Whether you need a trusty, compact desktop printer or a multifunction powerhouse, getting the right equipment for your office is a must when it comes to productivity. But with so many different makes and models on the market today, it can be tricky to choose one that will be an ideal fit for your small business.
Here’s our list of this year’s top picks from two industry leaders: Kyocera and Sharp. Known for their reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, they offer a wide range of printers with features specifically designed for smaller office environments.
How to choose a printer for your small business
Before diving into specific models, it’s crucial to understand your office’s printing requirements. Here are some key questions to consider:
Print volume: How much do you typically print each month? Occasional users will have different needs than high-volume printing offices. This is the single most important thing to consider when evaluating the total cost of ownership (TCO). People often make the mistake of purchasing something cheap, only to find out it’s costing them a lot more to keep running with toner and maintenance costs.
Print size: Do you primarily need A4 size prints (or smaller), or do you require larger formats like A3?
Print type: Do you mainly print black and white documents, or do you need colour printing capabilities?
Print quality: Don’t just look at the resolution specifications. With advances in laser technology, higher resolution doesn’t always translate to a better quality print. If colour is needed, consider the desired print quality. Do you need photo-quality prints, or is general colour sufficient?
Features: Do you need additional functions like copying, scanning, stapling, or faxing? Will mobile printing be a valuable feature?
Connectivity: Do you need to print wirelessly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop? Consider printers with WiFi, Bluetooth, or other connectivity options.
Security: If you handle sensitive documents, look for printers with security features such as data encryption, user authentication, and secure document handling.
Budget: Printers come in a range of price points. Decide on your budget for both the initial purchase or lease and ongoing ink or toner costs and maintenance. We can help you evaluate the TCO of almost every device on the market to help you make the best choice for your needs.
Our top 5 printers for small business
Best for high-volume and high-speed printing
Kyocera TASKalfa MA4500ci
This A4 colour multifunction device is designed for organisations with high-volume printing needs. With an impressive engine speed of up to 45 pages per minute for both colour and black-and-white documents, this printer is built to handle large workloads with the touch of a button and keep your running costs low.
Features at a glance:
| Print speed | 45 A4 per minute |
| Connectivity options | Wifi, Ethernet, USB |
| Paper handling capacity | 550 sheets |
| Dimensions | 475 x 476 x 575 mm |
| Capabilities | Double-sided print, copy, scan and fax |
| Controls | 7-inch colour touch panel |
| Paper sizes | A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Letter, Legal, Folio, Custom |
Best for security, data, and storage
Kyocera ECOSYS MA3500cix
In today’s data-driven world, you need state-of-the-art storage and security features to safeguard information. The ECOSYS MA3500cix offers optional SSD storage capacities ranging from 64GB to 512GB, advanced security measures, and easy connectivity options for a streamlined workflow with a market-leading two-year onsite manufacturer warranty.
Features at a glance:
| Print speed | 35 A4 per minute |
| Connectivity options | Wifi, Ethernet, USB |
| Paper handling capacity | 550 sheets |
| Dimensions | 480 × 577.5 × 571.5 mm |
| Capabilities | Double-sided print, copy, and scan |
| Security features | Data encryption, Trusted Platform Module, and Secure Boot |
| Controls | 7-inch full-colour touch panel |
| Paper sizes | A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Letter, Legal, Folio, Custom |
Best colour printer
Sharp BP-C533WD
The Sharp BP-C533WD excels at colour printing and design tasks. Producing 33 pages per minute with advanced colour technology, it delivers vivid, high-quality prints. Its user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen and features like Advanced Preview and image cropping offer precise control over designs.
Features at a glance:
| Print speed | 33 A4 per minute |
| Connectivity options | Wifi, Ethernet, USB, mobile app |
| Paper handling capacity | 550 sheets |
| Dimensions | 491 x 610 x 602 mm |
| Capabilities | Colour printer, copier, scan, and fax |
| Controls | 7-Inch Colour LCD Touchscreen |
| Paper sizes | A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Letter, Legal, Folio, Custom |
Best multifunction printer
Kyocera ECOSYS MA4500ifx
The Kyocera ECOSYS MA4500ifx is a versatile A4 multifunction device built to streamline office workflows. Its capabilities include double-sided print, copy, fax, and scan features – all operating at a brisk 45 pages per minute for both black-and-white and colour documents.
Features at a glance:
| Print speed | 45 A4 per minute |
| Connectivity options | Wifi, Ethernet, USB |
| Paper handling capacity | 500 sheets |
| Dimensions | 380 x 410 x 121 mm |
| Capabilities | Double-sided print, copy, scan, and fax |
| Controls | 7-inch colour touchscreen |
| Paper sizes | A4, A5, A6, Letter, Legal, Folio, Custom |
Best for reduced running costs
Kyocera TASKalfa MA3500c
The Kyocera TASKalfa MA3500ci has the horsepower you need and the reduced running costs you want. Its ECOSYS technology utilises long-life components, reducing the need for frequent replacements to minimise overall operating expenses. For a nominal fee per page, this device is ideal for the optional service arrangement where Copysonic would maintain and provide everything necessary (except paper) to keep your device running as smoothly as the day you bought it!
Features at a glance:
| Print speed | 35 A4 per minute |
| Connectivity options | Wifi, Ethernet, USB |
| Paper handling capacity | 550 sheets |
| Dimensions | 480 × 577.5 × 571.5 mm |
| Capabilities | Double-sided print |
| Controls | 7-inch colour touchscreen |
| Paper sizes | A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Letter, Legal, Folio, Custom |
We offer the best printers for small businesses in Australia
With over three decades of experience serving Melbourne businesses, Copysonic is your trusted printing partner. We specialise in matching offices with the perfect printers, so you’ll get a printer that boosts productivity, reduces costs, and seamlessly integrates into your workflow. Contact Copysonic today for a personalised consultation and discover how we can optimise your printing infrastructure.
