Choosing the best multifunction printer 2018 means balancing print quality, speed, and office friendly features in a single device. These machines were expected to handle documents, scans, copies, and simple network tasks without constant IT intervention.
Manufacturers in 2018 focused on intuitive touchscreens, mobile printing support, and energy efficiency while still delivering sharp text and reliable color output. The models below represent strong options for small offices and demanding workgroups.
| Model | Type | Monthly Duty Cycle | Connectivity | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet Pro M402dn | Monochrome Laser | 80,000 | Ethernet, USB, Wi‑Fi | Fast 40 ppm printing |
| Canon imageCLASS MF644Cdw | Color Laser | 35,000 | Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, NFC | Double sided printing |
| Epson WorkForce WF‑4740 | Inkjet | 20,000 | Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, USB | Document feeder, copy |
| Brother MFC‑9340CDW | Color Laser | 30,000 | Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, USB | Large touchscreen |
Reliability And Print Quality For Office Use
Reliability remains the top priority for business class multifunction devices in 2018. The best multifunction printer 2018 models deliver consistent page quality, minimal downtime, and robust mechanisms for high volume workloads. Look for engines that keep toner usage predictable and reduce visible streaks on every page.
Monochrome laser printers often led in uptime during 2018 benchmarks, with models like the HP LaserJet Pro M402dn showing strong performance in stress tests. Color laser devices, such as the Canon imageCLASS MF644Cdw, balanced speed with accurate hues, making them suitable for marketing materials and internal reports alike.
For users who relied on documents with photos or graphics, inkjet multifunction units like the Epson WorkForce WF‑4740 provided smoother gradients, though at a slightly higher cost per page. Overall, reliability and print quality were closely tied to regular maintenance schedules and genuine consumables.
Mobile And Cloud Printing Capabilities
In 2018, mobile and cloud printing transformed how teams interacted with office hardware. The best multifunction printer 2018 devices supported direct Wi‑Fi connections, allowing users to print from smartphones without jumping through complex setup hoops. NFC pairing simplified job release at the device, improving security for sensitive documents.
Cloud integration meant that scanning to services like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox worked out of the box. Operators could pull templates, attach approved files, and distribute outputs without installing extra desktop software on every machine. This flexibility was critical for hybrid teams and remote workers.
HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all rolled out companion apps in 2018 that wrapped printer control, status checks, and troubleshooting into a single interface. These tools reduced help desk calls and made it easier for non technical staff to manage print jobs from start to finish.
Security And Access Management
Security became a major focus for the best multifunction printer 2018 lineup, as many organizations needed to control who could print, scan, or copy confidential data. Secure pull printing required users to authenticate at the touchscreen before releasing a job, preventing forgotten documents on the output tray. Device level encryption protected data in transit between computers and the printer.
Administrative panels allowed IT teams to set user quotas, track paper and toner consumption, and lock down unused network ports. Firmware update mechanisms ensured that critical patches could be deployed across fleets without visiting every desk. Models that supported role based access reduced the risk of unauthorized changes to network settings.
In regulated sectors, audit trails captured who printed what and when, aligning device logs with broader compliance requirements. These features made multifunction printers less of an independent endpoint and more of a governed asset within the corporate network.
Total Cost Of Ownership And Service Options
Evaluating the best multifunction printer 2018 required looking beyond the purchase price to include toner, maintenance, and potential downtime. Manufacturers offered yield estimates and cost per page calculators to help budget teams forecast ongoing expenses more accurately. Higher page yields in toner cartridges often delivered lower operational costs over time.
Service contracts and next business day parts replacement reduced the financial impact of unexpected failures. Some vendors bundled proactive maintenance visits, ensuring that drums, belts, and feed mechanisms stayed in optimal condition. For departments that lacked in house expertise, these plans simplified ownership considerably.
Energy performance also influenced total cost, with ENERGY STAR rated models drawing less power during sleep and reducing electricity bills. Combining efficient hardware with disciplined supply management kept overall spend predictable across multiple locations.
Recommended Practices For Selecting Your Device
- Compare monthly duty cycle and cost per page before committing to a model.
- Verify Wi‑Fi and NFC support for smooth mobile printing across teams.
- Check security features like secure pull printing and encrypted firmware updates.
- Review service options and next business day response times in your region.
- Factor in toner yield and energy efficiency to estimate realistic total ownership costs.
FAQ
Reader questions
What print speed should I expect from the best multifunction printer 2018 models?
Most office focused devices deliver between 20 and 40 pages per minute, with color models slightly slower than monochrome units during heavy workloads.
How does double sided printing affect cost and efficiency in 2018 multifunction printers?
Built in duplexers reduced paper consumption and handling time, which lowered operational costs and made document archiving more efficient.
Can these printers handle secure pull printing without specialized software?
Yes, many 2018 models included native secure release features that worked with standard authentication methods like PIN or badge access.
What are the typical monthly duty cycles for reliable office multifunction devices in 2018?
Duty cycles often ranged from 10,000 to 80,000 pages per month, depending on the machine class, with higher numbers indicating better durability for large teams.