Brother MFC-J4535DW review Best all-in-one color inkjet printer with duplex printing

Description

A Professional All-in-One Solution for Home Offices and Small Businesses

Testing the Brother MFC-J4535DW INKvestment Tank All-in-One Printer was an experience that left me impressed, though not without a few reservations. This all-in-one inkjet printer stands out with features like up to one year of ink in the box, versatile connectivity, and automatic duplex printing, making it a promising choice for home offices or small businesses. Let me share my honest thoughts after putting this device through its paces.

Design and Build Quality

The build quality immediately caught my attention. With dimensions of 14.6″ D x 17.1″ W x 9.8″ H, it’s compact enough to fit comfortably in a home office setup without being intrusive. The white finish adds a modern aesthetic, though it might require more frequent cleaning to maintain its sleek appearance. It’s heavy at 21.1 pounds, but that weight gives it a sturdy and durable feel. The LCD touch display is intuitive, though I found it a bit small for navigating complex tasks.

One feature I really appreciated was the dual paper trays, offering a combined 400-sheet capacity. This means fewer interruptions during large print jobs. The automatic document feeder and flatbed scanner make scanning and copying effortless, though the feeder occasionally misaligned thinner sheets.

Performance and Print Quality

Printing with the Brother INKvestment Tank system was a revelation. The high-yield cartridges paired with the internal ink tank kept the ink flowing smoothly, and I didn’t encounter any of the messy refills I’ve faced with other printers. The 1200 dpi resolution delivered crisp text and vibrant colors, making it perfect for documents as well as glossy photo paper.

The duplex printing feature saved time and paper, though it slowed down slightly during heavier tasks. For black-and-white printing, the speed was impressive, clocking up to 20 ppm. However, color printing felt a bit sluggish, especially with high-resolution images.

Key Benefits

• Up to one year of ink in the box, significantly reducing operating costs.
• The INKvestment Tank system eliminates frequent refills and ensures smooth ink flow.
• Versatile connectivity options, including Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, USB, and NFC one-touch mobile printing, keep things flexible.
• Alexa compatibility provides smart ink management and low-ink alerts.
• The Brother Mobile Connect App allows seamless printing and scanning from smartphones or tablets.

Features That Stand Out

One of my favorite features is the smart ink management system. Paired with Alexa, it not only alerts when ink is low but even assists with automatic ink reordering. This is a game-changer for anyone who’s tired of running out of ink mid-project.

The mobile printing options also deserve a mention. Using the Brother Mobile Connect App, I was able to print directly from my phone, which came in handy during hectic workdays. The NFC one-touch printing was a breeze to set up as well, though I wish more devices supported this feature.

Areas for Improvement

While the printer delivers on many fronts, there are a few less favorable aspects worth mentioning:

• The LCD screen, while functional, is a bit small and can feel cramped during detailed tasks.
• Color printing speed could be better, especially for high-quality photo prints.
• The automatic document feeder occasionally struggles with thinner sheets, causing minor misalignment issues.

Product Competitors

Comparing this model to other ink tank printers, like the Epson EcoTank ET-2760 and Canon PIXMA G6020, I noticed a few key differences. The Epson EcoTank offers higher print speeds, especially for color, but lacks the intuitive Alexa integration that makes the Brother stand out. Meanwhile, the Canon PIXMA provides excellent photo quality but falls short on paper capacity and overall ink efficiency.

The Brother MFC-J4535DW excels in connectivity, with dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, and Ethernet options, which the others don’t match as comprehensively. However, the print resolution of competitors, particularly for photos, might sway users who prioritize image-perfect results.

Quality for Price

When it comes to value for money, this printer strikes a good balance. Its low operating costs, thanks to the INKvestment Tank system, are a major advantage if you print frequently. While competitors may offer better photo output or faster speeds, the durability and cost efficiency of this device make it an excellent choice for home offices and small businesses.

Additionally, the inclusion of starter ink cartridges that last up to a year ensures that you won’t have to think about ink refills anytime soon. This feature alone could save a significant amount of money over time, making the initial investment worthwhile.

Final Thoughts on the Brother MFC-J4535DW

Testing the Brother MFC-J4535DW INKvestment Tank printer was a mostly positive experience. Its cost-saving ink system, versatile connectivity, and professional-grade features make it a solid option for anyone needing a reliable all-in-one printer. Although it has a few quirks, such as slower color printing and a small LCD, these are minor setbacks for what’s overall a high-performing device.

If you’re in the market for a printer that can handle a variety of tasks with minimal hassle, this one deserves serious consideration.

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