🖨️ Review: Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer – A Reliable Workhorse for the Small Office
The Brother MFC-L3720CDW enters the crowded all-in-one (AIO) printer market with a clear objective: to deliver reliable color laser-quality output and robust multifunctionality in a compact, small-office-friendly package. Combining printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with essential features like auto-duplexing and comprehensive connectivity, the MFC-L3720CDW aims to be the single central hub for document management. This in-depth review explores whether this digital color AIO lives up to Brother's reputation for dependability and efficiency.
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| Review: Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer – A Reliable Workhorse for the Small Office |
🌟 Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Specification / Detail | Benefit for the User |
| Functionality | Print, Copy, Scan, Fax | A true 4-in-1 solution, eliminating the need for separate machines. |
| Print Technology | Digital Color LED | Provides laser-quality text and vibrant color documents. |
| Duplexing | Automatic (Print Only) | Saves paper and creates professional-looking double-sided documents effortlessly. |
| Paper Capacity | 250-Sheet Input Tray | Reduces frequency of paper refills, enhancing workflow. |
| Document Feeder | 50-Sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) | Saves time on multi-page copying, scanning, and faxing jobs. |
| Connectivity | Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Ethernet | Flexible connection options for multiple users and devices (mobile and desktop). |
| User Interface | 3.5-inch Color Touchscreen | Intuitive control, customizable shortcuts, and cloud connectivity. |
| Subscription Ready | Brother Refresh & Amazon Dash Replenishment | Automated supply ordering ensures you never run out of toner. |
| Print Speed | Up to 19 pages per minute (ppm) Mono/Color | Decent speed for home or small office environments. |
🏗️ Design and Setup: Compact and Intuitive
The MFC-L3720CDW boasts a relatively compact footprint for a color laser AIO, making it suitable for tight desk spaces in a home or small office. While weighing around 44 lbs (20 kg), it is manageable enough for a single person to set up.
The centerpiece of the control panel is the 3.5-inch color touchscreen display. While not the largest screen on the market, it is bright, responsive, and provides an organized, icon-driven menu system. Users can easily navigate functions, access cloud services (like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneNote), and set up to 48 customizable shortcuts for frequent tasks, significantly streamlining daily operations.
Setup is generally efficient, aided by Brother’s guided installation tools. The printer features dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz) wireless connectivity, ensuring a stable connection in busy Wi-Fi environments. Mobile printing and scanning are supported via the Brother Mobile Connect app, AirPrint, and Mopria, allowing for seamless integration with smartphones and tablets.
⚡ Performance: Quality Over Speed
In terms of performance, the MFC-L3720CDW delivers a mixed but generally positive experience, prioritizing output quality.
Print Quality
This is where the Brother MFC-L3720CDW truly shines. With a print resolution of up to 2400 x 600 dpi class, it produces top-notch output quality.
Monochrome Text: Text documents are consistently sharp, crisp, and laser-precise, even at small font sizes.
Color Graphics: Color prints are vivid and accurate, making this printer excellent for professional documents, presentations, and marketing materials where color vibrancy is key.
Print Speed
Rated at up to 19 pages per minute (ppm) for both black-and-white and color, the MFC-L3720CDW offers a respectable, though middling, speed. For small offices with low to moderate print volumes (a recommended monthly volume of up to 3,000 pages), this speed is adequate. However, users migrating from faster printers might notice the difference, especially when printing complex color documents.
Scanning, Copying, and Faxing
The all-in-one functions are supported by a capable flatbed scanner and a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). The scanner performs well, with speeds up to 29ipm for mono and 22ipm for color. The ADF is a huge time-saver for scanning or copying multi-page documents, although it is important to note that the ADF is not auto-duplexing (it won't automatically scan both sides of a page). Copying and faxing capabilities complete the AIO offering, ensuring all traditional office needs are covered.
💰 Running Costs and Value
The cost of ownership is a critical factor for any laser printer. The MFC-L3720CDW uses Brother’s high-quality toner cartridges (TN229 series).
Monochrome Costs: The black toner cost is competitive within the laser-class category, making this an economical choice for workplaces that primarily print black-and-white documents.
Color Costs: The color toner costs are somewhat higher compared to some competitors and Brother's own higher-end models (like the L3780CDW). This means the MFC-L3720CDW is best suited for offices needing occasional high-quality color printing rather than high-volume color production.
Toner Management: Refresh and Dash Replenishment
The printer's compatibility with the Brother Refresh Subscription Trial and Amazon Dash Replenishment is a standout convenience. These services automatically monitor toner levels and ship new cartridges before you run out, saving time and preventing workflow interruptions—a major plus for busy small offices.
✅ The Pros and Cons
Pros
Excellent Print Quality: Delivers superb laser-quality text and vibrant, professional-grade color graphics.
Robust All-in-One Functionality: Includes Print, Scan, Copy, and Fax with a helpful 50-sheet ADF.
Automatic Duplex Printing: Essential paper-saving feature built-in.
Flexible Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi, mobile app support, and cloud integration (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).
Intuitive Touchscreen: The 3.5-inch display and customizable shortcuts simplify operation.
Convenient Supply Management: Ready for Refresh/Dash Replenishment for hassle-free toner reordering.
Cons
Modest Print Speed: At 19 ppm, it is slower than some competing or higher-tier models.
High Color Toner Costs: Running costs for color are on the higher side, which can add up for high-volume color users.
No Duplex ADF Scanning: The 50-sheet ADF does not automatically scan both sides of a document.
Paper Output Tray: Some users report that double-sided printing can sometimes pull finished sheets back into the path, causing minor paper jams or curling.
verdict: A Solid, Quality-Focused Choice
The Brother MFC-L3720CDW Wireless Color Laser All-in-One Printer is an exceptional choice for a home office or a small business that values print quality and comprehensive functionality over raw speed. Its ability to produce high-quality color output for presentations and marketing materials, combined with its robust scanning and copying features, makes it a versatile workhorse.
While its color running costs may deter offices that print vast amounts of color documents daily, its competitive monochrome costs and reliable performance make it a strong value proposition for those whose primary printing is black-and-white, with the need for high-impact color available when required. The easy setup and modern connectivity options cement its place as a dependable and efficient all-in-one printer for the modern workspace.
Best For: Small offices, home offices (SOHO), and users who need high-quality color prints occasionally, but rely primarily on monochrome printing, copying, and scanning.