Brother HL-L2460DW Wireless Compact vs Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless

Design and build quality

The Brother HL-L2460DW is engineered as a compact monochrome laser printer designed for home offices and small teams. Its build focuses on consistency and premium print quality for documents that are clear and crisp. The unit includes a 250-sheet capacity paper tray and a manual feed slot for envelopes and specialty paper. In contrast, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 is designed as an all-in-one wireless unit. It emphasizes easy ink cartridge installation and replacement. The Canon produces quality documents, photos, and borderless prints up to 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Both units carry a 1-year limited warranty, providing standard protection for hardware defects.

Print Speed and Performance

Performance varies significantly between these two models based on their intended use cases. The Brother HL-L2460DW is built for efficiency, printing at speeds up to 36 pages per minute. This makes it suitable for users who need to tackle high-volume black and white printing tasks quickly. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 operates at a print speed of 8.8 ipm and 4.4 ipm depending on the mode. While slower, this speed is typical for all-in-one ink-based systems designed for mixed media. The Brother unit is explicitly engineered for consistent output, ensuring documents are easy to review and share.

Paper Handling and Capacity

Paper management is a key differentiator for high-volume users. The Brother HL-L2460DW features a 250-sheet capacity paper tray, allowing users to load more paper and reduce the frequency of refills. It also includes a manual feed slot that enables printing on envelopes and specialty paper without swapping trays. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 offers a 100-sheet capacity. While sufficient for light home use, it requires more frequent attention than the Brother model. Both printers support automatic duplex printing, which saves time and reduces paper waste by printing on both sides of the sheet.

Connectivity and Mobile Support

Both printers offer modern connectivity options to suit wireless environments. The Brother HL-L2460DW connects with built-in dual-band wireless supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. It also includes an Ethernet port for wired connections and a USB interface for single computer connections. The Brother Mobile Connect App allows users to manage the wireless printer remotely and print from mobile devices. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 connects via wireless networks and integrates with Alexa. Users can connect the printer to Alexa to receive notifications when running low on supplies. Alexa can even place a smart reorder from Amazon on behalf of the user if enrolled in smart reorders.

Multifunction Capabilities

The scope of functionality is the primary distinction between these devices. The Brother HL-L2460DW is a dedicated monochrome laser printer focused solely on printing documents. It does not list scanning or copying features in its provided specifications. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a Wireless 4-in-1 device capable of print, copy, scan, and fax operations. It also includes an auto document feeder to assist with multi-page scanning or copying tasks. For users who need to digitize paper documents or send faxes, the Canon provides necessary hardware that the Brother model lacks.

Energy Efficiency and Operation

Power consumption data is explicitly provided for the Canon PIXMA TR4720. It lists a power consumption of 7W during operation, 0.8W in Standby mode, and 0.3W when Off. The unit is ENERGY STAR certified, indicating compliance with energy efficiency guidelines. The Brother HL-L2460DW does not provide specific wattage figures in the available data. However, laser printers generally consume more power during warm-up cycles compared to inkjet models. The Canon's low standby power suggests it is optimized for environments where the device may sit idle for extended periods without drawing significant electricity.

Price and Value

Cost is a major factor in this comparison. The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is priced at $69.00, making it an affordable entry point for home users. The Brother HL-L2460DW is priced at $179.98, reflecting its higher speed and laser technology. The Canon model emphasizes value by ensuring users never run out of ink or toner through smart reorder notifications. Enrolling in smart reorders with Alexa ensures that users never have too much or too little ink or toner without needing a subscription. The Brother model focuses on affordable pricing relative to its premium print quality and durability for small teams.

Which one should you buy?

Choosing between these printers depends on your specific workflow requirements. If your priority is high-volume text printing with minimal downtime for refills, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the better option. Its 36ppm speed and 250-sheet tray support productivity in home offices. If you need versatility including scanning, copying, and faxing at a lower upfront cost, the Canon PIXMA TR4720 is the superior choice. Its 4-in-1 functionality and $69.00 price point offer significant value for general household tasks. Both units support automatic two-sided printing and come with a 1-year limited warranty for peace of mind.