Computers & Office · PRODUCT REVIEW

Ricoh
Aficio SP C231N Color Laser Printer

Color wired printer with manual duplex. A closer look at the benefits, the limitations, and the alternatives.

Buyer Shortlists editorial·Updated
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work. This review uses linked manufacturer documentation. We have not tested this product hands-on.
MAKE IT PERSONAL

Find the undefined that fits you.

Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.

Find my match
THE SHORT ANSWER

Our take

The Ricoh-authored U.S. specification sheet identifies the Aficio SP C231N, part 406505, as a color laser-beam printer rated at 21 pages per minute in black and color. It documents a 250-sheet tray, a one-sheet bypass, manual duplex, Ethernet, and USB. The exact N model is a print-only device and does not include copy or scan functions. The sheet is hosted on a document reseller site, so its source is identified accordingly. It does not establish a recommended monthly range, current supplies, or the condition of an individual used machine.

Consider it for

A wired office that needs color pages from a single-function printer and accepts manual page turning and an unknown workload recommendation..

Look elsewhere if

Avoid it if you need automatic duplex, copy or scan functions, built-in Wi-Fi, or a documented monthly workload band.

Pros & cons

What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.

What works in its favor

  • The Ricoh-authored sheet maps part 406505 to the exact SP C231N model.
  • Color output is rated up to 21 ppm with a 250-sheet tray and bypass feed.
  • Ethernet and USB support wired network or direct printer placement.

What to weigh up

  • Two-sided printing is manual rather than automatic.
  • The printer has no documented copy or scan workflow.
  • Wireless and recommended monthly volume are not documented in the reviewed source.

The key details

Published product specifications
Model coveredSP C231N
Main functionsPrint only
Print outputColor laser; up to 21 ppm
Two-sided printingManual duplex; 250-sheet tray, bypass, Ethernet, and USB

Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 9, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.

What the features mean for you

Part 406505 distinguishes the N model

The reviewed Ricoh-authored sheet names SP C231N and maps it to part 406505. It describes a color laser-beam printing engine rather than an all-in-one. That exact code matters because the adjacent SP C232DN has a different suffix and duplex configuration. A candidate listing that only says C231 family should be checked against its label before treating the N model's features as confirmed. The product works best as a dedicated output device; a separate scanner or copier is needed for document capture.

Manual duplex means someone handles the sheets

Ricoh lists manual duplex for the SP C231N. The user must manage the paper between sides rather than relying on an automatic mechanism to turn each sheet. That can be acceptable for occasional double-sided documents but adds time and creates a chance of reversed or mixed pages on longer jobs. The review therefore does not call the N model automatic-duplex capable. Inspect the paper path and run a short two-sided job if that workflow matters; a family page for the DN model should not be used to characterize this suffix.

A standard tray plus a one-sheet bypass

The specification sheet gives the C231N a 250-sheet main tray and a single-sheet bypass. The tray provides an ordinary paper reserve for a small shared queue; the bypass is useful for an occasional supported envelope or alternate sheet without changing the main load. It is still a modest paper system compared with multi-tray office printers. Verify the tray and bypass are present and working on a refurbished offer, because the manufacturer's published capacity does not establish what a seller includes or whether feed rollers remain reliable.

Wired connections are documented; Wi-Fi is not

Ricoh lists USB and Ethernet for the exact model. These ports support a direct-connected workstation or a wired office network, but the reviewed sheet does not document built-in wireless networking. Keep wireless unknown or unavailable for matching rather than inferring it from a broader product family. Check the actual rear panel, any optional module, and the operating systems the office uses. The current status of legacy drivers and network support is not established by this archived specification sheet.

Do not infer routine volume from the duty limit

The reviewed sheet does not provide a recommended monthly page range for the SP C231N. Any maximum-cycle figure is not a routine workload recommendation, so the profile leaves both endpoints blank. The 21 ppm rating helps compare rated output, but it does not predict sustained speed on mixed jobs, the life left in a used device, or supply cost. Estimate the office's ordinary color volume and seek exact guidance if workload is decisive; do not borrow a range from the SP C232DN or another Ricoh model.

What else to compare

Compare a duplex-equipped model if automatic two-sided printing is important, or an MFP when copying and scanning belong in the same workflow.

Explore this category →

Before you buy

Is the SP C231N an all-in-one?

No. The reviewed Ricoh sheet describes the SP C231N as a print-only color model.

Does the C231N turn pages automatically for duplex printing?

No. Ricoh lists manual duplex for the N model; the user handles the paper between sides.

What network connections are documented?

The reviewed sheet documents Ethernet and USB; it does not establish built-in wireless networking.

Where can I check the current price?

Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.

Sources & review basis

We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.

Read our research and update process →

The decision

The SP C231N suits a wired color print queue that can accept manual duplex and an unknown recommended monthly volume.

Is it the right fit?

Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.