Computers & Office · PRODUCT REVIEW

Ricoh
SP C252DN Color Laser Printer

Color print-only model with standard duplex, Wi-Fi and Ethernet. A closer look at the benefits, the limitations, and the alternatives.

Buyer Shortlists editorial·Updated
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THE SHORT ANSWER

Our take

The Ricoh SP C252DN is the print-only counterpart to the SP C252SF. Ricoh's U.S. specifications map part 407521 to the DN and list color laser printing, automatic duplex, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB. Its Letter ratings are 21 pages per minute for simplex and 12 for duplex, so a buyer who prints many two-sided documents should compare the duplex rate with the actual queue rather than relying on the headline simplex speed. The standard 250-sheet tray and one-sheet bypass support ordinary mixed office work, with an optional 500-sheet feeder for more capacity. There is no copy, scan or fax function on this exact model.

Consider it for

A small office that needs shared color printing, automatic two-sided output and flexible wired or wireless placement without MFP functions..

Look elsewhere if

Choose another model if you need document capture, fax, a published recommended monthly range, or a faster documented duplex rate for sustained two-sided jobs.

Pros & cons

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

What works in its favor

  • Ricoh confirms standard Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB, allowing either shared network placement or a direct wired setup.
  • Automatic duplex is standard, and the sheet gives separate simplex and duplex Letter speeds for realistic queue planning.
  • The optional 500-sheet feeder can expand the 250-sheet base tray without changing to the separate multifunction C252SF.

What to weigh up

  • Ricoh rates duplex at 12 ppm against 21 ppm simplex, so two-sided pages should not be assumed to run at the headline rate.
  • The C252DN is print-only; copy, scan and fax features belong to the C252SF model and should not be inferred from the shared brochure.
  • The reviewed U.S. brochure does not state a recommended monthly page range.

The key details

Published product specifications
Model coveredSP C252DN
Main functionsColor laser print-only model; no copy, scan or fax
Print output21 ppm simplex and 12 ppm duplex Letter; automatic duplex standard
Two-sided printingWi-Fi, Ethernet and USB; 250-sheet tray plus one-sheet bypass

Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 8, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.

What the features mean for you

Keep the DN and SF workflows separate

Ricoh lists the SP C252DN as a color laser printer and labels the related SP C252SF separately as a color MFP. The DN handles print jobs but does not add the SF's copying, scanning and fax functions. That distinction is useful if a separate scanner already serves the office, but it makes the DN a poor fit for a shared document station that must capture originals. Check the exact DN name and part 407521 when reviewing a listing; a family-level brochure or image can show both machines together and should not be treated as proof that every unit has MFP functions.

Plan around duplex job speed

The Ricoh sheet rates Letter printing at 21 pages per minute in simplex and 12 pages per minute in duplex. Automatic duplex is standard, which removes the need to turn a stack by hand, but the lower two-sided rating matters for reports that are routinely printed front and back. These figures are manufacturer specifications rather than measured performance on this site. If two-sided output is central to the workload, compare the duplex number and the expected job size with another printer; do not compare only the simplex figure or assume that every color page reaches the rated maximum.

Wired and wireless sharing are both documented

Ricoh lists IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN, 10/100 Ethernet and USB 2.0 interfaces for the DN. That gives an office a choice between a network jack and Wi-Fi placement, with USB remaining available for a nearby workstation. Ricoh notes in the brochure that wired and wireless Ethernet connections cannot be active simultaneously, so the setup should reflect the network path the team actually intends to use. The specification establishes the ports and radio for the model; it does not establish that an individual used unit still has a working interface or that a current listing includes the exact printer.

Paper capacity and optional expansion

The standard tray holds 250 sheets and the bypass tray one sheet; Ricoh lists a separate optional 500-sheet feed unit and a maximum input of 751 sheets. The bypass can keep a single envelope or a different stock ready without replacing the main stack, while the optional feeder can reduce refill interruptions for a shared queue. Confirm whether the additional feeder is included in a particular offer rather than counting the family maximum as base equipment. Ricoh also rates output at 150 sheets, which is a separate limit from input and should be considered for longer print runs.

Who should compare it with a different printer

The SP C252DN is most convincing when color, network sharing and automatic duplex matter more than office scanning or fax. Ricoh does not provide a recommended monthly range in the reviewed U.S. brochure, so the published facts cannot place it in a numeric workload preference band. A buyer who needs only black-and-white output can compare a mono printer instead; a buyer who wants one machine for copy, scan and fax should compare the C252SF or another MFP. Before choosing a used unit, check its exact suffix, tray inventory, print condition and supplies; the historic candidate ASIN is not proof of a current product match.

What else to compare

Compare the Ricoh SP C252SF if copy, scan or fax is needed, or a monochrome network printer if color output is unnecessary.

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Before you buy

Does the SP C252DN copy or scan documents?

No. Ricoh identifies the DN as a printer; the related C252SF is the color MFP with copying, scanning and fax.

Does it turn pages automatically for duplex printing?

Yes. Ricoh lists automatic duplex as standard for the SP C252DN and separately rates duplex printing at 12 ppm.

Can it use Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

Ricoh documents both wireless LAN and Ethernet, with a note that wired and wireless Ethernet connections are not active simultaneously.

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 C252DN fits a networked color print queue where automatic duplex and flexible connectivity matter. Its print-only workflow, slower duplex rating and undocumented monthly range are the decision points.

Is it the right fit?

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

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