For years, inkjet printers have been the go-to choice for home users. But what if there’s a better way, especially if you’re tired of expensive ink cartridges and slow printing speeds? Back in 2015, a tech enthusiast explored this very question, asking, “Have You Considered a Brother Laser Printer?” The compelling arguments for laser printers, particularly for black and white printing, sparked a thought: what about color laser printers for the modern home office?
Like many home users, the idea of needing color printing was ingrained. The world of HP color inkjet printers was familiar territory, complete with the constant juggling of ink cartridges. Maintaining a stock of black and color cartridges, often costing a significant amount, felt like a necessary evil.
Then, a simple act of generosity changed everything. A free Brother black and white laser printer entered the picture, offering a chance to rethink home printing needs. Decommissioning a color inkjet and replacing it with this laser printer seemed like a smart move, keeping color printing available for when truly needed.
The initial concern with laser printers often revolves around toner cartridge costs. However, discovering affordable compatible Brother toner cartridges was a pleasant surprise. A two-pack of black cartridges at a fraction of the price of inkjet cartridges immediately highlighted a potential cost saving.
Brother HL-L2360D monochrome laser printer placed on a desk next to a Mac mini, a 27-inch Cinema Display, and a Synology NAS device.
Brother HL-L2360D monochrome laser printer offering efficient black and white printing for home and office use.
What started as a test turned into a revelation. The Brother laser printer, even one initially flagged as having low toner, lasted an entire year before needing a replacement. This experience, coupled with the printer’s speed and crisp text quality, converted even a self-proclaimed “printer hater” into a laser printer enthusiast. The efficiency and reliability made printing tasks, even tax form reviews, stress-free and almost enjoyable – a stark contrast to the anxieties often associated with inkjet printers and ink costs.
While black and white laser printing proved transformative for everyday use, the occasional need for color remained. When a color photo was needed for a thank-you note, the existing color inkjet printer failed to perform. Multiple attempts yielded nothing, leading to a quick trip to a local drugstore for prints. Surprisingly, this alternative felt less stressful than battling with a malfunctioning inkjet.
Months later, a similar color printing need arose, and again, the inkjet printer faltered. Troubleshooting revealed the printer’s incompatibility with a recent operating system update – unnoticed for seven months! This underscored a key point: color printing was infrequent, but still necessary. Compromising with grayscale prints when color was preferred wasn’t ideal. This realization sparked the search for a color laser printer to complement the beloved black and white Brother laser printer.
Diving into Brother Color Laser Printer Research
The benchmark was set by the existing Brother HL L2360D – a compact and efficient black and white laser printer. The goal was to find a color laser printer that matched or exceeded its speed and compact size, without sacrificing essential features. Brother was the natural brand choice, given consistently positive recommendations from tech experts and personal acquaintances alike. Wirecutter’s endorsement further solidified Brother as a leading brand in laser printing.
The research process involved creating a detailed spreadsheet to compare various Brother Color Laser Printer models. Key criteria included dimensions, print speed (pages per minute – PPM), and features. The aim was to find a relatively recent model to ensure long-term support and avoid models nearing obsolescence. A wave of new releases in August of the previous year presented several promising candidates.
| Price | Model | Released | Width | Depth | Height | PPM | DPI | Print/Copy/Scan | Color or BW | Double-sided | Ethernet | Touch Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | HL L2360D | 3/2017 | 14.0 in | 14.0 in | 7.0 in | 24 | 2400 x 600 | BW | Yes | 100BASE-T & WiFi | 1-line mono LCD | |
| $500 | MFC L3780 CDW | 8/2023 | 18.2 in | 16.1 in | 15.8 in | 31 | 2400×600 | P/C/S | Color | Yes | Gigabit & WiFi | 3.5″ color touchscreen |
| $400 | MFC L3720 CDW | 8/2023 | 17.5 in | 16.1 in | 15.8 in | 19 | 2400×600 | P/C/S | Color | Yes | WiFi only | 3.5″ color touchscreen |
| $300 | HL-L3280CDW | 8/2023 | 15.7 in | 15.7 in | 10.8 in | 27 | 2400×600 | Color | Yes | Gigabit & WiFi | 2.7 inch touchscreen | |
| Eliminated due to basic mono LCDs | ||||||||||||
| $249 | HLL3220CDW | ? | 19 | Color | WiFi only | 1-line mono LCD | ||||||
| $370 | HL-L3300CDW | 8/2023 | 16 in | 18 in | 14 in | 19 | 2400×601 | P/C/S | Color | Yes | WiFi only | 2-line mono backlit LCD |
Understanding Brother’s model nomenclature is key. The “CDW” suffix, common across the considered models, signifies Color printing, Duplex (double-sided) printing, and Wireless connectivity. Brother laser printer model prefixes differentiate functionalities: “MFC” denotes Multi-Function Center (print, copy, scan, fax), while “HL” series are standard printers (print only).
Initially drawn to the compact “HL” models, similar in size to the existing black and white printer, it became clear that multi-functionality was needed. Basic copying and scanning capabilities are valuable for a home office. While smartphone scanning handles many tasks, a flatbed scanner remains essential for various documents and media.
Some budget-friendly options, like the HL-L3220CDW and HL-L3300CDW, were quickly dismissed due to their monochrome LCD screens. A more appealing printer-only model, the HL-L3280CDW, offered a color touchscreen and faster print speed than the existing black and white laser printer, along with both Ethernet and WiFi. However, the need for scanning and copying pushed the focus towards MFC models.
The choice narrowed down to two MFC models: the MFC-L3720CDW and MFC-L3780CDW. While the MFC-L3720CDW was slightly more compact and affordable, its slower print speed (19 PPM) and WiFi-only connectivity were less appealing. Ultimately, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW emerged as the winner.
Brother MFC-L3780CDW: A Color Laser Powerhouse for Home and Office
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW boasts impressive specifications: a fast 31 PPM print speed, gigabit Ethernet and WiFi, and a user-friendly 3.5″ color touchscreen. While physically larger than the previous black and white printer, its performance and feature set justified the upgrade.
Brother MFC-L3780 color laser printer situated on a credenza alongside a Mac mini, a 27-inch cinema display, and a Synology NAS device in a home office setting.
Brother MFC-L3780 color laser printer, a robust and feature-rich all-in-one solution for color printing, scanning, and copying in home and small office environments.
The $500 price tag felt more palatable thanks to the inclusion of a full set of toner cartridges with the MFC-L3780CDW. These high-yield DR229CL cartridges are rated for up to 20,000 pages, significantly reducing the immediate need for replacement toner. The initial setup, involving unpacking and installing the four separate toner cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), was straightforward and quick.
Four color toner cartridges, neatly arranged and ready for installation in a Brother color laser printer, showcasing individual units for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Individual CMYK toner cartridges for Brother color laser printers, ensuring vibrant and high-quality color prints for professional and home use.
Connecting to Ethernet, updating firmware, setting a secure admin password, and loading paper were the next steps. Even a minor paper loading hiccup was quickly resolved, and the printing quality immediately impressed. The print clarity and crispness surpassed even the already excellent black and white Brother laser printer.
The printer's display showing a prompt to change the default administrator password, emphasizing security and user customization.
Security prompt on a Brother printer display encouraging users to change the default administrator password for enhanced device protection.
Printer display showing an error message "Reload paper in tray", indicating a paper loading issue requiring user attention.
Paper reload error displayed on a Brother printer, signaling a need to adjust or replenish paper supply in the tray for continuous printing.
Experimenting with glossy paper for photo printing revealed a limitation: toner-based laser printers aren’t ideal for glossy photo paper, resulting in smudging. For high-quality photo prints on glossy media, a dedicated photo printing service remains the better option.
Example of color laser print on glossy paper showing toner smearing, illustrating the technology’s limitation for high-gloss photo media.
Despite this glossy paper limitation, the MFC-L3780CDW excels in everyday printing, copying, and scanning. Its speed, reliability, and consistent performance are major advantages. Double-sided printing is seamless, and mobile printing from smartphones is effortless. Paper jams and cartridge alignment issues are nonexistent, delivering a truly “it just works” experience.
Delving into the 680-page PDF manual reveals the printer’s extensive capabilities, positioning it as a feature-rich device suitable even for small businesses. Features like NFC card scanning for access control further highlight its professional-grade features. For less intensive users, the online user guide offers a more accessible alternative to the comprehensive PDF manual, albeit with a somewhat dated interface design.
Screenshot of Brother printer's online user guide interface, resembling a design aesthetic from the 1980s, with a link to download the PDF manual.
Brother printer online user guide featuring a retro, 1980s-style interface, providing access to printer documentation and support resources.
One minor annoyance is the persistent promotion of Brother’s toner subscription service within the printer’s app. While subscription services can be convenient, the constant prompts can be intrusive.
The Verdict: Is a Brother Color Laser Printer Right for You?
Investing in a Brother color laser printer, like the MFC-L3780CDW, represents a significant upgrade for a home office. While the upfront cost is higher than a basic inkjet printer, the long-term benefits in terms of print quality, speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness (especially considering toner cartridge longevity) are substantial.
For users who primarily print black and white documents but occasionally require color, a Brother color laser printer offers a compelling alternative to traditional inkjet printers. The combination of a dedicated black and white laser printer for everyday tasks and a color laser printer for occasional color needs might be the ideal setup for maximizing efficiency and minimizing printing hassles.
The older inkjet and black and white laser printers found a new home with a delighted tech-enthusiast, highlighting the continued value and longevity of laser printing technology. While some users may perceive color printing as an absolute necessity, many home and small office printing needs are well-served, and often better served, by the speed, quality, and economy of a Brother color laser printer. And contrary to initial impressions, even glossy photo printing might be possible according to the extensive user manual, proving that perhaps the printer isn’t a lie after all.
