Brother HL-5280DW

Discontinued
Reviewed
March 2009
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Brother HL-5280DW

Pros
  • Built-in Wi-Fi networking
  • LCD panel
  • Good print quality, fast
  • Durable enough for a small office
Cons
  • Not for heavy office use
  • Duplex printing whether you want it or not
  • Photo quality
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 

Reviewers say the Brother HL-5280DW is the best Wi-Fi-enabled black-and-white laser printer at its price for PCs and Macs, with wireless networking capability and an LCD status panel. The Brother HL-5280DW is designed for use in a small office, with a maximum duty of 20,000 pages per month. In reviews, experts say you'll get excellent print quality on text, good quality on graphics and fair photo reproduction, at speeds comparable to much more expensive printers (about 21 text pages per minute, about 10 graphics pages per minute), and with relatively little noise. Some reviews note that the Brother HL-5280DW insists on grabbing back and printing both sides of the paper even if there's nothing to print on the back page. If you don't need wireless networking and can live without an LCD screen, however, the Samsung ML-2851ND (*Est. $105) costs less and also gets solid scores in reviews.

Better Buys for Business is the best source of printer reviews because it tests the most models. A subscription is required for online viewing, but you can get a trial subscription for free. The U.K.'s Personal Computer World offers good but brief coverage. IT Reviews is unafraid to challenge print-quality claims and likes the Brother HL-5280DW. We found few owner reviews at Amazon.com.

     
   
 
 
 
Where To Buy
 
 
Brother HL 5280DW High Yield Black Toner (7000 Yield) - Genuine OEM toner

 (23 reviews)
Buy new: $104.99 $87.99   2 New from $83.99

In Stock.

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. Better Buys for Business

The Brother HL-5280DW is among the slew of printers reviewed after thorough testing. Individual reports are available by subscription, but you can get a three-day online trial at no cost.

Review: Printer Reviews, Editors of Better Buys for Business

2. Personal Computer World

Reviews here are brief, and while testing methods aren't described, it's clear that some testing is performed. Reviewer Alan Stevens gives the Brother HL-5280DW the maximum 5 stars in every category, nicking it only because the duplexer always attempts to print both sides of a page even when there's no back page to print.

Review: Review: Brother HL-5280DW Laser Printer, Alan Stevens, May 30, 2006

3. IT Reviews.com

The weakness of this U.K. website is that printers aren't ranked, although some, like the Brother HL-5280DW, get a Recommended tag. Its strength is that IT Reviews will challenge manufacturers' resolution claims, but editors feel the Brother HL-5280DW delivers what's promised.

Review: Brother HL-5280DW Review, Editors of IT Reviews, June 20, 2006

4. Amazon.com

Just over 20 owners offer reviews of the Brother HL-5280DW. There are some complaints about a power surge on startup that affects other electronics, as well as reports of difficulties with Brother's phone support.

Review: Brother HL-5280DW Wireless Laser Printer, Contributors to Amazon.com

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