10 Best Color Copiers of 2020

BEST COLOR COPIERS | 8 MIN READ

Who would have thought there were so many commercial color copiers out there to choose from? The sheer number of options available to companies can quickly become paralyzing if you don't know what to look for. In this article, with the help of our friends at Buyer's Lab, we'll break down the 15 best office copiers (including ones suited for small business) of 2020.

As a company who has sold nearly every brand of office copier on the market for over 50 years, including big names like Canon, Sharp, HP, and Ricoh, business managers often turn to us and ask for our recommendation on the best color copiers. So, we thought we should write about it!

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Our List Criteria

10 Best Color Copiers of 2020 List

Best Color Copiers [Over 50+ PPM]

Best Color Copiers [50 PPM and Under]

Our List Criteria

Everyone has a budget, but settling for the cheapest copier may not be the best bang for your buck. There are additional crucial factors to consider when purchasing a copier, which we've worked into our selection criteria. 

The criteria listed below are certainly not the only factors to consider when purchasing an office machine. Your company may have unique needs that are not covered in this review, so it is important to consult an industry professional before making a final decision.

• Reliability− Each machine on this list ran the recommended number of impressions listed by the manufacturer and was assessed based on the number of mis-feeds that occurred during the test.
  
  For instance, a machine claiming an average monthly duty cycle of 200,000 impressions/prints would be tested by running 200,000 sheets through the machine.
  
  
• Image Quality− This rates how well the copier performs in the areas of:
  • Color Print Quality (business graphics and photographic images)
  • Black Print Quality (text, halftone range, halftone fill, line art, and solids)
  • Print Density (this measures the density of a printed image with blocks of all solid colors based on the average of two readings each for cyan, magenta, and yellow, and four different locations for black output)
  • Gamut Variance Readings (assesses the distance between colors)

• Ease of Use− For each copier on this list, we asked ourselves if the design and interface are intuitive. This category is measured in the areas of print, scan, copy, job management, multitasking, and feedback.
  
  
• Security− For this criterion, we analyzed which features each copier had that secure data, including the following: network user authentication, biometric, ID card, common access, and more.
  
  
• Features− The variety of apps and tools included with the device, as well as other hardware features like additional memory and hard drive capacities. This category is broken down into three criteria: specifications, solutions, and environmental.

If you decide to purchase a copier from this list, you have to consider more than just the copier with the highest score. 

Determine which factors are the most important to you before examining this list. For instance, if reliability is the most important factor, then you are likely going to prefer a different copier on the list than someone who values security the most. 

How We Created Our List

All of our data was compiled from our company's internal data throughout 2019, as well as heavily from Buyer's Lab, a trusted independent resource within the copier industry. If you would like even more detailed information on these machines, we recommend reaching out to Buyer's Lab for their full reports.

Buyer's Lab is an industry resource for copiers, printers, scanners, and fax machines. Their database includes thousands of machines that are thoroughly and consistently tested. We analyzed how Buyer's Lab scores machines to determine how our rankings and scores would be built.

Reliability was listed on Buyer's Lab as the most important factor. This is because a machine with great features and image quality isn't that great if it's broken all the time. Therefore, only machines that received a reliability rating of 8.5 or more were considered for our list.

Reliability also makes up 50% of our total SOS Rating. The other four factors (image quality, ease of use, security, and features) were averaged and then added to the reliability score to create a total possible score of 20.

Broken down as a formula, our scoring looks like this:

Reliability + [(IQ + EU + S + F)/4] = SOS Best Office Copier Rating

It should also be noted that we only considered machines that had been lab tested by a third party, so it is possible that some high quality machines were omitted from this list. Unfortunately, we can't include a machine based on what the manufacturer claims on its spec sheets.

In this list, we've broken down each machine's score so that you can see which areas of strength each copier has. The machines are grouped by color and then by black & white.

RELATED: Best Office Copiers of 2020 [Ratings + Reviews]

Best Color Copiers [50+ PPM]

Canon imageRUNNER Advance C7580i II

Market Entry Year: 2018
Speed: 80 ppm
Dimensions: 48" x 27-1/8" x 37-1/8"

The C7580i II is about as good as it gets by office copier standards. Receiving high marks in every category, this machine is perfect for enterprise-level offices, high print volume requirements, and multi-user environments. Like most of Canon's copiers, its display screen is highly customizable to suit your preferences. If you're looking for a high-capacity machine with few weaknesses, this is a good option.

Strengths:

• Maximum uptime can be expected due to exceptional reliability
• Fully customizable control panel allows you to streamline daily tasks 
• Robust security features protect sensitive documents which meets regulations and builds customer and employee trust

Weaknesses:

• Scan-to-email lacks the ability to store common extensions/domains as one-touch keys (though does allow the storage of addresses)
• Print from and scan to flash drives doesn't auto-populate when device is inserted into machine

 
Total Score: 19/20

Canon imageRUNNER Advance C5560i II

Market Entry Year: 2018
Speed: 60 ppm
Dimensions: 47-2/7" x 24-3/8" x 29-1/4"

The C5560i II is designed for businesses with complex printing and scanning needs, with high image quality and fast print speeds for its class of copier. When compared to its predecessor, this machine offers a higher-capacity cartridge, more memory, and larger touchscreen, standard wireless, standard hard disk drive encryption, and a higher paper capacity. 

Strengths:

• Exceptional reliability that reduces downtime
• Quick first-print time increases productivity
• Comprehensive security systems ensure sensitive documents are protected

Weaknesses:

• Inaccurate paper status is displayed unless the driver is refreshed
• Utilities installed independently and one-by-one

Total Score: 18.625/20

Kyocera TASKalfa 8052ci

Market Entry Year: 2016
Speed:  80 ppm
Dimensions: 41.45" x 26.97" x 31.10"

The 8052ci serves as an alternate option to the Canon imageRUNNER Advance C7580i II in terms of speed, with a perfect features rating, but lower security, ease of use, and image quality rating. This machine is designed for large work environments that need a high-volume machine for printing in color. When compared to previous editions, this model boasts a faster warm-up time, more random access memory, and a faster monochrome/black & white print speed. 

Strengths:

• Excellent paper-handling features
• Customizable 9" color touch screen
• Optional EFI Fiery controller

Weaknesses:

• Wireless connectivity is only optional
• May not be the best fit for SMB's

Total Score: 18.5/20

Toshiba e-Studio 5506 ACTG

Market Entry Year: April 2019
Speed: 65 ppm
Dimensions: 48.3" x 37.6" x 27.5"

This machine performed very well during third-party testing and it appears Toshiba has made strong efforts to improve many of its machines in areas that were once severely lacking. With that said, there were three minor misfeeds during the test (more than any other machine on the list). Features that are particularly helpful, include on-the-fly toner replacement for maximized uptime. 

Strengths:

• Faster-than-average color duplex speeds
• Faster-than-average scan speeds in all modes tested
• Black and white copy speed is at times faster-than-average

Weaknesses:

• Some colors appear "washed out" during copy mode
• Reddish flesh tones appear from photographic images
• Cannot store domains (@gmail.com, @yahoo.com, etc) for simple entry of scan destinations

Total Score: 17.75/20

Sharp MX-6071

Market Entry Year: 2016
Speed: 60 ppm 
Dimensions: 33" x 24" x 26"

The MX-6070N is a great choice for mid-sized and large departments. It's usability is at the top of the list in terms of ease of use, also boasting a high mark in reliability and security. Where this machine may lack a little in the image quality department, it makes up for in its functionality. 

Strengths:

• Robust security feature set, including Application Whitelisting, Firmware Attack Prevention and Self Recovery, and Active Directory
• Fastest or among the fastest speeds when printing majority of short-and long-run jobs
• Excellent overall reliability and easy user maintenance mean minimal downtime

Weaknesses:

• Non-intuitive secure print procedures
• No encryption for scan to USB
• Help function at control panel is limited and not contextually sensitive
• Below average standard paper capacity and document feeder capacity

Total Score: 17.5/20

Best Color Copiers [50 PPM and Under]

Konica Minolta Bizhub C308 

Market Entry Year: August 2015
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 31" x 24.2" x 27"

With flawless reliability in testing in addition to flexibility and customization, the C308 is an outstanding overall performer. Like many Konica Minolta machines, the award-winning MyTab offers users fully customizable drivers along with the ability to move between three different interfaces. Additional care has been taken to make integrating with mobile devices seamless, and at 30 pages per minute, this copier is great for meeting the demands of a small to mid-sized workgroup.

Strengths:

• Upgraded touchscreen workflow
• Flexible paper handling

Weaknesses:

• Document feeder is only optional

Total Score: 18.5/20

Canon imageRUNNER Advance C3530i II

Market Entry Year: 2018
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 45-1/5" x 22-1/4" x 29-1/4"

An ideal copier designed for legal, financial, healthcare, educational, and other high-volume (paper intensive) environments. Its durability and reliability makes up for its slower speed when compared to its big brother machines. When compared with previous versions of this model, an upgraded four key security feature comes standard, and also includes hard drive overwrite and encryption.

Strengths: 

• Quick first-print time from daytime sleep mode
• Print jobs move quickly with fast scan speeds and small color scan file sizes to increase productivity
• Flawless reliability and easy routines to replace consumables increase uptime, greatly.  

Weaknesses:

• Below average speeds for printing in color
• Utilities are installed one-by-one, independent of the drivers

Total Score: 18.375/20

HP LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E87650z 

Market Entry Date: April 2017
Speed: 50 ppm ( available in 40 and 60 ppm)
Dimensions: 36.7" x 23" x 30.3"

First Copy Time: 7.5 sec color / 6.4 sec mono
Recommended Monthly Volume: 40,000

With high reliability, a good print quality that will meet the general needs of an office based on its clear and consistent mono-color print output. This, combined with HP's industry-leading security, makes it an ideal printer for larger work groups.

Strengths:

• Excellent reliability maximizes uptime and eliminates much of the need for service calls
• A lower price with above average features makes this a great value
• Unlimited print job profiles that allow you to simplify more complex printing and save time

Weaknesses:

• Over-saturation when copying color business graphics
• Slower than average first-print/copy times

Total Score: 18.375/20

Xerox AltaLink C8030 (w/ High-Capacity Tandem Tray)

Market Entry Year: 2017
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 45"x 25.2" x 28.9"

The C8030 was designed for mid-size to large department use. Based on 110,000 impressions made, Buyer's Lab found that it only had one misfeed and required zero service. That's pretty reliable! Its ease-of-use is strong, but its feature options and image quality are a bit lower than other units. Still, this is a solid middle-of-the-pack machine.

Strengths:

• Mobile and cloud printing/scanning
• Versatile paper trays and finishing options
• McAfee partnership means added security

Weaknesses:

• Those without a need for high-volume printing may not be a good fit

Total Score: 18.125/20

Ricoh MP C4504ex

Market Entry Year: 2017
Speed: 45 ppm
Dimensions: 27" x 23.1" x 37.9"

A solid copier for mid-sized offices or departments, the C4505ex boasts a robust security rating and high marks in usability. When compared to its predecessor, this machine features a built-in web browser so that users can capture online files and images without the need for a traditional computer.

Strengths:

• Print from the Ricoh app and access cloud-stored documents
• Fast printing speeds
• Wide array of available customizations

Weaknesses:

• May be too expensive for smaller businesses 
• PostScript is only optional

Total Score: 16.625/20

Once you determine which copier you want, you have two final decisions to make: will you buy or lease your machine, and will you purchase it through a dealer or manufacturer?

Buying or leasing is a decision that could go either way depending on your business' financial situation, which is why it must be carefully made. 

When you decide if you want to purchase through a dealer or manufacturer, you need to look past the myths surrounding the two to make a fully informed decision. Choosing the right copier provider will determine the quality of machine servicing that you get, which can greatly affect after-market charges.

As a company that has been in the copier industry for over 50 years, we have gained enough expertise that we love to share with our readers. We hope this article answered your questions, but if you have more, we are happy to help. 

If you want to learn more about our imaging solutions, click here. For more copier content, follow our blog!