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Brother is best known for reliable laser printers with long-lasting toner, but it also makes inkjets. If you print mostly text, a Brother laser is often the lowest-fuss choice.

This guide covers six Brother printers. It is built from published specifications and listings, not our own testing, so confirm details on each product page.

New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use and how we pick printers.

Last updated: October 30, 2026.

Quick Picks

Printer Type Best for
Brother HL-L2460DW Compact monochrome laser Text-only printing with two-sided output
Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome laser all-in-one Copy and scan on a laser
Brother MFC-L2820DW Monochrome laser all-in-one Black-and-white offices that also scan and fax
Brother HL-L3280CDW Color laser Affordable color laser printing
Brother INKvestment MFC-J4335DW Color inkjet all-in-one Small office inkjet with high-yield ink
Brother Work Smart 1360 Color inkjet all-in-one Compact everyday color printing

6 Best Brother Printers for Home and Office

1. Brother HL-L2460DW

A wireless compact monochrome laser with duplex printing, from the same family as the HL-L2350DW.

Good for: Students and home workers who print text. Strengths: Toner does not dry out between uses, and duplex saves paper. Weaknesses: No color, and no scanning or copying. Skip it if you need color or a scanner.

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2. Brother DCP-L2640DW

A wireless compact monochrome laser all-in-one that prints, copies and scans with two-sided printing.

Good for: Home offices that need laser text plus a scanner. Strengths: Laser text with copy, scan and duplex in one body. Weaknesses: No color and no fax. Skip it if you need color or fax.

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3. Brother MFC-L2820DW

A compact monochrome laser all-in-one that prints, copies, scans and faxes, with two-sided printing.

Good for: Freelancers and small sellers who live on paperwork. Strengths: Laser text quality with copy, scan, fax and duplex in one body. Weaknesses: No color, and larger than a compact inkjet. Skip it if color matters or desk space is tight.

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4. Brother HL-L3280CDW

A compact color laser printer with wireless and duplex.

Good for: Home offices that want color laser output without a scanner. Strengths: Laser-quality text with color and wireless. Weaknesses: Color toner is expensive and it does not scan. Skip it if you need scanning or mostly print black-and-white.

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5. Brother INKvestment MFC-J4335DW

A color inkjet all-in-one designed around larger-capacity ink cartridges.

Good for: Home offices that want inkjet versatility with fewer refills. Strengths: High-yield cartridge option. Weaknesses: Bulkier than compact inkjets. Skip it if you only print occasionally.

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6. Brother Work Smart 1360

A compact color inkjet all-in-one that prints, scans and copies, from Brother’s Work Smart line.

Good for: Households that want occasional color without a bulky machine. Strengths: Small size and a basic, easy feature set. Weaknesses: Cartridge refills add up if volume grows. Skip it if you need a document feeder; check the product page.

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Brother Model Names Decoded

HL, DCP and MFC

HL models are print-only lasers. DCP models add copy and scan. MFC models also fax. See best Brother laser printers.

Inkjets

Brother’s inkjets include models built around high-capacity ink, such as the INKvestment line.

Toner and drum

Many Brother lasers separate the toner and the drum unit, so you replace the drum much less often.

Reliability

Brother has a reputation for reliability, but any individual unit can fail, so check the warranty.

How to Choose

Laser or inkjet?

Lasers are strong for text and cope better with long gaps between uses. Inkjets suit color and photos.

Check toner and ink yields

Compare the yield of the standard and high-yield cartridges and their prices.

Decide on scanning and fax

The HL models print only. The DCP and MFC models add scanning, and MFC adds fax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Brother printers reliable?

They have a reputation for reliability, especially the lasers, but any individual unit can fail. Check warranty terms.

What do the model prefixes mean?

HL models are print-only, DCP models copy and scan, and MFC models also fax.

Does Brother lock out third-party toner?

Some models do not accept third-party supplies well. Check before you buy.

Bottom Line

For text-only printing, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the simple pick. Add scanning with the DCP-L2640DW, fax with the MFC-L2820DW, and choose the HL-L3280CDW if you need color laser.

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