Hewlett Packard Photosmart Pro B9180 All-In-One InkJ...
79 Stores $500 - $819
Fax Machine Buying Guide
Fax machines almost seem quaint in this era of graphical e-mails and multimedia Web sites. As an underappreciated office essential, the fax machine tends to get ignored until it breaks, so there are plenty of fax machines from the 1990s still in use today. If you’re ready to replace that aging fax machine, or if you need a new one for the office, there are a lot of features and operating costs to keep in mind. Pronto’s Fax Machine Buying Guide can help you make the best choice for your home or office.
More »
the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
More than just a fax
While dedicated fax machines are still available and ideal for home users, more advanced models produce crisper images and add functions, such as printing, scanning, and copying.
Thermal or plain paper?
Thermal fax machines are cheaper and easier to use, but you’ll get more flexibility, better documents, and longer-lasting hard copies with a plain-paper fax machine.
Manage memory
Occasional users will be fine with a basic model that stores 20 pages and a few frequently dialed numbers. Those who use fax machines to broadcast press releases or other materials should choose a model with more memory for storing pages and phone numbers.
Inkjet or laser jet?
Both types of fax machines can produce clear, sharp images. Look for the resolution in lines per inch (the more the better) to determine print quality. Laser fax machines cost more up front, but can be less expensive in the long run than inkjet models.
Know the lifetime cost
Toner, ink, and paper will add significantly to the lifetime cost of a fax machine. Be sure to include these items when comparing. Assume a five-year lifespan and divide the capacity of ink or toner cartridges by their price to figure out the per-page cost.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
While it may be a bit much for occasional users, the Panasonic KX-FL541 Plain Paper Laser Fax is an ideal fax machine with a generous 10MB RAM that can store up to 600 pages in memory. This fax machine supports laser copying and printing up to 14 pages per minute, additional features that will save space in a small office. Quick Scan memory faxing and built-in Caller ID help you make the most of a single-line connection.
experts say
How Stuff Works—“Best of all, the Panasonic UF-8000 is built to last and designed to grow with you as your business needs expand. And upgrades such as Network Scanning, Scan-to-Email/PC and LAN PC Faxing, ensure that UF-8000 is the right choice for your business needs today and tomorrow.” Source: Howstuffworks.com
PC Magazine—“With an ADF, built-in fax modem, and front panel numeric keypad, the Brother MFC-3420c offers a full set of printer, copier, scanner, and fax features. Fast performance for text and graphics, but not for photos, makes it a good choice if you are primarily interested in printing from business applications.” Source: PC Magazine
Home Office Reports—“Canon's fax machines are not the least expensive. However, when their consumables costs are factored in, their equipment looks better than before. Additionally, the ability to quickly turn the Canon Faxphone L170 into an office laser printer is a real plus from a cost standpoint.” Source: Home Office Reports
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Fax Machines) |
| $ | Starting at $70, you can find a dedicated thermal fax machine, and inkjet faxes start at around $100 ranging to $250. These models are excellent for light daily use. Memory capacity in budget fax machines is limited, both for receiving pages and storing phone numbers. Caller ID, answering machines, and copier functions can be found in most models. |
Compare prices at 26 stores $72 - $107 |
| $$ | From $500 to $1,000, you’ll find workhorse fax machines with generous memory for storing pages and phone numbers. Transmission speeds and resolution increase rapidly in this price range, and you’ll find models with copying, scanning, and printing functions. For heavy fax machine users, a laser fax is the best choice for reliability and lifetime operating costs. |
Compare prices at 2 stores $840 - $910 |
| $$$ | At prices over $1,000, you’ll find the highest resolutions, full-color capabilities, and spacious memory for documents and phone numbers. You’ll be able to set up multiple broadcast lists for one-touch broadcasting, and all models include fax modems that cut down on document reading times and speed transmission. Look for larger document trays and the ability to handle multiple document sizes in these fax machines. | |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
All-in-one
A fax machine that also includes a printer, a scanner, and a photocopier, designed to be a single solution for business printing needs.
Broadcasting
A function that allows a fax machine to send a document to multiple recipients stored in its memory.
Dedicated fax
A fax machine without scanning and printing capabilities. Dedicated fax machines may include a copying function along with telephone functions, such as an answering machine and Caller ID.
Fax modem
A fax machine transmission technology that stores a document as digital data, allowing for faster transmission speed.
Inkjet
A fax machine that uses black, red, green, and blue ink cartridges to create a document.
Laser jet
A fax machine that uses a laser or light emitting diode (LED) and powdered toner to create a document.
PPM
Pages Per Minute measures the speed at which a fax machine can print. PPM speeds are usually lower for color documents.
Plain paper
A fax machine that can print on the same paper used in copiers and desktop printers. Some papers are optimized for laser or inkjet use.
Resolution
A measurement of the horizontal lines per inch in a printed document. Fax machines supporting 400-line resolution create much clearer documents than faxes with 100 lines of resolution.
Thermal
A fax machine that uses heat to create a document on specially coated paper. Thermal faxes are less expensive than laser and some inkjet models, but they have lower resolution and the printed documents are more fragile than plain paper faxes.
Transmission speed
The amount of time it taxes a fax machine to send a single page. These speeds are based on a single page of black text. Color pages and pages with graphics may transmit more slowly.
guide tools
highest rated
Printers, Scanners, Copiers & Fax Machines
top brands
Printers, Scanners, Copiers & Fax Machines
Research Central
We've compiled this group of information links to help you further your research