Top Printer Brands in Belgium: Canon, HP, Xerox Compared

Choosing the right printer brand is a decision that affects your business for years. Each manufacturer brings different strengths, philosophies, and service approaches. This comprehensive comparison helps Belgian businesses understand what each major brand offers and which might best suit their needs.

Overview of Major Brands in Belgium

The Belgian market features all major global printer manufacturers. Each has established dealer networks, service infrastructure, and customer bases across the country. Here's an overview of the primary players:

Canon

Japanese imaging giant Canon is one of the most recognised printer brands worldwide. In Belgium, Canon maintains a strong presence through authorised dealers and its own Canon Business Center network.

Key strengths:

• Excellent image quality, particularly for colour output
• User-friendly interfaces and intuitive operation
• Strong in the SME segment with scalable solutions
• Comprehensive product range from desktop to production
• Good security features meeting enterprise requirements

Considerations:

• Premium pricing compared to some competitors
• Some users report higher consumable costs
• Software ecosystem less integrated than some competitors

Best for: Businesses prioritising print quality and ease of use. Creative industries, professional services, and organisations where document appearance matters.

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

American technology company HP holds significant market share in both consumer and business printing. Their Belgian operations support customers through direct enterprise sales and extensive dealer network.

Key strengths:

• Broadest product range in the industry
• Strong security focus with HP Wolf Security
• Excellent network integration and management tools
• Innovation in sustainable and efficient printing
• Extensive service network across Belgium

Considerations:

• Supply chain tied to HP's Instant Ink and managed supplies programmes
• Some firmware restrictions on non-HP supplies
• Premium pricing on some business models

Best for: IT-focused organisations valuing security and manageability. Enterprises with sophisticated print management requirements. Businesses wanting single-vendor standardisation.

Xerox

Xerox invented the modern copier and remains a powerhouse in document technology. The American company has strong Belgian operations with direct presence and dealer partnerships.

Key strengths:

• Industry-leading managed print services capabilities
• Excellent durability and reliability in high-volume environments
• Strong workflow and document management integration
• Comprehensive training and professional services
• Long history and proven technology

Considerations:

• Can be more expensive than competitors
• Smaller presence in the small office/home office segment
• Some find sales approach more aggressive

Best for: High-volume environments prioritising reliability. Organisations implementing managed print services. Businesses with complex document workflows.

Konica Minolta

Japanese manufacturer Konica Minolta has built a strong position in the Belgian office equipment market. Known for competitive pricing and solid reliability.

Key strengths:

• Excellent value for money across the range
• Strong colour accuracy and consistency
• Good reliability with competitive service costs
• Comprehensive workflow solutions
• Strong environmental credentials

Considerations:

• Less brand recognition than Canon or HP
• Smaller dealer network in some Belgian regions
• User interface less intuitive than some competitors

Best for: Cost-conscious businesses seeking quality without premium pricing. Mid-market organisations with standard requirements. Companies prioritising environmental sustainability.

Ricoh

Japanese imaging company Ricoh competes strongly in the Belgian market with a focus on document workflow and sustainability.

Key strengths:

• Strong sustainability focus with environmental certifications
• Excellent workflow and cloud integration
• Good reliability and service support
• Competitive total cost of ownership
• Strong in multifunction devices

Considerations:

• Brand awareness lower than market leaders
• Product naming can be confusing
• Some report slower innovation compared to competitors

Best for: Environmentally conscious organisations. Businesses with sophisticated workflow requirements. Companies seeking balanced value across all factors.

Kyocera

Japanese manufacturer Kyocera differentiates through long-life components and low total cost of ownership focus.

Key strengths:

• Industry-leading component longevity
• Lowest total cost of ownership in many comparisons
• Excellent reliability and durability
• Strong environmental credentials
• Competitive pricing

Considerations:

• Smaller dealer network than major competitors
• Print quality acceptable but not class-leading
• Fewer features than some competitors at similar price points

Best for: High-volume environments prioritising cost per page. Businesses focused on total cost of ownership. Organisations wanting minimal maintenance requirements.

Brother

Japanese brand Brother has carved a strong position in the small office and SOHO markets with affordable, reliable machines.

Key strengths:

• Excellent value in the small office segment
• Reliable and straightforward operation
• Good network connectivity options
• Competitive running costs
• Wide retail availability

Considerations:

• Limited presence in enterprise segment
• Build quality less robust than premium brands
• Service network more limited than major competitors

Best for: Small businesses and home offices. Budget-conscious buyers with moderate printing needs. Organisations wanting simple, no-frills solutions.

Epson

Japanese company Epson has transformed the inkjet market with its EcoTank and Heat-Free technology, challenging traditional laser assumptions.

Key strengths:

• Revolutionary EcoTank ink system with extremely low running costs
• Heat-Free technology reducing energy consumption
• Excellent for colour-heavy printing
• Lower environmental impact than traditional laser
• Strong in specialised markets (wide format, photos)

Considerations:

• Inkjet technology still perceived as less 'business-grade' by some
• Print speed slower than laser in some applications
• Less suited to very high-volume environments

Best for: Businesses with significant colour printing needs. Organisations prioritising running costs. Environmentally focused buyers. Wide format printing requirements.

Comparative Analysis

Let's compare the brands across key factors Belgian businesses typically consider:

Print Quality Comparison

Total Cost of Ownership

Service and Support in Belgium

All major brands maintain service networks across Belgium, but coverage depth varies:

• Canon, HP, Xerox — Extensive networks with same-day/next-day service in most areas
• Konica Minolta, Ricoh — Good coverage in major cities and industrial zones
• Kyocera, Brother, Epson — Adequate coverage, may be slower in rural areas

When leasing printers, service is typically included—verify response time guarantees in your specific location.

Brand Recommendations by Business Type

Based on the analysis, here are recommendations for different Belgian business profiles:

Small Offices (under 10 employees)

Recommended: Brother, Epson, HP
Rationale: Lower investment, adequate capability, simpler support needs

Medium Businesses (10-50 employees)

Recommended: Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Canon
Rationale: Balance of features, support, and value

Large Enterprises (50+ employees)

Recommended: Xerox, Canon, HP
Rationale: Enterprise features, comprehensive service, fleet management

Creative Industries

Recommended: Canon, Epson
Rationale: Superior colour quality and accuracy

Cost-Focused Organisations

Recommended: Kyocera, Epson, Brother
Rationale: Lowest total cost of ownership

High-Volume Environments

Recommended: Xerox, Kyocera, Konica Minolta
Rationale: Durability, reliability, and volume handling

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stick with one brand or mix brands?

Single-brand standardisation simplifies training, support, and supplies management. However, mixing brands can optimise for specific needs—using different brands where their strengths align with requirements. For most organisations, standardising on one or two brands provides the best balance.

Do brand differences matter if I'm leasing?

Yes—while lease agreements often standardise costs, equipment differences in reliability, quality, and features still affect your daily experience. The lease provider's service capability also matters. Choose based on equipment merit, not just lease terms.

What about using compatible/third-party supplies?

Compatible supplies can reduce costs but may affect quality and potentially warranty coverage. Some brands (notably HP) actively restrict non-original supplies through firmware. Consider this when choosing brands if supply flexibility matters to you.

Which brand has the best environmental credentials?

All major brands have sustainability programmes. Epson's Heat-Free technology offers lowest energy consumption. Kyocera's long-life components reduce waste. Ricoh and Konica Minolta have strong environmental certifications. Canon and HP have comprehensive recycling programmes.

Making Your Brand Decision

Selecting a printer brand involves balancing multiple factors. The 'best' brand depends on your specific priorities:

• Prioritise quality? Consider Canon or Xerox
• Prioritise cost? Consider Kyocera or Epson
• Prioritise security? Consider HP
• Prioritise sustainability? Consider Ricoh or Epson
• Prioritise value? Consider Konica Minolta or Brother

Whatever your priority, ensure you evaluate based on your actual requirements rather than brand reputation alone. Request demonstrations, check references, and calculate total cost of ownership before committing.