page consumable costs are generally competitive for the mid-range business tier. The VersaLink line spans a range of monthly duty cycles, so it’s worth matching the specific model to actual print volume rather than assuming the base model will keep up with a growing office.
Epson WorkForce Pro
Epson’s WorkForce Pro line takes a different technical approach with PrecisionCore inkjet technology rather than laser printing, which Epson positions as lower energy use and fewer replacement parts over time compared to a laser equivalent. For offices that print a mix of text documents and higher-quality color materials, the inkjet output can look sharper for photos or graphics than a comparable laser unit. It’s a solid alternative for businesses that want to move away from toner cartridges and the periodic drum or fuser replacements laser printers require.
Ricoh IM Series
Ricoh’s IM series multifunction printers are designed around Ricoh’s Smart Operation Panel, an Android-based touchscreen that supports third-party app integration for scanning workflows, cloud storage, and document management systems many medium businesses already use. Ricoh has a strong reputation in managed print services, and its dealer network often bundles the hardware with a service and supply contract, which can simplify budgeting for a growing office. It’s a good option for businesses that want deeper software integration rather than just a standalone printing device.
For offices prioritizing network security and IT-managed reliability, HP’s LaserJet Enterprise and Canon’s imageRUNNER ADVANCE are strong, well-supported choices. If budget is the main concern, Brother’s MFC-L series delivers solid core functionality at a lower cost, while Xerox’s VersaLink and Ricoh’s IM series both stand out for cloud and workflow integration. Epson’s WorkForce Pro is worth a look for businesses wanting to move away from toner altogether. Whichever printer you choose, it’s worth pairing with a well-organized office setup — see our guide on office refurbishment tips and our piece on how an ergonomic chair can improve productivity for more ways to improve your workplace this year.
What’s the difference between laser and inkjet printers for business use?
Laser printers, like most models from HP, Canon, and Xerox, generally handle higher volumes faster and are more cost-effective for text-heavy printing. Inkjet business printers like Epson’s WorkForce Pro can offer sharper color output and lower energy use, but may cost more per page for high-volume text printing.
How do I choose the right monthly duty cycle for a business printer?
Check your business’s actual monthly print volume and choose a printer rated comfortably above that number, since running a printer near its maximum duty cycle regularly can shorten its lifespan and increase service issues.
Are managed print services worth it for a medium-sized business?
Managed print contracts, often offered through Canon, Xerox, or Ricoh dealers, bundle maintenance, supplies, and sometimes hardware upgrades into one predictable cost, which can simplify budgeting for growing offices with fluctuating print needs.
Do modern business printers support cloud printing?
Yes, most current commercial multifunction printers, including the Xerox VersaLink and Ricoh IM series, support scanning to and printing from cloud storage services, which is increasingly standard for hybrid and multi-location offices.
