Buying a printer in 2025 is not what it used to be. Brother’s lineup is smarter, faster, and more specialized than ever — but that also means it’s easier to get lost in specs, model numbers, and features you may never actually use. The truth is, before you compare prices or print speeds, you should step back and ask three critical questions.

These aren’t just “nice to know” — they’re the questions that will save you money, cut frustration, and make sure you end up with a printer that actually fits your daily life.

1️⃣ What Do I Actually Print Most Often?

It sounds obvious, but many buyers skip this step entirely. Instead, they buy based on a sale price or “best seller” label, only to discover that the printer they chose is overkill — or worse, underpowered — for their needs.

Ask yourself:

• Am I mostly printing text documents or graphics/photos?
  
  

  • If it’s text-heavy: a monochrome laser printer might be your best friend.

  • If you print a lot of visuals or marketing materials: you’ll need rich, accurate color output from an inkjet or a color laser.
    
    

• How often do I print?
  
  

  • Occasional printing means you should look for a model that doesn’t clog or dry out between uses (lasers shine here).

  • Daily or weekly heavy printing? A high-yield toner system will save you serious cash over time.
    
    

• Do I ever need special media?
  
  

  • Things like cardstock, labels, or photo paper require specific feed options.
    
    

💡 Pro tip: Don’t underestimate the “special jobs” — if you ever print your own shipping labels or greeting cards, make sure your printer can handle them without a fuss.

2️⃣ How Much Am I Willing to Spend Over the Next 3 Years?

Brother printers are generally known for having fair running costs, but there’s still a big difference between inkjet and laser, and between standard- and high-yield cartridges. Thinking about cost over a three-year period — not just the purchase price — is the key to avoiding surprise bills later.

Here’s what to consider:

• Toner vs. Ink Costs
  
  

  • Toner (used in laser printers) lasts longer and doesn’t dry out.

  • Ink cartridges (used in inkjets) give you high-quality color but can cost more per page.
    
    

• Page Yield
  
  

  • A standard cartridge might last 1,000–2,000 pages.

  • High-yield cartridges can push that to 3,000–6,000 pages, slashing cost per page.
    
    

• Power Usage
  
  

  • Laser printers tend to consume more power during warm-up but are more efficient for bulk jobs.
    
    

📌 Rule of thumb: If you print hundreds of pages a month, a laser printer will almost always beat an inkjet on cost per page by year two.

3️⃣ How Do I Want to Connect and Print?

Connectivity used to mean USB or nothing. Now, in 2025, Brother has fully embraced flexible, multi-device printing — and if you’re not taking advantage of it, you’re missing a big productivity boost.

Features worth checking:

• Wi-Fi Direct – Print from your phone or laptop without joining a network.

• Cloud Integration – Send files from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive straight to the printer.

• Mobile Apps – The Brother iPrint&Scan app lets you print, scan, and copy from anywhere.

• NFC Tap-to-Print – Touch your phone to the printer for instant job transfer.

• Ethernet – Rock-solid connection for office networks.
  
  

If you work across multiple devices — a laptop for work, a tablet for presentations, and a phone for quick notes — make sure the printer can handle them all without extra cables or software headaches.

Why These 3 Questions Matter

Skipping these questions is like buying a car without thinking about where you’ll drive it. Sure, it’ll work — but it may not be the best fit for your lifestyle, and you’ll end up paying for features you never use (or missing ones you wish you had).

By figuring out what you print, how much you’re willing to spend long-term, and how you want to connect, you narrow the field from dozens of similar-looking Brother printers to a handful of perfect matches.