Epson
Epson SureColor F170
Dye-sub · 2021
86
/ 100
From $699
VS
Brother MFC-L2820DW wins by 2
Brother
Brother MFC-L2820DW
Mono laser AIO
88
/ 100
From $329
Specdex verdict
Brother MFC-L2820DW takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Epson SureColor F170 lands at 86 and Brother MFC-L2820DW at 88. That puts Brother MFC-L2820DW 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 MFC-L2820DW if…
- ✓Wireless printing
- ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Epson SureColor F170 86
vs 88 Brother MFC-L2820DW
Score breakdown
Epson SureColor F170
86 speed 82
quality 86
cost 80
reliability 84
Brother MFC-L2820DW
88 speed 84
quality 88
cost 82
reliability 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Epson SureColor F170 | Brother MFC-L2820DW |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dye-sub | Mono laser AIO |
| Release year | 2021 | — |
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 MFC-L2820DW
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: Epson SureColor F170 vs Brother MFC-L2820DW
Which is better, Epson SureColor F170 or Brother MFC-L2820DW? +
Brother MFC-L2820DW scores 88 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 MFC-L2820DW worth the price? +
At $329, Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in quality.
Does Epson SureColor F170 or Brother MFC-L2820DW 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.