Brother at a Glance
Most Affordable
40-60% less than premium brands
4.3/5.0
Best value rating
Small Business
1-25 employees ideal
The Brother Story
Founded in 1908 in Nagoya, Japan, Brother Industries began as a sewing machine repair business. The company name reflects the close relationship between the founder Kanekichi Yasui and his younger brother Jitsuichi, symbolizing trust and partnership.
Brother entered the office equipment market in 1971 with the launch of its first dot matrix printer. Since then, Brother has become known for delivering reliable, affordable printing solutions that don't compromise on quality, making professional-grade office equipment accessible to small businesses worldwide.
Key Milestones
- 1908: Founded as Yasui Sewing Machine Co.
- 1971: Entered printer market with dot matrix printers
- 1987: Launched first laser printer
- 2001: Introduced first multifunction center
- 2015: Leader in small office laser MFP market
- 2025: #1 choice for budget-conscious small businesses
Today, Brother is the go-to brand for small businesses and home offices seeking professional performance without the premium price tag. With compact designs, low operating costs, and exceptional reliability, Brother continues its tradition of making quality accessible to all.
Brother Product Line Overview
Color Laser MFP (33 PPM)
Small OfficeAffordable color multifunction printers perfect for small businesses needing professional color output. Compact, reliable, and economical to operate.
MFC-L8900CDW
33 PPM Color
Entry-level color MFP
From $550
MFC-L8905CDW
33 PPM Color
Enhanced features & connectivity
From $750
MFC-L9570CDW
33 PPM Color
Premium color with NFC
From $650
B&W Laser MFP (52 PPM)
High SpeedFast, reliable black and white printing for document-intensive small offices. Ultra-low cost per page with high-yield toners.
MFC-L6915DW
52 PPM B&W
Fast mono printing & scanning
From $580
Why Choose Brother?
Unbeatable Value
Brother offers the lowest acquisition costs in the industry, 40-60% less than premium brands. Combined with low cost per page (1.2¢ black, 6.5¢ color), Brother delivers exceptional ROI for budget-conscious businesses.
Compact Design
Desktop-friendly footprints fit easily in small offices and home workspaces. Space-saving designs don't sacrifice functionality, offering full MFP capabilities in compact packages.
Easy Setup & Use
Simple installation with guided setup wizard. Intuitive touchscreen controls and mobile app connectivity. No IT expertise required - perfect for small offices without dedicated tech support.
Proven Reliability
Brother's Japanese engineering ensures dependable performance. Lower duty cycles than enterprise models, but excellent reliability for small office volumes (3,000-12,000 pages/month).
Security Features
Triple Layer Security on select models protects sensitive data. Secure function lock, Active Directory integration, and network security protocols keep your documents safe.
High-Yield Toners
Ultra-high yield toner cartridges (up to 9,000 pages black, 6,500 color) minimize replacements and reduce operating costs. Replacement toner cartridges are affordable and widely available.
Areas for Consideration
Lower Monthly Duty Cycles
Brother copiers are designed for 3,000-12,000 pages per month, not high-volume environments. Exceeding recommended volumes may reduce lifespan and increase maintenance needs.
Limited Advanced Features
Fewer finishing options and workflow automation capabilities compared to enterprise brands. Basic stapling available, but lacks advanced booklet making or professional binding options.
Color Quality vs Premium Brands
Good color output for general business use, but not matching Canon or Xerox for color-critical applications. Best for internal documents rather than client-facing marketing materials.
Paper Capacity Limitations
Standard paper capacity (250-520 sheets) may require frequent refilling in busy offices. Optional trays available but add to overall cost and footprint.
Brother is the Best Choice For...
Small Offices & Home Businesses
Perfect for businesses with 1-10 employees and moderate printing volumes. Compact designs fit small spaces while delivering professional results at an affordable price point.
Budget-Conscious Organizations
Startups, non-profits, and cost-sensitive businesses benefit from Brother's low acquisition costs and economical operating expenses without sacrificing essential functionality.
Satellite Offices
Remote locations and branch offices with light printing needs. Easy to deploy and maintain without dedicated IT support, ideal for distributed workforce environments.
First-Time Copier Buyers
Low risk investment for businesses trying their first MFP. Simple operation and minimal learning curve make Brother ideal for organizations new to multifunction devices.
Popular Brother Models
MFC-L9570CDW
33 PPM Color Multifunction
$650
or $15/month lease
Brother's flagship color MFP with NFC technology for easy mobile printing. Wireless connectivity, automatic duplex printing, and high-yield toners make this the best value in affordable color multifunction devices.
33/33 PPM
6,500 pages
520 sheets
4.4/5 ⭐
Small offices, creative teams, marketing departments on budget
MFC-L6915DW
52 PPM B&W Multifunction
$580
or $13/month lease
Fast, reliable black and white MFP perfect for document-intensive small offices. Ultra-low cost per page (1.2¢) with super high-yield toner (9,000 pages) minimizes operating expenses.
52 PPM
12,000 pages
520 sheets
4.5/5 ⭐
Legal offices, accounting firms, document-heavy workgroups
MFC-L8900CDW
33 PPM Color Entry-Level
$550
or $12/month lease
The most affordable color MFP on the market. Perfect entry point for small businesses needing occasional color printing with reliable performance and Brother quality.
33/33 PPM
4,000 pages
250 sheets
4.3/5 ⭐
Startups, home offices, first-time MFP buyers, tight budgets