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Introduction
In today’s fast-paced work environment, a reliable printer is essential for small businesses and home offices alike. The Brother DCP-L2640DW stands out as a compact, wireless monochrome multi-function laser printer designed to handle printing, scanning, and copying with efficiency. Priced at around 9, it boasts a solid 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 2,800 customer reviews on Amazon. But does this black-and-white powerhouse deliver on its promises of productivity and value?
Whether you’re printing documents, scanning multi-page reports, or copying invoices, this printer promises speeds up to 36 pages per minute (ppm), a 50-page auto document feeder (ADF), and flexible connectivity options like dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet. It even includes a free trial of Brother’s Refresh EZ Print Subscription for hassle-free toner management. In this in-depth Brother DCP-L2640DW review, we’ll break down its features, real-user feedback, pros, cons, and who it’s best suited for. Let’s dive in and see if it’s the right fit for your monochrome printing needs.
Product Overview
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a 3-in-1 monochrome laser printer tailored for small businesses and home offices. Its compact design (17.1 x 16.1 x 12.5 inches, weighing about 25.7 lbs) fits neatly on a desk without sacrificing functionality. It handles print, scan, and copy tasks in black and white, with no fax capability—ideal if you don’t need one.
Key Features and Specifications
- Print Speed: Up to 36 ppm for letter-size documents, with automatic duplex (two-sided) printing to save paper.
- Scan and Copy: Up to 23.6 images per minute (ipm) in black and 7.9 ipm in color for scanning; 50-page ADF for multi-page jobs.
- Connectivity: Built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing via the Brother Mobile Connect app. Works with Alexa for voice commands.
- Paper Handling: 250-sheet capacity tray plus a 1-sheet manual feed slot for envelopes, labels, or cardstock. Supports up to 24 lb paper.
- Toner and Savings: Uses Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner cartridges. Includes a Refresh Subscription trial (up to 50% savings on toner with automatic delivery).
- Other Specs: 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, 36-page multipurpose tray equivalent, energy-efficient design, and a 3-year limited warranty with 50,000-page duty cycle.
This wireless compact monochrome laser printer emphasizes reliability over color printing, making it a cost-effective choice for text-heavy documents like reports, invoices, and checks.
Pros
With thousands of reviews praising its performance, the Brother DCP-L2640DW excels in several areas. Here are the top advantages based on product specs and user experiences:
- Lightning-Fast Performance: At 36 ppm printing and quick scan/copy speeds, it boosts productivity. Users report crisp, high-quality black-and-white output on various media, including envelopes and voucher checks.
- Versatile Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi ensures stable wireless printing from phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. The Brother Mobile Connect app simplifies on-the-go tasks like printing and toner tracking.
- Cost-Effective Toner Management: The Refresh EZ Print Subscription trial eliminates downtime, with savings up to 50%. Laser toner lasts longer than inkjets, and reviews confirm the starter toner handles heavy use (e.g., a full semester of college printing).
- Compact and Durable Build: Its sturdy construction feels “heavy duty,” fitting small spaces while handling daily workloads without jams—most of the time.
- User-Friendly Setup and Features: Wireless setup via the printer’s control panel is reliable, as one 5-star reviewer shared: “Seconds after typing the password, it was discoverable on all devices.” Duplex printing and ADF save time and paper.
- High Print Quality: Adjustable density and ecology settings deliver sharp text and graphics, even on cardstock or 24 lb paper.
- Alexa Integration: Voice-activated printing adds modern convenience for smart home users.
Cons
No printer is perfect, and the DCP-L2640DW has some drawbacks highlighted in reviews. Here’s an honest look at its limitations:
- Occasional False Paper Jams: Several users, including long-time Brother owners, noted phantom jams when printing envelopes from the front tray. One reviewer said, “It said there was a paper jam… but it was easily resolved,” though it can be frustrating.
- Learning Curve for Odd Media: Envelopes and custom sizes require software tweaks, with a “bit of a struggle” mentioned in reviews. Not ideal for beginners.
- No Duplex Scanning: The ADF scans one side at a time; no automatic two-sided scanning. A college student reviewer used third-party software like PDFgear as a workaround, calling it a missing feature.
- Monochrome Only: Lacks color printing/scanning, which may disappoint users needing vibrant outputs.
- Toner Costs Add Up for Heavy Users: While efficient, the starter toner depletes after moderate use (e.g., one year/three semesters). Replacement TN830XL costs $80+, though subscriptions help.
These issues don’t overshadow its strengths for most, but they’re worth noting for specific workflows.
Customer Reviews Analysis
With a 4.3-star average from 2,868 reviews, the Brother DCP-L2640DW garners strong approval, especially from small business owners and home office users. Positive feedback dominates (around 70% 4-5 stars), focusing on reliability and value.
What’s Loved: Long-time Brother fans rave about its no-fuss performance. A 5-star review from a small business user stated: “I print normal text documents, some with graphics, envelopes, and voucher checks regularly. This printer has handled everything really well… The quality and clarity of the print seems great.” Wireless connectivity shines when set up via the printer panel: “It’s a tiny bit tedious typing the password… but I’ve never had it not work for me. Seconds after, available to all devices.”
Durability and toner efficiency impress: One student shared, “I’ve now ran through the entirety of the provided toner… zero problems with ink. The prints have been consistently high quality… This thing is the Toyota Prius of printers.” International users echo this, with a Portuguese 5-star: “Excelente!! Recomendo a todos” (Excellent! Recommend to all).
Common Complaints: About 15-20% of reviews (1-3 stars) mention setup hiccups and minor glitches. False jams persist: “A couple of situations where the machine said there was a paper jam when using the front tray.” Lack of duplex scanning frustrates: “The one thing this doesn’t have… is the ability to scan both sides… I use PDFgear to rearrange.” Some note the app’s limitations for advanced tasks.
Overall, positives far outweigh negatives. Reliability scores high (few actual jams after a year), and value-for-money is a recurring theme at $209. Recent reviews (post-2023) confirm consistent performance, with subscription users loving auto-toner delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I set up wireless printing on the Brother DCP-L2640DW?
Use the printer’s control panel for the most reliable method: Navigate to wireless settings, scan for your network, and enter the password via buttons. Download drivers from Brother’s site for full features. Users confirm it’s discoverable on all devices within seconds, supporting AirPrint, Mopria, and the mobile app.
2. What’s included in the Refresh Subscription trial?
The free trial covers automatic toner shipments based on usage, with up to 50% savings on Brother Genuine TN830/TN830XL. Track via the app; cancel anytime. It’s praised for preventing “running out of toner” surprises.
3. Can it print on envelopes or cardstock?
Yes, via the manual feed slot. It handles envelopes, labels, and 24 lb paper well, though some software adjustments and false jams may occur. Reviewers print voucher checks and crafts successfully.
4. Is the scanner duplex?
No automatic duplex scanning—the ADF is simplex. Flip pages manually or use software for multi-side jobs. Fine for occasional use but not high-volume two-sided scanning.
5. Does it work with Mac, Windows, and mobile devices?
Yes, compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android via app/Wi-Fi Direct. Ethernet and USB for wired setups. Alexa integration enables voice printing like “Alexa, print my shopping list.”
Who Should Buy This Product
The Brother DCP-L2640DW is perfect for:
- Small Businesses: High-volume black-and-white printing/scanning without fax needs.
- Home Offices: Reliable daily use for documents, invoices, and reports.
- Students/Remote Workers: Affordable, efficient monochrome output with mobile flexibility.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Laser tech offers low per-page costs vs. inkjets.
Avoid if you need color printing, heavy duplex scanning, or ultra-simple setup. It’s not for graphic designers but shines for text-focused pros.
Final Verdict
The Brother DCP-L2640DW earns its 4.3-star reputation as a productivity beast in a compact package. Its speed, connectivity, and toner savings make it a standout monochrome multi-function laser printer for small offices. Minor quirks like envelope handling don’t detract from its value at $209—especially with the Refresh trial.
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Highly recommended for reliable B&W printing. If monochrome suits your needs, buy with confidence—it’s built to last.
