HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw Review
In-depth review of the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw — fast color laser MFP with duplex ADF, mobile printing, and business security.
Introduction
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw arrives as a feature-rich all-in-one designed to solve the everyday productivity problems of small teams and busy offices: slow print speeds, inconsistent color, clumsy network setup, and high maintenance overhead. With laser engines optimized for color and black-and-white output, automatic duplexing, a single-pass duplex scanner, and a 250-sheet input tray, this MFP aims to streamline document workflows so teams spend less time waiting and more time moving work forward.
Beyond raw specs, the 3301fdw targets a common office pain point — balancing quality with speed and security. It promises up to 26 ppm in both color and monochrome, next-generation TerraJet toner for punchy color, and built-in HP Wolf Pro protections to keep documents and network connections safer. For offices that need dependable scan, copy and fax capabilities plus mobile printing, this model is positioned as a practical productivity upgrade.
Overview
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is a mid-sized, white-colored all-in-one laser printer that combines printing, scanning, copying and faxing in a single footprint. Its exterior design is business-focused: compact for shared office spaces at around 37.7 pounds, with a single paper tray holding up to 250 sheets and a 100-sheet output capacity. The control surface is minimal and app-driven, reflecting HP’s emphasis on remote and mobile workflows.
At its core the 3301fdw uses laser printing technology with toner cartridges in cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Connectivity covers both wired Ethernet and dual-band Wi‑Fi with a self-reset feature intended to detect and remedy common wireless interruptions. The scanner is a sheetfed unit with a single-pass duplex ADF, making two-sided scanning quick and suitable for multi-page workflows. This printer is ideal for small to medium-sized teams, home offices that require professional color output, and departments that process frequent multi-page documents.
Features
High-Speed Color Laser Printing: The 3301fdw delivers up to 26 pages per minute in both color and black, powered by HP’s TerraJet toner technology. That speed helps reduce wait time for multi-page reports and client handouts while maintaining consistent output across pages.
Two-Sided Single-Pass Scanning and ADF: A single-pass duplex scanner and automatic document feeder let you scan both sides of a document in one pass, dramatically speeding up multi-page scan/copy jobs and reducing paper handling for HR forms, contracts, and invoices.
Robust Connectivity with Dual-Band Wi‑Fi and Ethernet: Built-in dual-band Wi‑Fi with a self-reset capability and wired Ethernet mean the printer can be placed on a shared network or used for direct office jobs. Mobile printing through the HP app and support for common protocols makes printing from smartphones and laptops straightforward.
Business-Grade Security and Management: HP Wolf Pro and enterprise-focused firmware updates provide protections that help prevent unauthorized access and mitigate vulnerabilities. Periodic firmware updates also enforce cartridge authentication to ensure only HP-chipped cartridges function, preserving print reliability and color fidelity.
Automatic Duplex Printing and 250-Sheet Input: Automatic two-sided printing reduces paper usage and creates professional-looking documents while the 250-sheet input tray minimizes interruptions for everyday office printing volumes.
Benefits
Faster Turnaround on Office Jobs
High print speeds (up to 26 ppm) and a 250-sheet tray mean large print runs and report printing finish sooner, improving team productivity and reducing bottlenecks during peak hours.
Clean, Consistent Color Output for Presentations
TerraJet toner produces vivid colors and stable results page-to-page, giving presentations, brochures and client materials a professional appearance without the gloss and cost of photo-only devices.
Streamlined Document Workflows
Single-pass duplex scanning plus ADF reduces manual paper handling, enabling quick digitization of multi-page documents and faster distribution across departments via the HP app or network shares.
Easier IT Management and Security
Built-in HP Wolf Pro protections and managed firmware updates cut the administrative burden of securing the device and help maintain consistent performance over time.
Lower Paper Costs and Environmental Footprint
Automatic duplexing significantly decreases paper consumption for two-sided reports and internal documents, which helps lower operating costs and supports green office initiatives.
Usages
Perfect for Small to Medium Offices
Handles daily multi-page workloads, delivers professional color for reports and client-facing materials, and integrates into a wired or wireless office network.
Efficient Document Scanning and Archiving
Single-pass duplex scanning with ADF is ideal for digitizing contracts, HR files, tax forms and multi-page invoices quickly and reliably.
On-Demand Color for Marketing Collateral
Produce internal brochures, flyers, and client handouts in vivid color without outsourcing short print runs, saving time and cost.
Shared Department Printer
Its 250-sheet capacity and duplexing make it a good centralized printer for finance, sales, or administrative teams that need balanced color and monochrome performance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast color and monochrome print speeds up to 26 ppm for efficient office workflows
- Single-pass duplex scanning and 250-sheet input tray streamline multi-page jobs
- Robust security features (HP Wolf Pro) and managed firmware updates
- Dual-band Wi‑Fi with self-reset and Ethernet for flexible connectivity
- Automatic duplex printing reduces paper use and yields professional-looking documents
Cons
- Toner cartridges are relatively expensive, increasing ongoing operating costs
- Some users report intermittent wireless connectivity issues despite the self-reset feature
- Print resolution maxes at 600 x 600 dpi, which is adequate for office graphics but not for high-end photo printing
- Cartridge authentication blocks non-HP chips, limiting third-party toner options
FAQs
Does this printer support automatic duplex printing?
Yes. The HP 3301fdw includes automatic two-sided (duplex) printing to reduce paper use and create professional double-sided documents.
Can I print from my phone or tablet?
Yes. The device supports wireless printing through the HP Smart app and standard mobile printing protocols supported by the app. It also supports wired Ethernet for desktop connectivity.
What is the maximum print resolution?
The maximum print resolution is 600 x 600 dots per inch (dpi) for both color and black-and-white prints, which is suitable for sharp text and vibrant office color graphics.
Are third-party toner cartridges supported?
This printer is designed to work only with cartridges that include HP chips or compatible circuitry. HP states it will block cartridges using non-HP chips and that firmware updates may enforce these measures.
Is the scanner suitable for high-volume scanning tasks?
Yes—its single-pass duplex ADF and reliable scan speeds make it suitable for routine high-volume scanning, though extremely large scanning projects may be better served by a higher-capacity enterprise scanner.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Color Laser All-in-One (MFP) |
| Print Speed (PPM) | Up to 26 ppm color / 26 ppm monochrome |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 x 600 dpi |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi‑Fi (self-reset), Ethernet, USB 2.0, HP Smart app |
| Duplex | Automatic two-sided printing and scanning (single-pass duplex ADF) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 8.5 x 14 inches (legal), supports envelopes and labels |
| Ink/Toner Type | Toner (HP TerraJet toner, CMYK cartridges) |
| Dimensions (approx.) | Item weight 37.7 pounds; compact office footprint |
| Scanner Type | Sheetfed single-pass duplex scanner with ADF |
| Input Capacity | 250-sheet input tray |
| Output Capacity | 100-sheet output capacity |
| Warranty | Limited warranty |
| Color Depth | 24 bpp |
| Power Consumption (Wattage) | 416 watts |
Ratings
| Print-Scan-Copy Performance | 4.4 |
| Document Feeder Reliability | 4.2 |
| Connectivity & Smart Features | 3.1 |
| Print Speed & Output Quality | 4.3 |
| Ink / Toner Efficiency | 2.6 |
| Value for Money | 3.4 |
Recommendation
This printer is recommended for small to medium-sized offices or teams that need fast, reliable color and monochrome output combined with strong scanning and security features. Choose the 3301fdw if you prioritize speed, duplex scanning, and managed device security, and are prepared for manufacturer-authenticated toners and their associated operating costs.
Conclusion
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is a compelling all-in-one for businesses that need a balance of speed, color capability, and document-handling features. It accelerates everyday office tasks through 26 ppm printing, single-pass duplex scanning, and a sensible 250-sheet capacity that reduces interruptions. HP’s TerraJet toner delivers business-ready color for reports and collateral, while HP Wolf Pro and managed firmware updates add an important layer of device security.
However, long-term ownership requires assessing ongoing toner costs and accepting HP’s cartridge authentication policy, which limits third-party consumable options. Connectivity experiences vary among users, so offices with complex wireless environments may want to test placement and network settings. Overall, for teams seeking an efficient, secure, and multifunction office printer, the 3301fdw offers strong performance and practical features that make it a worthwhile investment for productive workflows.
