Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2820DW: Which Should You Choose? (October 2026)

On this page (7 sections)

1. Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2820DW: what is the main difference?
2. Which printer has fax?
3. How do their print and scan speeds compare?
4. What connections and controls do you get?
5. Which one makes more sense for your workload?
6. What toner can you use with either printer?
7. Which Brother should you choose?

Choose the Brother MFC-L2820DW if fax is useful; choose the DCP-L2640DW if you only need printing, copying and scanning. Both are compact monochrome multifunction printers with automatic duplex printing, a 50-page auto document feeder and wireless, Ethernet and USB connections.

The main difference in the Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2820DW choice is one feature: the MFC adds fax and has a 2.7-inch touchscreen. The DCP is a 3-in-1 with an LCD display.

If you want to compare other Brother models, see our Brother all-in-one laser printer guide. For a closer look at the fax model, read our Brother MFC-L2820DW review.

Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2820DW: what is the main difference?

The MFC-L2820DW includes fax, while the DCP-L2640DW does not. Their core jobs overlap: both print, copy and scan in black and white, and both support automatic duplex printing.

Choose the MFC if faxing is part of your work or you want its 2.7-inch touchscreen. Choose the DCP if a three-function device meets your needs and you prefer not to pay for a feature you won't use.

The MFC's touchscreen can print from and scan to cloud-based apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote and OneNote. The DCP product details describe mobile printing and management through Brother Mobile Connect, but don't specify the same touchscreen or cloud-app functions.

Which printer has fax?

Only the MFC-L2820DW has fax. It includes a telephone line cord and its 50-page feeder supports multi-page fax jobs.

The DCP-L2640DW is for print, copy and scan work. Its feeder handles multi-page copies and scans, but it doesn't add a fax function.

Think about the documents you send, not just the printer's feature count. If you still exchange forms or records by fax, the MFC can keep that task on the same device; if you use email or online portals, the fax feature may sit idle.

Is the MFC-L2820DW XL another fax option?

Yes. The MFC-L2820DW XL also prints, copies, scans and faxes, and includes a stated toner yield of up to 4,200 pages.

It's a separate model from the standard MFC-L2820DW, with more toner included.

For a model-to-model comparison, see Brother MFC-L2820DW vs MFC-L2820DW XL. The XL option makes sense to consider when the in-box toner supply matters alongside fax.

How do their print and scan speeds compare?

The DCP-L2640DW is listed at up to 36 pages per minute, and the MFC-L2820DW's product bullets also state up to 36 ppm. The MFC's specs separately show 34 ppm, so use Brother's current model specifications if a small speed difference is important to your choice.

Both models state scan speeds up to 23.6 images per minute for black and 7.9 for color. Each has a 50-page auto document feeder for multi-page scanning and copying.

Those maximum figures describe device capability, not a promise that every job will finish at that rate. Page content, connection and settings can affect the time a particular job takes.

Which is better for frequent document scanning?

Either can handle batches with its 50-page feeder. Choose between them based on fax and controls, since both list the same feeder capacity and scan-speed figures.

If your work includes sending a scanned document by fax, the MFC combines those tasks. If you only need to scan and copy, the DCP's three-function setup covers those jobs.

What connections and controls do you get?

Both support dual-band wireless, Ethernet and USB; the MFC adds a 2.7-inch touchscreen. These options let you choose between network use and a direct connection to one computer.

The DCP-L2640DW uses an LCD display and Brother Mobile Connect. The MFC-L2820DW also works with the app, and its touchscreen supports printing from and scanning to several cloud apps.

For either printer, match the connection to your space. Wireless can serve several devices, Ethernet can connect through a wired network, and USB suits a nearby computer.

Can you use both with a phone?

Yes, both support Brother Mobile Connect for printing, scanning and printer management from a mobile device. The MFC additionally names a touchscreen route to cloud-based apps.

If you want a simpler comparison among similar DCP models, read Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2750DW and Brother DCP-L2640DW vs MFC-L2760DW. Those comparisons can help if your shortlist includes other Brother multifunction models.

Which one makes more sense for your workload?

Pick the DCP-L2640DW for print, copy and scan; pick the MFC-L2820DW when fax or its touchscreen matters. Both list automatic duplex printing and a 50-page feeder, so those shared features don't settle the choice.

Consider how you'll use the printer over a normal week. Count the documents that need fax, the multi-page jobs that go through the feeder and the devices that will connect.

For regular faxing, the MFC combines four functions in one compact device. For a home office or small business that handles documents digitally, the DCP may be the more direct fit.

If you also compare Brother monochrome printers without scanning, the HL-L2460DW vs HL-L2405W comparison covers two print-only options. For other fax-enabled models, see MFC-L2820DW vs MFC-L2900DW and MFC-L3720CDW vs MFC-L3780CDW.

What toner can you use with either printer?

Both models are named as compatible with TN830 and TN830XL toner. Brother recommends genuine TN830 or TN830XL supplies, while compatible alternatives are also sold for these printers.

The yield is a stated maximum under 5% page coverage, so actual output depends on what you print. If you prefer Brother's genuine supplies, choose TN830 or TN830XL as Brother recommends.

Which Brother should you choose?

Choose the MFC-L2820DW for fax and touchscreen controls; choose the DCP-L2640DW for the shared print, copy and scan tasks without fax. The MFC-L2820DW XL is another fax-capable option if a larger in-box toner supply is a priority.

The decision rule is simple: if fax is a real weekly task, get the MFC; if not, the DCP covers the core functions. Compare the controls and toner supply you want, then choose the model that fits your routine.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Brother DCP-L2640DW have fax?

No. The DCP-L2640DW prints, copies and scans, while the MFC-L2820DW adds fax.

If your office sends or receives documents by fax, choose the MFC; if fax is not part of your routine, the DCP covers the other three functions.

Are the DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW print speeds the same?

Both product bullets describe print speeds up to 36 pages per minute. The MFC-L2820DW specs also show 34 pages per minute, so compare the exact model's current specifications if that difference matters to your workload.

Do both printers scan and copy multiple pages?

Yes. Both have a 50-page auto document feeder for multi-page scanning and copying.

The MFC-L2820DW can also use the feeder for fax jobs, while the DCP-L2640DW has no fax function.

Can both printers print on both sides automatically?

Yes. Both models have automatic duplex printing, which can print on both sides of a sheet without manually turning pages.

This is useful for longer documents, though you can still choose one-sided printing when that suits the job.

Can the same toner work in both printers?

The supplied Cool Toner TN830/TN830XL 2-pack names both the DCP-L2640DW and MFC-L2820DW as compatible models and states up to 3,000 pages per cartridge at 5% coverage. Brother recommends its genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner, so check your supply preference before choosing.