Looking Beyond the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How alternatives compare to the 4801

Zebra ZD621 Thermal Transfer Label Printer

The Zebra ZD621 is a specialized thermal transfer label printer, not a general office document printer. It measures 11.2 by 13.4 inches and weighs only 9.1 pounds, making it far smaller and lighter than the 45-pound HP 4801. This model connects via Ethernet and USB, similar to the HP, but focuses entirely on shipping labels and barcodes. It lacks the faxing and scanning capabilities of the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801. Choose this if your workflow requires high-volume label printing rather than multi-function document handling. It is a dedicated tool for logistics operations that do not need color page printing or wireless connectivity.

HP Color LaserJet Pro All-in-One Fax Printer

The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdn offers similar color printing and faxing functions as the Enterprise 4801 but adds wireless connectivity. Both models share identical dimensions and weight, measuring 16.6 by 15.1 by 17.1 inches and weighing 45 pounds. The Pro model supports wireless scanning, providing flexibility the wired-only Enterprise 4801 cannot match. It also features duplex scanning and printing. If you need the same reliable color output and fax capabilities but require wireless access for your mobile devices, this alternative is a direct upgrade. It maintains the professional build quality while removing the wired-only restriction of the Enterprise series.

HP Color LaserJet M480f All-in-One

The HP Color LaserJet M480f is a larger, more robust all-in-one printer designed for teams prioritizing duplex scanning. It measures 33 by 22.7 by 17.8 inches and weighs 51.2 pounds, significantly exceeding the footprint and weight of the 45-pound HP 4801. Like the Enterprise 4801, it lacks wireless connectivity and focuses on wired office environments. It supports duplex printing and scanning, features that enhance productivity for high-volume document processing. This model suits offices that need centralized management and advanced scanning capabilities over a compact design. It is a heavier-duty option for teams that value scanning throughput more than space efficiency.

Kyocera ECOSYS Color All-in-One Laser Printer

The Kyocera ECOSYS MA2600cwx delivers high-resolution color prints at 1200 dpi, emphasizing clarity over raw speed. It measures 18 by 16.2 by 16.4 inches, which is slightly bulkier than the HP 4801 in width but similar in depth. This printer is designed for small offices where print quality is paramount. It lacks the explicit wireless or fax features mentioned for the HP 4801, focusing instead on reliable color output. Choose this alternative if you prioritize sharp text and graphics for professional documents. It is a solid choice for teams that value print precision and compact design over the faster speeds and additional connectivity options of the HP Enterprise model.

Dell E525w Color Laser All-in-One Printer

The Dell E525w provides wireless color printing and scanning, a key advantage over the wired-only HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801. It measures 15.7 by 16.1 by 13.9 inches and weighs 36.2 pounds, making it smaller and lighter than the 45-pound HP unit. This model is ideal for small teams needing mobility and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, it lacks duplex printing and a display, features that may be essential for some office workflows. If you require wireless access and a compact form factor but can sacrifice automatic two-sided printing, this Dell printer is a practical alternative. It offers flexibility for modern, mobile-first office environments.

Canon MegaTank G3270 Wireless All-in-One

The Canon MegaTank G3270 offers high-volume color printing with included ink, focusing on longevity rather than speed or multifunction capabilities. It measures 16.4 by 21.9 by 10.6 inches and weighs 13.2 pounds, making it much lighter and taller than the 45-pound HP 4801. This printer supports wireless connectivity and wireless scanning, providing greater flexibility than the wired HP model. It lacks automatic duplexing, which is a common feature in office laser printers. Choose this Canon if you prioritize low consumable costs and high page yields over speed and automatic two-sided printing. It is suitable for users who value ink efficiency and wireless convenience in a compact footprint.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801

Best for: wired office teams needing color faxing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Supported Functions

Print, scan, copy, fax

Print Speed

Up to 35 color ppm

Connectivity

Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB

Duplex Printing

Auto 2-sided

View on Amazon: HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801 Affiliate link

The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801 is an all-in-one color laser printer designed for small work teams. It prints up to 35 pages per minute with sharp color details. The unit supports printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Connectivity is provided via Ethernet and Hi-Speed USB. It includes HP Wolf Pro Security for data protection and features a consistent user experience across fleets.

Pros

• Prints up to 35 color pages per minute
• Supports print, scan, copy, and fax functions
• Includes HP Wolf Pro Security for data protection
• Auto 2-sided printing and scanning

Cons

• No wireless connectivity options listed in specifications
• Limited to Ethernet and USB connections
• Blocks non-HP cartridges via firmware updates

Good fit if

• You need fast color printing for office documents
• You require fax capabilities for your workflow
• You prioritize data security features

Skip if

• You require wireless printing from mobile devices
• You need to use third-party ink cartridges
• You want a compact desktop footprint

Verdict: The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 4801 suits teams that need reliable color output and faxing without wireless needs. It delivers speed and security for wired office environments.

2 Also great

Zebra ZD621 Thermal Transfer Label Printer

Best for: High-volume shipping label and barcode printing

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Serial

Print Output

Color

Scanner Type

Receipt

Dimensions

13.4 × 11.2 × 10.9 inches

Weight

9.1 pounds

View on Amazon: Zebra ZD621 Thermal Transfer Label Printer Affiliate link

The Zebra ZD621 is a thermal transfer printer designed for high-volume shipping labels. It prints at 8 ips with 203 DPI resolution and requires no ink or toner. A 4.3-inch color touch LCD simplifies navigation. Connectivity includes wired, wireless, USB, and NFC. It runs on Link-OS for easy integration. This device suits businesses needing dedicated, fast label output without consumable costs.

Pros

• Thermal transfer technology eliminates ink and toner costs
• 4.3-inch full-color LCD touch display for easy setup
• Prints at 8 ips with 203 DPI resolution
• Supports wired, wireless, USB, and NFC connectivity

Cons

• Limited to 203 DPI resolution, unsuitable for high-detail graphics
• Designed for labels and barcodes, not general document printing
• No mention of duplex printing or multifunction capabilities

Good fit if

• You need to print shipping labels and barcodes quickly
• You want to avoid ongoing ink or toner expenses
• You require NFC tap-to-print functionality for mobile devices

Skip if

• You need to print standard office documents or photos
• You require high-resolution printing above 203 DPI
• You are looking for a multifunction printer with scanning

Verdict: Zebra ZD621 Thermal Shipping Label Printer is a specialized tool for businesses focused on logistics. It fits operations that prioritize label speed and low consumable costs over general office printing versatility.

3 Also great

HP Color LaserJet Pro All-in-One Fax Printer

Best for: small teams needing fast color printing and faxing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, scan, copy, fax

Print Speed

35 ppm

Connectivity

Ethernet, USB

View on Amazon: HP Color LaserJet Pro All-in-One Fax Printer Affiliate link

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdn is a color laser all-in-one designed for small teams of up to 10 people. It delivers print speeds of 35 pages per minute with sharp color details. The unit supports print, scan, copy, and fax functions. It includes duplex printing and an auto document feeder for efficient workflows. Security is handled by HP Wolf Pro Security. This model relies on Ethernet and USB connections rather than wireless networking.

Pros

• Prints up to 35 pages per minute in color
• Includes HP Wolf Pro Security for data protection
• Supports automatic two-sided printing and scanning
• Offers fax functionality alongside print, scan, and copy

Cons

• Lacks built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
• Connectivity limited to Ethernet and USB ports
• Restricted to wired network environments

Good fit if

• You need a fast color all-in-one for a small office
• You prefer wired Ethernet connections over wireless
• You require fax capabilities in your workflow

Skip if

• You require wireless printing from mobile devices
• You need a printer for a large enterprise network
• You prioritize cloud-based wireless scanning

Verdict: The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdn MFP suits small teams that need fast color printing and faxing in a wired office setup. It is a practical choice for users who do not need wireless connectivity.

4 Also great

HP Color LaserJet M480f All-in-One

Best for: Wired office teams needing duplex scanning

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, scan, copy, fax

Print Speed

Up to 29 ppm

Connectivity

Ethernet, USB

View on Amazon: HP Color LaserJet M480f All-in-One Affiliate link

The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M480f is an all-in-one color laser printer designed for business environments. It delivers print speeds up to 29 ppm and includes duplex scanning and automatic two-sided printing. The unit features a 50-sheet automatic document feeder and robust security layers. It connects via Ethernet and USB. This model suits teams needing centralized control and high-volume output without wireless connectivity.

Pros

• Print speeds up to 29 ppm
• Automatic duplex scanning and printing
• 50-sheet automatic document feeder
• HP Wolf Enterprise Security features
• Centralized management with HP Web JetAdmin

Cons

• No wireless connectivity; Ethernet and USB only
• Large footprint at 33 inches wide
• Heavy build at 51.2 pounds

Good fit if

• You need fast color printing for a team
• You require duplex scanning for documents
• You prefer wired Ethernet connections over Wi-Fi

Skip if

• You need wireless printing capabilities
• You have limited desk space
• You want a compact desktop printer

Verdict: HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M480f All-in-One is a robust, wired solution for offices prioritizing speed and security. It fits teams that value duplex scanning and centralized management over wireless convenience.

5 Best premium

Kyocera ECOSYS Color All-in-One Laser Printer

Best for: small offices needing high-res color prints

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Copy, scan, print

Print Speed

Up to 27 ppm

Connectivity

Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi

View on Amazon: Kyocera ECOSYS Color All-in-One Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Kyocera ECOSYS MA2600cwx is a color laser all-in-one printer designed for small office environments. It delivers print speeds of up to 27 pages per minute with high-quality output at true 1200 x 1200 dpi. You get copy, scan, and print functions in one unit. The device features a 4.3-inch color touch panel for easy control and supports Wi-Fi setup via mobile devices.

Pros

• Prints up to 27 pages per minute
• True 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution
• 4.3-inch color touch control panel
• Supports copy, scan, and print functions

Cons

• Print speed is lower than the 4801 series
• No mention of wireless networking in specs
• Lacks automatic duplex printing capability

Good fit if

• You need a compact color laser MFP
• You prioritize high-resolution print quality
• You want simple mobile setup

Skip if

• You require high-volume enterprise printing
• You need automatic double-sided printing
• You want built-in Wi-Fi connectivity

Verdict: Kyocera ECOSYS MA2600cwx Color MFP suits small teams needing reliable color output at 1200 dpi. It fits offices where speed is secondary to print clarity and compact design.

6

Dell E525w Color Laser All-in-One Printer

Best for: Wireless color printing and scanning

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Connectivity

Wireless

Scanning

Wireless Scanning

Dimensions

16.1 × 15.7 × 13.9 inches

View on Amazon: Dell E525w Color Laser All-in-One Printer Affiliate link

The Dell E525W is a color laser all-in-one printer designed for wireless connectivity. It measures 15.7 by 13.9 by 16.1 inches and weighs 36.2 pounds. This model supports wireless scanning and color print output. It suits users who need a compact multifunction device for their office or home workspace without requiring a wired connection.

Pros

• Color laser print technology
• Wireless connectivity
• Wireless scanning capability
• All-in-One multifunction design

Cons

• No mention of automatic duplex printing
• No mention of a built-in display panel
• Heavier build at 36.2 pounds

Good fit if

• You need a wireless color laser printer
• You want scanning capabilities in a compact unit
• You prefer an all-in-one device for basic tasks

Skip if

• You require automatic two-sided printing
• You need a touchscreen interface
• You want a lightweight portable printer

Verdict: Dell E525W Color Laser All-in-One fits small teams needing reliable color printing and scanning over Wi-Fi. It lacks duplexing and a display, so choose it only if those features are not essential.

7 Best budget

Canon MegaTank G3270 Wireless All-in-One

Best for: High-volume color printing with included ink

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, Copy, Scan

Connectivity

Wireless

Ink/Toner System

Tank

Features

Scanner, Copier

View on Amazon: Canon MegaTank G3270 Wireless All-in-One Affiliate link

The Canon MegaTank G3270 is a wireless color multifunction printer designed for high-volume home or small office use. It features a MegaTank ink system that includes up to two years of ink, supporting 6,000 black and white or 7,700 color pages per set. While it offers print, copy, and scan functions via wireless connectivity, it only supports single-sided printing. This model suits users prioritizing low cost per page over automatic duplexing.

Pros

• MegaTank ink system includes up to 2 years of ink
• High yield: 6,000 black or 7,700 color pages per set
• Wireless print, copy, and scan capabilities
• Compact footprint at 16.4 x 21.9 x 10.6 inches

Cons

• Single-sided printing only; no automatic duplex
• Small 1.35-inch square LCD display
• Heavier build at 13.2 pounds

Good fit if

• You need high color page yields without frequent cartridge changes
• You want a wireless all-in-one for light office tasks
• You prefer tank-based ink systems over traditional cartridges

Skip if

• You require automatic two-sided printing for documents
• You need a large control panel for easy navigation
• You are looking for a high-speed enterprise-grade device

Verdict: Canon MegaTank G3270 Color All-in-One offers exceptional ink longevity for color printing but lacks the automatic duplexing found in many office alternatives. It is a solid choice for users who prioritize page yield over speed and convenience features.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions

See also

• hp hewlett packard enterprise hpe alternatives
• hp aruba hewlett packard enterprise alternatives