The most common type of printers you will see in traditional office settings these days are multifunction printers (MFPs).
Because of their increasing popularity, there are a seemingly unlimited number of options on the market, which can make it difficult to choose the best one for your situation.
Finding the right MFP for your company is critical to avoiding the consequences that come with purchasing the wrong office machine—such as an increase in service issues that could lead to a breakdown of the machine altogether.
Our almost 40 years of experience and status as a platinum partner of Xerox have afforded us the knowledge to compile a list of the top three MFPs for small-to-medium-sized businesses, specifically from Xerox’s catalog of machines.
We are open about the fact that we are ranking machines that we sell because we don’t want you to get the wrong idea about our intentions with this blog.
Xerox machines are our bread-and-butter, so we want to stick to what we know. But that doesn’t mean Xerox will be the right printer brand for everyone.
Canon, HP, Ricoh, Konica Minolta or any of the other major brands in the printer industry may better fit your needs and we always encourage people to sift through their options before purchasing an MFP.
It’s up to you to decide on which machine will work best for your office; we just want to give you upfront and honest information so you can make an informed decision.
Before we get into the list, though, let’s briefly touch on what MFPs are and who they would be a fit for:
All photos courtesy of Xerox and Professional Document Solutions.
What Are MFPs?
MFPs can go by multiple names, including multifunction printers or all-in-one printers, but they all mean the same thing.
They are machines that can print, copy, scan and fax documents, hence the “all-in-one” moniker.
Their primary purpose is to serve offices that want one machine to handle their printing, copying, scanning and faxing duties.
MFPs put all of those functions in one machine, which, in theory, opens up more room for office space and makes it easier to complete office tasks because your document processes can be done at one machine.
Because the different functions are consolidated into one machine, though, MFPs can get expensive, especially at the advanced level.
They can range anywhere from $1,000-$100,000 or more if you’re dealing with large production-style MFPs.
The cost of MFPs accentuates the importance of getting the right one in place the first time around. To learn more about MFPs, read these blogs:
The 3 Best MFPs for Small or Medium-Sized Businesses
Here are the three best multifunction printers from Xerox’s catalog for workgroups of up to 3-15 users:
1. Xerox VersaLink C405
Basic Specifications
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Print Speed: Up to 36 pages per minute (ppm) in color and black-and-white
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Recommended Monthly Print Volume: 8,500 pages per month
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Base Model Dimensions: 17” x 21.3” x 23.6”
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Base Model Weight: 72 pounds
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Cost: Starting at around $1,099
Who Is the Xerox VersaLink C405 a Good Fit for?
The VersaLink C405 would be ideal for companies of up to 2-10 daily users that need an MFP that can print or copy documents in both color and black and white.
Out of the three MFPs discussed on this list, the VersaLink C405 would be best for small workgroups and also could serve as a desktop printer for an employee that prints/copies documents regularly.
The VersaLink C405 has a recommended monthly print volume of 8,500 pages, so if you print over that threshold, or significantly under it, you will not want to purchase this machine.
If you would like to see a full review of the VersaLink C405, or how it compares to an HP-branded MFP, read the blogs below:
2. Xerox VersaLink C505
Basic Specifications
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Print Speed: Up to 45 pages per minute (ppm) in color and black-and-white
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Recommended Monthly Print Volume: 10,000 pages per month
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Base Model Dimensions: 18.5” x 19.9” x 25.3”
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Base Model Weight: 77.2 pounds
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Cost: Starting at around $2,299
Who Is the Xerox VersaLink C505 a Good Fit for?
The VersaLink C505 is a step up from the VersaLink C405 in terms of print speed and recommended monthly print volume.
With that being the case, the VersaLink C505 would be a good fit for companies with 5-15 daily users that are looking for more production power and speed with their MFP.
It’s a solid “middle-option” for small-to-medium-sized businesses that need a machine that is bigger and faster than the C405 model.
Read our review of the Xerox VersaLink C505 for a more comprehensive look at the machine.
3. Xerox VersaLink C7125
Basic Specifications
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Print Speed: Up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) in color and black-and-white
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Recommended Monthly Print Volume: 6,250 pages per month
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Base Model Dimensions: 23.23” x 26.41” x 30.18”
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Base Model Weight: 137.9 pounds
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Cost: Starting at around $5,000
Who Is the Xerox VersaLink C7125 a Good Fit for?
The VersaLink C7125 is the most advanced model out of the three MFPs on this list, as it is heavier, more expensive and prints a higher variety of prints.
For instance, the VersaLink C7125 can print tabloid-sized prints, which are 11” x 17,” while the other two machines mentioned in this blog cannot. It also has more configuration and print finishing options than the others on this list, such as stapling, booklet making and hole punch.
This machine would be best for workgroups of 3-10 daily users that print around its recommended monthly print volume of 6,250 pages and need a multifunction device with multiple accessories and configuration options.
Read our review of the Xerox VersaLink C7125 to see a more detailed summary of the machine.
It should be mentioned that all three printers we discussed today are color MFPs, which means they can print documents in color and black-and-white.
However, there are plenty of options for workgroups that need an MFP that just print in black and white. Options for small-to-medium-sized workgroups from Xerox in this category include the VersaLink B405, B605 and B7125.
Read the review blogs to learn more about these machines:
Which MFP Is Right for You?
The three MFPs discussed today, the Xerox VersaLink C405, C505 and C7125, are quality options for small-to-medium-sized businesses that need efficient machines to handle their daily printing matters.
However, they are certainly not going to be a fit for all workgroups, and it’s important that you vet out your options before purchasing a machine.
Multifunction devices are crucial parts of the daily office infrastructure, and we know from experience how costly it can be to buy the wrong one.
To ensure that you get the right MFP in place for your company, ask yourself these three questions first:
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What MFP will be able to handle my monthly print volume?
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How much can I reasonably budget for a new MFP and should I lease or purchase it?
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Do I have the appropriate space to accommodate the MFP’s size?
Take these three questions to narrow down your options and choose the machine that most aligns with your printing goals.
As we mentioned in the introduction, we sell each of the three machines listed in this story, and if you read through this and are interested in one of them, we can talk to you about the next steps in the process.
However, if you read through this and aren’t interested in a Xerox MFP, we can help refer you to the right place.
Our goal is to help you in any way that we can so that your print environment is the least of your worries.
If you’re interested in a Xerox machine or need help finding your next office printer, reach out to us and our team of experts will guide you toward your ideal solution.
