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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
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — Inkjet · Refillable tanks · AIO
Epson

Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Inkjet · Refillable tanks · AIO

86
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict

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

In our weighted Specdex score, Brother MFC-L3780CDW lands at 88 and Epson EcoTank ET-2850 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 Epson EcoTank ET-2850 if…

  • ✓Ink tanks last ~2 years
  • ✓Low per-page cost
  • ✓Wi-Fi and duplex
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Winner by scenario

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

Cost

Tie

Compared on the cost sub-score

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

Quality

Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Compared on the quality sub-score

Epson EcoTank ET-2850 leads on quality (90 vs 86).

Speed

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

Compared on the speed sub-score

Brother MFC-L3780CDW leads on speed (92 vs 76).

Value for money

Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Epson EcoTank ET-2850 more score per dollar ($299 vs $549).

Brother MFC-L3780CDW 88
vs
86 Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Score breakdown

Brother MFC-L3780CDW
88
speed 92
quality 86
cost 96
features 90
value 92
reliability 0
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
86
speed 76
quality 90
cost 96
features 0
value 0
reliability 84

Specs side-by-side

Brother MFC-L3780CDW versus Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — full spec comparison
Spec Brother MFC-L3780CDW Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Type
Color laser MFP
EcoTank inkjet
Speed
27 ppm color + mono
10.5 ipm mono / 5 ipm color
Resolution
2400×600 dpi
—
Duplex
Auto print + scan
—
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, USB-C, AirPrint
Wi-Fi, USB
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

Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Pros
  • +Ink tanks last ~2 years
  • +Low per-page cost
  • +Wi-Fi and duplex
Cons
  • −Initial ink setup messy
  • −Slower than laser
  • −Auto duplex in color only

FAQ: Brother MFC-L3780CDW vs Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Which is better, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-2850? +

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 Epson EcoTank ET-2850 worth the price? +

At $299, Epson EcoTank ET-2850 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in cost.

Does Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-2850 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 quality, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-2850? +

Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — leads on quality (90 vs 86). Compared on the quality sub-score.

Which is better for speed, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-2850? +

Brother MFC-L3780CDW — leads on speed (92 vs 76). Compared on the speed sub-score.