OFFICE COPIER | 10 MIN READ
Needing to find the best office copiers for 2020? You've found the most comprehensive article out there addressing just that!
Who would have thought there were so many office copiers out there? The reality is that copiers are viewed as a commodity for businesses and nearly every business has at least one. But are all copiers the same? And if they aren't the same, how do you decide which one to purchase?
With the help of our friends at Buyer's Lab, this article includes a breakdown of the 15 best office copiers on the market today! But before we get to that...
Everyone has a budget, but settling for the cheapest copier may not be the best bang for your buck and might be more headache than the few dollars per month you saved.
As a company who has sold nearly every brand of office copier on the market, including big names like Canon, Sharp, and Ricoh, business managers often turn to us and ask for our recommendation on the best office copiers (aka multifunction printer). So, we thought we should write about it!
In this article, we are going to break down the top office copiers (including ones better suited for small business) on the market for 2020. How did these copiers make our list?
Not a lot of time? Jump to what you need:
List of Best Office Copiers of 2020
Best Office Copier List Criteria
How We Created Our List
Best Color Copiers of 2020
Best Black and White Copiers of 2020
Other Considerations
Purchasing a Copier? Find One Here
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.
Note: take each ranking with a grain of salt because each business' needs vary greatly and place higher value on different features. As a result, we'll breakdown each model in detail, but if you're just looking for a starting point, here's the list:
Click on a machine to go straight to the review:
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.
How We Created Our List:
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. The factors we identified above were determined by Standard Office Systems as the most important to include in our ranking:
Reliability was listed as the most important factor. 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 the 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, it 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.
Below, we've broken down each machine's score so that you can see which areas of strength each copier has, as determined by Buyer's Lab. The machines are group by color and then by black & white.
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 9 |
Total Score: 19/20
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 18.625/20
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
Total Score: 18.5/20
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 6.5 |
Total Score: 17.5
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 6.5 |
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.5 | 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 18.125/20
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.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 16.625/20
Speed: 90ppm
Dimensions: 41.45" x 26.97" x 31.10"
An ideal monochrome laser multifunction printer for high-volume workplaces. This workhorse boasts an excellent reliability rating and a plethora of features. The 9002i includes the ability to accept paper weights of up to 166-lbs. Copy features include ID card copy, page numbering, and skip blank page options. Its many features make it slightly less user friendly and its image quality is not as high as other copiers featured on our list, but the speed and reliability are pluses for environments that aren't ready for a production printer but need a reliable, fast machine.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.5 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
Total Score: 18.175/20
Speed: 75ppm
Dimensions: 48" x 26-3/8" x 30-5/8"
An excellent overall performer, the 6575i II exhibits near flawless reliability. A perfect fit for users who depend on their machines having minimal downtime. Fast job stream speeds assist in multi-user environments where difference type of files and jobs are sent to machines, regularly. Designed to work seamlessly with mobile devices, cloud-based services, and Canon's third-party solutions, this machine boasts exceptional security, with limited extraneous features.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 10 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 18.125/20
Sharp MX-M7570
Speed: 75 ppm
Dimensions: 48" x 26" x 30-1/2"
A workhorse for large offices that require high volumes of black and white media, the MX-M7570 (the update to the MX-M754N) delivers exceptional reliability for office environments that need a dependable machine that can still deliver quality image results in a timely manner. It makes up for its more limited features by being great for businesses who produce monthly invoices or for other jobs that require a substantial amount of printing.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.5 | 6 | 10 | 5 |
Total Score: 17.125/20
Speed: 51 ppm
Dimensions: 47" x 23-1/8" x 29-1/8"
Weighing-in just barely in the 50 ppm and over class of our list, the 4551i II is a direct replacement to the 4551i and boasts a superior document feeder that enables faster scanning. Additionally, this machines boasts an improved warm-up time, more memory, and higher page-yield per toner cartridge.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 6.5 |
Total Score: 17.125/20
Speed: 95 ppm
Dimensions: 49-1/2" x 58-3/8" x 30-3/8"
Features? What features? If you are looking for a machine that can make your coffee, then you might want to keep looking. Where this machine excels is in the speed and reliability department, as the 8595i II is the fastest machine on our 2020 Best Office Copier list. Paired with an exceptional image quality rating and you get a machine that is designed to produce results... and fast!
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 8 | 7.5 | 10 | 5 |
Total Score: 16.625/20
Black & white copiers 50 ppm and under:
Speed: 25 ppm
Dimensions: 35.9" x 23.1" x 26.9"
A copier designed for work groups of up to 4,000 impressions per month, this small office or department copier boasts strong security and reliability. Like many of today's newer models, the 2555SP offers support for mobile and cloud printing from Google Drive, Dropbox, and the Ricoh Smart Device Connector app.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8 | 10 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 18.5/20
Speed: 50 ppm
Dimensions: 33" x 24" x 26"
A machine designed for the workplace that needs 250,000 impressions or fewer per month, the M5070 is a highly reliable device that is strong across the board. Serving as a replacement to its predecessor (the M465N), this model boasts faster print (while still remaining in the 50 and under category) and scan speeds, with greater memory and hard drive capacity. With a high security and usability rating to compliment, this model exceeds in the some of the most important areas, but for a lower price than some of the copiers listed above it.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 17.75/20
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 33" x 24" x 26"
Designed for small to mid-sized work groups/departments, the M3070N is a highly reliable and secure multifunction device. With an excellent rating in its usability, this machine ties for the strongest rating in the Ease of Use category on our list (matching the Sharp MX-6070N), making up for some of its limits in image quality for users who are looking for a machine that does what they need it to do.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 |
Total Score: 17.625/20
Purchasing a machine that's received great marks is, well - great - but when you decide to pull the trigger on purchasing your copier, you have to consider more than just the total score.
After all, you wouldn't purchase a car just because it had great fuel economy and was the most reliable, right? Well, you're probably thinking, "Of course I would!" But what if you needed a vehicle that could transport large objects or pull a boat? You probably aren't going to purchase a Prius.
Your copier is the same way. If reliability is the most important factor, that's going to be a different copier than if image quality is a non-compromising factor.
And what about security? On our list, Canon was the only manufacturer that got perfect security marks on every machine sampled.
Finally, there's the dealer factor. One of our marketing representatives told me once that someone they spoke with said they only purchased copiers from a specific brand, claiming it was the only one that never gave them issues.
Keep in mind, a great machine in the hands of a poor copier dealer or manufacturer service team can become a very average unit. Inversely, an average machine serviced by a great team can become a great machine.
Deciding who to trust for your service is important and there are a lot of myths regarding copier dealer and manufacturers. Educating yourself is the first step toward getting the best machine that matches your needs and your budget.
If you made it to the end of this blog and you still have questions, we are happy to help. Yes, we've been in the industry for over 50 years, and yes we sell copiers, but we are more interested in helping businesses get the machine they need.
Click the button below if you have a question that wasn't answered in this article. We are happy to help you!
Want to Learn More?
The Cost of a Copier
Copier Features: What's Most Important
Commercial Copiers: How to Save Money and Still Get More
Best Wide Format Printers 2018
Production Printing: Are You a Good Fit?