The Brother DCPL2550DW is a budget-friendly monochrome laser printer designed for home offices and small businesses. This all-in-one device offers printing, scanning, and copying functionalities, making it a versatile option for handling various document needs. In this review, we’ll explore its design, performance, features, software compatibility, and overall value to determine if it’s the right printer for you.
The Brother DCPL2550DW. has a tapered design with vents on both sides.The Brother DCPL2550DW features a practical, tapered design.
Design and Build
The Brother DCPL2550DW boasts a robust and practical design. Its tapered sides and textured charcoal and black finish give it a professional appearance. While large and sturdy, it’s relatively easy to move, weighing 25.6 pounds. The control panel features a small, two-line monochrome display with navigation buttons and is angled for easy access. A 250-sheet paper tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes and smaller media offer convenient paper handling. Keep in mind, Brother recommends four inches of clearance on each side for proper ventilation.
Printing Performance
The DCPL2550DW monochrome laser printer outputs 36 ppm.The Brother DCPL2550DW delivers impressive print speeds.
The DCPL2550DW shines in its printing speed, reaching up to 36 pages per minute. Text quality is crisp and clear, and graphics render well with default settings. Printing envelopes and labels is straightforward using the manual feed tray. While photo printing isn’t its forte, exhibiting a grainy appearance typical of monochrome laser printers, it excels at producing text-heavy documents, barcodes, charts, and graphs quickly and reliably.
The manual feed tray is handy for envelopes and small labels.The manual feed tray simplifies printing on various media types.
Additional Features
Scanning is just as fast as printing, making copies super fast.Scanning is as efficient as printing on the DCPL2550DW.
Beyond printing, the DCPL2550DW offers robust scanning and copying capabilities. Scanning is equally fast, enabling copies at up to 36 pages per minute. Impressively, it captures color scans despite being a monochrome printer. The 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) supports duplex scanning and printing, and the flatbed scanner offers up to 1200 dpi resolution for detailed scans.
Software and Compatibility
ItManual Wi-Fi setup is recommended for optimal connectivity.
Setting up the DCPL2550DW is generally straightforward, with manual Wi-Fi configuration recommended for the smoothest experience. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet. The printer is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. While Chromebooks support printing, scanning functionality is not available. Brother’s iPrint&Scan app enhances mobile device control, offering features like scanning, toner level checks, and more.
Cost and Value
Brother includes a 700-page toner cartridge.The DCPL2550DW includes a starter toner cartridge.
Priced at $199, the Brother DCPL2550DW offers excellent value. A 700-page starter toner cartridge is included, and Brother offers a toner subscription service for convenient refills. Replacement toner cartridges are reasonably priced, resulting in a low cost per page.
Conclusion
The Brother DCPL2550DW is a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable and affordable monochrome laser printer. Its speed, performance, and versatile features make it ideal for home offices and small businesses. While photo printing is not its strength, its exceptional text printing, scanning, and copying capabilities, coupled with its low running costs, make it a worthwhile investment.
