Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5560i
The gold standard for professional color output. Canon's V2 Color Technology delivers unmatched color accuracy and consistency, making this the definitive choice for marketing departments, design firms, and any business where color quality cannot be compromised.
Best For: Marketing departments, graphic design firms, advertising agencies, architecture firms, professional services creating high-quality color presentations, any business where color accuracy and brand consistency are critical.
Ricoh IM C6000
Exceptional color quality and feature set at a competitive price. Ricoh's flagship color model delivers professional results with Smart Operation Panel, cloud connectivity, and excellent total cost of ownership. The best value in professional color.
Best For: Medium to large offices, in-house marketing teams, corporate communications, businesses needing high-volume color at competitive cost per page.
Xerox VersaLink C7030
Xerox legendary reliability meets modern color quality. ConnectKey technology provides seamless cloud integration and mobile printing. Consistent color output with minimal calibration needs, backed by Xerox's industry-leading service network.
Best For: Businesses prioritizing uptime and reliability, offices needing cloud integration, companies with existing Xerox service contracts.
Konica Minolta bizhub C650i
High-speed color workhorse delivering 65 PPM in full color. Outstanding print quality with Simitri HD+ toner for vibrant output. InfoPalette dashboard provides real-time device monitoring and usage analytics. Perfect for high-volume color environments.
Best For: High-volume color environments, central reprographics departments, print-for-pay operations, large marketing departments with extensive color needs.
HP LaserJet MFP M681dh
Industry-leading security with HP Wolf Security detecting and preventing threats in real-time. Self-healing firmware automatically recovers from attacks. Outstanding color quality with ColorSphere 3 toner. Perfect for secure color printing environments.
Brother MFC-L9570CDW
Professional color quality at an entry-level price. Compact desktop size with full MFP capabilities including NFC mobile printing. Outstanding value with lowest cost per color page (6.5¢). Perfect for small businesses needing occasional professional color.
Kyocera TASKalfa 5053ci
Long-life ceramic drums (600,000 pages) and ECOSYS technology deliver the lowest total cost of ownership for color printing. Excellent color quality with minimal maintenance. Best long-term value for high-volume color environments.
Lexmark CX927de
Ultra-fast first-page-out (4.4 seconds color) and powerful quad-core processor eliminate bottlenecks. Large touchscreen and customizable workflows boost productivity. High-capacity paper handling reduces refill frequency in busy environments.
Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM-C4000
Heat-free PrecisionCore inkjet technology uses 85% less energy than laser color copiers. Replaceable ink pack system delivers up to 100,000 color pages between replacements. Fast 50 PPM color speed with minimal environmental impact.
Color Copier Comparison
| Model | Color Speed | Color Tech | Price | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon C5560i | 60 PPM | V2 Color | $8,500 | Best Overall Quality |
| Ricoh IM C6000 | 60 PPM | Standard | $7,200 | Best Value |
| Xerox VersaLink C7030 | 30 PPM | Standard | $3,400 | Most Reliable |
| Konica Minolta C650i | 65 PPM | Simitri HD+ | $9,800 | Fastest Speed |
| Sharp MX-5071 | 50 PPM | 1200 DPI | $7,800 | Best Image Quality |
| HP M681dh | 47 PPM | ColorSphere 3 | $5,400 | Most Secure |
| Brother MFC-L9570CDW | 33 PPM | Standard | $650 | Best Budget |
| Kyocera TASKalfa 5053ci | 50 PPM | ECOSYS | $4,800 | Lowest TCO |
| Lexmark CX927de | 55 PPM | Standard | $8,200 | Best Productivity |
| Epson AM-C4000 | 50 PPM | Inkjet | $6,500 | Eco-Friendly |
Color Copier Buying Guide
Color Quality Factors:
- Resolution: Look for 1200x1200 dpi or higher for photo-quality output. Standard 600 dpi is acceptable for business documents and presentations.
- Color Technology: Canon V2, Konica Minolta Simitri HD+, and Xerox EA-Eco toners deliver superior color vibrancy and accuracy.
- Pantone Matching: Essential for brand-critical work. Canon, Konica Minolta, and Xerox offer Pantone certification on high-end models.
- Automatic Calibration: Ensures consistent color over time. Essential for professional environments creating marketing materials.
Key Considerations:
- Color Volume: Match speed to your color page volume. 30 PPM handles 5,000-10,000 color pages/month; 60+ PPM supports 20,000+ pages/month.
- Cost Per Color Page: Calculate total cost based on your volume. Ranges from 6.5¢ (Brother) to 12¢ (high-end models) per color page.
- Media Handling: Verify support for your paper weights. Look for 60-130 lb capability for cardstock, brochures, and specialty media.
- Finishing Options: Stapling, hole-punch, booklet making, and folding add value for professional documents. Consider your finishing needs upfront.