For small business owners and home offices requiring a robust, efficient, and high-quality printing solution, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW stands out as a top contender in the realm of toner printers. This color laser all-in-one printer is designed to handle demanding workloads with speed and precision, making it an excellent upgrade for those seeking enhanced performance and features.
Small businesses that frequently print, scan, and even fax will find the Brother MFC-L3780CDW to be a valuable asset. While it comes with a higher price tag compared to some alternatives, the investment translates into superior speed, sharper print quality, and a suite of features that streamline office tasks. Among color laser printers offering comparable productivity features to leading inkjet models, the MFC-L3780CDW remains a competitively priced option.
Our pick for the best upgrade printer with enhanced speed and features, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW, displayed against a green backdrop.
Navigating the printer’s menu is generally straightforward, although users with visual impairments should be aware that the black menu bar at the footer may blend into the black display screen, potentially hindering visibility.
Equipped with a 250-sheet paper tray and a robust 4,000-page monthly duty cycle, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW is more than capable of meeting the printing demands of most small and home offices.
Speed and Performance: A True Workhorse
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW excels in speed, capable of churning out up to 31 pages per minute (ppm), according to Brother’s specifications. This significantly surpasses the 22 ppm average observed from our top pick, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw. In practical testing, the MFC-L3780CDW delivered text documents with comparable sharpness and graphics with similar crispness, free from banding, when compared to the 3301fdw. Like most laser printers, it’s worth noting that image prints may appear slightly flat. For users who frequently print photographs, a dedicated photo printer might be a more suitable choice.
Compared to leading inkjet all-in-one printers, this laser model exhibits limitations in reproducing high-fidelity prints from scanned documents. Graphics often appear duller than the original source files, a characteristic common across laser printers in general.
Built for Durability and Heavy Use
The MFC-L3780CDW is designed for longevity and consistent performance under pressure. Its rapid spooling and a generous recommended duty cycle of 4,000 pages per month—nearly double the 3301fdw’s 2,500 pages—make it ideal for busy home offices and small businesses with multiple users. This higher duty cycle ensures the printer can handle large print volumes, even during peak periods like audit season, without succumbing to wear and tear.
Standalone Functionality and Versatile Media Handling
For situations where speed is paramount and computer access is inconvenient, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW offers a convenient USB port. This allows for direct printing of JPEGs, PDFs, and TIFFs, as well as saving scans directly to a USB drive.
The printer also demonstrates flexibility in handling various paper sizes. The foldout bypass paper tray accommodates letter, legal, executive, and postcard-size media. Furthermore, the automatic document feeder (ADF) supports legal-size documents, enhancing its versatility for diverse printing and scanning needs.
Enhanced Security Features for Sensitive Environments
Security is a paramount concern for modern businesses, and the MFC-L3780CDW incorporates robust security features, exceeding those found in many inkjet and laser printers tested. Similar to other recommended laser printers, it includes firmware integrity and encryption protocols, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access or hacking. Features like directory authentication, secure fax holding until credential entry, and role-based access control for multi-user environments provide comprehensive protection. An integrated NFC card reader adds another layer of security, enabling badge authentication for print job release in secure office settings.
Cost-Effective Operation Over Time
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW proves to be economical in the long run, particularly when utilizing super-high-yield toner cartridges. Per-page printing costs are approximately 2.5¢ for black and white and 12.9¢ for color. These costs are lower than the per-page expenses associated with the 3301fdw and align with the black-printing costs of Brother’s monochrome models.
While the initial investment for super-high-yield toner cartridges is substantial, around $530, alternative lower-capacity high-yield and standard-yield cartridges are available at reduced upfront costs ($402 and $290, respectively). However, opting for lower-capacity cartridges will increase per-print costs.
User-Friendly Interface
The color touchscreen interface of this printer is designed for ease of use, offering a less frustrating experience compared to some competing models. Its intuitive design simplifies navigation and operation for a wide range of users. However, as mentioned earlier, the black-background footer on the touchscreen might pose a visibility challenge for individuals with low vision, unlike the monochrome Brother MFC-L2900DW which features a more visible interface.
Warranty and Support
Brother provides a one-year warranty for the MFC-L3780CDW. While this is not as extensive as some competitors like Canon, who offer a three-year warranty on home-office machines, or HP, which includes on-site service within its one-year warranty, Brother does offer extended warranty options. Purchasing an extended warranty (starting at $103) provides added peace of mind with options for free repairs at authorized locations or next-day business shipping of a refurbished replacement model.
In conclusion, the Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a best-in-class toner printer, ideally suited for small businesses and home offices that demand speed, quality, security, and cost-efficiency. Its robust feature set and reliable performance make it a worthwhile investment for enhancing office productivity.
