Brother INKvestment Tank 980 Wireless Review: Who It Fits and Who Should Skip It

What stands out

• Refillable ink tank system with included up to 3 years of ink
• Print speeds up to 17 ppm black and 16.5 ppm color
• Supports print, copy, scan, and fax functions
• Automatic duplex printing for two-sided documents
• Connectivity includes wireless, Ethernet, and USB options

Who it fits

Key specs explained for this printer

Print Speed: 17 ppm black / 16.5 ppm color

This rating shows how many pages the machine prints in one minute. You get 17 pages per minute for black text and 16.5 pages for color. This speed suits small offices with moderate daily volume. It is slower than most laser printers, which often exceed 30 pages per minute. You should consider this if you print mostly documents and do not need high-speed bulk output.

Connectivity: Wireless, Ethernet, USB

You can connect this printer to your network via Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet cable. A USB port allows direct connection to a single computer. Wireless and Ethernet options let multiple devices share the printer easily. This setup is practical for small teams. Laser printers often offer similar network options, but wired Ethernet provides a stable connection for busy offices.

Printer Type: All-in-One

This device combines printing, copying, scanning, and faxing into one unit. You save desk space by not buying separate machines. The scanner and copier functions allow you to digitize documents or make physical copies quickly. Many laser all-in-one printers offer the same bundle. You benefit from this if you need versatile office tools without cluttering your workspace with multiple devices.

Ink/Toner System: Refillable ink tank

This system uses large tanks you refill with bottles instead of traditional cartridges. It reduces the frequency of replacements and lowers long-term costs. You can refill the color tank in 30 seconds and the black tank in 65 seconds. Laser printers use toner cartridges, which are pre-filled and swapped out. You should choose this if you want to manage ink levels yourself and avoid frequent cartridge purchases.

Physical design and build details

According to the listing, this Brother unit measures 19.1 inches wide, 21.1 inches deep, and 10.1 inches tall. It weighs 21.8 pounds. The finish is black, and the model is listed as standard size. These dimensions indicate a footprint that fits on most office desks without overwhelming the workspace. The weight suggests a stable base, which reduces vibration during high-speed operations. You do not need to bolt it down for normal use.

The printer integrates print, copy, scan, and fax functions into one chassis. This consolidation saves floor space compared to buying separate devices. The design prioritizes connectivity options, including wireless, Ethernet, and USB ports. A front USB port allows you to print directly from a drive without a computer. This layout supports flexible placement in shared office areas where multiple users may need access.

Controls are managed via a 1.8-inch color display and the Brother Mobile Connect app. The display provides onscreen menu navigation for basic tasks. The app extends control to mobile devices, allowing you to manage the printer remotely. This combination of physical and digital controls means you can handle most jobs without constantly reaching for the machine. The compact form factor ensures it remains unobtrusive while still offering robust functionality for small business needs.

Setup and Everyday Use Guide

You connect this printer via wireless, Ethernet, or USB. The front USB port lets you print from or scan to a drive directly. You also use the Brother Mobile Connect app for onscreen menu navigation. This app handles printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. The 1.8-inch color display shows cloud app connections for Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive. You can print from and scan to these services easily.

Daily use involves loading paper into the 150-sheet main tray or the 80-sheet multi-purpose tray. The 20-page single-sided automatic document feeder handles multi-page scanning and copying jobs. You get automatic duplex printing for two-sided documents without manual intervention. This saves paper and time during regular office tasks.

Refilling ink is straightforward with the refillable tank system. Brother Genuine no-spill bottles refill the color tank in 30 seconds and the black tank in 65 seconds. The design prevents inserting incorrect bottles for each color. You do not need to handle loose cartridges. The system includes up to 3 years of ink in-box for initial setup.

The printer supports faxing alongside print, copy, and scan functions. This all-in-one capability keeps your workspace compact. You rely on Brother Genuine BTD180 Ink bottles for reliable performance. The machine is built for small office and small business environments. It produces vibrant color prints suitable for professional documents.

Things To Check Before Buying

Before you buy, consider how this inkjet fits your workflow. This Brother model uses a refillable ink tank system, which differs from the laser printers you may already own. You will need to ensure you have space for the included ink bottles and plan for regular refills to prevent drying. Check that your network supports the required wireless and Ethernet connections for seamless scanning to cloud apps like Google Drive. Verify that your mobile devices are compatible with the Brother Mobile Connect app for easy management. Unlike monochrome laser units, this all-in-one handles color documents and faxing, making it ideal for small offices needing versatility. However, if you primarily print large volumes of black text, a dedicated laser printer might be more efficient for speed and cost per page. Keep a supply of genuine Brother BTD180 ink bottles on hand to maintain print quality and avoid nozzle clogs. This device serves best as a secondary color solution or a primary unit for low-to-medium volume color printing tasks in a small business environment.

Check before you buy

• Verify network compatibility for wireless and Ethernet connections.
• Ensure space for ink bottle storage and refills.
• Confirm mobile app support for your devices.
• Check if color printing meets your volume needs.
• Stock genuine Brother BTD180 ink bottles.

The product at a glance

1

Brother INKvestment Tank All-in-One Color Printer

Best for: Small offices needing low-cost color printing

Print Technology

Inkjet

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

All-in-One

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan, fax

Print Speed

Up to 17 ppm black / 16.5 ppm color

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

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

The Brother INKvestment Tank 980 is a color inkjet all-in-one printer with wireless and Ethernet connectivity. It supports print, copy, scan, and fax functions. The device features a refillable ink tank system and includes up to 3 years of ink. Print speeds reach 17 ppm in black and 16.5 ppm in color. It includes automatic duplex printing and a 20-page automatic document feeder. This unit suits small offices needing reliable color output and network flexibility.

Pros

• Refillable ink tank system with included 3-year ink supply
• Fast print speeds up to 17 ppm black and 16.5 ppm color
• Supports print, copy, scan, and fax functions
• Automatic duplex printing and 20-page ADF included
• Connects via wireless, Ethernet, or USB

Cons

• Print speeds are slower than many laser printers
• Inkjet technology may not suit high-volume text printing
• Physical footprint is larger than compact desktop models

Good fit if

• You need reliable color printing for small business documents
• You want to reduce ink costs with a refillable tank system
• You require fax capabilities alongside printing and scanning

Skip if

• You primarily print high volumes of black text documents
• You need the fastest possible print speeds for large jobs
• You require a compact printer for a very small workspace

Verdict: The Brother INKvestment Tank 980 Color Inkjet fits small offices that need versatile color printing and faxing without frequent cartridge replacements. It is a practical choice for users prioritizing low ink costs over maximum speed.

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See also

• brother inkvestment tank 980 wireless alternatives
• best brother monochrome laser printers
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