Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Brother MFC-L3780CDW — Color laser · 27ppm · Duplex · ADF
Brother

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

Color laser · 27ppm · Duplex · ADF

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
Brother MFC-L3780CDW wins by 2
Brother HL-L3280CDW — Color laser
Brother

Brother HL-L3280CDW

Color laser

86
/ 100
From $449
Specdex verdict

Brother MFC-L3780CDW takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Brother MFC-L3780CDW lands at 88 and Brother HL-L3280CDW at 86. That puts Brother MFC-L3780CDW ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Brother MFC-L3780CDW if…

  • ✓Toner-cheap color laser
  • ✓Auto-duplex with single-pass scanning
  • ✓No first-party ink subscription

Pick Brother HL-L3280CDW if…

  • ✓Wireless printing
  • ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
  • ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Cost

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

Compared on the cost sub-score

Brother MFC-L3780CDW leads on cost (96 vs 82).

Speed

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

Compared on the speed sub-score

Brother MFC-L3780CDW leads on speed (92 vs 82).

Quality

Tie

Compared on the quality sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Brother HL-L3280CDW

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Brother HL-L3280CDW more score per dollar ($449 vs $549).

Brother MFC-L3780CDW 88
vs
86 Brother HL-L3280CDW

Score breakdown

Brother MFC-L3780CDW
88
speed 92
quality 86
cost 96
features 90
value 92
reliability 0
Brother HL-L3280CDW
86
speed 82
quality 86
cost 82
features 0
value 0
reliability 84

Specs side-by-side

Brother MFC-L3780CDW versus Brother HL-L3280CDW — full spec comparison
Spec Brother MFC-L3780CDW Brother HL-L3280CDW
Type
Color laser MFP
Color laser
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 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

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

FAQ: Brother MFC-L3780CDW vs Brother HL-L3280CDW

Which is better, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +

Brother MFC-L3780CDW scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Brother MFC-L3780CDW worth the price? +

At $549, Brother MFC-L3780CDW delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in cost.

Is Brother HL-L3280CDW worth the price? +

At $449, Brother HL-L3280CDW delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.

Does Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Brother HL-L3280CDW 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.

Which is better for cost, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +

Brother MFC-L3780CDW — leads on cost (96 vs 82). Compared on the cost sub-score.

Which is better for speed, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +

Brother MFC-L3780CDW — leads on speed (92 vs 82). Compared on the speed sub-score.