Discover why the OKI C650 and C651 series have become the go-to choice for businesses seeking professional colour printing in compact desktop formats. Compare features, specifications, and real-world applications to find the perfect fit for your workspace.
Why the OKI C650 and C651 Series Matter in 2026
In today’s hybrid work environments where office space comes at a premium, businesses face a critical challenge: how to maintain professional-quality colour printing without sacrificing valuable desk or floor space. The OKI C650 and OKI C651 series represent OKI’s answer to this challenge – delivering genuine workgroup-class performance in surprisingly compact desktop formats.
These aren’t downsized printers with compromised capabilities. Both the OKI C650 and OKI C651 leverage OKI’s advanced LED printing technology, robust metal construction, and decades of engineering expertise to pack features typically reserved for large office devices into units that fit comfortably on reception desks, retail counters, and crowded office workstations.
Whether you’re printing everyday business documents, creating retail signage, producing hospitality menus, or handling specialist media applications, understanding the capabilities and differences between these two models will help you make the right investment for your specific printing needs.
The OKI C651dn – World’s smallest high-performance A4 colour LED printer
Ultra-Compact Design
Professional Speed
Media Versatility
Cost Efficiency
OKI C650 vs OKI C651: Understanding the Differences
While both printers share OKI’s renowned LED technology and compact engineering, there are specific differences between the C650 and C651 models that may influence your purchasing decision:
Technical Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OKI C650 | OKI C651 |
|---|---|---|
| Print Technology | OKI LED with HD colour | OKI LED with HD colour |
| Print Speed | Up to 35ppm colour/mono | Up to 35ppm colour/mono |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Media Weight Range | 60-256gsm | 60-256gsm |
| Maximum Banner Length | Up to 1.32m | Up to 1.32m |
| Footprint (W×D×H) | Compact desktop design | 395 x 430 x 290mm |
| Connectivity | USB, Network | USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Optional Wireless (WPA3) |
| Automatic Duplexing | Standard | Standard |
Key Insight: Both models deliver exceptional performance in compact formats. The OKI C651dn represents the latest evolution with enhanced security features including WPA3 Personal (AES) wireless security and the distinction of being officially recognised as the world’s smallest high-performance A4 colour LED printer.
Real-World Applications for OKI C650 and C651 Printers
The versatility of the OKI C650 and C651 series extends far beyond standard office document printing. These compact powerhouses excel in diverse business environments:
Retail Environments
Product Labels: Print waterproof and UV-resistant labels for products, inventory management, and logistics applications with sharp, scannable 2D barcodes.
Hotels & Restaurants
Event Materials: Create banners up to 1.3m long, window signage, promotional materials, vouchers, and table toppers in-house as needed.
Healthcare Settings
Secure Printing: Protect confidential patient data with secure print release features while maintaining compact footprint for space-constrained clinical areas.
Full front-panel access for easy consumable replacement
Flexible paper handling with expandable tray options
Specialist Media Capabilities That Set OKI C650 and C651 Apart
What truly distinguishes the OKI C650 and OKI C651 from conventional office printers is their exceptional media versatility. OKI’s advanced LED technology enables reliable printing on specialist substrates that would challenge or damage traditional laser-based alternatives:
- ✓ Waterproof and Freeze-Proof Media: Perfect for outdoor signage, menu boards, and labels that face moisture exposure in demanding environments.
- ✓ UV and Oil-Resistant Materials: Ideal for industrial labels, automotive applications, and harsh environments where durability is critical.
- ✓ Long Banner Printing: Create eye-catching banners and posters up to 1.32 metres in length for retail displays, events, and promotional campaigns.
- ✓ High-Quality 2D and 3D Barcodes: Produce sharp, scannable codes for inventory management, logistics, and product labelling applications.
- ✓ Card Stocks and Rigid Media: Handle business cards, membership cards, and heavyweight marketing materials up to 256gsm with professional results.
This versatility eliminates the need for multiple printing devices, consolidating your printing requirements into a single compact unit that handles everything from everyday documents to specialist applications.
Total Cost of Ownership: Why OKI C650 and C651 Make Financial Sense
Initial purchase price tells only part of the story. The true value of the OKI C650 and C651 series becomes apparent when you consider total cost of ownership over the printer’s operational life:
Separate Toner and Drum System
Unlike competitors that require replacing entire all-in-one cartridges when any component is depleted, OKI’s independent toner and image drum design means you replace only what’s used. This approach delivers:
- Maximum consumable value: Extract every page from both toner and drum components
- Predictable running costs: Know exactly what you’re replacing and when
- Reduced waste: Don’t discard functional components unnecessarily
- Longer intervals between replacements: High-capacity consumables reduce maintenance frequency
Robust Metal Construction
The increased metal content throughout the chassis contributes to:
- Extended service life: Outlast plastic-heavy alternatives
- Consistent print quality: Maintained alignment and stability over time
- Reduced vibration: Quieter operation and better results
- Better long-term investment: Not a disposable desktop device
Energy Efficiency
Both models meet the latest ENERGY STAR requirements, contributing to lower operational costs and reduced environmental impact throughout the printer’s working life.
Environmental Credentials: Sustainable Printing with OKI C650 and C651
Environmental responsibility increasingly drives purchasing decisions in modern businesses. The OKI C650 and C651 series deliver measurable sustainability benefits:
- Lowest Plastic Content: These printers use the lowest proportion of plastic of any OKI colour printer, with increased metal construction throughout for durability and recyclability.
- Reduced Packaging Footprint: Compact device size and optimised toner design reduce packaging materials and shipping impacts across the supply chain.
- Long Service Life: Durable metal construction and high-capacity consumables extend product life and reduce electronic waste.
- Material Efficiency: Separate consumables mean you replace only depleted components, maximising material efficiency and reducing waste.
- Energy Compliance: Meets latest energy efficiency standards including ENERGY STAR requirements for reduced operational energy consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions About OKI C650 and C651 Printers
What is the main difference between OKI C650 and C651?
Both printers share core OKI LED technology and compact engineering. The OKI C651dn represents the latest evolution with enhanced security features including WPA3 Personal (AES) wireless security, and holds the distinction of being officially recognised as the world’s smallest high-performance A4 colour LED printer. Both deliver 35ppm speeds, 1200×1200 dpi resolution, and exceptional media versatility.
Can these printers handle specialist media like waterproof labels?
Absolutely. Both the OKI C650 and C651 excel at printing on specialist substrates including waterproof and freeze-proof media, UV and oil-resistant materials, long banners up to 1.32m, and card stocks up to 256gsm. OKI’s LED technology enables reliable printing on materials that would challenge conventional laser printers.
How compact are these printers really?
The OKI C651dn measures just 395 x 430 x 290mm (W×D×H), making it genuinely suitable for desktop placement. The key innovation is full front-panel access – you can position it against walls or in tight spaces without compromising your ability to load paper, replace consumables, or perform maintenance. This reduces the actual footprint required even further.
What are the running costs like compared to all-in-one cartridge systems?
OKI’s separate toner and drum system delivers significantly better value over time. You replace only what’s depleted rather than discarding functional components when one element runs out. Combined with high-capacity consumables and energy-efficient operation, total cost of ownership is typically lower than all-in-one cartridge alternatives.
Are these printers suitable for high-volume printing?
Yes. Despite their compact size, both the OKI C650 and C651 deliver genuine workgroup-class performance with 35ppm speeds in both colour and monochrome modes. The robust metal construction, automatic duplexing, and expandable paper capacity (with optional trays) make them well-suited to busy office environments with regular high-volume requirements.
What connectivity options are available?
Both models include USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet as standard. The OKI C651dn additionally offers optional wireless connectivity with WPA3 Personal (AES) security for modern secure wireless networking environments.
What industries benefit most from these printers?
The versatility of the OKI C650 and C651 makes them valuable across diverse sectors including retail (signage, labels, promotional materials), hospitality (waterproof menus, event materials, banners), education (teaching materials, certificates, secure document printing), healthcare (wristbands, prescription labels, patient documentation), and any business requiring professional colour printing in limited space.
Ready to Experience Compact High-Performance Colour Printing?
Need expert advice on whether the OKI C650 or C651 is right for your business? Contact our team for personalised recommendations and competitive pricing.
The Verdict: OKI C650 and C651 Deliver Where It Matters
In a market flooded with compromised “compact” printers that sacrifice capability for size, the OKI C650 and OKI C651 series stand apart. These aren’t downsized devices with reduced performance – they’re genuinely capable workgroup printers engineered with OKI’s Space Saving Technology to fit where larger alternatives simply won’t.
The combination of 35ppm speed, exceptional media versatility (60-256gsm, banners to 1.32m), robust metal construction, separate toner and drum consumables, and professional LED colour quality makes both models compelling choices for businesses across retail, hospitality, education, healthcare, and general office environments.
Whether you choose the proven OKI C650 or the latest OKI C651dn with its enhanced security features and official recognition as the world’s smallest high-performance A4 colour LED printer, you’re investing in a versatile, reliable, and cost-effective printing solution that won’t dominate your workspace.
For businesses where space is limited but printing demands are high, the OKI C650 and C651 series prove that compact doesn’t mean compromise.