Lexmark CX953 Review: Pros, Cons, and Cost

Submitted by Byanka Ramos on
Xerox CX953

If your office relies on color printing every day, your printer becomes more than just another piece of equipment.

And as your printing demands increase, it's natural to wonder whether your current printer can still keep up. If not, it might be time to move to something built for heavier workloads.

The Xerox-Lexmark CX953se is one machine that’s fit for high-volume, demanding printing environments.

As the fastest color multifunction printer in the Xerox-Lexmark 9-Series, the CX953se is designed for organizations that need enterprise-level performance, but don’t necessarily need a production press. It combines 55 pages per minute, high-capacity paper handling, professional color output, and advanced workflow capabilities in a platform that's surprisingly straightforward to operate and maintain.

As a Xerox and now Lexmark partner with nearly 40 years of experience helping organizations choose office technology, our goal is to provide an objective review that highlights both the strengths and tradeoffs of this device.

In this review, we'll cover the CX953se's specifications, standout features, pricing considerations, and who will benefit most from adding this printer to their office.

Table of Contents

  • Short Answer: Is the Lexmark CX953se Worth Considering?
  • What Is the Lexmark CX953se?
  • Lexmark CX953se Basics
  • Key Features
  • Pros and Cons
  • How Much Does the CX953se Cost?
  • Who Should Buy the CX953se?
  • Final Verdict
  • FAQ


Short Answer: Is the Xerox-Lexmark CX953se Worth Considering?

The Xerox-Lexmark CX953se is a 55 ppm A3 color multifunction printer built for large workgroups. It offers fast, reliable color printing, strong scanning performance, professional finishing options, and enterprise-level security. If your business regularly produces high volumes of customer-facing documents, it's one of the strongest performers in the Xerox-Lexmark 9-Series.

What Is the Xerox-Lexmark CX953se?

The CX953se is the highest-performance color model in the Xerox-Lexmark 9-Series lineup.

Designed for busy departments and large teams, it prints up to 55 pages per minute. It also offers the same easy-to-use interface and simple supply replenishment as the rest of the series.

It combines speed, professional color capabilities, and flexible finishing to print a wide variety of business documents.

This model is especially ideal for businesses that:

  • Produce large volumes of color documents
  • Need A3/tabloid printing
  • Frequently scan large batches of paperwork
  • Want to keep more professional printing in-house

Xerox-Lexmark CX953se Basics

  • Print speed: Up to 55 ppm color and black-and-white
  • Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 270,000 pages
  • Recommended Monthly Print Volume: 7,000–50,000 pages
  • Scan speed: Up to 200 ipm duplex
  • ADF: 200-sheet single-pass duplex feeder
  • Resolution: 1200 × 1200 dpi
  • Media support: Up to SRA3 and 12 × 18"
  • Base Model Weight: 180.2 lb.

Xerox-Lexmark CX953 printer

Xerox-Lexmark CX953se Key Features

High-Speed Printing That Keeps Teams Moving

The biggest advantage of the CX953se is its speed.

With print and copy speeds of up to 55 pages per minute, the device shines for busy workgroups where multiple users are sending jobs throughout the day. Whether you're printing proposals, reports, presentations, or customer communications, the CX953se helps reduce bottlenecks and keeps projects moving.

It also delivers quick first-page-out times, helping users spend less time waiting and more time working.

Simple to Use, Easy to Manage

Even though it’s an enterprise-level machine, the CX953se doesn't feel overly complicated.

Its intuitive 10-inch Lexmark e-Task touchscreen interface makes it easy to print, copy, scan, and access workflow shortcuts for everyday users.

Xerox-Lexmark 9-Series CX953 UI

The CX953se also supports:

  • Lexmark eSF (Embedded Solutions Framework) apps
  • Xerox ConnectKey Apps for Lexmark devices
  • Xerox Workflow Central, including cloud connectors, document conversion, translation, and workflow automation

These tools make it easy to automate repetitive document tasks, connect with cloud storage platforms, and simplify digital workflows.

User maintenance is also straightforward. One-handed toner replacement, firmware toner lock, clear maintenance alerts, and long-life components help minimize downtime and make routine maintenance easier for users and IT teams alike.

Professional Color and Flexible Media Handling

The CX953se has the ability to produce a wide range of business documents.

It supports A3 (11 × 17) and SRA3 media sizes, so businesses and organizations can print oversized spreadsheets, engineering drawings, brochures, posters, booklets, and other large-format materials. SRA3 provides additional bleed space that's especially useful when professionally trimming printed pieces.

The printer also includes PANTONE calibration, which helps maintain consistent color across branded materials, charts, and customer-facing documents.

Optional finishing capabilities include:

  • Stapling
  • Hole punching
  • Booklet making
  • Folding
  • Offset stacking

For businesses looking to bring more print jobs in-house, these capabilities provide plenty of flexibility without requiring production equipment.

Enterprise Security Built In

Like every device in the Xerox-Lexmark 9-Series, the CX953se is built with security as a core feature rather than an afterthought.

The printer follows Lexmark's Secure by Design philosophy and includes enterprise-level protections such as:

  • Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
  • Secure Boot
  • Firmware validation
  • Certificate management
  • Network encryption
  • Authentication controls
  • Audit logging

These capabilities help organizations protect sensitive information while supporting modern cybersecurity and compliance requirements.

Lexmark CX953se Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Fast 55 ppm print speedsLarger footprint than smaller office MFPs
Professional color with PANTONE® calibrationHigher investment than mid-range models
Flexible A3 and SRA3 media supportMore capacity than many small offices require
Workflow apps and cloud integrationFinishing accessories increase overall cost
Easy supply replenishmentPrimarily designed for medium-to-large workgroups
Enterprise-grade securityRequires IT setup to unlock all security features

 

How Much Does the CX953se Cost?

Like most enterprise multifunction printers, the Lexmark CX953se is highly configurable.

The final cost of investment will depend on factors such as:

  • Additional paper trays
  • Finishing accessories
  • Workflow software
  • Print management solutions
  • Installation
  • Service agreements

While the hardware price is important, it's equally valuable to consider the total cost of ownership, including supplies, maintenance, and the productivity gains that come from choosing a device sized appropriately for your business.

Who Should Buy the CX953se?

Best Fit

  • Large offices
  • Corporate departments
  • Schools and universities
  • Healthcare organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Businesses with high monthly color print volumes
  • Teams producing presentations, proposals, and marketing materials

Probably Not Ideal

  • Small offices with light print volumes
  • Businesses that only print in black and white
  • Organizations that only require letter-size printing
  • Offices that don't need enterprise-level speed

Is the Xerox-Lexmark CX953se Worth It?

The Xerox-Lexmark CX953se is an excellent choice for organizations that need a high-speed A3 color printer.

Its combination of 55 ppm performance, professional color quality, flexible media support, workflow automation, enterprise security, and simplified user experience makes it one of the most capable devices in the Lexmark 9-Series.

If your organization prints large volumes of color documents every day and wants a device that's both powerful and easy to manage, the CX953se deserves serious consideration.

FAQ

Is the Lexmark CX953se the fastest color printer in the Lexmark 9-Series?

Yes. The CX953se offers print speeds of up to 55 pages per minute, making it the fastest color multifunction printer in the current 9-Series lineup.

Does the CX953se support A3 and SRA3 paper?

Yes. It supports both A3 and SRA3 media, making it ideal for oversized business documents, brochures, booklets, and other professional print applications.

Who is the Lexmark CX953se best for?

It's best for medium-to-large organizations that need fast color printing, advanced workflow capabilities, professional finishing options, and high monthly print capacity.

See if the CX953se Fits Your Office

When choosing an A3 multifunction printer, it’s important to select the one that best supports your team's workflows today and as your organization grows.

If you're comparing the Lexmark CX953se with other Lexmark 9-Series or Xerox AltaLink models, our Product Configurator makes it easy to compare specifications, print speeds, paper capacities, finishing options, and recommended monthly volumes side by side.

If you'd like additional guidance, request a quote or contact our team. We'll help you evaluate your print environment, answer your questions, and recommend a solution that fits your workflow, budget, and long-term business goals.