The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a color laser printer aiming to deliver a balance between affordability and performance. Known for its reliable printers, Brother has a reputation for compatibility across various devices. This review delves into the HL-L3280CDW’s durability, economy, speed, and quality to determine if it’s the right color laser printer for you. While there’s much to appreciate, a comparable Brother printer offers better overall value, making it a potentially more attractive option.
Design and Features
Brother HL-L3280CDWThe Brother HL-L3280CDW features a fixed 2.7-inch color touchscreen and a 250-sheet paper tray.
The HL-L3280CDW is compact for a color laser printer, measuring 15.7 x 15.7 x 10.8 inches and weighing 33.9 pounds. Its design is sleek and manageable. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen, while functional, appears slightly dim unless viewed directly. Its fixed 20-degree angle necessitates standing for operation. The main paper tray accommodates 250 sheets, complemented by a convenient single-sheet/envelope media tray, eliminating the need to unload bulk paper. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, with the ports located on the rear of the device.
Printing Performance
Brother HL-L3280CDW PrintingThe HL-L3280CDW offers fast printing speeds for both monochrome and color documents.
The HL-L3280CDW delivers impressive speed for its price, printing both monochrome and color documents at up to 27 pages per minute (ppm). First-page-out time is approximately 14 seconds from a ready state. For those requiring even faster performance, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301dw, albeit significantly more expensive, boasts a 9-second first-page-out time and 35 ppm. Duplex printing (double-sided) is supported, reducing paper consumption. However, duplex printing speed drops to 10 ppm.
Brother HL-L3280CDW Photo PrintPhoto prints from the HL-L3280CDW exhibit slightly washed-out colors.
Photo quality is acceptable for general use but doesn’t rival higher-end color laser printers like the Canon imageClass MF753cdw. Borderless printing is not supported, resulting in a quarter-inch margin. Color document printing quality is good. The media tray reliably handles envelopes and labels, albeit one sheet at a time.
Software and Compatibility
Brother HL-L3280CDW Toner CartridgesThe included toner cartridges require uncapping before initial use.
The HL-L3280CDW ships with toner cartridges pre-installed but requires uncapping before use. Wi-Fi setup is straightforward using the Brother Mobile Connect app or through the touchscreen. The printer is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Brother HL-L3280CDW Media TrayThe media tray simplifies printing envelopes and labels directly from your computer.
While general printing functionality worked flawlessly, envelope printing presented some challenges with the return address being truncated.
Price and Running Costs
Priced at $300, the HL-L3280CDW is budget-friendly. It boasts a 40,000-page monthly duty cycle, with a recommended monthly volume of 3,000 pages, making it suitable for small business use. Using high-yield toner cartridges, color printing costs average around 10 cents per page, and black printing drops to 2 cents per page. These high-yield cartridges offer impressive longevity, printing up to 4,500 black pages and 3,000 color pages. Standard-yield cartridges cost approximately 5 cents per monochrome page and 18 cents per color page. Mid-size cartridges are also available. The included starter cartridges yield approximately 1,000 black and 1,000 color pages.
Conclusion: Is the HL-L3280CDW Right for You?
The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a durable and affordable color laser printer suitable for those seeking a cost-effective solution for color document printing. However, the Brother HL-L3295CDW, priced around $70 higher, offers better long-term value with increased speed, additional features, and higher-yield starter toner. For most users, the HL-L3295CDW is the recommended choice. If you plan to subscribe to Brother’s Refresh EZ Print toner service, the HL-L3280CDW may be a viable alternative due to its lower upfront cost. If neither model meets your needs, explore our guide to the best color laser printers for more options.
