What should you look for in a basic office printer?
If you’re looking at a machine that will sufficiently perform only the basic functions of a printer, you’re not going to be paying a lot of money for it.
For example, the machine we will be covering today, the Xerox B225 multifunction (print, copy, scan, fax) printer, starts at around $300.
That is a price that most companies can afford. But we’ve learned over our almost four decades in the printer/copier industry that buying a machine just because the cost is cheap can bring serious consequences.
If you purchase a printer that can’t adequately sustain how much you print in a month, you will open yourself up to service issues and eventually a complete breakdown of the machine.
This means the printer that was supposed to serve your office for the long term is now futile, and you’re back to square one, having already wasted time and money on the wrong machine.
We aim to use our industry expertise, specifically with Xerox products (which is what we sell) to equip you with the information you need to make an informed purchase, so the scenario described above won’t happen to you.
Although we are reviewing a product we sell, which could lead you to conclusions of bias, we believe in a fully honest approach in the content-making process with you, the reader, at the forefront of our minds.
In that spirit, we can tell you that the Xerox B225 will not be a fit for everybody, and if you’re looking for a simple office multifunction printer, there will be plenty of brands out there that can suit your needs as well as a Xerox-branded machine can.
But we want to use our expertise where it lies, so we will be providing a review of the Xerox B225’s basic specifications, features, and pros and cons before assessing who would and wouldn’t be a fit for the machine.
Xerox B225 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information about the Xerox B225 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 36 pages per minute (ppm)
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 30,000 pages
Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 2,500 pages
Print Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (dots per inch), 1200 image quality
Copy Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi
First-Print-Out-Time: As fast as 6.4 seconds
First-Copy-Out-Time: As fast as 6.8 seconds
Base Model Dimensions: 16.4” x 14.2” x 13.9”
Base Model Weight: 22 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $300
For a look at the base model of the Xerox B225, see the picture below:
Xerox B225 Key Features
Now that we’ve gone over the machine’s basic specifications, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the Xerox B225:
Mobile Printing and Wi-Fi Connectivity
The Xerox B225 is built with Wi-Fi connectivity and contains applications that will allow you to print and scan from mobile devices, laptops, tablets, Chromebooks or desktops.
Some of the applications that you can use to print from are Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, Mopria Scan and Wi-Fi Direct.
Read our blog about how to print from your phone to learn more about mobile printing and how to do it.
Access to Xerox Workflow Central
One of the Xerox B225’s defining features is its ability to access the Xerox Workflow Central platform, which can serve multiple purposes with the goal of streamlining workflows and document processes.
Some of Xerox Workflow Central’s features include (courtesy of Xerox):
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Convert your documents into other languages
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Change handwritten notes into shareable, editable documents
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Create audio files of your reports to listen to whenever desired
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Automatically redact content for confidentiality
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Convert scans into Microsoft Office formats
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Summarize long documents for quicker reading
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Access to combination workflows and file routing to cloud repositories
You can download the Xerox Workflow Central platform from the Xerox App Gallery and there is a free trial period you can opt into to try it out.
The cost of the app will depend on which subscription you choose, with the Starter package starting at $9.99 a month and the Advanced package starting at $11.99 a month.
See the image below for descriptions of what you get in each package:
Printer Security
The Xerox B225 contains a four-point approach to security that’ll help prevent, detect and protect against cyberattacks at all points of vulnerability.
According to Xerox’s website, these include:
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Network intrusion and data transmission
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Protection from unauthorized access
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Stringent data encryption and secure overwrite.
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Added security to individual documents
Some of the Xerox B225’s security features include Confidential Print, Digitally Signed Firmware Updates, Login Restrictions and Protected USB Ports, among others.
In a study conducted by Quocirca this year, 68% of those surveyed reported a data loss as a result of unsecure printing practices, making printer security an increasing concern among buyers.
It’s helpful to inform yourself of the security measures that companies are taking before making a purchasing decision. To learn more about printer security, read these blogs:
2 Pros of the Xerox B225
Next, let’s look at some of the pros of the Xerox B225:
1. All-In-One Printing Solution
The Xerox B225 is a multifunction printer, which means you’re getting a machine that not only has print capabilities but also can act as your scanner, fax machine and copier, as well.
The major advantage to purchasing a multifunction printer is you get all the basic office functions in one machine, without having to invest in or make space for a separate scanner, copier or fax machine.
For more information about multifunction printers, read these blogs:
2. Permanent Solution for Small Workgroups
In addition to being able to perform as an all-in-one print solution, the Xerox B225 is also built to act as a permanent printing solution for small or home offices.
You can expect the machine to last for a long time if you follow the recommended monthly print volume of 2,500 pages. That last point is crucial, as consistently overusing the machine past its recommended volume could result in more service issues and a shorter product lifespan.
Read our blog about understanding your machine’s duty cycle and print volume to learn more.
2 Cons of the Xerox B225
Let’s now go through some of the cons of the Xerox B225:
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Not an Option for Medium-to-Large Workgroups
While the Xerox B225 can meet the print volume of small workgroups it’s not built to withstand the workload required to satisfy medium or large businesses’ printing needs.
The Xerox B225 would not be able to safely print at the volume needed for businesses that print over its 2,500-page recommended monthly print volume.
If you’re a medium-to-large workgroup and want a black-and-white multifunction printer option, you would want to look into machines like the Xerox VersaLink B405, B605 or B7135.
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No Color Printing Capability
The main downside to the Xerox B225 is it only prints/copies in black and white, which means the machine would not be a fit for those that need to print in color.
If you’re looking for a similar multifunction option that can print in color, the Xerox C235 could be an option for you.
Xerox B225 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the Xerox B225 is around $300. This doesn’t include optional upgrades or maintenance plans that you may want to include upon purchase of your machine.
Read our blog on how much a printer costs to see the total cost of owning a printer, including after you’ve purchased the machine.
Who Is the Xerox B225 a Good Fit for?
The Xerox B225 is a good fit for:
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Small businesses or home offices that need an all-in-one black-and-white printer that can efficiently print/copy 2,500 pages a month.
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Those looking to purchase an efficient office printer that allows for mobile printing and access to features such as the Xerox Workflow Central platform.
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Those looking for a secure device with features that help prevent network intrusions or security breaches.
If you fall into one of these categories, then the Xerox B225 could be for you. However, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals with a business consultant before purchasing.
Who Is the Xerox B225 Not a Good Fit for?
The Xerox B225 is not a good fit for:
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Workgroups that print over 2,500 pages a month.
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Those searching for a single-function (print-only) printer or a more robust printing solution.
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Businesses that require a machine with color printing capability.
If you fall into one of these categories, then this is not the printer for you. Read our blog about how to choose a printer for your budget and business needs to help with choosing the right model for you.
Xerox B225 vs. Xerox B235?
The Xerox B225 is closely related to another machine in Xerox’s catalog, the Xerox B235 multifunction printer.
While both are structured similarly, and they print at the same speeds and volume, the Xerox B235 includes a few features that the Xerox B225 does not include. They are:
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A 2.8-inch color touchscreen.
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The ability to fax documents.
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Features such as Print from USB and Scan to USB.
While they differ in the features listed above, both have a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder and the ability to scan to email and desktop (via network and USB), as well as all the other characteristics discussed in this article.
Think the Xerox B225 Is Right for You?
The Xerox B225 would be a quality option for small workgroups or home offices that need a long-term printing solution that can efficiently print around 2,500 pages per month.
However, the Xerox B225 will not be a fit for workgroups that print over 2,500 pages per month or for offices that need to print in color. If you need a print-only or more robust multifunction printer, you will also not be a fit for this machine.
While the Xerox B225 is an inexpensive all-in-one printer compared to larger multifunction units, you still need to extensively evaluate whether it would satisfy all your printing needs.
Because of our status as a long-time print vendor and platinum-status partner of Xerox, we can truthfully and transparently tell you whether the Xerox B225 is the best machine for your situation.
If it is, we can provide you with the printer swiftly and efficiently. If it’s not, we can point you to another machine or vendor that may better meet your needs.
If you think the Xerox B225 is right for you, or still need help in determining which machine to go with, reach out to us and we will find the solution for you, even if it’s not with us.
