Brother vs Ricoh Laser Printers: Which Brand Fits You?

Key differences

Which one should you choose?

Brother vs Ricoh Side-by-Side

Print Speed

Edge: Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier

The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 leads with a print speed of 45 pages per minute. This higher throughput benefits high-volume offices that need rapid output. The Brother DCP-L2640DW offers a respectable 36 pages per minute. While slower, this speed is efficient for small business workflows. You should consider your daily document volume. If you print hundreds of pages daily, the Ricoh provides a noticeable advantage. For moderate use, the Brother speed is sufficient. Both machines use laser technology for consistent performance. The difference matters most in busy environments. Choose based on your peak demand levels.

Print Output

Edge: Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier

This is a major difference between the two brands. The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 produces color prints. This allows you to create marketing materials, charts, and vibrant documents. The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a monochrome machine. It only prints in black and white. This is ideal for text-heavy reports and contracts. You must decide if color is necessary. Color printing adds versatility but often increases cost. Monochrome printing is usually cheaper and faster for text. If your work requires graphs or images, the Ricoh is the clear choice. For standard business documents, the Brother suffices.

Supported Functions

Edge: Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier

Both machines are multifunction devices, but they offer different capabilities. The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 includes fax, print, copy, and scan functions. The built-in fax capability is rare in modern compact printers. The Brother DCP-L2640DW provides print, copy, and scan functions. It lacks a fax module. You need to check if your office still requires faxing. If you rely on fax communication, the Ricoh is essential. If you use digital communication only, the Brother functions are complete. Both support duplex scanning and printing for efficiency. The Ricoh offers more integrated communication tools.

Connectivity

Edge: Tie

Both brands provide robust wireless and wired options. The Brother DCP-L2640DW features dual-band wireless connectivity at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, along with Ethernet and USB. This dual-band support helps reduce interference in crowded networks. The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 includes WiFi and network connectivity. It also features a large 10.1-inch smart operation panel for easier control. Both support mobile printing capabilities. The Brother explicitly mentions its mobile app for management. The Ricoh panel offers local control. You should choose based on your network infrastructure and preference for physical versus app-based control.

Compatibility

Edge: Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier

Paper size compatibility differs significantly between these models. The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 supports A3 paper size. This larger format is useful for blueprints, posters, and wide documents. The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a standard size printer. It likely supports standard letter and A4 sizes, but A3 is not listed. If you work with large format documents, the Ricoh is necessary. For standard office paperwork, the Brother is adequate. You must verify your document requirements. A3 support adds versatility but increases the machine footprint. Standard sizes are more common for general office use.

Which laser printer fits your office

Small business needing compact monochrome MFP

Our pick: Brother All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome all-in-one with a 36 ppm print speed. It includes a 50-page auto document feeder for efficient scanning and copying. Dual-band wireless and Ethernet connectivity allow flexible connection options for your office network. This model supports mobile printing and duplex functions, making it suitable for small teams handling black-and-white documents.

High-volume office requiring color A3 output

Our pick: Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier

The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 delivers a fast 45 ppm print speed for high-throughput environments. It supports A3 paper size and produces color prints, which is ideal for marketing materials. The unit includes fax capabilities alongside print, scan, and copy functions. An auto duplex feature reduces paper usage, and the 10.1-inch smart panel simplifies operation for your staff.

User prioritizing mobile connectivity and ease

Our pick: Brother All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer

You can manage the Brother DCP-L2640DW via the Brother Mobile Connect app. This allows you to print and scan from your mobile device from almost anywhere. The printer features built-in dual-band wireless for stable connections. It also offers a USB interface for local computer linking. This flexibility helps you handle tasks on the go without needing a dedicated workstation.

The products compared

1

Brother All-in-One Monochrome Laser Printer

Best for: small offices needing compact monochrome printing

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Monochrome

Supported Functions

Print, copy, scan

Print Speed

36 ppm

Connectivity

Wireless, Ethernet, USB

Ink/Toner System

Toner cartridge

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

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a compact monochrome laser multifunction printer designed for small offices. It prints at 36 ppm and scans at 23.6 ipm. The unit includes a 50-page auto document feeder for batch tasks. It connects via dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB. This model suits users who need reliable black-and-white output in a small footprint without color capabilities.

Pros

• Prints up to 36 pages per minute
• Scans at 23.6 images per minute
• Includes 50-page auto document feeder
• Supports dual-band wireless and Ethernet

Cons

• Monochrome output only
• No color printing capability
• Standard paper tray capacity

Good fit if

• You need fast black-and-white document printing
• You have limited desk space
• You require automatic two-sided scanning

Skip if

• You need color printing
• You require large format A3 output
• You need high-volume industrial speeds

Verdict: Brother Compact Monochrome MFP delivers efficient black-and-white printing and scanning for small teams. It fits users who prioritize compact size and reliable connectivity over color features.

2

Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier

Best for: High-volume A3 color offices

Print Technology

Laser

Print Output

Color

Printer Type

Multifunction

Supported Functions

Copy, Fax, Print, Scan

Print Speed

45 ppm

Connectivity

WiFi, Network

View on Amazon: Ricoh A3 Color Laser Multifunction Copier Affiliate link

The Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 is a color laser multifunction copier designed for A3 paper sizes. It prints, copies, scans, and faxes at 45 pages per minute. The unit includes a 10.1-inch smart operation panel and built-in Wi-Fi. It supports automatic duplex printing and scanning. This machine suits offices needing high-volume color output and large format support.

Pros

• 45 ppm print and scan speed
• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
• 10.1-inch smart operation panel
• Auto duplex printing and scanning
• Supports A3 paper size

Cons

• Limited to copy and scan functions in attributes
• No mention of fax hardware in attributes
• A3 size limits desk placement

Good fit if

• You need A3 color printing
• You want a large touchscreen interface
• You require high-speed duplex scanning

Skip if

• You only print black and white
• You need compact desktop footprint
• You prefer A4 paper only

Verdict: Ricoh Aficio MP C4504 A3 Color MFP fits teams needing fast A3 color output and a large control screen. It is not for small desks or monochrome-only workflows.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions

See also

• best brother monochrome laser printers
• best brother color laser printers
• brother vs SINGER serger
• best UV Laser 3d printers