Choosing between Brother’s popular ink tank printers, the DCP-T525W and DCP-T426W, requires understanding their subtle yet significant differences. Both models offer Brother’s reliable refill tank system technology, promising high-volume printing at minimal cost. However, they differ in connectivity options, print speeds, paper handling capabilities, and overall feature sets.
This comprehensive comparison examines the key specifications, performance metrics, and value proposition of these closely related models. Whether you need a budget-friendly home printer or a versatile small office solution, this guide will help you determine which Brother ink tank printer best addresses your specific needs.
The main differences between the Brother DCP-T525W and the Brother DCP-T426W can be highlighted through their
Display Type: The DCP-T525W features a 1-line LCD display (16 characters), allowing users to navigate menus and view printer status information directly. In contrast, the DCP-T426W uses LED indicators without text display, which provides basic status information but offers less detailed feedback and control options.
Memory Capacity: The DCP-T525W has 128 MB of memory, providing better handling of complex print jobs and faster processing of multiple tasks simultaneously. The DCP-T426W has only 64 MB, which may lead to slower performance when handling larger documents or multiple print jobs.
Print Speed: The DCP-T525W offers slightly faster printing at up to 17.0 (Mono)/9.5 (Color) ipm, with a First Page Out Time of 6.0 (Mono)/9.5 (Color) seconds, reducing waiting time for time-sensitive documents. The DCP-T426W is slightly slower at 16.0 (Mono)/9.0 (Color) ipm, with FPOT of 6.5 (Mono)/10.0 (Color) seconds, which may result in marginally longer wait times for print jobs.
Power Consumption: The DCP-T525W consumes slightly more power in ready mode (3W vs 2.5W) and sleep mode (0.8W vs 0.7W), resulting in marginally higher energy costs over time, though the difference is minimal for most users.
Connectivity: Both have similar wireless connectivity, but there’s a terminology difference – the DCP-T525W uses “Wi-Fi Direct” while the DCP-T426W uses “Wireless Direct.” Both technologies allow direct connection to mobile devices without requiring a wireless router.
Overall, the DCP-T525W is the more premium model with better display, more memory, slightly faster print speeds, and larger dimensions, making it better suited for users who need the LCD display for easier operation and slightly better performance when handling multiple or complex print jobs. The DCP-T426W offers a more compact, lightweight, and slightly more energy-efficient option for users with basic printing needs and limited space.
Price Comparison between Brother DCP-T525W vs DCP-T426W