Our take
The Brother MFC-8870DW is a monochrome laser all-in-one built around print, copy, scan, and fax. Brother's model-specific support material calls it a wireless laser all-in-one with duplex, while the manual describes automatic two-sided print output and both network and direct connections. Its up-to-30-page-per-minute Letter rating and 250-sheet main tray suit a busier desk than a small single-function printer. The key caution is age: the saved exact-model material does not provide a comparable recommended monthly range or evidence about any present unit's maintenance, consumables, or software fit.
A legacy small-office workflow that needs mono MFP functions, two-sided printing and both wired and wireless connectivity..
Choose another model if you need color, a current product with known support life, or a manufacturer-published workload recommendation for a high-volume queue.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Brother documents copy, scan and fax alongside monochrome printing in a single device.
- Automatic duplex printing and a 30 ppm Letter rating support recurring document batches.
- The exact wireless variant also documents Ethernet, USB and parallel connectivity choices.
What to weigh up
- No recommended monthly volume was confirmed in the reviewed Brother sources, so a workload ceiling cannot be compared consistently.
- The wireless MFP is an older design; current driver, security, service and supply fit need separate checks.
- A broad feature list does not establish a used unit's condition, installed radio, consumables, or feeder performance.
The key details
| Model covered | MFC-8870DW |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Monochrome laser print/copy/scan/fax |
| Print output | Up to 30 ppm Letter |
| Two-sided printing | Automatic print duplex |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 5, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
A monochrome document center, not only a printer
Brother describes the MFC-8870DW as a wireless laser all-in-one. The model-specific manual covers printing, copying, scanning, and fax, so it can serve a small office that still handles incoming and outgoing fax along with routine paper capture. Brother rates printing up to 30 pages per minute on Letter. That speed is a published upper rating and should not be read as measured performance for a particular used machine. The multifunction role is the reason to consider it over a simpler mono printer; if users only print, some of the device's size and components may go unused.
Automatic duplex simplifies printed packets
The MFC-8870DW documentation identifies automatic duplex printing for this wireless model. The printer handles the reverse side without requiring a person to reload the stack between sides, which can simplify recurring reports and handouts. The base paper tray holds 250 sheets, and Brother's model family also includes a document feeder for multi-page capture. Print duplex and duplex scanning should not be conflated; confirm the original feeder workflow in the manual if two-sided originals are important. The feature set gives the 8870DW a more complete office routine than a basic one-sided desktop printer.
Wireless plus traditional wired connections
The suffix DW denotes the wireless configuration, and Brother's support page labels the model a wireless laser all-in-one. Its manual also describes Ethernet and USB; the model supports parallel as an additional legacy connection. This gives an office choices for sharing or direct attachment, though the age of wireless standards can matter with present routers and security settings. Check the exact model label and wireless setup on a candidate unit instead of assuming a reseller has accurately described an installed interface. A wired Ethernet path may remain more useful in a managed office that no longer accepts older Wi-Fi security.
A known gap in workload guidance
The reviewed Brother support and manual material confirm functionality, speed, connectivity and duplex, but they do not state a comparable recommended monthly print range for the MFC-8870DW. The profile leaves both workload endpoints null. This matters for selection because a maximum engine or life figure is not the same as a recommended routine. Teams with established monthly counts should compare those counts against a model whose maker publishes a recommendation, or obtain model-specific manufacturer guidance before relying on a high duty claim. Paper tray size and ppm alone cannot substitute for that workload information.
Older MFPs need a condition review
The original specifications cannot say whether a particular MFC-8870DW still feeds paper cleanly, scans evenly, receives faxes, or maintains a stable wireless connection. Before buying a used example, verify its label, test print, feeder and scanner glass, fax function, wired and wireless interfaces, page counter if offered, supplies, maintenance parts, current operating-system driver, and return terms. Brother's support listing establishes the product identity but does not prove seller condition or present supply availability. This is a reasonable used-machine checklist, not a statement that the candidate has been tested or that a specific offer is available.
Keep it for the complete wired or wireless workflow
The 8870DW belongs on a shortlist when monochrome output, copy and scan, fax, automatic duplex and network sharing are all genuinely useful. A user who only needs printing may prefer a smaller machine; a team that needs high-volume guidance should favor an exact model with a published recommended range. Color is not available. Compare the actual setup against the work rather than choosing by the longest feature list, then check the vintage unit's software and condition. The research sources support the model features only and do not confirm a current offer, price, consumable set or reliability of a specific example.
What else to compare
For a newer unit with known ongoing support, compare current mono MFPs; for print-only use, compare a simpler printer with an explicit workload recommendation.
Before you buy
Does the MFC-8870DW include fax?
Yes. Brother's exact-model documentation identifies the MFC-8870DW as a fax-capable monochrome laser all-in-one.
Does it print on both sides automatically?
Yes. Brother identifies duplex output on the MFC-8870DW, and its manual documents automatic duplex printing.
Can it connect over Wi-Fi and Ethernet?
Brother documents built-in wireless for the DW model and Ethernet and USB in the model-specific manual.
What monthly volume does Brother recommend?
The reviewed exact-model materials do not state a recommended monthly page range, so the endpoints are unknown.
Can it copy and scan?
Yes. Brother's manual covers both copy and scan functions in addition to print and fax.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Brother MFC-8870DW support and authored user manual ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- Brother exact model support description ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- Brother-authored MFC-8860DN/MFC-8870DW model-specific manual ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
The decision
The MFC-8870DW is compelling only when its full mono MFP, duplex, fax and network set will be used. Verify the old unit, supplies, drivers and connectivity before purchase.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.