Looking Beyond the HP LaserJet Enterprise M553n Color Laser Printer? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How each alternative compares

HP LaserJet Pro All-in-One Color Printer

The HP LaserJet Pro All-in-One adds scanning and faxing to the mix, whereas the M553n is print-only. It uses Ethernet and USB for connectivity, matching the wired focus of the original. With a print resolution of 600 dpi, it handles standard office documents well. The footprint is slightly smaller at 16.6 by 16.5 inches, fitting tighter spaces. You get a compact color laser solution if you need multifunction tasks. It lacks the high monthly duty cycle of the Enterprise series, so it suits lighter workloads. Choose this if you want a single device for printing, scanning, and faxing without complex network setup.

Epson EcoTank Wide-Format All-in-One Printer

The Epson EcoTank Wide-Format All-in-One supports wide-format media, a capability the M553n does not offer. It includes scanning, copying, and faxing functions, providing a full suite of office tools. Connectivity options include both wireless and Ethernet, giving you more flexibility than the wired-only M553n. The unit is larger, measuring 29.6 inches in length, to accommodate wider paper sizes. This printer is ideal if you regularly print posters, blueprints, or large documents. It trades the high-speed laser engine for versatility in media handling. Select this alternative if wide-format output and integrated faxing are essential for your daily operations.

Brother Compact Color Laser Printer

The Brother Compact Color Laser Printer offers a significantly smaller footprint than the M553n, measuring just 10.8 inches wide. It supports wireless and Ethernet connectivity, allowing for easier setup in various office layouts. This model focuses on printing speed and compact design rather than multifunction capabilities. It includes duplex printing for automatic two-sided output, a feature you may need for reducing paper use. The absence of a built-in scanner makes it a single-function device. It is best for teams that prioritize speed and space savings over scanning features. Choose this if you need a fast, narrow-width color laser printer for a small office.

Epson ET-5850 Color Supertank AIO

The Epson ET-5850 Color Supertank AIO is designed for high-volume color printing with integrated faxing. It supports scanning and copying, offering more functions than the print-only M553n. Connectivity includes wireless and Ethernet, providing flexible network options. The EcoTank system uses refillable ink tanks, which can lower long-term costs compared to toner cartridges. This model is bulkier and heavier, suited for offices with ample space. It is ideal for teams that need robust color output and fax capabilities. If you require a multifunction device with high-volume capacity and wireless flexibility, this alternative offers a comprehensive solution for busy workgroups.

Brother Compact Color Laser Printer

The Brother HL-L3295CDW Compact Color Laser Printer is a single-function device focused on printing speed and compact size. It supports wireless and Ethernet connectivity, offering more flexibility than the wired-only M553n. The unit includes duplex printing for automatic two-sided output, helping you save paper. It lacks scanning or faxing capabilities, keeping the design simple and space-efficient. This printer is suitable for small offices that need fast color printing without multifunction distractions. It supports Amazon Dash Replenishment for automatic toner ordering. Choose this alternative if you prioritize a compact footprint and wireless connectivity for a dedicated color printing station.

Zebra ZD621 Direct Thermal Label Printer

The Zebra ZD621 Direct Thermal Label Printer serves a completely different purpose than the M553n. It is designed for shipping labels and barcodes, not general office documents. The printer uses direct thermal technology, eliminating the need for ink or toner cartridges. Connectivity includes Ethernet and USB, allowing for integration into logistics workflows. It is much smaller and lighter, measuring 3.6 inches wide. This device is ideal for teams focused on shipping and inventory management. If you need a specialized tool for label production rather than document printing, this alternative is the correct choice for your operational needs.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

HP LaserJet Enterprise Color Laser Printer

Best for: mid-size office teams needing fast network printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Supported Functions

Print

Print Speed

Up to 40 pages per minute

Connectivity

Ethernet

First Page Out

6 seconds black, 7 seconds color

View on Amazon: HP LaserJet Enterprise Color Laser Printer Affiliate link

This color laser printer handles high-demand office workloads at speeds up to 40 pages per minute. It holds 650 sheets across two trays, supports workgroups up to 15 users, and delivers first-page prints in 6 to 7 seconds. If you need dedicated network printing for up to 6,000 monthly pages, this unit fits your busy team.

Pros

• Prints up to 40 pages per minute in black and color
• 650-sheet total paper input across two trays
• First page out in 6 seconds for black and 7 seconds for color
• Supports monthly volumes up to 6,000 pages for 15 users

Cons

• Supports print functions only with no scanning or copying hardware
• Offers wired Ethernet connectivity without integrated Wi-Fi

Good fit if

• You need fast color output up to 40 pages per minute.
• You require a standard 650-sheet capacity for multi-user printing.
• You connect your shared office equipment through wired Ethernet.

Skip if

• You need an all-in-one device to scan, copy, or fax documents.
• You require cable-free wireless printing over Wi-Fi.

Verdict: HP LaserJet Enterprise Color Laser Printer delivers heavy-duty document speeds for wired office workgroups with monthly demands up to 6,000 pages.

2 Best up to 600 dpi

HP LaserJet Pro All-in-One Color Printer

Best for: Small offices needing color faxing and mobile app control

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Multifunction

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Print Speed

Up to 22 ppm

Connectivity

Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi

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

The HP LaserJet Pro M283FDW is a wireless color multifunction laser printer. It prints up to 22 ppm with automatic duplexing. You get print, copy, scan, and fax functions. The 50-page automatic document feeder handles batch tasks. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet keep you connected. This unit suits small offices needing reliable color output and mobile app control via HP Smart.

Pros

• Prints up to 22 pages per minute
• Automatic two-sided printing saves paper
• Includes fax, scan, and copy functions
• Supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet
• 50-page automatic document feeder included

Cons

• Print resolution is limited to 600 dpi
• Only includes a one-year hardware warranty
• Weight is 41.2 pounds for portability

Good fit if

• You need fax capabilities in a color laser printer
• You want mobile printing via the HP Smart app
• You require automatic duplex printing for efficiency

Skip if

• You need high-resolution graphics at 1200 dpi or higher
• You prefer a compact desktop unit under 30 pounds
• You require a warranty longer than one year

Verdict: HP LaserJet Pro M283FDW Color Laser MFP delivers solid color performance for small teams. It fits buyers who need faxing and mobile app integration without demanding high-end resolution.

3 Also great

Epson EcoTank Wide-Format All-in-One Printer

Best for: Wide-format printing and integrated faxing

Print Output

Color

Supported Functions

Print, scan, copy, fax

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet

Wide Format

Up to 13 x 19 inches

Ink/Toner System

Supertank

Features

Scanner, Copier, Fax

View on Amazon: Epson EcoTank Wide-Format All-in-One Printer Affiliate link

The Epson ET-15000 is a wireless color all-in-one printer designed for users needing wide format output up to 13 x 19 inches. It uses a supertank ink system and supports print, scan, copy, and fax functions. With Ethernet and wireless connectivity, it fits well in home offices or small businesses that require versatile media handling and multifunction capabilities.

Pros

• Prints on wide format media up to 13 x 19 inches
• Includes built-in scanner, copier, and fax capabilities
• Connects via wireless or Ethernet networks
• Uses a supertank ink system for high-yield printing

Cons

• Large physical footprint at 29.6 inches in length
• Heavier build at 21.4 pounds compared to compact models
• No mention of mobile app control in specifications

Good fit if

• You need to print documents or images larger than standard letter size
• You require a single device for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing
• You prefer a wired Ethernet connection for stable network printing

Skip if

• You have limited desk space and need a compact printer
• You only print standard 8.5 x 11 inch documents
• You rely exclusively on mobile printing without a computer

Verdict: Epson ET-15000 Wide Format All-in-One is ideal for professionals who regularly handle wide-format materials and need integrated faxing. It suits those who value physical connectivity options over mobile app features.

4 Also great

Brother Compact Color Laser Printer

Best for: Small offices needing fast, compact color printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Single-function

Print Speed

27 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet

Duplex Printing

Automatic

View on Amazon: Brother Compact Color Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a single-function wireless color laser printer designed for small offices. It delivers print speeds up to 27 ppm and includes automatic duplex printing. You get mobile printing support and an integrated 2.7-inch touchscreen for cloud apps like Google Drive. Its compact footprint measures 10.8 x 15.7 x 15.7 inches and weighs 33.9 pounds, making it a practical fit for limited desk space.

Pros

• Prints up to 27 pages per minute
• Automatic duplex printing for double-sided output
• Wireless and Ethernet connectivity options
• 2.7-inch touchscreen for cloud app access

Cons

• Single-function design lacks scanning or faxing
• No automatic document feeder listed
• Heavier build at 33.9 pounds

Good fit if

• You need fast color printing in a small space
• You primarily print single pages or simple documents
• You want wireless mobile printing capabilities

Skip if

• You require scanning or copying functions
• You need to scan multi-page documents automatically
• You prefer a lighter, more portable device

Verdict: Brother HL-L3280CDW Compact Color Laser suits users who prioritize speed and compact size over multifunction capabilities. It is ideal for offices that mainly print and do not need scanning features.

5 Best copy

Epson ET-5850 Color Supertank AIO

Best for: High-volume color printing with fax

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-one

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Print Speed

25 ppm color and black/white

Connectivity

USB 2.0, LAN, USB host, Wi-Fi

Duplex Printing

Automatic two-sided

View on Amazon: Epson ET-5850 Color Supertank AIO Affiliate link

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is a wireless color all-in-one printer featuring supertank ink technology. It prints, copies, scans, and faxes at 25 ppm for both color and black-and-white documents. The unit includes a 4.3-inch touchscreen, automatic duplexing, and a 50-sheet auto feeder. With a 66,000-page monthly duty cycle, it suits high-volume office environments needing reliable, high-capacity output.

Pros

• 25 ppm print speed for color and black/white
• Supertank ink system reduces refilling frequency
• Automatic two-sided duplex printing
• Integrated fax and 50-sheet auto feeder
• 66,000-page monthly duty cycle

Cons

• Heavier at 39.2 pounds than compact alternatives
• Larger footprint requires more desk space
• Lower optical scanning resolution than some competitors

Good fit if

• You need integrated fax capabilities
• You print high volumes of color documents
• You want to minimize ink refill costs

Skip if

• You require a compact desktop footprint
• You only print black and white text
• You need the highest possible scanning resolution

Verdict: Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 All-in-One is a robust workhorse for offices prioritizing volume and color output over compact size. It fits teams needing fax integration and low-cost per-page printing.

6 Best budget

Brother Compact Color Laser Printer

Best for: Small offices needing fast color printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Single-function

Print Speed

31 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, NFC

Duplex Printing

Automatic duplex printing

View on Amazon: Brother Compact Color Laser Printer Affiliate link

The Brother HL-L3295CDW is a single-function color laser printer designed for compact spaces. It delivers print speeds up to 31 ppm with automatic duplex printing. Connectivity includes wireless, Ethernet, and NFC. A 2.7-inch color touchscreen manages jobs and cloud apps. It supports Amazon Dash Replenishment for toner. This model suits small offices needing fast, reliable color output without a scanner.

Pros

• Print speeds up to 31 ppm
• Automatic duplex printing
• NFC and mobile printing support
• Amazon Dash Replenishment compatibility

Cons

• Single-function design lacks scanning
• No built-in fax capability
• Standard yield toner not included

Good fit if

• You need fast color laser printing
• You want automatic two-sided output
• You prefer NFC tap-to-print

Skip if

• You require a scanner
• You need fax functions
• You want an all-in-one unit

Verdict: Brother HL-L3295CDW Compact Color Laser Printer fits small teams that prioritize speed and duplexing over scanning. It delivers consistent color output in a compact footprint.

7 Best premium

Zebra ZD621 Direct Thermal Label Printer

Best for: shipping label and barcode production

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Serial

Print Output

Color

Print Technology

Direct Thermal

Scanner Type

Receipt

Dimensions

8.7 × 3.6 × 7 inches

Weight

3.6 pounds

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

This direct thermal printer prints 4x6 shipping labels at 300 DPI and 6 ips without ink or toner. It features a 4.3-inch color touch LCD for easy navigation. Connectivity includes wired, wireless, USB, and NFC. It runs on Link-OS for simple integration. This machine suits businesses needing high-volume label printing without consumable costs. It is ideal for shipping departments and logistics operations.

Pros

• No ink or toner required for direct thermal printing
• 300 DPI resolution for clear barcodes and text
• 4.3-inch full-color LCD touch display
• NFC Print Touch tag for quick pairing

Cons

• Labels fade over time due to direct thermal process
• Limited to label and barcode printing tasks
• Does not support standard paper document printing

Good fit if

• You need to print shipping labels and barcodes daily
• You want to avoid ongoing ink or toner costs
• You require a dedicated device for logistics workflows

Skip if

• You need to print standard letter-sized documents
• You require long-term archival print quality
• You need color output for photos or graphics

Verdict: Zebra ZD621 Direct Thermal Label Printer is a specialized tool for shipping and logistics. It fits teams that need fast, ink-free label production and do not need general office printing.

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Frequently asked questions

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