Our take
The Dell E525w is a color multifunction printer whose strongest fit is a small shared workflow needing print, copy, scan, and fax without giving up either Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet. Dell's U.S. sheet rates both monochrome and color output up to 18 pages per minute and lists a 150-sheet input tray plus a 15-sheet ADF. Its recommended monthly print volume is 250–700 pages; the separate 30,000-page monthly duty-cycle maximum is not a recommended workload. The machine supports manual duplex through the Windows and Mac drivers, not automatic page turning. Its feature mix is broad, but small paper and document feeders and manual two-sided handling are real limits for busier teams.
A color home-office or small-team machine when copy, scan, fax, Wi-Fi, and wired Ethernet matter more than a large paper supply or automatic duplex..
Choose another model if your routine needs automatic duplex, a large standard tray, a high-capacity document feeder, or an exact current operating-system driver guarantee.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Dell lists color print, copy, scan, and fax functions together with built-in Wi-Fi and 10/100 Ethernet.
- The sheet gives a clearly stated recommended monthly range of 250–700 pages, separate from the much higher duty-cycle ceiling.
- A 15-sheet ADF and flatbed provide two ways to handle originals, including documents up to legal length through the feeder.
What to weigh up
- The 150-sheet input tray may need frequent attention when several people share the printer or print longer jobs.
- Manual duplex requires an operator to turn and reload pages; automatic two-sided output is not documented.
- Dell's listed operating-system generations are older, so current host and security compatibility should be checked before purchase.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | E525w |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color print, copy, scan, and fax MFP |
| Print output | Up to 18 ppm mono and color; 150-sheet input and 15-sheet ADF |
| Two-sided printing | Manual duplex only; Wi-Fi and Ethernet are documented |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 17, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
Four functions share one color machine
Dell classifies the E525w as a color multifunction printer for print, copy, scan, and fax. Its flatbed and ADF support different originals, while the fax feature set includes transmit and receive functions. This can consolidate routine paper handling for a desk or small group that would otherwise need separate devices. Color output is useful for annotated pages and basic graphics, though the specification sheet gives a speed ceiling rather than a promise about every file. Buyers who only print black text may prefer a simpler monochrome device; buyers who need the listed tasks in one footprint get a clearer reason to consider the Dell. ([Dell E525w specification sheet](https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/app-merchandizing/responsive/Shop/SnP/Home/en/Documents/Dell-Color-Multifunction-Printer-E525-Spec-Sheet.pdf?newtab=true)).
Match the recommended range to routine volume
Dell rates the E525w at up to 18 pages per minute in both mono and color and recommends 250–700 pages per month. That published range gives a better basis for judging steady use than the separate duty-cycle ceiling of up to 30,000 pages in a month. The maximum is a comparison rating, not a target workload. The stated print speeds also do not indicate that every mixed job will run at the maximum. A team whose expected monthly volume stays in Dell's recommended range can use those figures as a screening point, then consider document complexity, color share, and how many people will wait on the same device. ([Dell E525w specification sheet](https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/app-merchandizing/responsive/Shop/SnP/Home/en/Documents/Dell-Color-Multifunction-Printer-E525-Spec-Sheet.pdf?newtab=true)).
The compact tray and ADF trade capacity for a smaller workflow
The standard input is 150 sheets, and the automatic document feeder holds 15 originals. Dell specifies a flatbed as well, so a bound page or an original that should not go through the feeder can still be placed on the glass. The ADF accepts pages up to 8.5 by 14 inches; that is useful for legal-size originals, but its 15-sheet stack means a long packet must be loaded in batches. This layout is manageable for occasional forms, copies, and short scan jobs. It is less convenient for continuous work that benefits from a larger paper tray or a document feeder that can take a full stack at once. ([Dell E525w specification sheet](https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/app-merchandizing/responsive/Shop/SnP/Home/en/Documents/Dell-Color-Multifunction-Printer-E525-Spec-Sheet.pdf?newtab=true)).
Manual duplex keeps two-sided jobs operator-dependent
Dell documents manual duplex printing through its Windows and Mac drivers. The printer does not turn pages automatically, so a two-sided job requires the operator to collect, reorder, and reload the sheets between passes. That can work for occasional forms or a short report, but it adds time and handling for a repeated packet. If staff need unattended two-sided printing, the E525w misses that hard requirement even though it can print both sides through a manual process. The finder therefore treats manual duplex as a separate documented feature and does not mark automatic duplex true. ([Dell E525w specification sheet](https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/app-merchandizing/responsive/Shop/SnP/Home/en/Documents/Dell-Color-Multifunction-Printer-E525-Spec-Sheet.pdf?newtab=true)).
Choose between built-in Wi-Fi and a wired port
The spec sheet lists USB 2.0, 10/100 Ethernet, and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, including Wi-Fi Direct. That gives an owner a local cable connection, a wired shared-network option, or wireless placement without adding a separate network card. Dell documents the E525w as a 120-volt model, a useful point for power planning in its intended U.S. market. The same sheet lists Windows through version 10, Mac OS through 10.10, and selected Linux distributions; it does not establish current driver support. Check the intended computer, network policy, and any used unit's ports before relying on the old device in a present-day setup. ([Dell E525w specification sheet](https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/app-merchandizing/responsive/Shop/SnP/Home/en/Documents/Dell-Color-Multifunction-Printer-E525-Spec-Sheet.pdf?newtab=true)).
Compare for your needs
For frequent two-sided packets, compare a model with automatic duplex; for larger queues, prioritize a higher recommended volume and larger standard input.
Find the undefined that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Does the E525w print both sides automatically?
No. Dell documents manual duplex through Windows and Mac drivers, so pages must be reloaded between sides.
What monthly volume does Dell recommend?
Dell recommends 250–700 pages per month; the 30,000-page duty-cycle maximum is not the recommended workload.
Can it use Wi-Fi and Ethernet?
Yes. Dell lists 802.11 b/g/n wireless networking and a 10/100 Ethernet interface for the E525w.
How large is the automatic document feeder?
The ADF holds 15 sheets and accepts originals up to 8.5 by 14 inches; the printer also has a flatbed.
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 and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Dell E525w U.S. manufacturer specification sheet ↗ — checked October 17, 2026.
- Dell E525w U.S. specification sheet: speed, volume, functions, tray, ADF, duplex, connections, and power ↗ — checked October 17, 2026.
The decision
The E525w suits a small color workflow that values fax and network flexibility, provided manual duplex and its compact feeders are acceptable.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.