Best for: Low-price pro-printing

Small but perfectly formed, the XP-8700 from Epson has the honour of winning ‘Best Looking Small Business Printer 2024’ in the competition I’m running. I mean, look at it. But it’s not just a looker, either. In fact, with a print speed up to a remarkable 32ppm, plus a maximum resolution of a staggering 5760 x 1440dpi, the little Epson is powerful too.

An inkjet option with six ink cartridges (Black, Cyan, Light Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Light Magenta) to eke out realistic colour in photos, business reports, proposals and publicity material will be at its sharpest and brightest, limited only by your own skills and imagination.

A 3-in-1, it also scans at 1200 x 4800dpi, and the Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct connections mean you can print over the ether from your devices and also scan right back to them, should you wish, which is a world of convenience for the small business-person on the go.

Capable of coping with all the usual paper and envelope sizes, you can also print directly from a USB stick and a variety of memory cards, the paper tray is good for 100 sheets of standard 300g/m², a neat 4.3-inch colour touchscreen display lets you get hands-on and all software comes included.

Now, going back to aesthetics, incredible performance aside, what I absolutely, childishly love about the Epson XP8700 is this: when you print. The main front fascia pushes out and upwards allowing the motorised output tray to appear from inside, ready to deliver your hot prints. Frankly, it’s something I’d never tire of watching.

For all these reasons, plus the remarkably affordable price tag, the XP7800 does the business for small businesses.

• Ink technology: Inkjet
• Printing resolution: 5760 x 1440dpi (max)
• All-in-One functions: Print, scan, copy
• Number of colours: x6
• Printing speed: Up to 32ppm
• Dimensions: 349‎ x 340 x 142mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 6.8kg