Brother
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Color laser · 27ppm · Duplex · ADF
88
/ 100
From $549
VS
Epson
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
EcoTank inkjet AIO
88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Brother MFC-L3780CDW lands at 88 and Epson EcoTank ET-4850 at 88. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Brother MFC-L3780CDW if…
- ✓Toner-cheap color laser
- ✓Auto-duplex with single-pass scanning
- ✓No first-party ink subscription
Pick Epson EcoTank ET-4850 if…
- ✓Wireless printing
- ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Brother MFC-L3780CDW 88
vs 88 Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Score breakdown
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
88 speed 92
quality 86
cost 96
features 90
value 92
reliability 0
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
88 speed 84
quality 88
cost 82
features 0
value 0
reliability 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Brother MFC-L3780CDW | Epson EcoTank ET-4850 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Color laser MFP | EcoTank inkjet AIO |
| 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
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
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 Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Which is better, Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-4850? +
Both score 88 on our weighted rubric — tied. 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-4850 worth the price? +
At $549, Epson EcoTank ET-4850 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in quality.
Does Brother MFC-L3780CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-4850 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.