Comparison of multi-function duplex colour printers and consumables for small offices / home working

Shopping for a value-for-money all-in-one colour printer for home / small office use can be a daunting prospect, especially trying to work out the total cost of ownership including energy consumption, replacement ink and specialist paper. The printers in the following table are all relatively eco-friendly with quite high duty cycles and are highly commended by the likes of Which? and/or other consumer review websites. They are all-in-one units suitable for demanding small offices or a home-office scenario where photos and colourful, double-sided school /university projects may also be a key requirement. All models have a time-saving automatic document feeder for scanning / copying multi-page documents and duplex printing, hence we've also included the cost of thick premium paper stock for hi-quality colour double-sided prints.

Total cost of ownership varies hugely depending on they type of printing and original supplies versus cheaper third-party paper & ink. For instance, Brother's special A4 paper is extortionate so we have calculated the total cost using HP paper. Only one of the printers in this comparison is a colour laser, as it is hard to justify the extra cost, energy and space required for only occasional printing (i.e. not every web page and email). See our top tips for eco-friendly printers and supplies here.