The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw, a new 2024 release from HP, promises reliable color laser printing for small businesses and home offices. We put this multifunction printer to the test to see if it lives up to HP’s reputation and justifies its price tag.
Design and Features
The overall design of the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is good, but the media tray is just a slot.
The 3301fdw boasts a compact design for a multifunction laser printer, measuring 16.5 x 16.5 x 13.4 inches and weighing 37.7 pounds. The gray and off-white color scheme allows it to blend seamlessly into most office or home environments. A key feature is the adjustable 4.5-inch color touchscreen, which tilts for comfortable viewing whether standing or sitting. A front-facing USB-A port enables convenient walk-up printing. Paper handling includes a 250-sheet main tray and a single-sheet media slot for envelopes and labels. While a dedicated tray would be preferable for media, the slot offers adequate functionality.
Print Performance
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw produces nice color document but photos lack shadow detail.
The 3301fdw is quick off the mark, delivering the first page in under 11 seconds. HP rates its speed at 26 pages per minute (ppm) for both monochrome and color documents. While this is slightly slower than some competitors, such as the Brother HL-L3295CDW, the 3301fdw compensates with a faster first-page-out time. Document print quality is excellent, with sharp black text and vibrant colors. However, photo printing reveals some weaknesses, particularly a loss of detail in shadows and a slightly darker overall appearance. Borderless printing is also not supported, a common limitation of laser printers.
Multifunction Capabilities: Scanning, Copying, and Faxing
HP gave the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw a fast single-pass duplex ADF.
The 3301fdw features a robust automatic document feeder (ADF) that supports single-pass duplex scanning, copying, and faxing. Copying is notably fast, with the first copy out in under 10 seconds and a sustained speed of 26 ppm for simplex and 16 ppm for duplex. The ADF scans at 300 dots per inch (dpi), while the flatbed scanner offers a higher resolution of 1,200 dpi for detailed scans and optical character recognition (OCR). The USB-A port allows for direct scanning to and printing from a USB drive.
Software and Connectivity
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw can print envelopes from my phone, a surprisingly rare talent.
Setup is straightforward, aided by pre-installed toner cartridges and dual-band Wi-Fi. Drivers for Windows and Mac are readily available. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet. The HP Smart app offers convenient mobile printing and scanning, though mobile scanning is limited to 300 dpi. While the app lacks direct envelope printing, AirPrint provides a workaround.
Price and Running Costs
HP preinstalled toner, and the starter cartridges run low quickly.
At $529, the 3301fdw is positioned at a premium price point for its capabilities. The included starter toner cartridges yield approximately 600 monochrome and 500 color pages. High-yield cartridges are available for greater cost efficiency, lowering the cost per page to around 3 cents for black and 14 cents for color.
Conclusion
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is a capable multifunction color laser printer with strong performance for document printing and convenient features. However, its high initial price and limitations in photo printing and mobile scanning warrant consideration. While it may not be the absolute best value currently available, its robust features and potential for price drops make it worth keeping an eye on for small businesses and home offices seeking a reliable color laser printing solution. For more printer options, explore our guides to the best color laser printers and best all-in-one printers.
