Sharp MX-B456 — Features, specifications, performance and business use

The Sharp MX-B456 (sold in some markets as MX-B456W / MX-B456WH and closely related to the MX-B455/MX-B476 family) is a compact A4 monochrome multifunction document system designed for busy workgroups and small to mid-sized offices. It brings higher-end MFP capabilities — 45 pages per minute black-and-white printing, duplex scanning, a tilting color touchscreen and optional finishing — into a surprisingly small footprint so teams can consolidate everyday print, copy, scan and fax workflows without moving to a large floor-standing device. The model targets organisations that want dependable speed, secure network features and easy manageability while keeping TCO predictable. 

Design and build — compact, practical, user-friendly

Physically the MX-B456 is built to sit in a department or a compact print alcove rather than in a dedicated print room. It measures roughly 492 × 517 × 588–638 mm (depending on configuration) and weighs in the mid-30 kg range, so it’s manageable for an office environment. The operator surface is a tiltable 7-inch color touchscreen with an Easy-UI mode for one-touch jobs and job previews; that control panel reduces training time for non-technical staff and speeds routine tasks. The chassis supports a standard single cassette plus bypass with optional paper trays and a compact inner finisher for stapling when finishing is needed. 

Headline features — what makes the MX-B456 stand out

• High mono throughput: up to 45 A4 pages per minute, which keeps small user groups moving during peak printing hours. 

• Robust scanning: full-function scanning (colour and mono) with automatic duplex scanning and document feeder support for department capture tasks. 

• Compact finishing options: optional inner finisher and stapling — useful for short run reports and handouts without switching to a larger device. 

• Security & manageability: 500 GB HDD for job spooling and secure print functions, 5 GB shared memory, network protocol support and administrative controls for user authentication and data protection. 

Detailed specifications (procurement-ready)

Below are the key specs procurement and IT teams will check before purchase:

• Functions: Print, copy, scan, fax, file. 

• Print speed: Up to 45 ppm (A4, B/W). 

• Print resolution: Up to 600 × 600 dpi (standard for Sharp’s A4 mono devices, with processing that optimises halftones and text clarity). 

• Scan: Colour and mono scanning with automatic duplex. Feeder options include reversing DSPF on related SKUs; scan speeds vary by resolution and mode. 

• Standard paper capacity: 550 sheets (typical: 1 × 500-sheet cassette + bypass) — expandable up to 2,350–2,350+ sheets with optional trays depending on the configuration and region. 

• Paper weight range: 60–220 g/m² standard cassettes (bypass supports similar heavier stocks). 

• Memory & storage: 5 GB shared memory (copy/print) and 500 GB HDD standard for job storage, secure print and system apps. 

• Warm-up time / first page: Warm-up roughly 20 seconds from power on (factory default values apply). 

• Dimensions / weight: ~492 × 517 × 588–638 mm; weight ~33 kg (varies by market). 

• Power: Typical max consumption ~1.84 kW (220–240 V models); Energy-saving modes available. 

(These values should be verified against region-specific datasheets and the SKU you intend to buy, because Sharp publishes slight variant numbers for some markets.) 

Real-world performance — speed, output quality and daily use

In everyday office scenarios the MX-B456’s 45 ppm rating translates into fast throughput for mixed job streams: print jobs, multi-page scan captures and copy runs all complete quickly enough that multi-user queues remain short. Text output is crisp and highly readable — a critical factor for legal documents, invoices and reports — and the device’s image processing smooths halftones and line art so charts and internal marketing materials look professional for in-house distribution. The fast warm-up and short first-page times reduce perceived latency for intermittent users. 

For teams that scan frequently, the duplex scanning and document feeder significantly accelerate digitisation workflows (scan-to-email, scan-to-folder, searchable PDF). The built-in HDD and memory also allow for secure print queues and on-device processing of larger files, which helps when multiple users send complex PDF or mixed-format jobs at once. 

Connectivity, software and management

Sharp positions the MX-B456 as a network-ready MFP for managed fleets. Standard wired Ethernet and optional wireless (on W variants) allow flexible placement; the device supports modern network printing protocols and SNMP for fleet monitoring. Sharp’s Application Portal and embedded app ecosystem let IT teams deploy one-touch workflows (scan to cloud or core business systems) and customise the control panel for local processes. Centralised admin tools make it straightforward to monitor toner, meter reads and device status across sites.

From a security and compliance perspective, the HDD enables secure print and job encryption, and the system supports account tracking and access controls. These options reduce risk when printing sensitive material and help organisations meet record-keeping and auditing requirements. Administrators should still follow best practices — firmware updates, network segmentation and secure admin passwords — to keep devices hardened. 

Consumables, maintenance and total cost of ownership

As a monochrome device, the MX-B456 keeps consumable complexity low: developers and resellers typically list a single long-life toner cartridge and standard maintenance parts (drums, fusers) that replace on predictable intervals. Because the device targets moderate to heavy departmental volumes, plan for regular replacement cycles of consumables and schedule preventative maintenance to avoid surprise downtime. Sharp’s fleet programs and authorised service partners can simplify consumables provisioning and SLA-backed support if you prefer predictable operating expenses.

When modelling TCO consider: cartridge yield and price, expected monthly volume, optional finishing/tray accessories, and any service contracts. For many organisations, consolidating to a faster, reliable monochrome MFP like the MX-B456 reduces costs versus multiple small printers and improves document management efficiency.

Who should buy the MX-B456? business fit and use cases

The MX-B456 fits several practical profiles:

• Busy workgroups & small branch offices — teams that require fast, reliable black-and-white printing for contracts, reports and forms. The compact footprint makes it usable in constrained office spaces.

• Departments with scanning needs — finance, HR and admin teams that digitise paperwork regularly will benefit from the duplex scanning, automated workflows and HDD storage. 

• Cost-conscious multi-user environments — moving to a centralised, higher-speed monochrome MFP reduces per-page costs and limits desktop printer sprawl. 

• Organisations needing secure printing & auditing — the device’s HDD, account control and logging features make it suitable for regulated settings where print access must be controlled and tracked. 

It’s less suitable if your organisation requires colour output, heavy finishing (full booklet making/folding) or very high production volumes measured in tens of thousands of pages per month — for those workloads, an A3 colour MFD or production printer would be more appropriate.

Pros & cons — quick summary

Pros

• High A4 mono speed (45 ppm) in a compact desktop footprint. 

• Strong scanning and document capture features with duplex and HDD support. 

• Expandable paper capacity and optional finishing for light in-house finishing. 

• Enterprise features for security and fleet management (HDD, memory, application portal).

Cons

• Monochrome only — not a fit where colour printing is regularly required.

• Some advanced finishing/production features are limited compared with larger floor models.

• Specific accessory and spec options vary by SKU/region — verify local datasheet for exact fit. 

Final thoughts

The Sharp MX-B456 is a pragmatic choice when your priority is fast, reliable black-and-white output plus versatile scanning and secure fleet management in a compact package. Its combination of 45 ppm throughput, duplex scanning, sizeable HDD and expandable paper handling make it a strong departmental MFP for finance, HR, legal and general office environments that value productivity and manageability. Before purchase, confirm the precise regional SKU and accessory list (paper trays, finishers, wireless options) and compare total cost of ownership against expected monthly volumes — that will ensure you pick the configuration that best balances performance and long-term operating costs.

Selected sources: Sharp product and specification pages and regional datasheets for the MX-B456 family.