Computers & Office · PRODUCT REVIEW

Samsung
CLP-550N Color Laser Printer

Legacy color duplex with built-in Ethernet. 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.
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THE SHORT ANSWER

Our take

Samsung's CLP-550N is a color print-only laser model whose useful combination is standard duplex and 10/100 Ethernet. Its rated Letter speeds are very different by mode: 21 ppm in monochrome and 5 ppm in color. That makes it easier to evaluate for occasional color accents with more frequent black text than for a queue dominated by color pages. The model's wireless capability was optional 802.11b hardware, not a standard built-in radio. The reviewed sources provide no manufacturer-recommended monthly range, so workload fit should not be guessed from its older duty-cycle information.

Consider it for

A wired color desk where the device's older speed and optional wireless setup are acceptable..

Look elsewhere if

Skip it if you need built-in Wi-Fi, copy or scan functions, fast color output, or a verified recommended monthly workload range.

Pros & cons

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

What works in its favor

  • Samsung specifies color output, standard duplex and built-in 10/100 Ethernet for CLP-550N.
  • Its 21 ppm mono and 5 ppm color Letter ratings show the trade-off between text and color jobs.
  • USB 2.0 and parallel are also listed alongside Ethernet.

What to weigh up

  • Samsung rates color output at only 5 ppm Letter, much slower than its mono rating.
  • Wireless requires optional 802.11b equipment and is not built in on the standard model.
  • A recommended monthly volume is not established in the reviewed Samsung materials.

The key details

Published product specifications
Model coveredCLP-550N
Main functionsColor print only
Print outputUp to 21 ppm mono / 5 ppm color Letter
Two-sided printingStandard duplex; Ethernet and USB

Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 5, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.

What the features mean for you

An older color printer with a narrow job description

Samsung's material identifies the CLP-550N as a color laser printer, not an MFP. It can produce color and monochrome pages, but the saved sources do not list copy, scan or fax features. That points to a focused role for a wired office desk where documents are already created on computers. If an employee receives paper forms and must digitize them, another scanner is required. The source model suffix matters because it distinguishes the networked N configuration from related CLP-550 versions; features from another suffix should not be transferred without checking its own specification.

Rated color speed is far below monochrome speed

The reviewed Samsung specification gives up to 21 pages per minute in monochrome and 5 pages per minute in color on Letter paper. Those separate ratings are useful for matching the device to a mostly text workload with occasional graphics. A team printing a large number of color charts may find that the slower color rating changes the practical queue time, even if black text is more frequent. These are manufacturer test rates, not promises for every file. Use the color rating itself when comparing with newer printers, rather than carrying over the faster monochrome number to color work.

Duplex is documented, but define the workflow

Samsung lists standard duplex printing on the CLP-550N. For supported paper, that allows the printer to make two-sided output without manual page turning. This is a useful feature for multi-page reports and internal handouts, although the saved source does not establish duplex scanning because this is a print-only model. The distinction keeps the recommendation grounded: it turns print sheets, not scanned originals. Buyers should still check the manual's media and paper-size guidance before expecting every stock or envelope job to run through the duplex path.

Ethernet is standard while Wi-Fi was optional

The model specification lists 10/100 Ethernet and USB 2.0, with a parallel port also available. Samsung described 802.11b as an optional wireless path, which is not evidence that every standard CLP-550N includes a Wi-Fi adapter. The matching profile therefore treats built-in wireless as absent. A wired office can connect it to a network, while a wireless-only home would need verified compatible optional hardware or another model. Before buying a used unit, inspect the ports and any installed card rather than assuming the letter N means a built-in radio.

Monthly capacity should stay unscored

The saved Samsung pages and specification excerpt do not provide a recommended monthly page range for this exact model. A product's maximum duty cycle or an average-volume line from a different source is not the same as the manufacturer's recommended workload. For the finder, both endpoints stay unknown. A small office can still weigh the known speed, input tray and wired port configuration against actual needs, but someone screening by a documented monthly range should select a better documented option. No workload number is inferred from age, toner yield or candidate-list sales history.

Confirm condition before committing to legacy hardware

The CLP-550N is an older model and the historical Amazon identifier does not establish a current matching offer or a specific unit's condition. This guide links to a tagged exact-model search. Ask a seller to show the full model label and installed network hardware, and to state which cartridges and paper accessories are included. A print sample can help evaluate an individual machine, but no unit has been handled or tested for this review. Also check local consumable fit and return terms before relying on a used printer for a shared office queue.

What else to compare

The Samsung CLP-620ND and Lexmark CS317dn also offer wired color output with automatic duplex. Compare newer models if built-in wireless or faster color speed is important.

Explore this category →

Before you buy

Does the CLP-550N automatically print two-sided pages?

Samsung lists standard duplex printing for this exact model, which supports automatic two-sided output.

Is Wi-Fi built into every CLP-550N?

No. The saved specification identifies 802.11b as optional hardware, so it is not assumed built in.

How fast is its color output rated?

Samsung rates color printing at up to 5 ppm on Letter paper and monochrome printing at up to 21 ppm.

Can this model scan or copy pages?

No. The reviewed CLP-550N material describes a print-only color laser printer.

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

Choose the CLP-550N only for a wired color workflow that accepts its 5 ppm color rating and optional rather than built-in wireless. Verify the exact suffix, installed hardware, supplies and unit condition.

Is it the right fit?

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

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