The Best (and Most Secure) Office Copiers in 2024
If you were treated like most office copiers are, you’d jam too.
It’s tempting to think that office copiers are basically the same. But some specialize in speed, while others may produce high-quality images or offer advanced finishing options. The right device for you depends on what your staff will be using it for. And when you find that device and treat it properly, it can bring you more ROI than you might think.
What to look for in a copy machine
Get the most bells and whistles for the smallest price point…right? Not quite! Here’s what you should consider before you sign on the dotted line:
- Print volume and speed
- Advanced capabilities, like scanning directly to Microsoft apps and printing to a variety of cloud services
- Image quality, including matching to Pantone color
- Specialized paper capabilities
- Advanced finishing options
- Ease of use
- Document feeder size
- Security features, like firmware attack prevention, end-of-lease data erase, real-time intrusion detection and application whitelisting
- Price, including ongoing costs
- Brand reputation/reliability
Many businesses focus on the initial price tag and the quality of the finished product. But time is money!
Advanced capabilities, speed, volume and ease of use may save your staff valuable time. And there may be no greater source of workplace frustration than a copier or printer that isn’t reliable.
But that’s not the only red flag to look out for…
Why is print security important?
Print security isn’t exactly a new problem. Unless you enable pull printing (also known as follow-me printing), sensitive data can be left lying in a tray for anyone to see. However, print security has become a hot topic in recent years because modern networked printing equipment has many of the same vulnerabilities as other smart devices. They run software, have a memory and are connected to your network. But they often aren’t given the same protection.
Here are a few statistics that paint a grim picture:
- 40% of IT security pros admitted they don’t change default admin passwords
- In 2023, 61% of organizations experienced data losses due to unsecure printing practices
- Only 19% of IT decision-makers think their current printer security posture can prevent data breaches
Protecting your printing equipment is an important part of protecting your business. Fortunately, top equipment manufacturers understand this, which is why these devices typically now come equipped with robust security features.
Our top 5 copier picks
Because we’ve been supplying New England businesses with printing equipment since 1985, it’s important to us that we’re able to stand behind our products 100%. We will only recommend equipment that’s capable of living up to its promises.
That’s why we’re fully authorized dealers of Sharp, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Lexmark, HP and KIP. They’re top manufacturers for a reason, and our clients deserve nothing less. If you’re located in New England and you’d like a custom recommendation for your organization, you’re always welcome to contact us directly.
However, if you’d just like a narrowed-down list, here are the following 5 copiers we recommend most often in 2024:
- Sharp BP-70C31/70C36/70C45
- Sharp BP-50C26
- Sharp BP-B540WR/Sharp BP-B550WD
- Sharp BP-70M31/70M36
- Sharp BP-50M26
Let’s explore each of these in a little more detail…
1. Sharp BP-70C31/70C36/70C45
The Sharp BP-70C31 and 70C36 are similar to #4 in this list — the BP-70M31 and 70M36. The primary difference is image resolution. The M models provide up to 600 dpi, whereas these boost your resolution up to 1,200 x 1,200.
But if you need high image resolution as well as speed, take a look at the Sharp BP-70C45, which can print up to 45 pages per minute!
2. Sharp BP-50C26
This model is similar to #5 — the Sharp BP-50M26. But if you need higher image resolution, the BP-50C26 offers up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpi.
3. Sharp BP-B540WR/Sharp BP-B550WD
This series includes advanced capabilities you’d expect to find in much larger devices. Here are a few key features:
- Up to five paper sources with a maximum capacity of 2,350 sheets
- Printing systems deliver up to 40 and 50 pages per minute
- Intuitive touchscreen display
- Security includes system integrity check, intrusion detection, plus an optional antivirus app
- Users can print from any smart device
- Offers direct print to Microsoft apps
- Facilitates easy access to OneDrive, Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox and more
4. Sharp BP-70M31/70M36
The 70M series has a few additional tricks up its sleeve to help save your staff time. Here are the details:
- Optional triple-paper drawers can house up to 1,650 sheets
- Its 300-sheet duplexing single-pass feeder offers double feed detection (optional) and scans up to 280 images per minute
- Users can print on a wide variety of paper stock or media, up to 300 gsm
- Security includes a system integrity check at startup, firmware attack prevention, plus an optional antivirus app
- Users can scan documents to Microsoft and PDF file formats
- Firmware receives automatic updates
- It offers a wide variety of folding options, including tri-fold, z-fold and more
- Its intuitive touch screen also houses a built-in retractable keyboard to simplify email addresses and subject line entries
- A built-in motion sensor automatically wakes the machine when a user approaches
5. Sharp BP-50M26
This flexible model has the ability to make multiple departments equally happy. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Has a maximum paper capacity of 6,300 sheets
- Prints, copies, scans and faxes up to 26 pages per minute
- Intuitive touchscreen display
- Users can print on a wide variety of paper stock or media, up to 300 gsm
- Security includes a system integrity check at startup, firmware attack prevention, plus an optional antivirus app
- Users can scan documents to Microsoft and PDF file formats
- Firmware receives automatic updates
- It offers a wide variety of folding options, including tri-fold, z-fold and more
Is it better to buy or lease a copier?
Not that long ago, the common school of thought was that just like with automobiles, it’s more financially responsible to buy than to lease. But as printing devices have become more complex and cybersecurity threats continue to escalate, the math has changed.
Nowadays, a copier that’s over 3–5 years old will likely not have many of the cloud-friendly features that can help streamline workflows and collaboration, and it’s probably not going to be equipped with the advanced security features that you need to protect your systems and data.
The bottom line: Leasing your printing equipment allows you to always have the latest and greatest features without having to make a significant purchase every few years. It also transforms a potential liability into a predictable monthly expense.
Why go through a dealer?
At NBM, we often answer this question by asking another one…
If you couldn’t print for a few days, how would that affect your business?
We can’t speak for everyone, but our clients get a few unique advantages out of going through NBM instead of working with a manufacturer directly. Here are just a few:
- More responsive service
- Custom equipment recommendations
- Additional help with implementing cost-control solutions and streamlining workflows
- Emergency printing assistance
- Reliable stock of repair parts and toner
- A mutually beneficial partnership
- Competitive prices
Top equipment manufacturers specialize in making equipment. Not only do dealers like NBM specialize in providing service, but they also understand that their ability to prevent and resolve any disruptions quickly is at the core of their business. For example, at NBM, we’ve hand-delivered emergency toner cartridges to our clients and made emergency repairs within hours — not days.
Many business owners might also be surprised to learn that going through a dealer doesn’t necessarily mean paying more! Most manufacturers prefer to focus on making superior equipment over making sales. So they actually go out of their way to make sure that dealers can provide their equipment to clients at highly competitive prices.
The bottom line: You’ll typically get better, faster service for the same price (or less!) if you go through a dealer!
NBM’s approach to copier service
As a privately held Massachusetts company that’s been in business for almost 40 years, we know the equipment our clients are using like the backs of our hands. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Sharp recently awarded us with their highest distinction — a AAA rating for their Platinum Level Service award.
In order to qualify for this elite rating, we had to demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
Using genuine Sharp parts and supplies
Having dedicated NET+ certified technicians for connectivity issues
Having at least one technician complete Fiery training
Maintaining escalation procedures for on-site visits to resolve complex issues faster
If a new copier is in your future, we’d love to help you enjoy award-winning service and save some money at the same time.
Click the link below to request a quote!