Brother
Brother HL-L3280CDW
Color laser
86
/ 100
From $449
VS
Brother MFC-L3780CDW wins by 2
Brother
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Color laser · 27ppm · Duplex · ADF
88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict
Brother MFC-L3780CDW takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Brother HL-L3280CDW lands at 86 and Brother MFC-L3780CDW at 88. That puts Brother MFC-L3780CDW ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Brother HL-L3280CDW if…
- ✓Wireless printing
- ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Pick Brother MFC-L3780CDW if…
- ✓Toner-cheap color laser
- ✓Auto-duplex with single-pass scanning
- ✓No first-party ink subscription
Brother HL-L3280CDW 86
vs 88 Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Score breakdown
Brother HL-L3280CDW
86 speed 82
quality 86
cost 82
reliability 84
features 0
value 0
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
88 speed 92
quality 86
cost 96
reliability 0
features 90
value 92
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Brother HL-L3280CDW | Brother MFC-L3780CDW |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Color laser | Color laser MFP |
| Speed | — | 27 ppm color + mono |
| Resolution | — | 2400×600 dpi |
| Duplex | — | Auto print + scan |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, USB-C, AirPrint |
| ADF | — | 50-sheet single-pass duplex |
| Weight | — | 24.5 kg |
Brother HL-L3280CDW
Pros
- +Wireless printing
- +AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- +Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Cons
- −Ink subscription lock-in (HP)
- −Drum/toner replacement cost
- −Slow photo print on some inkjets
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Pros
- +Toner-cheap color laser
- +Auto-duplex with single-pass scanning
- +No first-party ink subscription
Cons
- −Glossy paper not supported
- −Color photos quality below inkjet
- −Loud at 50 dB
FAQ: Brother HL-L3280CDW vs Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Which is better, Brother HL-L3280CDW or Brother MFC-L3780CDW? +
Brother MFC-L3780CDW scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Brother HL-L3280CDW worth the price? +
At $449, Brother HL-L3280CDW delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.
Is Brother MFC-L3780CDW worth the price? +
At $549, Brother MFC-L3780CDW delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in cost.
Does Brother HL-L3280CDW or Brother MFC-L3780CDW last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.