Looking Beyond the Brother INKvestment 5010 Wireless Color? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How alternatives compare to the 5010

Brother INKvestment Tank All-in-One Printer

The Brother INKvestment Tank All-in-One Printer is a more compact alternative for home offices. It measures 13.5 inches in length and weighs 19.6 pounds, making it lighter than the 5010’s 30.9 pounds. This model includes fax capabilities, which the 5010 also offers, but in a smaller footprint. It supports wireless and USB connectivity for easy setup. You get automatic duplex printing and scanning for efficient document handling. If you need color printing but have limited desk space, this unit provides similar functionality in a smaller package. It balances speed and cost efficiency for moderate color printing needs without the larger size of the original model.

Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One

The Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One uses a tank system instead of cartridges. It is designed for high-volume color printing with a lower cost per page. This model weighs only 11.5 pounds and measures 14.8 inches wide, making it significantly lighter and narrower than the Brother 5010. It supports wireless scanning and automatic duplex printing. While it lacks the high-speed output of the 5010, it suits users who prioritize low maintenance over speed. You avoid frequent cartridge replacements with this system. It is ideal for home offices needing frequent color output. The trade-off is slower performance, but the long-term ink savings and compact design make it a practical choice for lower-volume but consistent color printing tasks.

Brother Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer

The Brother Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer focuses on black-and-white output. It is a laser model, offering reliable text printing without color capabilities. This unit weighs 26 pounds and measures 16.1 inches in length. It supports wireless connectivity, duplex printing, and faxing. The MFC-L2900DW is suited for small businesses that need document management over color graphics. You give up color printing but gain the speed and consistency of laser technology. It includes wireless scanning and copying features. If your workflow relies primarily on text documents, this monochrome option provides a practical alternative. It is a solid choice for offices prioritizing speed and document management without the need for color output found in the original 5010 model.

Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer

The Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer is another monochrome option for small offices. It weighs 22.2 pounds and measures 15.7 inches in length. This model supports wireless connectivity, duplex printing, and scanning. It lacks color capabilities, focusing instead on efficient black-and-white output. The device includes mobile printing support for convenient operation. It is designed for users who prioritize speed and duplexing in a monochrome workflow. If you do not require color printing, this unit offers a streamlined solution. It fits small offices needing reliable text printing. The trade-off is the absence of color, but you gain a dedicated monochrome device that may offer better efficiency for text-heavy documents compared to the color-focused Brother 5010.

Brother Wireless Color Multi-Function Printer

The Brother Wireless Color Multi-Function Printer is a color laser model for small offices. It weighs 40.8 pounds and measures 17.5 inches wide, making it heavier and wider than the 5010. It supports wireless connectivity, duplex printing, and scanning. This model delivers steady color output suitable for business environments. You get color laser technology instead of inkjet, which may suit users valuing durability and speed. It lacks the high-speed scanning of the original but offers robust color printing. The device includes mobile printing support. It is ideal for offices needing color laser output. If you prioritize color laser performance over the inkjet flexibility of the 5010, this model provides a reliable alternative for steady, high-quality color documents.

Brother Business Color Laser All-in-One

The Brother Business Color Laser All-in-One is designed for high-volume color office printing. It weighs 67.9 pounds and measures 20.7 inches in length, making it the largest and heaviest option. This model supports wireless connectivity, duplex printing, and scanning. It is built for offices prioritizing speed and security. The MFC-L8730CDW handles high-volume color tasks efficiently. You gain robust scanning and network protection features. It is a color laser printer, offering different maintenance needs compared to the inkjet 5010. If you need a device for intensive color printing in a business setting, this model is suitable. It sacrifices portability for capacity and speed, making it a strong choice for high-demand office environments requiring reliable color laser output.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Brother INKvestment Color All-in-One Printer

Best for: Small business color printing and duplex scanning

Print Technology

Inkjet

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Print Speed

28 ppm black, 26 ppm color

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

View on Amazon: Brother INKvestment Color All-in-One Printer

This Brother MFCJ5010DW is a wireless color inkjet all-in-one printer designed for small business workflows. It prints up to 28 ppm in black and 26 ppm in color. The device includes automatic duplex printing and a 50-page duplex automatic document feeder. You get a 250-sheet paper tray and a 2.7-inch color touchscreen for direct cloud access. It supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connections for flexible office integration.

Pros

• Print speeds of 28 ppm black and 26 ppm color
• 50-page single-pass duplex automatic document feeder
• Automatic duplex printing on paper up to 8.5x14 inches
• 250-sheet main paper tray capacity
• 2.7-inch color touchscreen with cloud app support

Cons

• Uses standard ink cartridges rather than a high-capacity tank system
• Small 2.7-inch touchscreen limits on-device navigation
• Includes only one 1,800-page black and three 750-page color cartridges

Good fit if

• You need fast color output for business reports and presentations
• You require automatic two-sided scanning of multi-page documents
• You want a compact all-in-one with wireless and Ethernet options

Skip if

• You need a high-volume tank system for heavy daily printing
• You prefer a large display for easy menu navigation
• You only need monochrome printing and scanning functions

Verdict: Brother MFCJ5010DW Color Inkjet All-in-One suits small offices that need reliable color output and efficient document handling. It fits teams that print moderately and value automatic duplexing over high-capacity ink tanks.

2 Best budget

Brother INKvestment Tank All-in-One Printer

Best for: Home offices needing fax and duplex color printing

Print Technology

Inkjet

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Print Speed

Up to 20 ppm black / 19 ppm color

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB

View on Amazon: Brother INKvestment Tank All-in-One Printer

The Brother MFC-J4355DW is a wireless color inkjet all-in-one printer. It prints, copies, scans, and faxes. Print speeds reach 20 ppm for black and 19 ppm for color. It features automatic duplex printing to save paper. The INKvestment Tank system uses starter cartridges for lower running costs. It connects via Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, or USB. This compact device suits home offices needing versatile functionality.

Pros

• Prints up to 20 ppm in black and 19 ppm in color
• Automatic two-sided printing reduces paper usage
• Includes fax capability for complete office communication
• Supports mobile printing via Apple AirPrint and Mopria
• INKvestment Tank technology provides long-lasting starter cartridges

Cons

• Inkjet technology generally has slower print speeds than laser models
• Starter color cartridges yield only 750 pages each
• No mention of Ethernet port for wired network connection

Good fit if

• You need a single device for print, scan, copy, and fax tasks
• You frequently print double-sided documents to save paper
• You want lower running costs with high-yield INKvestment tanks

Skip if

• You require high-volume printing exceeding 20 pages per minute
• You need a monochrome-only device to save on color ink
• You prefer laser technology for faster text output

Verdict: The Brother MFC-J4355DW Color Inkjet fits home offices that need faxing and automatic duplexing in a compact wireless package. It balances speed and cost efficiency for moderate color printing needs.

3 Also great

Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One

Best for: High-volume color printing with low cost per page

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Print Speed

15 ISO ppm black / 8 ISO ppm color

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct

Duplex Printing

Automatic

View on Amazon: Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One

The Epson EcoTank ET-2985 is a wireless all-in-one color printer using a refillable ink tank system. It prints up to 15 pages per minute in black and 8 in color. The unit includes ink bottles rated for 8,500 black and 6,500 color pages. It features automatic two-sided printing and a 1.44-inch color display. This model suits you if you want high-yield color printing without frequent cartridge changes.

Pros

• Includes ink bottles rated for 8,500 black and 6,500 color pages
• Prints up to 15 ISO ppm in black and 8 ISO ppm in color
• Features automatic duplex printing and scanning
• Uses PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology for the printhead

Cons

• Print speed is lower than many monochrome laser competitors
• Includes only a small 1.44-inch color display
• Maximum print resolution is 4800 x 1200 dpi

Good fit if

• You print high volumes of color documents regularly
• You want to avoid buying replacement ink cartridges
• You need automatic two-sided printing for efficiency

Skip if

• You require fast black-only text output
• You prefer a monochrome laser workflow
• You need a larger control panel display

Verdict: The Epson EcoTank ET-2985 Color Supertank is a high-yield color ink tank printer for users prioritizing low cost per page over speed. It fits home offices needing frequent color output without cartridge maintenance.

4 Best premium

Brother Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer

Best for: small business document management

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Print Speed

36 ppm

Connectivity

Dual-band wireless, Ethernet, USB

View on Amazon: Brother Compact Monochrome All-in-One Laser Printer

The Brother MFC-L2900DW is a compact monochrome laser all-in-one designed for small businesses. It prints at 36 ppm and supports fax, copy, and scan functions. A 50-page auto document feeder handles duplex scanning efficiently. You get dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB connectivity. The 3.5-inch touchscreen allows direct access to cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox.

Pros

• Prints black and white documents at 36 ppm
• 50-page auto document feeder for single-pass duplex scanning
• Built-in dual-band wireless, Ethernet, and USB
• 3.5-inch touchscreen for cloud app access
• Automatic duplex printing reduces paper waste

Cons

• Monochrome output only, no color printing
• No mention of mobile app support in key specs
• Heavier build at 26 pounds

Good fit if

• You need fast black-and-white document printing
• You require fax and duplex scanning capabilities
• You want a compact footprint for small offices

Skip if

• You need color printing for photos or graphics
• You require a lightweight portable printer
• You prefer inkjet technology for home use

Verdict: Brother MFC-L2900DW Compact Monochrome Laser is a practical choice for offices needing reliable black-and-white output and fax features. It suits teams prioritizing speed and document management over color capabilities.

5 Also great

Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer

Best for: Small offices needing monochrome duplexing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Print Speed

36 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

Duplex Printing

Automatic

View on Amazon: Brother Compact Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer

This Brother HL-L2480DW is a compact monochrome laser all-in-one printer. It delivers print speeds up to 36 ppm with automatic duplex printing. The unit includes a 250-sheet paper tray and a 2.7-inch touchscreen. You get wireless, Ethernet, and USB connectivity. It supports cloud apps and mobile printing. This model suits small offices needing reliable black-and-white output without color features.

Pros

• Prints up to 36 ppm
• Automatic duplex printing
• 250-sheet paper tray capacity
• 2.7-inch touchscreen interface

Cons

• Monochrome output only
• No automatic document feeder
• 22.2 pounds weight

Good fit if

• You need fast black-and-white printing
• You require automatic two-sided printing
• You want cloud scanning options

Skip if

• You need color printing
• You require high-volume scanning
• You want a portable device

Verdict: Brother HL-L2480DW Monochrome Laser MFP fits users who prioritize speed and duplexing in a monochrome workflow. It is a solid choice for small offices that do not require color capabilities.

6 Also great

Brother Wireless Color Multi-Function Printer

Best for: Small offices needing color laser output

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Multi-Function

Supported Functions

Print, Copy, Scan

Print Speed

19 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, USB, Wi-Fi Direct

View on Amazon: Brother Wireless Color Multi-Function Printer

The Brother HL-L3300CDW is a wireless color laser multi-function printer designed for small offices. It prints up to 19 pages per minute and handles duplex printing. You get scan and copy functions in a compact white unit. It connects via dual-band Wi-Fi or USB. This model suits users needing reliable color output without ink cartridge complexity.

Pros

• Laser technology for consistent color output
• Prints up to 19 pages per minute
• Built-in duplex printing
• Dual-band wireless connectivity

Cons

• No automatic document feeder listed
• Scanner type listed as portable
• No mention of mobile app support

Good fit if

• You need affordable color laser printing
• You want duplex printing built-in
• You prefer wireless connectivity options

Skip if

• You require high-volume scanning
• You need automatic document feeding
• You want a monochrome-only device

Verdict: Brother HL-L3300CDW Color Laser MFP fits small offices needing steady color output. It suits users who value duplex printing and wireless flexibility over high-speed scanning.

7 Best office

Brother Business Color Laser All-in-One

Best for: High-volume color office printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Supported Functions

Print, scan, copy

Print Speed

33 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Gigabit Ethernet

Ink/Toner System

Toner

View on Amazon: Brother Business Color Laser All-in-One

The Brother MFC-L8730CDW is a color laser all-in-one printer designed for office use. It prints up to 33 pages per minute and scans duplex documents at 104 images per minute. The unit includes a 3.5-inch color touchscreen and supports dual-band wireless and Gigabit Ethernet connections. It comes with starter toner cartridges for black and color printing. The design is compact, being 25% smaller than the previous model.

Pros

• Fast print speed of 33 pages per minute
• High-speed duplex scanning at 104 images per minute
• Includes starter toner for 3,000 black and 1,800 color pages
• Built-in NFC card reader for badge authentication

Cons

• Heavy at 67.9 pounds
• Large footprint with dimensions of 20.7 by 16.1 inches
• No mention of mobile app support

Good fit if

• You need fast color output for busy offices
• You require high-volume scanning with an 80-page feeder
• You want advanced network security features

Skip if

• You need a lightweight portable printer
• You only print black and white documents
• You prefer inkjet technology over laser

Verdict: The Brother MFC-L8730CDW Business Color Laser suits offices that prioritize speed and security. It handles high-volume color tasks efficiently. You should choose this model if you need robust scanning and network protection.

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