Brother HL-L3220CDW Review: A Compact Color Printer (October 2026)
The Brother HL-L3220CDW suits a home office that needs color printing, wireless access and automatic two-sided pages. It prints only, so choose an all-in-one if you also need to scan, copy or fax.
On this page (8 sections)
- Brother HL-L3220CDW review: what does it do well?
- How fast is the Brother HL-L3220CDW for everyday work?
- What paper and media options does it offer?
- How does the HL-L3220CDW connect?
- What are the main trade-offs?
- How does the Brother HL-L3220CDW compare with alternatives?
- What should you check before buying?
- Is the Brother HL-L3220CDW worth considering?
The Brother HL-L3220CDW is a compact color laser printer for home offices that mainly need reliable document printing. It offers wireless printing, automatic duplexing and a 250-sheet tray, but it doesn't scan, copy or fax.
Its stated print speed is up to 19 pages per minute in both color and black and white. If speed matters more than footprint, the Brother HL-L3280CDW and the Canon and HP options below have higher stated speeds.
Brother HL-L3220CDW review: what does it do well?
The HL-L3220CDW is a print-only color laser printer with wireless access and automatic two-sided printing. Its feature set is focused on getting documents from your devices onto paper, rather than handling a broader office workflow.
Brother HL-L3220CDW: Best for compact home office printing
- Print only
- Up to 19 ppm
- Automatic duplex printing
- 250-sheet tray
A print-only color laser printer with automatic duplexing, wireless printing and a 250-sheet tray. It fits a home office that needs regular color documents but not scanning or copying.
Pros
- Automatic two-sided printing
- Wireless printing from laptops, phones and tablets
- 250-sheet tray and manual feed slot
- Compact footprint for a color laser printer
Cons
- No scanning, copying or faxing
- 19 ppm is slower than the alternatives here
The 250-sheet tray helps reduce the need to reload paper during a stack of work documents. A manual feed slot adds a route for envelopes and specialty media, though you should check the printer's manual for supported paper types and loading steps.
Its listed footprint is 15.7 in deep, 15.7 in wide and 9.4 in high. That gives it a compact square shape for a color laser printer, but its 24.7 lb weight means you'll want to choose a stable desk or shelf before setting it up.
Who should consider the HL-L3220CDW?
Choose it if you mostly print reports, school materials, forms or color graphics and don't need a scanner. Wireless support lets laptops, smartphones and tablets send jobs without a direct cable connection.
It's also a practical fit if you often print multi-page documents. Automatic duplexing handles the two-sided task for you, which can reduce paper use when the document layout works well on both sides.
Who should choose another printer?
Look elsewhere if you regularly scan signed documents, copy forms or need faxing. A print-only machine won't replace those tools, and adding a separate scanner can take up more space than an all-in-one printer.
Consider a faster model if you print large batches often. The HL-L3280CDW is rated up to 27 ppm, and both the Canon imageCLASS LBP646Cdw and HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw are rated up to 26 ppm.
How fast is the Brother HL-L3220CDW for everyday work?
The HL-L3220CDW is rated at up to 19 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white printing. That speed can suit routine home office work, while frequent large print jobs may make a faster model more appealing.
A stated page-per-minute figure is a useful comparison point, not a promise for every document. Page coverage, connection, settings and the time needed for the first page can affect the wait you'll experience.
Brother gives the first page time as less than 15 seconds. For a home office that prints a few documents at a time, the rate may matter less than the printer's ability to connect simply and handle duplex pages.
If print speed sits near the top of your list, compare the Brother with the HL-L3280CDW review and the alternatives in our guide to best wireless color laser printers. The HL-L3280CDW review link here should be read as a product comparison, since the linked post reviews the MFC-L3780CDW instead; see the wireless color guide for the better direct comparison.
What paper and media options does it offer?
The HL-L3220CDW has a 250-sheet paper tray and a manual feed slot. That combination can handle ordinary document batches while giving you a separate way to feed items such as envelopes.
Keep the main tray loaded with the paper you use most. Use the manual feed slot for occasional specialty media, and confirm the supported size, weight and loading orientation in Brother's instructions before printing.
Automatic duplex printing is useful for multipage reports, handouts and drafts that don't need a single-sided layout. For help with the feature, read what duplex means on a printer.
A laser printer can handle some thicker paper, but limits vary by model and feed path. Check the manual before trying cardstock, labels or coated media; our guide to printing on cardstock with a laser printer covers the main compatibility questions.
How does the HL-L3220CDW connect?
The HL-L3220CDW supports wireless printing from laptops, smartphones and tablets, as well as a USB interface. That gives you options for a shared desk or a computer that stays close to the printer.
Wireless access is convenient when several people print from different devices. Place the printer where it can connect to your network, then use Brother's setup instructions to join it and add the printer on each device.
If you want a wired connection, check the port and cable needs before arranging the desk. The product information specifies USB, so don't assume it has Ethernet.
For setup steps, follow our guide to connecting a Brother laser printer to Wi-Fi. A wired setup may make more sense if the printer will stay beside one computer and you don't need shared wireless access.
What are the main trade-offs?
The main trade-off is focused printing without multifunction features. The HL-L3220CDW saves space compared with a print, scan and copy setup, but you'll need another device for those tasks.
Its 19 ppm rating also trails the alternatives in this review. The Canon and HP models are rated up to 26 ppm, and Brother's HL-L3280CDW is rated up to 27 ppm.
Think about what you print in a normal week. If most work is short documents, a higher speed may not change your routine much; if you regularly send large reports, waiting time adds up.
The model measures 15.7 x 15.7 x 9.4 in and weighs 24.7 lb. Measure the shelf, allow space to open the paper tray and make sure the desk can support the printer before bringing it home.
How does the Brother HL-L3220CDW compare with alternatives?
The HL-L3220CDW is the most compact and lightest option in this group based on the stated dimensions and weights. The Brother HL-L3280CDW stands out for its higher print speed and touchscreen, while the Canon and HP models also offer faster rated output.
| Printer | Rated speed | Notable feature | Main fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother HL-L3220CDW | Up to 19 ppm | 250-sheet tray, manual feed slot | Compact home office printing |
| Brother HL-L3280CDW | Up to 27 ppm | 2.7-inch touchscreen | Faster Brother printing |
| Canon Color imageCLASS LBP646Cdw | Up to 26 ppm | 5-line LCD, 250-sheet cassette | Faster print-only alternative |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw | Up to 26 ppm | Wireless and Ethernet | Small team document printing |
The Brother MFC-L3780CDW review is a better place to start if you need scan, copy and fax functions. For a closer look at Brother's color printer lineup, compare the MFC-L3720CDW and MFC-L3780CDW.
The Brother vs Canon laser printer comparison can help if you're choosing between brands. It covers broader trade-offs, while the table here focuses on the specific models and features in this review.
What should you check before buying?
Check space, printer functions and your usual print volume before choosing the HL-L3220CDW. These three points determine whether its compact, print-only design fits the way you work.
Measure the printer's footprint and leave room for paper access and ventilation. Confirm your desk can support its weight, and plan where you'll keep paper and replacement toner.
Decide whether you need color often enough to justify a color laser printer. If most pages are text and you rarely print graphics, a monochrome printer may fit better; our guide to best monochrome laser printers covers that option.
Finally, consider the toner system and ongoing supply needs. Check that the cartridge options sold in your area work with the exact model, and compare the page yield and cost for your typical print volume before you commit.
Is the Brother HL-L3220CDW worth considering?
The Brother HL-L3220CDW is worth considering if you want compact color printing, wireless access and automatic duplexing in a print-only machine. Its 250-sheet tray and manual feed slot add flexibility for everyday office documents and occasional specialty media.
Pick the HL-L3220CDW for a compact desk setup and moderate print pace. Pick the HL-L3280CDW, Canon or HP if faster rated output matters more, and choose an all-in-one if scanning or copying is part of your routine.
For more choices, start with our best wireless color laser printer guide, or review the Brother MFC-L3780CDW if you need a color all-in-one.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Brother HL-L3220CDW scan or copy?
No. The HL-L3220CDW is a print-only color laser printer, so it doesn't scan, copy or fax.
If you need those functions, compare an all-in-one such as the Brother MFC-L3780CDW, which is covered in our Brother MFC-L3780CDW review.
Does the Brother HL-L3220CDW print double-sided?
Yes. The HL-L3220CDW has automatic duplex printing, so it can print on both sides without you turning each sheet by hand.
Duplex means printing on both sides of a page; our guide explains what duplex means on a printer.
How fast is the Brother HL-L3220CDW?
Brother gives the HL-L3220CDW a rated speed of up to 19 pages per minute in color and black and white. The Brother HL-L3280CDW is rated up to 27 ppm, while the Canon and HP alternatives here are rated up to 26 ppm.
Is the Brother HL-L3220CDW a good home printer?
It can suit a home office that prints color documents and wants wireless access, automatic duplexing and a 250-sheet tray. Its print-only design is a poor fit if you need a scanner or copier, so compare your task list with our best wireless color laser printers.
