8 MIN READ | HP VS CANON COPIERS
HP vs Canon copiers are a comparison of reliability, quality, ease of use and affordability. The differences between a copier's main functions are pretty marginal, but depending on the needs of your business or organization, the smaller details might make all the difference. Are you looking for the advantages of buying from one of two established and trusted brands? We breakdown the differences between the most popular Canon and HP copiers on the market so that you can make a more informed decision when selecting your next machine.
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As a Canon and HP dealer, we like both brands; however, we decided to take this article one step further by using data from our friends at Buyer's Lab. They're a third-party company that exists to test and evaluate copiers and printers on the market, today.
To create our comparisons, we at SOS created a formula and input our Buyer's Lab data into that formula to create an overall score:
(IQ + EU + S + F + R) / 5 = SOS Copier Rating
Glossary of Metrics
IQ = Image Quality - the quality of a machine's prints are incredibly important. It's the difference between a print job looking professional or looking cheap.
EU = Ease of Use - although image quality is pretty consistent from machine to machine, ease of us isn't. How intuitive is it for a new user to walk up to a machine and use the copier to complete various tasks.
S = Security - most business owners are aware of cyber threats and the importance of protecting their network, but some don't realize the vulnerabilities that lie with their copier. Today's copiers are connected to company networks, and as a result, they can access sensitive data. The copier you purchase needs security features and safety protocols to make sure private company and customer information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
F = Features - features are where we see the widest range between machines. This doesn't mean that it should be the deciding factor, though, as the features you consider should be completely based on the needs of your company.
R = Reliability - the uptime you can expect based on the manufacturer's specifications. This is an important factor because it's an indicator of how often you can expect a machine to need a service call.
Our list is based on the eight most popular Canon and HP models (four each) that we sell at Standard Office Systems. To offer complete transparency and trust to our readers, our ratings of each of these models are based on the information obtained by Buyer's Lab.
If you're interested to see a more comprehensive list that includes models from a wider variety of manufacturers, just take a look at our best office copiers list for 2020.
Color: Mono
Market Entry Date: May 2019
Dimensions: 19.5" x 18.9" x 19.5"
First Copy Time: 6.5 sec
Recommended Monthly Volume: 2,000 to 7,500
About This Machine:
Uses HP EcoSmart black toner to help conserve energy consumption. Designed for small to medium-sized businesses to deliver enhanced productivity, simplified workflows, and reduced operating costs.
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 34.6" x 22.3" x 28.5"
First Copy Time: 8.6 sec (from sleep mode)
Recommended Monthly Volume: 30,000
Good overall performance with only one minor misfeed observed after 300,000 prints. Print output and quality will meet the general needs of an office environment, however, organizations in need of high quality image prints may want to consider other options. This is a good machine for groups that need basic copying and printing needs met.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 10 | NR |
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:
Weaknesses:
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 10 | NR |
Speed: 40 ppm (available in 50 and 60 ppm)
Dimensions: 36.7" x 23" x 30.3"
First Copy Time: 7 sec
Recommended Monthly Volume: 100,000
The MFP E82540z (as well as the E82550z and E82560z) showed excellent overall performance, including flawless reliability. Through 300,000 jobs, this device never produced a single misfeed; a great machine for offices in need of a highly reliable non-color copier/multifunction printer.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 10 | NR |
Speed: 35 ppm
Dimensions: 37-3/8" x 24-3/8" x 29-1/4"
Our most popular Canon machine sold to businesses that includes features like HDD encryption, Universal Login Manager, Remote Operator's Software Kit, and more. Designed to reduce maintenance costs and downtime, with long-life drums, high-capacity toner cartridges and a waste toner container that is 3x larger than its predecessor.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 10 |
Speed: 45 ppm
Dimensions: 47" x 23-1/8" x 29-1/8"
A dependable A3-sized copier, this Canon is a good choice for mid-to large-sized work groups. Additionally, you can expect fast print times for short-run documents, fast duplex scan speeds, and fast first-copy out times. This allows your employees to accomplish tasks more efficiently and not waste time waiting for copy jobs to finish.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 6.5 |
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 45-1/5" x 22-1/4" x 29-1/4"
This compact machine includes a number of benefits that make it great for medium-sized work groups. This is one of the highest rated machines when it comes to durability, which means your machine is up and running longer, making your employees more efficient. Additional features include user replaceable toners and drums and a strong ease-of-use rating. Where it lacks on features, this machine makes-up in uptime.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 6.5 |
Total Score: 8.7/10
Speed: 70 ppm
Dimensions: 48" x 27-1/8" x 37-1/8"
If you need a production level printer with outstanding reliability and performance, it doesn't get much stronger than this Canon. At 70 pages per minute, this machine is ideal for large offices or internal print departments. Downtime is minimal on this machine and its simple procedure for replacing consumables like toner, staples, paper, and more, deliver maximum uptime and increase efficiency. It's difficult to find a color printer with this kind of speed and reliability.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 9 |
There are many more factors to consider when purchasing a copier. For instance, a great machine with terrible support or service becomes a very average piece of equipment. If reliability is at 99%, but the one time it does have issues takes weeks to receive service, then you negate that reliability.
We wrote an article on the myths of comparing copier dealers and manufacturers, and it has become an eye-opener for many. You might be surprised to learn that there are many similarities to the two and a few key differences.
Regardless of the decision you make, be sure to fully understand how to choose your copier vendor so that you can be assured your machines will be up and running without issue. With copiers being so comparable from manufacturer to manufacturer, the real difference is in the service you receive after the purchase.
Interested in a HP or Canon product? Checkout our full product catalog: