Brother MFC-T580DW Review: Affordable Inkjet Printing
Comprehensive review of the Brother INKvestment Tank 580 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer. Explore features, benefits, and value for home & small business printing.
Introduction
The modern home office and small business face a constant challenge: the relentless drain of printing costs. High ink expenses, frustratingly slow print speeds, and unreliable color accuracy can quickly disrupt workflow and impact productivity. The Brother INKvestment Tank 580 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer (MFC-T580DW) arrives as a compelling solution, promising a dramatically different approach to printing – one that prioritizes long-term value, convenience, and vibrant results.
Overview
The Brother MFC-T580DW is a feature-rich all-in-one printer designed to redefine your expectations of home and small office printing. This model leverages innovative ink tank technology, dispensing with traditional cartridges in favor of refillable tanks, providing a significantly lower cost per page. The printer’s sleek, compact design houses a 150-sheet paper tray, automatic duplex printing capabilities, and wireless connectivity, making it a versatile workhorse for diverse printing needs. It’s built for the user who values efficiency, durability, and a commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Features
High-Yield Ink Tank System: Brother’s INKvestment Tank system is the heart of this printer. The convenient, no-spill ink bottles refill the tanks quickly – color in just 30 seconds, black in 65 seconds – and feature color-coded keys to prevent incorrect insertion. The substantial ink capacity translates to an incredibly low cost per page, and the included ink bottles are designed to last for up to three years based on typical usage (125 pages/month with 60% black, 40% color), effectively eliminating frequent cartridge replacements.
Automatic Duplex Printing: Save paper and reduce your environmental footprint with the MFC-T580DW’s automatic duplex printing function. This feature allows you to print on both sides of the paper automatically, cutting your paper usage in half and streamlining your document production. The simple, intuitive design ensures hassle-free double-sided printing.
Wireless Smart Connectivity: Stay connected and productive with seamless wireless printing. The printer supports Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to print directly from your laptop, smartphone, or tablet. The Brother Mobile Connect app (3) provides mobile printing and scanning capabilities, granting you printing flexibility from virtually anywhere.
Precision Color Printing Engine: The MFC-T580DW delivers vibrant, high-quality prints thanks to its precision color printing engine. Reaching resolutions up to 1,200 x 6,000 dpi (Windows) and 1,200 x 3,600 dpi (Mac), this printer accurately reproduces colors and sharpens details, ensuring your documents and photos look their best.
Benefits
Dramatically Reduced Printing Costs: The INKvestment Tank system slashes your ink expenses, allowing you to print more documents and photos for less. The included ink bottles offer exceptional value and eliminate the ongoing cost of cartridge replacements.
Increased Printing Productivity: The fast print speeds (up to 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color) and automatic duplex printing help you complete tasks quickly and efficiently, maximizing your productivity.
Enhanced Convenience and Ease of Use: The user-friendly design, clear LCD display, and spill-free ink refills make printing a breeze. The Brother Mobile Connect app adds an extra layer of convenience, letting you print and scan from anywhere.
Vibrant and Accurate Color Reproduction: Produce professional-quality color prints that accurately represent your intended colors. Ideal for marketing materials, presentations, and cherished photos.
Environmentally Responsible Printing: Reduce your environmental impact by minimizing cartridge waste. The refillable ink tank system contributes to a more sustainable printing practice.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices: The MFC-T580DW is an ideal solution for home offices that handle a moderate to high volume of printing, copying, and scanning.
Ideal for Small Businesses: Small businesses seeking a cost-effective and reliable printing solution will appreciate the low cost per page and the ability to print professional-quality documents.
Great for Students and Frequent Document Printing: Students who print extensive notes, reports, and assignments will benefit from the affordable ink and high page yield.
Useful for Photo Printing Enthusiasts: Produce vibrant, detailed photos at home without the expense of professional printing services.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional ink efficiency and low cost per page
- Automatic duplex printing for paper savings
- Wireless connectivity and mobile printing capabilities
- Vibrant color printing and high resolution
- Durable construction and 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Initial purchase price may be higher than cartridge-based printers
- Printer dimensions might be bulky for very small spaces
- Print speeds are adequate but not exceptionally fast for high-volume printing
FAQs
What is the estimated ink cost per page?: The INKvestment Tank system significantly reduces the cost per page compared to traditional cartridge-based printers. Actual cost varies based on usage, but expect a substantial saving.
How fast does the printer print?: The MFC-T580DW prints up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color, ensuring efficient document production.
How easy is it to set up the wireless connection?: Setting up the wireless connection is straightforward. Follow the on-screen instructions or use the Brother Mobile Connect app for a guided setup experience.
Are third-party ink bottles compatible?: While third-party ink bottles may be available, Brother recommends using Genuine Brother Ink for optimal performance and to maintain the warranty.
What is the warranty coverage?: This printer comes with a 3-year limited warranty, providing peace of mind and protection against manufacturing defects.
Product Specifications
| Print Technology | Inkjet |
| DPI Resolution | Up to 1,200 x 6,000 dpi (Windows) |
| Ink Type | Dye-based |
| Page Yield | Up to 7,000 black / 6,000 color pages |
| Print Speed | 16 ppm (black), 9 ppm (color) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.5″D x 15.4″W x 5.8″H |
| Weight | 14.8 Pounds |
| Duty Cycle | Up to 2,000 pages per month |
| Warranty | 3-Year Limited Warranty |
Ratings
| Technical | 4.3 |
| Benefits | 4.6 |
| Usages | 4.5 |
| Features | 4.7 |
| Overall | 4.4 |
Recommendation
The Brother INKvestment Tank 580 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer is an outstanding choice for small businesses and home offices demanding reliable performance and significant cost savings. Its innovative ink tank system, coupled with automatic duplex printing and wireless connectivity, makes it a truly versatile and efficient printing solution.
For families and individuals who print regularly – be it for schoolwork, creative projects, or professional documents – the MFC-T580DW is an investment that quickly pays for itself. The included ink provides long-term value and eliminates the frustration of frequent cartridge replacements. It’s simply the smarter way to print.
Conclusion
The Brother MFC-T580DW stands out as a compelling alternative to traditional cartridge-based printers, offering a winning combination of cost-effectiveness, convenience, and performance. The innovative INKvestment Tank technology drastically reduces printing expenses, while the robust feature set ensures you have the tools you need for all your printing tasks. With its 3-year limited warranty and commitment to sustainability, this printer represents a worthwhile investment for the long term.
