🖨️ Brother MFC-L2820DW: A Comprehensive Review of the Compact All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer
The Brother MFC-L2820DW stands out as a formidable candidate for home offices and small businesses seeking a reliable, high-efficiency, and compact Monochrome All-in-One (AIO) Laser Printer. This device successfully integrates print, copy, scan, and fax capabilities, all while offering versatile connectivity options and a commitment to low running costs.
This in-depth review breaks down the key features, performance metrics, and overall value of the Brother MFC-L2820DW, helping you determine if it's the right workhorse for your professional needs.
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| Brother MFC-L2820DW: A Comprehensive Review of the Compact All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer |
Design and Setup: Compact Efficiency
One of the MFC-L2820DW's most appealing aspects is its compact footprint. Measuring approximately 12.5 by 16.1 by 15.7 inches (HWD), it is engineered to fit comfortably on a small desk without overwhelming your workspace.
The device features an intuitive 2.7-inch color touchscreen display, which simplifies menu navigation and allows for direct access to cloud services (Web Connect). Initial setup, often a pain point for new printers, is generally reported as straightforward, particularly with the assistance of the Brother Mobile Connect app, which facilitates easy wireless configuration.
Key Design Features:
Compact Chassis: Ideal for space-constrained environments.
2.7" Color Touchscreen: Enhances ease of use and direct cloud access.
Connectivity: Offers dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, and Hi-Speed USB 2.0.
Performance: Speed and Print Quality
As a monochrome (black and white) laser printer, the MFC-L2820DW is built for speed and crisp text output, perfectly suited for invoices, reports, and general document printing.
Printing
Speed: It boasts a fast print speed of up to 34 pages per minute (ppm), ensuring that even large print jobs are completed quickly. The first-page-out time is also snappy, typically less than 8.5 seconds.
Duplex Printing: A critical feature for saving paper and time, the MFC-L2820DW includes automatic two-sided (duplex) printing as a standard function.
Resolution: Print resolution goes up to 1200 x 1200 dpi, delivering sharp, clean text that rivals top-tier mono lasers. While graphics quality is generally good enough for business documents, some gradients and darker shades of gray might show minor imperfections common in mono lasers.
Paper Handling
The printer offers excellent paper handling capacity for its size:
Input Tray: A generous 250-sheet capacity paper tray reduces the frequency of refills.
Manual Feed Slot: A single-sheet manual feed slot is useful for specialty media like envelopes or thicker paper stock.
Output Capacity: Up to 100 sheets.
All-in-One Capabilities: Copy, Scan, and Fax
The "MFC" (Multi-Function Center) in its name is well-deserved, covering all four essential office functions.
Scanning and Copying
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): The 50-sheet ADF is a significant time-saver, allowing you to automatically process multi-page documents for scanning, copying, or faxing up to legal-size paper.
Simplex ADF Limitation: A notable drawback is that the ADF is simplex (single-sided) only. To scan a two-sided document, you must manually flip the pages or use the flatbed for one side at a time. This may be a minor inconvenience for users who frequently need to scan double-sided contracts or large manuals.
Scan Resolution: Optical resolution is up to 1200 x 1200 dpi on the glass, ensuring high-quality digital archives.
Fax
The inclusion of a 33.6 Kbps fax modem and memory for up to 400 pages ensures that the traditional fax function is ready for environments that still require it.
Connectivity and Smart Integration
The MFC-L2820DW is built for a modern, connected workflow.
Wireless: The dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) ensures reliable wireless performance, minimizing connection drops.
Mobile Printing: Support for AirPrint®, Mopria®, and Brother Mobile Connect allows for seamless printing and scanning directly from smartphones and tablets.
Cloud Connectivity: The 2.7" touchscreen allows you to scan directly to or print from popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Works with Alexa: The printer's compatibility with Alexa allows for convenient voice-activated printing and checking toner levels, adding a layer of smart home office integration.
Running Costs: Toner and the Refresh Subscription Trial
Laser printers are known for their lower cost-per-page compared to inkjet models, and the MFC-L2820DW is no exception.
Toner: The use of separate toner cartridges and drum unit (TN830/TN830XL Toner and DR830 Drum) helps manage costs. High-yield replacement toners (TN830XL) can print up to 3,000 pages, significantly reducing the frequency and cost of supplies.
Refresh Subscription Trial: The inclusion of a Refresh Subscription Trial indicates the printer is eligible for Brother's automatic toner delivery service. This service monitors your toner levels and ships a replacement before you run out, ensuring you never face downtime and typically offering a further reduction in cost-per-page.
The Verdict
The Brother MFC-L2820DW Wireless Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer is a highly capable and efficient AIO machine that punches above its weight for its compact size.
👍 Pros:
Fast and High-Quality Printing: Excellent speed (up to 34 ppm) and crisp 1200 dpi text output.
Automatic Duplex Printing: Saves paper and is great for professional documents.
Versatile AIO Functions: Covers print, copy, scan, and fax with a 50-sheet ADF.
Excellent Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and extensive mobile/cloud support.
Low Running Costs: High-yield toner options and Refresh subscription eligibility keep costs down.
Compact Design: Ideal for small or home offices.
👎 Cons:
No Duplex Scanning/Copying via ADF: The 50-sheet ADF is single-sided only. Two-sided scanning requires manual intervention on the flatbed.
Monochrome Only: Not suitable for users who require color output.
Who is this printer for?
This printer is an excellent value proposition for home offices, small businesses, and personal users who primarily print black and white documents and need a full suite of office functions (copy, scan, fax). Its speed, reliability, and low long-term running costs make it a superior alternative to most entry-level inkjet printers. If your printing needs are solely monochrome and you can live with the manual step for two-sided scanning, the MFC-L2820DW is a powerhouse recommendation.