Best Printers for Small Businesses UK 2026
The best printers for small businesses UK in 2026 start with a clear winner: the Epson EcoTank ET-4950. It costs more upfront than the alternatives, but its refillable ink tank system means you can print thousands of pages before spending another penny on supplies. For any small business that prints regularly, the running cost saving dwarfs the higher purchase price within months.
All prices below are verified on Amazon UK as of June 2026. Check current prices on publish day as these can fluctuate.
Ink costs are the hidden expense that catches most small businesses out. A printer that looks cheap to buy can cost far more over a year once you factor in replacement cartridges. This guide focuses on total cost of ownership, not just sticker price, and all three printers below are currently in stock on Amazon UK, sold directly by Amazon.
The best printers for small businesses UK: our top picks
1. Epson EcoTank ET-4950: best overall for running costs
The EcoTank ET-4950 replaces disposable cartridges with refillable ink tanks, and Epson includes enough ink in the box to cover up to three years of typical printing. That alone makes it the most cost-effective choice for any small business printing more than a few dozen pages a week. It is currently on sale at £369.90, down 20% from an RRP of £459.99, making this a particularly good time to buy.
You get print, copy, scan, and fax in one device, with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, a 6.1cm touchscreen, automatic duplex printing, and an automatic document feeder. The Ethernet port is a notable step up from the ET-4850, making it easier to share the printer across a small office network without relying on Wi-Fi. Print speeds reach 20ppm in black and colour, which is competitive with the cartridge-based alternatives in this guide.
Replacement ink bottles are inexpensive, and a full set yields thousands of pages. Compare that to cartridge-based printers where a set of four cartridges can cost £30–£50 and yield a fraction of the pages. If you print invoices, quotes, letters, or any regular business documents, the ET-4950 will save you meaningful money over the course of a year.
The weakness: the upfront cost is the highest of the three printers here, even at the current sale price. Initial setup takes longer than a cartridge printer, and the unit is physically large, so check your desk space before ordering. If you print very infrequently, the running cost advantage is less relevant and a cheaper cartridge printer may suit you better.
Price: £369.90 (currently 20% off RRP of £459.99) on Amazon UK, sold by Amazon. Check current price on Amazon →
2. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e: best for speed and cloud connectivity
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is HP’s current front-line business inkjet and the most affordable printer in this guide at £149.99, currently 17% off its RRP of £179.99. It is aimed at small offices that need fast, reliable printing with minimal setup, and it delivers on both counts.
Print speeds reach 22ppm in black and 18ppm in colour, making it the quickest of the three printers here. HP+ connectivity keeps the printer updated automatically and integrates tightly with the HP Smart app for remote printing, scan-to-cloud, and smart document shortcuts. You also get a 35-sheet ADF, automatic duplex printing, a 250-sheet paper tray, fax, and a 6.7cm touchscreen. Three months of HP Instant Ink are included, HP’s subscription service that monitors your ink levels and dispatches replacements before you run out.
The weakness: ongoing cartridge costs are higher than the EcoTank over the long term. HP Instant Ink is reasonably priced but it is a subscription, and once the trial ends you will be paying monthly. HP’s dynamic security system locks the printer to genuine HP cartridges, ruling out cheaper third-party alternatives. Running costs are manageable for moderate print volumes, but heavy printers will find the EcoTank significantly cheaper to run within a year.
Price: £149.99 (currently 17% off RRP of £179.99) on Amazon UK, sold by Amazon. Check current price on Amazon →
3. Brother MFC-J4350DW: best for reliability and simplicity
The Brother MFC-J4350DW is a no-fuss 3-in-1 inkjet covering print, copy, and scan, built around Brother’s well-earned reputation for low-maintenance, long-lasting machines. It is Amazon’s Choice in its category and has a Best Sellers Rank of 25 in All-in-One Printers on Amazon UK, which reflects genuine buyer confidence rather than just marketing.
Print speeds of 20ppm in black and 19ppm in colour match the Epson and comfortably keep pace with the HP. You get automatic duplex printing, a flatbed and ADF scanner, an LCD display, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a 150-sheet paper tray. Compatible cartridges are the LC527 family, with XL high-yield versions available to keep per-page costs down. Brother also offers its EcoPro ink subscription from £1.99 per month if your print volume is predictable.
The weakness: there is no fax, which rules it out for businesses that still rely on it. The single 150-sheet tray is smaller than the HP’s 250-sheet capacity, so you will be refilling paper more often under heavy use. At £154.99 it is only £5 more than the HP, so the choice between the two comes down to whether you need fax and HP’s cloud features, or prefer Brother’s simpler, proven hardware.
Price: £154.99 on Amazon UK, sold by Amazon. Check current price on Amazon →
| Printer | Price | Running costs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Top pick | £369.90 | ✓ Lowest | High-volume everyday printing |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e | £149.99 | ✓ Moderate (with Instant Ink) | Speed and cloud connectivity |
| Brother MFC-J4350DW | £154.99 | ✗ Higher without XL cartridges | Reliability and simplicity |
Verdict
If you print regularly and want to keep costs under control, the Epson EcoTank ET-4950 is the right choice. The higher purchase price is recovered quickly through dramatically lower ink costs, three years of ink in the box means minimal outlay for a long time, and the current 20% sale price makes it better value than usual. It is not the cheapest printer to buy, but it is the cheapest to own.
If your print volume is low or speed is the priority, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is excellent value at £149.99 and the easiest of the three to get up and running. The Brother MFC-J4350DW earns its place for businesses that want a dependable, straightforward machine from a brand with a strong track record, and do not need fax functionality.
How often should a small business replace its printer?
Most business inkjets last five to seven years with regular use. Replace when repair costs start to outweigh the value of the machine, or when consumables become hard to source.
Is wireless printing secure enough for business use?
Yes, provided your Wi-Fi network is password protected and up to date. Modern business printers also include built-in security features. Avoid printing sensitive documents over public or shared networks.
Can I use third-party ink cartridges in a business printer?
It depends on the printer. Brother and Epson generally work with compatible third-party cartridges, which can cut costs significantly. HP printers with HP+ activated use dynamic security that blocks non-HP cartridges, so check before you buy. If you print large volumes of black and white documents, a mono laser printer is worth considering instead. Toner cartridges cost more upfront but last far longer, bringing the cost per page down considerably.
What is the difference between a printer and a multifunction printer?
A standard printer only prints. A multifunction printer (also called an all-in-one) adds scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing in a single device. For most small businesses a multifunction printer is the better investment as it removes the need for separate hardware.
How do I reduce printing costs in my small business?
Print in draft mode for internal documents, use duplex printing to halve paper use, and buy high-yield cartridges rather than standard ones. Consider a tank-based printer if your colour print volume justifies the upfront cost. For high volumes of black and white printing specifically, a mono laser printer can cut per-page costs significantly as toner is very cheap per page compared to ink cartridges.
Whichever model you choose, verify the exact price and sold-by status on Amazon on publish day. Prices on all three models move regularly, and it is always worth confirming you are buying from Amazon directly rather than a marketplace seller.
