Is your old printer making strange noises or leaving smudges on your important documents? You’re not alone! Finding a new printer can feel like a puzzle. Brother printers are popular, but there are so many different models. It’s easy to get confused about which one is best for your home or office. You might wonder if you need color, or if you print a lot of photos. Maybe you’re worried about the cost of ink or how easy it is to use.
This blog post will help you sort through all the choices. We’ll break down the different types of Brother printers and what makes them special. You’ll learn how to pick the perfect one for your needs without feeling overwhelmed. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which Brother printer will make your printing tasks a breeze. Let’s dive in and find your ideal printing companion!
Top Brother Printer Recommendations
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
- BEST FOR HOMES & HOME OFFICES – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2405W Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer delivers sharp, crisp prints at an affordable price. Prints one-sided documents at speeds up to 30ppm(2)
- COMPACT, CONNECTED PRINTER – Flexible connection options make this an ideal printer for home use and at-home offices. Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz) or locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Enjoy seamless, reliable everyday printing with the 250-sheet paper tray(4) and a manual feed slot that enables printing on envelopes and specialty pape
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
- BEST FOR HOME OFFICES & SMALL TEAMS – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer produces documents that are clear, crisp, and easy to review and share, all at an affordable price
- COMPACT, CONNECTED, EXCEPTIONALLY EFFICIENT– Connect with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or to a single computer via USB interface. Prints at speeds up to 36ppm(2), plus automatic duplex printing saves time and reduces paper waste
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your wireless printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Tackle high-volume black & white printing with the 250-sheet capacity paper tray.(4) The manual feed slot enables printing on envelopes and specialty paper
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
- BEST FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Get all your work done with an all-in-one multifunction printer. Print, copy, and scan on one compact printer for home use and home offices. Brother inkjet printers produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED PRINTING FEATURES: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6) .
- BEST FOR SMALL OFFICES – Combining space-saving efficiency and premium monochrome (black & white) print quality with affordability, the Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers dynamic laser print, copy, scan, and fax multi-functionality in a compact footprint
- EFFICIENT PRINTING & SCANNING – Produces black & white documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (bk/cl). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page copy, scan, and fax
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Ethernet, or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- 2.7" TOUCHSCREEN – The intuitive 2.7” touchscreen enables effortless navigation with the added ability to print-from and scan-to popular Cloud-based apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, OneNote, and more(5)
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(6)
- Professional Performance: Dominate your office printing tasks with this Brother Genuine laser printer delivering an impressive 50 ppm output speed, ensuring your high-volume print jobs are completed with exceptional efficiency and precision
- Superior Capacity: Take command of large print jobs with a robust 520-sheet main tray and 100-sheet multipurpose tray, expandable up to 1,660 sheets with optional trays for uninterrupted, professional-grade printing performance
- Advanced Connectivity: Experience seamless integration with built-in Gigabit Ethernet and dual band wireless networking capabilities, enabling efficient printer sharing and mobile device printing across your entire business network
- Cost Efficiency: Maximize your printing budget with Brother Genuine ultra high-yield replacement toner cartridges delivering up to 18,000 pages, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining superior print quality
- Security Excellence: Safeguard your Brother Genuine printer with advanced Triple Layer Security features, ensuring comprehensive protection for your network, devices, and documents during transmission and printing
- Updated design, professional results. High-quality output with sharp color and black printing. Fast print and copy speeds up to 33ppm(1) help boost productivity. Reliable performance and durable, compact design, 25% smaller than the previous model. Multipurpose tray for custom printing.
- Maximize printing budgets. Offers built-in value with included Brother Genuine 3,000-page black and 1,800-page color standard yield toner cartridges. Help lower printing costs by using the TN635XXL super high yield replacement toner cartridges for 7,500-page black and 6,500-page color(2).
- Advanced scanning. High-speed, two-sided scanning up to 104ipm(3) with 80-page auto document feeder(4) and legal-size glass. Scan to cloud, email, SharePoint, and more from the touchscreen(5). Supports the added benefit of creating searchable and editable Microsoft Office documents(6).
- Productivity-enhancing features. Flexible connectivity, including built-in dual-band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) wireless networking and Gigabit Ethernet networking. 7” color touchscreen for easy menu navigation, scan preview, and up to 64 customized shortcuts for frequently used tasks.
- Triple Layer Security. Advanced security features to help keep devices secure, protect documents in transit to and from print devices, and safeguard networks. Includes an integrated NFC card reader for easy badge authentication.
- Professional Performance: Dominate your business printing with this Brother Genuine color laser printer delivering exceptional print speeds up to 19 ppm and stunning laser-quality output that makes your documents stand out from the competition
- Advanced Connectivity: Take command of your workflow with dual-band wireless networking (2.4GHz/5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, and USB 2.0 interface, enabling multiple users to connect and print seamlessly from any device in your office
- Productivity Powerhouse: Maximize efficiency with the 50-sheet auto document feeder, 250-sheet adjustable paper tray, and automatic duplex printing, ensuring uninterrupted performance for your demanding business needs
- Smart Integration: Transform your workflow with the intuitive 3.5" color touchscreen featuring 48 customizable shortcuts and direct access to popular cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote for seamless document management
- Mobile Command Center: Leverage the power of mobile printing with remote access capabilities, toner level monitoring, and complete printer management directly from your mobile device through the exclusive companion app
Brother Printers: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Fit
Brother printers are popular choices for homes and offices. They offer many features and are known for being reliable. This guide will help you pick the best Brother printer for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you buy a Brother printer, think about what you need it to do.
- Print Quality: Do you need sharp text for documents or vibrant colors for photos? Most Brother printers produce clear text. For photos, look for models with higher resolution (measured in dots per inch, or DPI).
- Speed: How fast do you need your printer to print? Printer speed is measured in pages per minute (PPM). If you print a lot, a faster printer saves you time.
- Connectivity: How will you connect your printer? Most printers connect via USB to a computer. Many Brother models also offer Wi-Fi, allowing you to print from laptops, tablets, and phones wirelessly. Some even have Ethernet ports for wired network connections.
- All-in-One Capabilities: Do you need more than just printing? Many Brother printers are “All-in-One” or “Multi-Function” devices. These can also copy, scan, and sometimes fax. This saves space and money.
- Ink or Toner: Brother offers both inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are good for color photos. Laser printers use toner powder and are excellent for crisp text and fast printing of documents. Toner cartridges often last longer than ink cartridges.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): If you often scan or copy multiple pages, an ADF is very helpful. It lets you place a stack of papers in the printer, and it will feed them one by one.
- Duplex Printing: This feature allows the printer to automatically print on both sides of a page. It saves paper and is convenient.
Important Materials and Build Quality
Brother printers are generally built to last. They use sturdy plastics. The quality of the internal parts, like the print heads in inkjet printers or the laser drum in laser printers, affects how long the printer works well. Higher-end models often have more durable components.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
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Improving Quality:
- High DPI: A higher DPI means more detail in your prints, especially for images.
- Good Ink/Toner: Using genuine Brother ink or toner cartridges usually gives the best results. They are made to work perfectly with your printer.
- Regular Maintenance: Keeping your printer clean and running print head cleaning cycles when needed can maintain print quality.
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Reducing Quality:
- Low-Quality Paper: Using thin or rough paper can make text look fuzzy and colors dull.
- Third-Party Ink/Toner: While cheaper, these can sometimes clog print heads or produce faded prints.
- Ignoring Error Messages: Not addressing issues like low ink or paper jams can lead to poor print quality.
- Dust and Debris: Dust can get inside the printer and affect how the paper moves or how the ink is applied.
User Experience and Use Cases
Brother printers are designed to be user-friendly. Many have simple control panels with clear buttons and screens. Setting them up, especially with Wi-Fi, is usually straightforward.
- Home Users: For simple printing of homework, recipes, or occasional photos, an affordable inkjet All-in-One is a great choice. If you print a lot of documents and need sharp text, a compact laser printer might be better.
- Students: A reliable All-in-One with Wi-Fi is perfect for printing assignments, scanning notes, and making copies.
- Small Offices: Businesses need speed and efficiency. A fast laser printer or a robust All-in-One with an ADF and duplex printing can handle high volumes of printing and copying.
- Creative Users: If you print photos or design work, look for inkjet models with excellent color accuracy and high DPI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Brother Printers
Q: What are the main Key Features to look for in a Brother printer?
A: Key features include print quality (DPI), printing speed (PPM), connectivity options (USB, Wi-Fi), All-in-One capabilities (print, copy, scan), ink or toner type, Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), and duplex printing.
Q: What is the difference between inkjet and laser Brother printers?
A: Inkjet printers use liquid ink and are good for color photos. Laser printers use toner powder and are great for sharp text and fast document printing. Toner cartridges usually last longer.
Q: How important is using genuine Brother ink or toner?
A: Using genuine Brother ink or toner usually provides the best print quality and helps your printer work smoothly. It ensures colors are accurate and text is crisp.
Q: Can I print from my phone or tablet with a Brother printer?
A: Yes, many Brother printers have Wi-Fi, which lets you print wirelessly from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Q: What does “All-in-One” mean for a Brother printer?
A: An All-in-One printer can do more than just print. It can also copy, scan, and sometimes fax documents. This saves you space and the cost of buying separate machines.
Q: How do I improve the print quality of my Brother printer?
A: You can improve print quality by using high-quality paper, using genuine ink or toner, and performing regular maintenance like print head cleaning.
Q: What is an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)?
A: An ADF is a part of the printer that lets you put a stack of papers in it. The printer then automatically feeds each page for copying or scanning.
Q: What is duplex printing?
A: Duplex printing means the printer can automatically print on both sides of a piece of paper. This saves paper and is very convenient.
Q: Are Brother printers easy to set up?
A: Yes, Brother printers are generally designed to be easy to set up. Many have simple instructions and user-friendly interfaces.
Q: Which type of Brother printer is best for printing photos?
A: Inkjet Brother printers are usually best for printing photos. Look for models with a high DPI to get the most detailed and colorful images.