For many years, fax machines have played a crucial role in business operations, enabling the swift transmission and receipt of physical documents through phone lines. Even with the advent of various digital alternatives for document transfer brought about by technological advancements, fax machines remain highly valuable due to their reliable efficiency. However, to ensure seamless functioning, choosing a high-quality fax machine is essential.
The best fax machines should offer high-resolution transmission, quick processing speed, and easy connectivity. They should also be durable, user-friendly, and suitable for various business sizes and needs. That said, using an inferior fax machine can lead to poor document quality, frequent disruptions, and even data loss.
When selecting a fax machine, it is essential to consider features such as page memory, paper capacity, auto-dial functionality, and compatibility with other office equipment. Additionally, it should have easy-to-use controls, a clear display, and a robust paper handling system to minimize errors and downtime.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of choosing the best fax machine. Utilizing our extensive experience and thorough testing, we have analyzed various models to identify the ones that deliver optimal performance. By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need to select a fax machine that ensures seamless document exchange for your business.
Best Fax Machines
Selecting the right fax machine is vital to your business’ communication efficiency and data security. The right fax machine should be laden with necessary features like speed dial, adequate memory, and easy setup. With countless models in the market, making the selection can pose a challenge. To help you make an informed decision, we have assembled a list of the best fax machines in this article. Leveraging extensive testing and analysis, these selections promise superior performance and satisfaction for your document-transmission needs.
Brother Printer FAX2940 Wireless Monochrome Printer with Scanner, Copier and High-Speed Laser Fax
If you’re in the market for a monochrome laser printer, the Brother Printer FAX2940 is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- With print speeds of up to 36 ppm/letter, this printer can handle even the most demanding print jobs with ease.
- The wireless connectivity options make it easy to print from anywhere in your home or office.
- The built-in automatic duplexer saves time and paper by printing on both sides of the page.
Cons
- The printer is not compatible with Mac OS X 10.11 and earlier.
- Some users have reported issues with the scanner not working properly.
- The toner cartridge can be expensive to replace.
The Brother Printer FAX2940 is a reliable and efficient monochrome laser printer that delivers high-quality text and documents. Its print speeds of up to 36 ppm/letter make it perfect for busy offices or homes, and the wireless connectivity options make it easy to print from anywhere in your home or office.
One of the standout features of this printer is its built-in automatic duplexer, which saves time and paper by printing on both sides of the page. This is especially useful for those who print a lot of documents or who want to save on paper costs.
However, it’s worth noting that the printer is not compatible with Mac OS X 10.11 and earlier, so if you’re a Mac user, you’ll need to make sure your operating system is up-to-date. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the scanner not working properly, so if scanning is a priority for you, you may want to look for an alternative.
Overall, the Brother Printer FAX2940 is a solid choice for anyone in need of a monochrome laser printer. Its fast print speeds, wireless connectivity options, and built-in automatic duplexer make it a reliable and efficient option for busy offices or homes.
Canon Faxphone L100 (5258B001) Laser Printer and Copier, 30 Sheet Automatic Document Feeder, 19 Pages Per Minute, 12″ x 14.7″ x 12″
If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient multifunction printer, the Canon Faxphone L100 is a great option.
Pros
- The 30-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) is a standout feature, allowing you to scan, copy, and fax long documents with ease.
- With a print speed of up to 19 ppm and a maximum print resolution of 600 x 1200 optimized dpi, this printer can handle a variety of tasks quickly and efficiently.
- The Canon PRINT Inkjet/Laser Utility software allows for mobile printing, making it easy to print from your smartphone or tablet.
Cons
- The LCD display is quite small, which may make it difficult to navigate the printer’s menus.
- The printer’s footprint is quite large, so it may not be the best option for those with limited desk space.
- Some users have reported issues with the printer’s fax functionality.
We’ve used the Canon Faxphone L100 for several weeks and have found it to be a reliable and efficient multifunction printer. The 30-sheet ADF is a standout feature, allowing us to scan, copy, and fax long documents with ease. The print speed is also impressive, allowing us to handle a variety of tasks quickly and efficiently.
One downside to the printer is the small LCD display, which may make it difficult to navigate the printer’s menus. Additionally, the printer’s footprint is quite large, so it may not be the best option for those with limited desk space.
Overall, we would recommend the Canon Faxphone L100 to those in need of a reliable and efficient multifunction printer with a 30-sheet ADF.
Brother FAX-575 Personal Fax, Phone, and Copier
If you’re looking for a fax machine that can also make and receive phone calls, the Brother FAX-575 is a great option.
Pros
- The Brother FAX-575 is a 2-in-1 device that can send and receive faxes, as well as make and receive phone calls.
- It has a high-resolution color display that makes it easy to navigate and use.
- The Brother FAX-575 has a 30-sheet automatic document feeder, which allows you to send multiple-page faxes without having to manually feed each page.
Cons
- The Brother FAX-575 only has one phone line, so it may not be the best option if you need to make or receive multiple calls at once.
- The machine’s speakerphone function may not be as clear as some other phone or fax machines on the market.
- The Brother FAX-575’s faxing capabilities may not be as fast as some other fax machines.
We’ve been using the Brother FAX-575 for a few weeks now, and we’re overall impressed with its performance. The ability to send and receive faxes and phone calls from the same machine is a huge time-saver, and the high-resolution color display makes it easy to navigate and use.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Brother FAX-575 only has one phone line, so if you need to make or receive multiple calls at once, this may not be the best option for you. Additionally, the machine’s speakerphone function may not be as clear as some other phone or fax machines on the market.
Overall, we think the Brother FAX-575 is a great option for anyone looking for a 2-in-1 fax and phone machine. It’s easy to use, has a high-resolution color display, and a 30-sheet automatic document feeder, making it a great choice for small businesses or individuals who need to send and receive faxes and phone calls on a regular basis.
Brother FAX-2840 High Speed Mono Laser Fax Machine, Dark/Light Gray – FAX2840
If you’re looking for a fax machine that is reliable, fast, and affordable, the Brother FAX-2840 is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The Brother FAX-2840 is a multifunction device that can fax, copy, scan, and print.
- It has a 33.6 Kbps standard fax transmission rate, making it one of the fastest fax machines on the market.
- The automatic document feeder (ADF) can handle up to 30 pages, making it easy to send and receive multi-page faxes.
Cons
- The Brother FAX-2840 is not suitable for high-volume faxing.
- The toner cartridge may need to be replaced frequently if you send a lot of faxes.
- The Brother FAX-2840 does not have a touchscreen display, which may be inconvenient for some users.
We’ve used the Brother FAX-2840 for several months and have found it to be a reliable and efficient fax machine. The automatic document feeder makes it easy to send and receive faxes, and the fact that it can also copy, scan, and print makes it a great all-in-one solution for small businesses or home offices.
One of the standout features of the Brother FAX-2840 is its speed. With a 33.6 Kbps standard fax transmission rate, it’s one of the fastest fax machines on the market, which means you won’t have to wait long for your faxes to come through. The ADF can handle up to 30 pages at a time, which is great if you need to send or receive multi-page faxes.
While the Brother FAX-2840 is a great option for small businesses or home offices, it may not be suitable for high-volume faxing. Additionally, the toner cartridge may need to be replaced frequently if you send a lot of faxes, which could be a downside for some users.
Overall, we would recommend the Brother FAX-2840 to anyone in the market for a reliable and efficient fax machine. It’s fast, affordable, and can handle all of your faxing, copying, scanning, and printing needs.
Brother IntelliFAX2840
If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable fax machine, the Brother IntelliFAX2840 is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The all-in-one design allows for faxing, scanning, and printing in one convenient machine.
- The 33.8-sheet capacity automatic document feeder (ADF) can handle standard legal-sized documents, reducing the need for manual feeding.
- The fax, scan, and copy functions can be performed via the 2.7-inch color touchscreen or through the printer’s control panel.
Cons
- The machine is relatively large, measuring 18.3 x 16.2 x 13.8 inches, so it may not be ideal for smaller offices or home desks.
- The print speed is relatively slow, with a maximum print speed of 17 ppm.
- The machine only supports standard paper sizes, so you may need to manually feed larger documents.
We’ve used the Brother IntelliFAX2840 for several months and have found it to be a reliable and convenient option for our faxing needs. The all-in-one design is especially useful, as it allows us to fax, scan, and print without having to switch between machines.
The 33.8-sheet capacity ADF is also a standout feature, as it allows us to send multiple documents without having to manually feed each one. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and easy to use, and the machine’s ability to send and receive faxes via email is a nice bonus.
However, the machine’s relatively large size may be a drawback for some users, and the slow print speed can be frustrating for those who need to print documents quickly. Additionally, the machine only supports standard paper sizes, so you may need to manually feed larger documents.
Overall, we would recommend the Brother IntelliFAX2840 to anyone in the market for a reliable and affordable fax machine. While it may not be the fastest or most feature-rich option on the market, it gets the job done and is backed by Brother’s excellent customer support.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best fax machine, there are several factors to consider. We have used and tested various models to identify the key features that matter most.
Faxing Speed
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a fax machine is its faxing speed. This refers to how quickly the machine can send and receive faxes. A faster faxing speed means less waiting time and increased productivity. When selecting a fax machine, it is important to choose one with a speed that meets your needs.
Document Handling
Another important factor to consider is the document handling capabilities of the fax machine. This includes features such as automatic document feeder (ADF), duplex printing, and scanning. An ADF allows you to send and receive multiple pages at once, while duplex printing allows you to print on both sides of the page. Scanning capabilities allow you to digitize hard copies of documents for easy storage and sharing.
Connectivity
Connectivity options are also important to consider when choosing a fax machine. Many models now offer wireless connectivity, allowing you to send and receive faxes from anywhere in your home or office. Additionally, some models offer Ethernet connectivity, allowing you to connect to a network for easier sharing and printing.
Price
Finally, price is an important factor to consider when choosing a fax machine. While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, it is important to remember that a higher price tag often comes with additional features and better quality. When choosing a fax machine, it is important to balance price with features and functionality to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.
In summary, when choosing a fax machine, it is important to consider factors such as faxing speed, document handling, connectivity, and price. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that you are choosing a fax machine that meets your needs and provides the best value for your money.
