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Office Products · SCENARIO ANSWER
Should I choose color, duplex handling, or a printer that does both?
Question: I need copy and scan as well as printing. Should I choose color output, or make automatic two-sided document handling the priority?
About this comparison
The HP Color LaserJet 2820 provides color print, copy, and scan with manual duplex, a 125-sheet tray, Ethernet, and a 500–2,000 page recommended range. Brother's DCP-8085DN is monochrome and adds automatic duplex printing and scanning, a 50-sheet ADF, Ethernet, and a larger standard paper path. The Brother MFC-L3770CDW combines color output with automatic duplex printing and single-pass duplex copy and scan, plus fax, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet; its reviewed monthly guidance states a maximum up to 1,500 pages but no lower endpoint. These are three selected models, not a category-wide ranking; verify the exact unit and its condition.
Research basis: This answer compares documented features for the reviewed laser printers in this guide. We have not tested these products hands-on. This article compares selected models; the interactive finder considers the full reviewed range.
THE SHORT ANSWER
What we would do
Choose the HP 2820 if color pages and a published 500–2,000 monthly range matter more than automatic duplex; it prints color at up to 4 ppm Letter and requires manual page turning. Choose the Brother DCP-8085DN if monochrome output is fine and automatic duplex printing and scanning, its 50-sheet ADF, and up-to-32-ppm rating matter most; its reviewed sources give no monthly recommendation. Choose the Brother MFC-L3770CDW if you need both color and automatic duplex printing and scanning, with fax and Wi-Fi as added options. Brother gives it a recommended maximum up to 1,500 pages monthly but no lower endpoint. Check the exact offered unit and network needs before selecting.
THE NEEDS BEHIND THESE PICKS
What this answer assumes
These are the needs behind this comparison. Change them in the questionnaire to get a shortlist for your own routine.
Wireless color MFP with fax and single-pass duplex scanning
Unranked
Why it appears here
Brother documents color print, copy, scan, and fax with automatic duplex printing, single-pass duplex copy and scan, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and a 50-sheet ADF.
What you give up
The reviewed guidance states a recommended maximum up to 1,500 pages monthly but no lower endpoint; confirm the supplied voltage and exact unit.
Main functions
Print, copy, scan, and fax
Print output
Color; up to 25 ppm
Two-sided printing
Automatic duplex; Wi-Fi and Ethernet
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Copying and scanning are required; fax is an optional differentiator in this comparison.
Either color or monochrome output is acceptable, so the answer can weigh a slower color model, faster mono duplex model, or color model with automatic duplex capture.
Two-sided printing is not a hard requirement; the comparison explains how manual and automatic duplex change document handling.
The monthly-volume preference is open. Brother's missing lower workload endpoints remain unknown and are not inferred from rated speed or maximum duty cycle.
This is a curated comparison of the HP 2820, Brother DCP-8085DN, and Brother MFC-L3770CDW, not a full category ranking or a claim about current price, stock, or unit condition.
Change any answer in the interactive laser printers finder if your priorities are different. The finder opens with the same must-haves and preferences; change any choice to see how the shortlist responds.
USEFUL FOLLOW-UPS
Questions to ask before you choose
Which one can print color?
The HP Color LaserJet 2820 and Brother MFC-L3770CDW print in color; the Brother DCP-8085DN is monochrome.
Which models scan both sides automatically?
Brother documents automatic duplex scanning on the DCP-8085DN and single-pass duplex copy and scan on the MFC-L3770CDW. The HP 2820 review establishes manual two-sided printing only.
Does the HP 2820 include its 250-sheet second tray?
No. HP assigns Tray 2 to the 2840; the exact 2820 has a standard 125-sheet Tray 1.
Can I compare their recommended monthly volume?
HP recommends 500–2,000 pages for the 2820. Brother gives no monthly range for the DCP-8085DN and gives the MFC-L3770CDW a maximum up to 1,500 pages without a lower endpoint.
Do the listed features prove a used unit is in good condition?
No. Ask for a sample print, feeder and duplex checks, supply details, driver information, and return terms for the exact offer.
SOURCES & REVIEW LINKS
Check the product details
Open a full review for the complete editorial analysis, pros, cons, alternatives, and source list. The links below open the full reviews for each option in this answer.
Use the full reviews below for the documented details, pros, cons, alternatives, and sources for every option in this answer. The shortlist above explains how each one fits this question.
Brother DCP-8085DN Monochrome Laser Multifunction PrinterRead the full review · Features, pros, cons and sourcesTHE FULL REVIEW · Fits your priorities
Brother DCP-8085DN Monochrome Laser Multifunction Printer: is it right for you?
Mono MFP with duplex scanning.
Buyer Shortlists editorial·
Based on linked manufacturer documentation and editorial analysis. We have not tested this product hands-on.
IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR ANSWERS
Fits your priorities
Brother describes the DCP-8085DN as a monochrome laser print, copy, and scan machine with output rated up to 32 ppm. Its exact U.S. specifications confirm automatic duplex printing and scanning, manual duplex print support, a 50-sheet ADF, Ethernet, a 250-sheet main tray, and a 50-sheet multipurpose tray. The DCP function set does not include fax. The reviewed Brother pages do not establish a recommended monthly volume or built-in Wi-Fi for this exact model, so those profile values remain unknown.
Copying or scanning tooMust-have · Fits this answer
The manufacturer documents copy or scan functions alongside printing.
Consider it for
A wired small-workgroup MFP for monochrome copy and scan jobs where automatic duplex handling matters more than fax or wireless placement..
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if color printing, fax, built-in Wi-Fi, or a sourced numeric monthly recommendation is necessary for your workflow.
The advantages and the compromises
Pros
Brother documents automatic duplex across print and scan workflows, not only two-sided output.
The 50-sheet ADF and separate 250-sheet and 50-sheet input paths support different document and media jobs.
Ethernet and USB provide documented wired and direct connection options.
Cons
This DCP model does not include the fax function found on Brother MFC models.
The reviewed product sources do not establish built-in Wi-Fi or a recommended monthly workload range.
The unit's current condition, toner, driver support, and installed options require seller-specific checks.
The key details
Model covered
DCP-8085DN
Main functions
Monochrome print, copy, and scan; no fax
Print output
Monochrome laser; up to 32 ppm
Two-sided printing
Automatic two-sided printing; duplex scanning also documented
Relevant to your copy and scan workflow answer
What does DCP mean for the task list?
Brother lists this exact model for monochrome printing, copying, and scanning. It is not a fax MFP, so it cannot replace an office fax line or send-and-receive workflow. The DCP name matters when comparing it with similarly numbered Brother MFC machines, whose extra letter often signals fax functions. A print, copy, and scan requirement is a direct match; a fax requirement is a hard mismatch rather than a feature to assume from a family photo. Its black-only output also rules it out for color forms or graphics that must retain their original hues.
Relevant to your copy and scan workflow answer
Can it handle two-sided paper and originals?
Brother documents automatic duplex printing and scanning, and its U.S. product description also identifies duplex copying. The distinction between output and input matters: an automatic print duplexer turns sheets being printed, while duplex scan capability handles both sides of originals in a document workflow. The 50-sheet ADF can feed a stack, reducing hand placement for routine forms. Brother's material supports two-sided scanning, but buyers should still check the exact control panel, driver, and current operation on a used unit. A source specification cannot establish that the feeder rollers or duplex path in a particular offer are healthy.
What do the rated speed and workload evidence say?
Brother rates print and copy output at up to 32 pages per minute. That is a maximum published rate, not a prediction for mixed graphics, first-page time, or a machine with unknown wear. The reviewed exact-model pages do not give a recommended monthly range. Keep both matching endpoints unknown rather than converting the 32 ppm figure, an optional tray, or a maximum duty-cycle value into a workload estimate. If a monthly number is decisive, compare a product whose maker publishes a recommended range or obtain exact-model guidance before choosing this older workgroup device.
Relevant to your copy and scan workflow answer
How much paper can the standard path hold?
Brother lists an adjustable 250-sheet main tray and a 50-sheet multipurpose tray. The multipurpose path lets an operator feed a different supported stock without replacing the main cassette contents, while the main tray provides a larger ordinary-paper reserve. The product page also describes an optional second 250-sheet tray, which would raise total input to 550 sheets; it is an option rather than standard equipment. Check which tray parts are actually present, whether the listing includes the optional cassette, and what media sizes the office uses. Do not count optional accessories as part of every DCP-8085DN package.
Which connection is established for this DN model?
Brother identifies built-in networking and its U.S. specification lists Ethernet, with USB also available. Those interfaces suit a fixed wired workgroup or a directly connected host. The exact sources reviewed here do not confirm built-in Wi-Fi; Brother's mobile print and scan app references should not be mistaken for a wireless radio in the printer. Check the network port, firmware, host operating system, and scan destination on the actual machine. Those practical checks matter especially for a used unit because the product page documents its original feature set, not the state of an offer or the compatibility of a current office network.
How the alternatives change the decision
Choose a fax MFP when fax is required, a wireless model when cable-free placement matters, or a current model with a published workload range when monthly guidance is decisive.
Before you decide
Does the DCP-8085DN include fax?
No. Brother describes it as a print, copy, and scan DCP; fax is not listed for this exact model.
Can it scan two-sided originals automatically?
Yes. Brother's product page and specifications document automatic duplex scanning for the DCP-8085DN.
How many sheets fit in the feeder?
Brother specifies an ADF capacity of up to 50 sheets for multi-page copy or scan jobs.
Does it have built-in Wi-Fi?
Built-in Wi-Fi is not established in the reviewed exact-model sources; Ethernet and USB are documented.
What monthly page range does Brother recommend?
The reviewed U.S. product and specification pages do not state a recommended monthly range for this model.
The decision for your answers
The DCP-8085DN stands out for duplex document handling, Ethernet, and its 50-sheet feeder. Its no-fax design and unknown Wi-Fi and workload profile should remain explicit in the shortlist.
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Brother MFC-L3770CDW Color LED All-in-One PrinterRead the full review · Features, pros, cons and sourcesTHE FULL REVIEW · Fits your priorities
Brother MFC-L3770CDW Color LED All-in-One Printer: is it right for you?
Wireless color MFP with fax and single-pass duplex scanning.
Buyer Shortlists editorial·
Based on linked manufacturer documentation and editorial analysis. We have not tested this product hands-on.
IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR ANSWERS
Fits your priorities
Brother's MFC-L3770CDW is a color all-in-one designed for an office that wants more than print output. The U.S. product page lists print, copy, scan, and fax, automatic duplex printing, single-pass duplex copy and scan, built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, NFC, and output up to 25 pages per minute. A 50-sheet ADF handles multipage originals, while the standard paper arrangement includes a 250-sheet tray and 30-sheet multipurpose feed. Brother states a recommended maximum of up to 1,500 pages per month, but the reviewed sources do not provide a lower endpoint. It is therefore best compared with light to moderate office needs, without inventing a complete monthly range. The combination of wireless and wired connections gives placement flexibility, while the duplex feeder reduces manual handling for two-sided originals. The printer is a color MFP rather than a print-only device, so assess whether the extra scan and fax hardware is useful. Brother's product page and brochure document features, not current seller condition, stock, or price. Confirm model label, 110–120 V supply, ADF and duplex behavior, ports, consumables, drivers, and return terms before selecting an offer. The historic ASIN does not establish an exact present listing; the purchase link is a tagged model search.
Copying or scanning tooMust-have · Fits this answer
The manufacturer documents copy or scan functions alongside printing.
Consider it for
A small shared office that wants color MFP functions, Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and automatic two-sided output and scanning..
Look elsewhere if
Avoid it if you need a mono-only printer, a higher documented monthly recommendation, or a device with a fully stated lower and upper workload band.
The advantages and the compromises
Pros
Brother documents color print, copy, scan, and fax with standard Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
Automatic duplex printing and single-pass duplex copy/scan support two-sided workflows.
A 50-sheet ADF, 250-sheet main tray, and up to 25 ppm rating suit a shared small-office role.
Cons
The reviewed source gives a recommended maximum up to 1,500 pages monthly but no lower endpoint.
Confirm the 110–120 V configuration and exact included accessories on the offered unit.
A used printer still needs tests of color, feeder, duplex paths, wireless setup, and consumables.
The key details
Model covered
MFC-L3770CDW
Main functions
Print, copy, scan, and fax
Print output
Color; up to 25 ppm
Two-sided printing
Automatic duplex; Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Relevant to your copy and scan workflow answer
Color output with full MFP functions
The L3770CDW combines color printing with copying, scanning, and fax. That can simplify a small office where the same users prepare color pages and handle incoming originals. A print-only model may be more straightforward when no capture functions are needed, but it cannot provide the one-device workflow. Brother's U.S. page identifies the exact model and its functions, while the listing's bundle cable does not change the base printer identity.
Duplex extends beyond printing
Brother lists automatic duplex printing and single-pass duplex copy and scan. That matters because two-sided output and two-sided original capture are different tasks. The 50-sheet ADF gives the scanner a multipage feeder, and the single-pass description reduces the need to turn originals manually. Check the feeder and both duplex paths on the actual machine, since a manufacturer's documented feature does not guarantee a used unit is mechanically sound.
Flexible wireless and wired connections
The U.S. product page documents built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and NFC. Wi-Fi can support placement away from a router, while Ethernet can suit a shared wired office and NFC can simplify supported mobile interaction. Confirm the network security and operating systems in use before choosing the connection. A seller title or bundled cable does not add another network feature; rely on Brother's exact model source and verify the offered configuration.
Tray capacity and rated speed
Brother lists a 250-sheet main tray and 30-sheet multipurpose feed, with output up to 25 pages per minute. Those specifications support everyday shared office work but do not make it a high-capacity departmental device. Consider how often users print envelopes or alternate paper, then inspect both input paths and the output area. Rated speed is a manufacturer figure and may not match the timing of every job or a machine's present condition.
Read the volume guidance accurately
Brother states a recommended maximum of up to 1,500 pages per month in the reviewed product material. It does not provide a lower recommended endpoint there, so the minimum remains unknown. Do not turn that one ceiling into a fabricated range or use maximum duty cycle to fill the gap. Compare routine pages with the stated maximum and think separately about service, supplies, and peaks. The finder uses only the verified upper endpoint.
Verify regional power and functions
The reviewed U.S. materials describe a 110–120 V configuration. Confirm the label on the actual unit, exact MFC-L3770CDW model, included power cable, toner, ADF operation, color output, fax, network connection, and return terms. Brother's documents establish the product design, not the current condition of an Amazon seller's printer. The historical ASIN is not used as proof of an exact offer, so this page links to a tagged model search.
How the alternatives change the decision
Choose HP M475dn for a wired color fax MFP with a 1,000–2,500 monthly range, or Lexmark X738de for a higher-volume wired office MFP with optional wireless.
Before you decide
Does the MFC-L3770CDW scan both sides automatically?
Brother documents single-pass duplex copy and scan in addition to automatic duplex printing for the exact model.
Does it include built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet?
Yes. Brother's U.S. product page lists both Wi-Fi and Ethernet for MFC-L3770CDW.
What monthly workload does Brother recommend?
The reviewed source states a recommended maximum up to 1,500 pages monthly but does not give a lower endpoint.
The decision for your answers
The MFC-L3770CDW fits a small office that values wireless color MFP work and duplex capture. Treat 1,500 pages as a maximum guidance point, not a full range.
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HP Color LaserJet 2820 All-in-One Color Laser PrinterRead the full review · Features, pros, cons and sourcesTHE FULL REVIEW · Fits your priorities
HP Color LaserJet 2820 All-in-One Color Laser Printer: is it right for you?
Color MFP with manual duplex.
Buyer Shortlists editorial·
Based on linked manufacturer documentation and editorial analysis. We have not tested this product hands-on.
IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR ANSWERS
Fits your priorities
HP identifies U.S. product Q3948A#ABA as the Color LaserJet 2820 All-in-One and marks it discontinued. The exact 2820 prints, copies, and scans in color. Its guide rates output at up to 20 pages per minute for black Letter pages and 4 ppm for color; it documents manual two-sided printing, a 125-sheet tray, USB 2.0, and 10/100 Ethernet. HP recommends 500–2,000 pages each month and separately lists a 30,000-page maximum duty cycle. That maximum is not a routine workload recommendation.
Copying or scanning tooMust-have · Fits this answer
The manufacturer documents copy or scan functions alongside printing.
Consider it for
A small office that needs color printing plus copy and scan, can accept manual page turning, and can verify the condition and support needs of an older unit..
Look elsewhere if
Skip it if automatic duplex, fax, built-in Wi-Fi, current manufacturer availability, or a compact one-function printer is a requirement.
The advantages and the compromises
Pros
HP documents color print, copy, and scan functions on the exact 2820 configuration.
A 500–2,000 page recommended monthly range gives more workload guidance than a duty-cycle maximum alone.
The guide specifies USB 2.0, wired Ethernet, and a standard 125-sheet feed tray.
Cons
Two-sided printing is manual, so the user must handle the sheets between sides.
Color output is rated at up to 4 ppm on Letter, while black output is rated up to 20 ppm.
HP marks the printer discontinued; its current condition, supplies, and host compatibility need separate checks.
The key details
Model covered
Color LaserJet 2820 / Q3948A#ABA
Main functions
Color print, copy, and scan; no fax
Print output
Color laser; up to 20 ppm black and 4 ppm color on Letter
Two-sided printing
Manual duplex; automatic duplex is not documented
Relevant to your copy and scan workflow answer
Which 2800-series model is the 2820?
HP's guide describes the 2820 as a color printer, scanner, and copier, while it reserves fax for the 2830 and 2840. It also distinguishes their paper configurations: the 2840 includes the 250-sheet Tray 2, while the 2820 uses the 125-sheet multifunction Tray 1. This suffix check matters because listings often group all three older models together. A buyer who needs color copies and scans can use the 2820's functions, but a fax requirement calls for another exact configuration. Confirm Q3948A#ABA on the nameplate before applying any family-level specification.
How does the color and black speed change the fit?
HP rates this model for up to 20 pages per minute in black on Letter and up to 4 ppm in color on Letter. The A4 black figure is up to 19 ppm. Those rates describe the manufacturer's stated maximums, not a promise about mixed graphics, first-page time, or a worn secondhand device. The gap between black and color is important if the office mainly prints spreadsheets or text but only occasionally needs color. It is a less convincing match for recurring color-heavy packets. Choose it for the color-capable workflow, not on the assumption that color jobs keep pace with black pages.
What paper and duplex handling should you expect?
The exact 2820 configuration includes a 125-sheet Tray 1. HP assigns the 250-sheet Tray 2 to the 2840, so a photograph of a family model or generic product description does not establish that larger cassette on this printer. The guide describes manual two-sided printing rather than a built-in automatic duplex unit. That is workable for occasional short documents when someone can reinsert pages, but it adds handling and raises the chance of orientation mistakes on larger jobs. If automatic duplex is a must-have, keep that as a requirement and choose a documented auto-duplex model instead.
Does the 2820 fit a wired office setup?
HP lists built-in 10/100 Ethernet and Hi-Speed USB compatible with USB 2.0. Ethernet allows the printer to join a wired office network; USB supports a direct workstation connection. The documented standard interfaces do not include built-in Wi-Fi, and this review does not treat phone software or a separate network bridge as a printer radio. Check whether the office can still install a compatible driver and scan workflow on its current computers. The manual and HP support record the original interfaces, but cannot confirm that the ports on a particular used unit still operate.
How should its monthly range and discontinued status be read?
HP's specification page recommends 500–2,000 printed pages per month for this model. It also gives a separate duty-cycle maximum of 30,000 pages. The two numbers serve different purposes: the higher maximum compares robustness and should not be used as the normal monthly target. HP's store marks Q3948A#ABA discontinued. That does not determine whether a refurbished unit is usable, but it does make supply access, driver support, return terms, and the condition of its imaging components questions for the seller. Preserve the recommendation as a range and verify the exact offered machine before committing.
How the alternatives change the decision
Choose an automatic-duplex color MFP if frequent two-sided jobs matter more than this model's published volume range, or a fax-capable 2830/2840 only after checking the exact variant and tray configuration.
Before you decide
Does the Color LaserJet 2820 include fax?
No. HP's guide assigns full fax functionality to the 2830 and 2840, not to the exact 2820 configuration.
Can the 2820 print both sides automatically?
No. HP documents manual two-sided printing for the 2820; the reviewed guide does not specify an automatic duplex unit.
Does the 2820 include the 250-sheet second tray?
No. HP lists the standard 250-sheet Tray 2 for the 2840. The 2820 uses its 125-sheet Tray 1.
What monthly workload does HP recommend?
HP recommends 500–2,000 pages per month and lists a separate 30,000-page maximum duty cycle.
Is built-in Wi-Fi documented for the 2820?
No. HP lists 10/100 Ethernet and Hi-Speed USB as standard interfaces; built-in Wi-Fi is not documented.
The decision for your answers
The Q3948A#ABA suits a modest color copy-and-scan routine when manual duplex and wired connectivity are acceptable. Its tray, fax, and support details must stay distinct from the 2830 and 2840.
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