What is the best printer for small and medium business? Read our review for the Brother HL-L8260CDW Wireless Colour Laser Printer
We get asked this a lot and it can often change with the introduction of new printers to the market. Running costs are of the highest priority. Some laser printers can cost a business thousands of pounds a month in toner replacement. At Ink Jungle we process tens of thousands of orders a month so we know a thing or two about keeping printing costs low.
We have tried a number of printers over the years including enterprise level high volume printers but have sadly been disappointed with their performance. Manufacturers keep increasing their toner prices over time too so even if the printer is running fine, your costs will increase if you continue to use genuine toner from the manufacturers.
At Ink Jungle to have the ideal solution. We have opted for the HL-L8260CDW Wireless Colour Laser Printer which uses the TN421 and high yield TN423 black and colour toners. The printer is easy to install, is wireless and can produce 2 sided printing. It holds up to 300 pages in its paper tray and can print up to 6500 pages from its TN423 Black toner. Its not slow either printing up to 31 pages a minute in colour.
The Brother HL-L8260CDW Wireless Colour Laser Printer is a reliable, high-performance printer designed for small to medium-sized offices or businesses that need fast, high-quality color printing. As a compact laser printer, it offers impressive speeds, strong security features, and flexible wireless connectivity options. Here's a breakdown of its features and performance based on hands-on experience.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the HL-L8260CDW has a sleek, professional design that fits well in a modern office. It's compact for a laser printer, making it easy to fit into smaller spaces without feeling bulky. The build quality is solid, typical of Brother's reputation for durable office equipment. The control panel is simple, with a backlit two-line LCD display and a few navigation buttons, making it easy to operate for basic tasks without an overwhelming number of options.
Setup and Connectivity
Setting up the HL-L8260CDW is straightforward. Whether you're connecting via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or directly through USB, the printer offers flexible options for various office setups. Wireless setup is quick, and once connected, the printer integrates seamlessly with devices on the network. Mobile printing is another major convenience, with support for Brother’s iPrint&Scan app, AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Mopria. Printing directly from your smartphone or tablet is as easy as a few taps.
Print Speed and Performance
One of the standout features of the Brother HL-L8260CDW is its speed. It can churn out up to 31 pages per minute (ppm) for both color and black-and-white prints, making it an excellent option for high-volume printing environments. In real-world testing, it consistently delivered on these speeds, even when handling complex color documents. The first page comes out within 15 seconds, which is ideal for businesses where time is of the essence.
In terms of print quality, the HL-L8260CDW produces crisp, sharp text and vivid, accurate colors. Graphics and photos are handled well for a laser printer, though it's worth noting that laser printers generally aren't designed to compete with inkjets when it comes to photo-quality prints. However, for business graphics, charts, presentations, and marketing materials, this printer does an excellent job. Text documents come out exceptionally clear, even at smaller font sizes, making it perfect for professional reports and letters.
Paper Handling and Capacity
The standard paper tray holds 250 sheets, with the option to expand this to 1,050 sheets with additional trays, making it suitable for high-demand offices. It also features a 50-sheet multipurpose tray for envelopes, labels, or other specialty media, adding to its versatility. Automatic duplex printing (double-sided printing) is another valuable feature, reducing paper waste and saving time. The paper handling is smooth, with no noticeable issues like paper jams, even during extended printing sessions.
Cost Efficiency
The HL-L8260CDW is relatively cost-efficient for a color laser printer. Toner cartridges are available in standard and high-yield options, and while color toner can be pricier, Brother’s cartridges tend to offer a good cost per page. The high-yield cartridges are recommended for offices with higher print volumes, as they lower the overall cost in the long run.
Security Features
In today’s digital world, security is a significant concern, especially in office environments. The Brother HL-L8260CDW includes several useful security features, such as Secure Print, which requires a PIN code to release sensitive documents, and Active Directory support for authentication. These features ensure that confidential business documents aren’t accidentally printed or accessed by unauthorized users.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Brother HL-L8260CDW Wireless Colour Laser Printer is a fantastic choice for businesses that require fast, reliable, and high-quality color printing. Its strengths lie in its speed, print quality, and versatile connectivity options, making it a great workhorse for busy office environments. While the initial cost of toner can be a bit high, the printer’s performance and efficiency more than justify the investment. If you're looking for a solid, no-nonsense color laser printer for your office, the HL-L8260CDW is hard to beat.
How much are the TN423 toners?
Well for genuine Brother toner you're looking at over £450 inc VAT and thats being generous with no margin made by the reseller. However opt for the Ink Jungle compatible TN423 multipack of 4 for just £48.95 and your business will save a small fortune in printing costs - Over £400 a time! Click here to view our amazon range of Brother TN423 Compatible Toner.
Should I buy TN423 instead of TN421 Toner?
Thats all depends on your business usage. In our opinion its always cheaper and better value to opt for the TN423 toners as it will reduce your cost per page and reduce the amount of times you have to replace the toner.