Brother
Brother HL-L3280CDW
Color laser
86
/ 100
From $449
VS
Epson
Epson ET-16650
EcoTank wide-format · 2021
86
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Brother HL-L3280CDW lands at 86 and Epson ET-16650 at 86. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Brother HL-L3280CDW if…
- ✓Wireless printing
- ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Pick Epson ET-16650 if…
- ✓Wireless printing (most)
- ✓Current-gen firmware
- ✓Mature driver support
Brother HL-L3280CDW 86
vs 86 Epson ET-16650
Score breakdown
Brother HL-L3280CDW
86 speed 82
quality 86
cost 82
reliability 84
Epson ET-16650
86 speed 82
quality 86
cost 80
reliability 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Brother HL-L3280CDW | Epson ET-16650 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Color laser | EcoTank wide-format |
| Release year | — | 2021 |
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
Epson ET-16650
Pros
- +Wireless printing (most)
- +Current-gen firmware
- +Mature driver support
Cons
- −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
- −Noisy under heavy loads
- −Paper path varies
FAQ: Brother HL-L3280CDW vs Epson ET-16650
Which is better, Brother HL-L3280CDW or Epson ET-16650? +
Both score 86 on our weighted rubric — tied. 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 Epson ET-16650 worth the price? +
At $1,199, Epson ET-16650 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.
Does Brother HL-L3280CDW or Epson ET-16650 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.