Brother HL-L8360CDW Business Laser Printer Review Reliable High-Speed Printing for Offices

Description

A Dependable Workhorse for Office Printing Needs: Brother HL-L8360CDW

Setting up the Brother HL-L8360CDW was surprisingly straightforward. Right out of the box, it had everything I needed, including standard yield toner cartridges, a drum unit, and even a quick setup guide. The size, though a bit bulky at 17.4″D x 19.1″W x 12.3″H, fits well in a corner of my office. At 48.1 pounds, it’s not exactly something you’d casually move around, but the robust build quality makes it feel durable and reliable for heavy use.

Key Benefits

One of the most impressive advantages is the speed of printing, clocking in at up to 33 pages per minute for both black and color. Whether printing lengthy reports or vibrant marketing materials, this printer never slowed down, even under heavy load. I also appreciated the maximum print resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi, which delivered highly detailed and professional-looking results.

• Wireless connectivity options like Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and compatibility with mobile devices make it a breeze to print from anywhere.
• The 2.7-inch touchscreen display simplifies navigation and even allows printing directly from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
• Automatic duplex printing helped save paper, making it an environmentally friendly choice for my office.
• The high-yield toner cartridges, capable of producing 6,500 pages, drastically reduced the need for frequent replacements, saving both time and costs.

What stood out most during my testing was the security features, including an NFC card reader for easy badge authentication. With options to restrict printing by user or group, it’s clear this printer was designed with business environments in mind.

Areas for Improvement

No product is perfect, and this one has its shortcomings too.

• The display screen, while functional, felt a tad too small, especially when navigating through complex menus.
• During extended use, the printer emitted a faint humming sound. It’s not overly loud, but in a quiet office, it was noticeable.
• While the cloud integration was convenient, it sometimes required multiple attempts to connect to services like OneDrive.
• The sheet capacity of 300 pages felt restrictive for larger print jobs, often requiring me to refill the tray mid-task.

These minor issues didn’t detract much from the overall experience but are worth considering depending on your specific needs.

Comparing to Market Rivals

Looking at direct competitors, I’ve had experience with models like the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw and Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw. While both are solid options, the Brother HL-L8360CDW edges them out in a few areas. The high-yield toner cartridges offer better cost efficiency than HP’s standard cartridges, and the NFC card reader adds a layer of security not found in many Canon models.

However, HP’s interface feels more polished, and Canon’s build quality seems a touch more premium. In terms of cloud printing, Brother’s offering was comparable but lacked the seamless integration I’ve seen with HP’s ecosystem.

Quality for Price

The value proposition of this printer cannot be overstated. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the combination of fast printing speeds, high-quality output, and long-lasting toner cartridges makes it a sound investment for businesses. It struck a good balance between performance and affordability, making it an excellent choice for those who need consistent and reliable printing without breaking the bank.

If you’re someone like me, juggling multiple tasks and needing a printer that just works without constant maintenance, this model delivers. While some competitors offer flashier features or slightly better build quality, the overall package here feels incredibly balanced.

Additional information