Understanding Printer Speed Ratings
Manufacturers measure speed differently. Here's what the specs actually mean:
PPM (Pages Per Minute)
Sustained speed after warmup. Measured with standard test documents.
First Page Out
Time from pressing print to paper in hand. Critical for single pages.
Real-World Speed
Actual speed with your documents. Usually 10-30% slower than rated.
2026 Speed Champions
| Printer | Type | B&W Speed | Color Speed | First Page | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP LaserJet Pro 4002dn | Mono Laser | 42 ppm | - | 5.6 sec | $300 |
| Brother HL-L6400DW | Mono Laser | 52 ppm | - | 7.2 sec | $550 |
| Canon MF656Cdw | Color Laser | 22 ppm | 22 ppm | 10.5 sec | $430 |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e | Inkjet | 25 ppm | 20 ppm | 9 sec | $300 |
| Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C5890 | Tank Inkjet | 25 ppm | 25 ppm | 4.8 sec | $700 |
Our Top Speed Picks
Brother HL-L6400DW
52 pages per minute
For pure black-and-white speed, Brother's workgroup laser dominates. At 52 ppm, a 100-page document prints in under 2 minutes. Built for offices that measure productivity in pages.
Speed Specs
- • 52 pages per minute
- • 7.2 second first page
- • 570-sheet standard capacity
- • Optional 2,600-sheet tower
Best For
Law offices, accounting firms, any business printing 5,000+ pages monthly.
Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw
22 ppm color and B&W
Color laser that prints color as fast as black. No slowdown when adding charts, photos, or graphics to your documents. All-in-one with scanning, copying, and fax.
Check Price on AmazonEpson WorkForce Pro WF-C5890
4.8 second first page out
When you need one page NOW, the WF-C5890 delivers faster than any laser. Its Heat-Free Technology means no warmup time. Print a single page in under 5 seconds from sleep mode.
Check Price on AmazonSpeed Optimization Tips
Maximize Print Speed
- ✓ Use draft mode for internal documents
- ✓ Connect via Ethernet, not WiFi
- ✓ Keep printer powered on during work hours
- ✓ Print multiple copies in one job
What Slows Printing
- ✗ High quality/photo modes
- ✗ Complex graphics and images
- ✗ Borderless printing
- ✗ Wireless on congested networks
Laser vs Inkjet: The Speed Reality
Laser Advantages
- • Faster sustained speed (ppm)
- • Consistent speed throughout job
- • Better for text-heavy documents
Inkjet Advantages
- • Faster first page (no warmup)
- • Better for occasional single pages
- • Modern tank models rival laser speed