Brother MFC-L2820DW Review: Mono All-in-One With Fax (October 2026)
The Brother MFC-L2820DW suits a small office that needs monochrome printing, copying, scanning and fax in one compact machine. Its automatic duplex printing, 50-page document feeder and Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB connections cover common office tasks.
On this page (6 sections)
The Brother MFC-L2820DW is a monochrome all-in-one for small offices that need fax, along with printing, copying and scanning. Automatic duplex printing, a 50-page document feeder and dual-band Wi-Fi make it a fit for routine office paperwork.
It makes less sense if you need color or never send faxes. In that case, compare the Brother DCP-L2640DW or HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw, which handle print, scan and copy without fax.
The Brother MFC-L2820DW at a glance
The MFC-L2820DW combines black-and-white printing, copying, scanning and faxing in a compact all-in-one. Brother gives it a 2.7 in touchscreen, a 50-page auto document feeder and connections by dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB.
Brother MFC-L2820DW: Best for fax and multi-page office tasks
- Monochrome print, copy, scan and fax
- Automatic duplex printing
- 50-page auto document feeder
- Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB
A compact monochrome all-in-one for small offices that need fax alongside print, copy and scan. Automatic duplex printing and a 50-page feeder help with recurring multi-page work.
Pros
- Includes fax as well as print, copy and scan
- 50-page auto document feeder
- Automatic duplex printing
- Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB
Cons
- Prints only in black and white
- Fax adds little value if your office has moved to digital-only documents
Its stated print speed is up to 34 pages per minute. The spec data also gives a 34-page-per-minute black-and-white copy speed, though real job time can vary with document length and setup.
The feeder is useful when you need to copy, scan or fax a stack of pages without placing each sheet on the glass. Automatic duplex printing can handle two-sided output, which is practical for longer documents.
Who should consider the MFC-L2820DW?
Choose it if fax is part of your work and you also want one machine for regular scanning and copying. The combination avoids buying separate equipment for these everyday office tasks.
It is also a reasonable fit when documents are mostly text, forms or reports. Since it prints in monochrome, it won't meet needs for color handouts or images.
If fax is not needed, compare its feature set with the Brother DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW directly. The DCP model handles print, scan and copy, while this MFC adds fax.
How do the MFC-L2820DW's key features fit office work?
The MFC-L2820DW's feeder, duplex printing and connection choices target repeat document tasks. Those features matter most when you scan multi-page paperwork, print longer files or share the machine across devices.
| Feature | Brother MFC-L2820DW |
|---|---|
| Functions | Print, copy, scan and fax |
| Print output | Black and white |
| Stated print speed | Up to 34 pages per minute |
| Auto document feeder | 50 pages |
| Duplex printing | Automatic |
| Wireless | Dual-band, 2.4GHz and 5GHz |
| Other connections | Ethernet and USB |
| Touchscreen | 2.7 in |
| Maximum media size | 8.5 x 14 in |
| Dimensions | 15.7 in deep x 16.1 in wide x 12.5 in high |
| Weight | 22.5 lb |
The listed dimensions are useful for planning a desk or shelf, but leave room for paper access and cables. Measure the space where you plan to use it, including the path for loading paper and opening trays.
Is the 50-page feeder enough?
A 50-page auto document feeder suits many small batches of contracts, forms and invoices. You can load several pages for a copy, scan or fax job instead of feeding them one at a time.
For larger batches, consider how often you would need to reload the feeder. The MFC-L2900DW also has a 50-page feeder, and it adds single-pass duplex scanning for two-sided originals.
What does automatic duplex printing do?
Automatic duplex printing puts content on both sides of the paper without requiring you to turn sheets by hand. It can cut paper use for documents that are easy to read on both sides.
Duplex printing does not mean duplex scanning. If you often scan two-sided originals, check that feature separately; Brother lists single-pass duplex scanning for the MFC-L2900DW, but not for the MFC-L2820DW.
Our guide to what duplex means on a printer explains the difference between two-sided printing and scanning.
Is the MFC-L2820DW easy to connect and control?
The MFC-L2820DW offers Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB, so you can choose a shared network setup or a direct computer connection. Its 2.7 in touchscreen and Brother Mobile Connect app add local and mobile controls.
Dual-band wireless supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Ethernet can suit a fixed office setup, while USB is an option for connecting to one computer.
Brother's Mobile Connect app supports printing, scanning and printer management from a mobile device. The touchscreen also supports printing from and scanning to popular cloud apps, including Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote and OneNote.
If setup is your main concern, follow our step-by-step guide on connecting a Brother laser printer to Wi-Fi. Make sure you have the network name and password ready before starting.
How does it compare with similar all-in-ones?
The MFC-L2820DW stands out here for including fax. The other options suit buyers who want different speed, scanning or brand features.
| Model | Main functions | Stated print speed | Document feeder | Standout detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-L2820DW | Print, copy, scan and fax | Up to 34 pages per minute | 50 pages | Fax, touchscreen and dual-band Wi-Fi |
| Brother DCP-L2640DW | Print, copy and scan | Up to 36 pages per minute | 50 pages | Brother option without fax |
| Brother MFC-L2900DW | Print, copy, scan and fax | Up to 36 pages per minute | 50 pages | Single-pass duplex scanning and 3.5 in touchscreen |
| HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw | Print, scan and copy | Up to 30 pages per minute | 40 pages | HP Smart app and automatic duplex printing |
The DCP-L2640DW has a stated print speed of up to 36 pages per minute, but it does not include fax. It may be the better match if fax is unnecessary and you want the faster stated speed.
The MFC-L2900DW also includes fax and adds single-pass duplex scanning. That difference is useful if two-sided scanning is a regular task, though it may not justify choosing it for mostly one-sided paperwork.
The HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw is a print, scan and copy option for small teams. Its feeder holds 40 pages, and HP highlights the HP Smart app for scanning to the cloud and printing or copying from a phone.
For broader choices, see our guide to the best laser printers with a scanner. It can help you compare models if fax is only one part of your decision.
What are the main trade-offs?
The MFC-L2820DW's clearest strengths are fax, a 50-page feeder, automatic duplex printing and flexible connections. Its main limits are monochrome-only output and the lack of a stated single-pass duplex scanning feature.
The fax function is valuable only if you use it. If your workplace has moved to email and digital forms, a printer without fax may cover your needs with fewer unused features.
Monochrome output is well suited to text documents, but it cannot produce color graphics. For color pages, browse wireless color laser printers instead.
The automatic document feeder speeds up multi-page tasks, but its capacity is 50 pages. If you routinely process larger stacks, expect to split them into batches.
Is the Brother MFC-L2820DW a good choice?
The Brother MFC-L2820DW fits a small office that needs fax and frequent multi-page document handling. Its feeder, automatic duplex printing and several connection methods support those tasks in one machine.
Pick the MFC-L2820DW if fax matters and you want a monochrome printer, scanner and copier together. Pick the DCP-L2640DW if fax does not matter, or the MFC-L2900DW if single-pass duplex scanning is a priority.
For more Brother options, see our guide to Brother all-in-one laser printers. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Brother MFC-L2820DW print in color?
No. The MFC-L2820DW is a monochrome laser all-in-one for black-and-white documents.
Choose a color model if you need color pages, photos or charts with color-coded details; this printer's print, copy and scan functions are aimed at everyday office documents.
Does the Brother MFC-L2820DW have automatic duplex printing?
Yes, the MFC-L2820DW supports automatic duplex printing, so it can print on both sides of a sheet. That can reduce paper use for drafts, reports and multi-page documents; check the print settings in your computer or mobile app when you want two-sided output.
Can the Brother MFC-L2820DW scan multiple pages?
Yes. Its 50-page auto document feeder can handle multi-page scan jobs, as well as copying and faxing.
For two-sided originals, confirm the scanning workflow you need before buying, since the MFC-L2820DW's listed features do not specify single-pass duplex scanning.
Does the Brother MFC-L2820DW support wireless printing?
Yes. It has dual-band wireless for 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, plus Ethernet and USB for other setups.
Brother's Mobile Connect app supports printing and scanning from a mobile device, and its touchscreen offers access to supported cloud apps.
