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Epson SureColor F170 — Dye-sub · 2021
Epson

Epson SureColor F170

Dye-sub · 2021

86
/ 100
From $699
VS
Epson SureColor F170 wins by 2
Brother HL-L3290CDW — Color laser AIO · 2022
Brother

Brother HL-L3290CDW

Color laser AIO · 2022

84
/ 100
From $499
Specdex verdict

Epson SureColor F170 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Epson SureColor F170 lands at 86 and Brother HL-L3290CDW at 84. That puts Epson SureColor F170 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Epson SureColor F170 if…

  • ✓Wireless printing (most)
  • ✓Current-gen firmware
  • ✓Mature driver support

Pick Brother HL-L3290CDW if…

  • ✓Wireless printing (most)
  • ✓Current-gen firmware
  • ✓Mature driver support
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Winner by scenario

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

Quality

Epson SureColor F170

Compared on the quality sub-score

Epson SureColor F170 leads on quality (86 vs 84).

Reliability

Epson SureColor F170

Compared on the reliability sub-score

Epson SureColor F170 leads on reliability (84 vs 82).

Speed

Epson SureColor F170

Compared on the speed sub-score

Epson SureColor F170 leads on speed (82 vs 80).

Value for money

Brother HL-L3290CDW

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Brother HL-L3290CDW more score per dollar ($499 vs $699).

Epson SureColor F170 86
vs
84 Brother HL-L3290CDW

Score breakdown

Epson SureColor F170
86
speed 82
quality 86
cost 80
reliability 84
Brother HL-L3290CDW
84
speed 80
quality 84
cost 80
reliability 82

Specs side-by-side

Epson SureColor F170 versus Brother HL-L3290CDW — full spec comparison
Spec Epson SureColor F170 Brother HL-L3290CDW
Type
Dye-sub
Color laser AIO
Release year
2021
2022

Epson SureColor F170

Pros
  • +Wireless printing (most)
  • +Current-gen firmware
  • +Mature driver support
Cons
  • −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
  • −Noisy under heavy loads
  • −Paper path varies

Brother HL-L3290CDW

Pros
  • +Wireless printing (most)
  • +Current-gen firmware
  • +Mature driver support
Cons
  • −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
  • −Noisy under heavy loads
  • −Paper path varies

FAQ: Epson SureColor F170 vs Brother HL-L3290CDW

Which is better, Epson SureColor F170 or Brother HL-L3290CDW? +

Epson SureColor F170 scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Epson SureColor F170 worth the price? +

At $699, Epson SureColor F170 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.

Is Brother HL-L3290CDW worth the price? +

At $499, Brother HL-L3290CDW delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in quality.

Does Epson SureColor F170 or Brother HL-L3290CDW 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, Epson SureColor F170 or Brother HL-L3290CDW? +

Epson SureColor F170 — leads on quality (86 vs 84). Compared on the quality sub-score.

Which is better for reliability, Epson SureColor F170 or Brother HL-L3290CDW? +

Epson SureColor F170 — leads on reliability (84 vs 82). Compared on the reliability sub-score.