Brother All-in-One Printer Lineup: Inkjet vs Laser
Every spec and price on this page is quoted from the Amazon listing for that model. Scores are out of 10, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback. Nothing here was handled or measured by us.
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A Brother all-in-one printer prints, scans and copies from one box, and the right one depends on what you print most. If you want color for posters, game guides and stream graphics, look at the inkjets or the color laser. If you mostly print black text like rules sheets, invoices and contracts, a mono laser is faster and cheaper to run per page.
This Brother printer comparison covers six models: the Work Smart 1360 and INKvestment 5010 color inkjets, the compact DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW mono lasers, the MFC-L5915DW high-speed mono laser and the MFC-L8930CDW business color laser. They differ in color versus black only, print speed, paper capacity, fax support and toner or ink yield. We compared listings, specifications and intended use rather than running print jobs ourselves, and we flag where a listing contradicts itself.
JOB SHEET
Which Brother All-in-One Printer Should You Buy
- Occasional color prints on a small desk: Brother Work Smart 1360.
- Fast black-and-white pages, no fax needed: Brother DCP-L2640DW.
- Black-and-white plus fax for a home office: Brother MFC-L2820DW.
- Sharp color output at laser speed for a team: Brother MFC-L8930CDW.
- Maximum mono speed and toner yield: Brother MFC-L5915DW.
- Color inkjet with business speed and fax: Brother INKvestment 5010.
No. 01
of 6
Brother
Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color
9.4
/10
Our score
Well rated
Scored 9.2/10 or higher
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Light home printing of guides and schoolwork
Pros
- Compact 7.2-inch tall body
- Auto duplex and 20-sheet ADF
- Cloud apps from the display
- Prints on glossy photo paper
Cons
- 16 ppm black, 9 ppm color
- 150-sheet tray
The Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color inkjet is the compact entry point. It prints, copies and scans, with automatic duplex printing, a 20-sheet single-sided ADF and a 150-sheet paper tray. Brother rates it at up to 16 ppm in black and 9 ppm in color, and it handles plain paper, envelopes and glossy photo paper.
A 1.8-inch color display gives access to cloud apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Box and OneDrive. It connects over Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or USB, supports AirPrint and Mopria, and the Brother Mobile Connect app includes Page Gauge to track ink usage. At 7.2 inches tall and 16.8 pounds it fits on a shelf next to a gaming desk.
- Auto duplex and 20-sheet ADF
- Glossy photo paper support for color prints
- Cloud print and scan from the display
This Brother Work Smart 1360 suits light home printing of guides, tickets and school reports. If you print dozens of pages a day, the laser models will outpace it.
No. 02
of 6
Brother
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function
9.8
/10
Our score
Well rated
Scored 9.2/10 or higher
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Fast black-and-white printing without fax
Pros
- Up to 36 ppm
- 50-page ADF
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Cons
- Monochrome only
- No fax
The Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Multi-Function printer is a 3-in-1 black-and-white laser: print, scan and copy. It prints up to 36 ppm and scans up to 23.6 ipm in black and 7.9 ipm in color, with a 50-page ADF for multi-page jobs.
Connectivity is broad, with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB. It uses TN830 or TN830XL toner and supports the Refresh EZ Print subscription. Media support covers plain paper, envelopes and labels. There is no fax, which is the main difference from the MFC-L2820DW.
- Up to 36 ppm black-and-white
- 50-page auto document feeder
- Dual-band Wi-Fi plus Ethernet
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a strong fit for anyone printing plenty of text who has no use for fax. It cannot print color, so pair it with a phone or tablet for anything visual.
No. 03
of 6
Brother
Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One
9.6
/10
Our score
Well rated
Scored 9.2/10 or higher
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Home offices that still need fax
Pros
- Print, copy, scan and fax
- 7-inch touchscreen
- 250-sheet tray
- Works with Alexa
Cons
- Monochrome only
- Speed listed as both 34 and 36 ppm
The Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One adds fax to the same compact footprint as the DCP-L2640DW. It shares the 50-page ADF, dual-band wireless, Ethernet, USB and TN830 toner, and adds a 2.7-inch touchscreen with cloud print and scan for services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote and OneNote.
The listing states speed two ways: up to 36 ppm in the feature list and up to 34 ppm in the description, with a 34 ppm maximum copy speed. The description also mentions a 250-sheet paper tray. It works with Alexa and ships with a Refresh subscription trial.
- Print, copy, scan and fax
- 2.7-inch touchscreen
- 250-sheet paper tray
Choose the Brother MFC-L2820DW if you still send or receive faxes for work. Those who need color should look at the inkjets or the MFC-L8930CDW. For a wider look at fax-capable machines, see our fax printer, scanner and copier guide.
No. 04
of 6
Brother
Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One
9.0
/10
Our score
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Creators printing color handouts in volume
Pros
- Color laser up to 33 ppm
- 7-inch touchscreen
- 104 ipm two-sided scanning
- Super high yield toner option
Cons
- 2 lb and large
- Overkill for light use
The Brother MFC-L8930CDW Business Color Laser All-in-One is the color powerhouse of the group. It prints and copies at up to 33 ppm, and Brother says it is 25% smaller than the previous model. It ships with 3,000-page black and 1,800-page color standard toner, and the TN635XXL super high yield cartridges reach 7,500 pages black and 6,500 color.
Scanning is fast: two-sided up to 104 ipm through an 80-page ADF, plus legal-size glass. A 7-inch color touchscreen offers scan preview and up to 64 shortcuts. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet, Triple Layer Security and an NFC card reader. Media includes card stock, labels and glossy photo paper, which suits event flyers and printed tournament brackets. It weighs 71.2 pounds, so plan for a sturdy surface.
- Color laser up to 33 ppm
- 104 ipm two-sided scanning, 80-page ADF
- 7-inch touchscreen with 64 shortcuts
- Super high yield toner option
The Brother MFC-L8930CDW color laser suits creators and small teams who print color in volume. For occasional color, it is far more machine than a home user needs. Compare it with others in our color laser all-in-one roundup.
No. 05
of 6
Brother
Brother Professional Laser Printer All-in-One
8.4
/10
Our score
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Busy offices printing high-volume mono
Pros
- Up to 50 ppm
- 18,000-page toner option
- 70-page single-pass ADF
- Gigabit Ethernet
Cons
- Monochrome only
- 3 lb footprint
The Brother Professional Laser Printer All-in-One, model MFC-L5915DW, is the speed pick for mono. It prints and copies at up to 50 ppm and ships with a 3,000-page toner cartridge, while the TN920UXXL ultra high-yield replacement reaches 18,000 pages, which keeps running costs low for heavy users.
A 70-page ADF offers single-pass two-sided scanning at up to 56 ipm, and the glass takes legal-size documents. It has a 5-inch color touchscreen, Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band wireless, USB host printing and scanning, and Triple Layer Security according to its description. Media support includes card stock, envelopes and labels.
- Up to 50 ppm black-and-white
- 18,000-page ultra high-yield toner option
- Single-pass duplex scanning up to 56 ipm
It suits a busy office or a creator who prints large volumes of text. At 38.3 pounds and nearly 20 inches wide, it is too big for most gaming desks, and it prints black only.
No. 06
of 6
Brother
Brother INKvestment 5010 Wireless Color Inkjet
9.0
/10
Our score
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Small businesses wanting color inkjet speed
Pros
- 28 ppm black, 26 ppm color
- Single-pass duplex ADF
- Prints up to 8.5×14
- Fax included
Cons
- 9 lb
- Description mixes in 5110 specs
The Brother INKvestment 5010 Wireless Color Inkjet brings business features to a color inkjet. It prints, copies, scans and faxes at up to 28 ppm black and 26 ppm color, with a 250-sheet tray, a 50-page single-pass duplex ADF and automatic duplex printing on paper up to 8.5 by 14 inches.
It includes a 1,800-page black cartridge and 750-page cyan, yellow and magenta cartridges, and uses LC506 ink. The PerfectPrint Auto Detection System aims for consistent quality, and it connects by Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet or USB with cloud apps on a 2.7-inch touchscreen. Be aware that the description describes the INKvestment 5110, with a 500-sheet capacity and a 4.3-inch screen; the features and title for this listing describe the 5010, so we follow those.
- 28 ppm black and 26 ppm color
- Single-pass duplex ADF, 50 pages
- Legal-size duplex printing
The Brother INKvestment 5010 fits a small business or creator who needs color and fax together. For occasional home prints, the Work Smart 1360 is lighter and simpler. You can also compare it against our wireless inkjet all-in-one picks.
What Sets These Models Apart
| Model | Type | Max print speed | ADF | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Smart 1360 | Color inkjet | 16 ppm black / 9 color | 20 sheets | Not listed |
| DCP-L2640DW | Mono laser | 36 ppm | 50 pages | No |
| MFC-L2820DW | Mono laser | 34-36 ppm | 50 pages | Yes |
| MFC-L8930CDW | Color laser | 33 ppm | 80 pages | Not listed |
| MFC-L5915DW | Mono laser | 50 ppm | 70 pages | Not listed |
| INKvestment 5010 | Color inkjet | 28 ppm black / 26 color | 50 pages | Yes |
Figures in this table are copied from the Amazon listings for these models.
NOTES
Buying Tips for Brother All-in-One Printers
Start with color. Laser toner makes crisp text at speed and does not dry out between jobs, which suits people who print in bursts. Inkjets handle glossy photo paper and blend color smoothly, which suits posters, stickers and artwork. If you rarely print color, a mono laser will save you the most effort over time.
Next, check running costs through yield. High-yield cartridges such as TN635XXL for the color laser and TN920UXXL for the MFC-L5915DW cover thousands of pages each, so you replace them less often. For the inkjets, compare the included cartridge yields and whether you will print enough to justify the larger business model.
Finally, look at paper handling and connectivity. An ADF with single-pass duplex scanning saves time on multi-page documents, a larger tray means fewer refills, and dual-band Wi-Fi plus Ethernet gives more reliable connections in busy homes where consoles and PCs share the network.
FAQ
What is the difference between the DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW?
Both are compact mono lasers with 50-page ADFs and dual-band wireless. The MFC-L2820DW adds fax and a 2.7-inch touchscreen.
Which Brother all-in-one prints color fastest?
The MFC-L8930CDW color laser at up to 33 ppm, followed by the INKvestment 5010 at 26 ppm color.
Which Brother printer is best for photos and posters?
The inkjets and the MFC-L8930CDW list glossy photo paper support. For occasional home use, the Work Smart 1360 is the simplest option.
Which models can fax?
The MFC-L2820DW and the INKvestment 5010 list fax. The DCP-L2640DW does not; the other listings do not mention it.
Which Brother laser all-in-one has the lowest running cost?
Among these listings, the MFC-L5915DW’s 18,000-page TN920UXXL toner offers the highest stated yield, which lowers how often you replace supplies.
