Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet vs TATTMUSE Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, A285M

Overview of the Brother Work Smart 1360

The Brother Work Smart 1360 is an all-in-one color inkjet printer designed for home and home office use. Priced at $109.98, it offers a range of features including printing, copying, and scanning capabilities. With a sales rank of 548, it is a popular choice among consumers looking for a multifunctional device.

This printer excels in productivity with features like automatic duplex printing, a 20-sheet automatic document feeder, and a 150-sheet paper tray. The 1.8” color display makes it user-friendly, and its compatibility with cloud apps allows for easy printing and scanning from platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox. The Brother Mobile Connect app further enhances usability, enabling printing from mobile devices.

Overview of the Portable Printer

The Portable Printer Wireless for Travel, priced at $63.99, is a compact and lightweight option ideal for on-the-go printing needs. Weighing only 1.5 pounds and measuring 10.39” x 3.07” x 1.77”, it's designed for easy transport, making it suitable for business travel, school, and home use. It holds a sales rank of 1082, reflecting its appeal to users who prioritize portability.

This printer utilizes thermal printing technology, which eliminates the need for ink, toner, or ribbon. It supports multiple sizes of thermal paper, including 8.5” x 11” and A4, catering to a variety of printing requirements. The wireless Bluetooth capability allows for seamless connectivity with mobile devices, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently print documents, receipts, and more while on the move.

Printing Features and Performance

When it comes to printing features, the Brother Work Smart 1360 stands out with its ability to print, copy, and scan, making it a versatile choice for home office settings. It can print up to 16 pages per minute in black and 9 pages per minute in color, ensuring efficiency in handling larger tasks. The automatic duplex printing feature further enhances productivity by allowing users to print on both sides of the paper without manual intervention.

Conversely, the Portable Printer offers a unique inkless printing solution, which eliminates ongoing ink costs. However, it only supports black and white printing, which may limit its appeal for users who require color outputs. While it excels in mobility and ease of use for quick prints, it lacks the multifunctional capabilities of the Brother printer, making it more suitable for basic tasks rather than comprehensive office use.

Connectivity Options

The Brother Work Smart 1360 offers multiple connectivity options, including wireless network connectivity and USB, making it adaptable to various setups. The integration with cloud applications allows users to print and scan directly from their favorite services, enhancing convenience in a digital workflow.

The Portable Printer, on the other hand, relies on Bluetooth for wireless printing, supporting connections with mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones. It also has a USB-C option for laptops, though this requires driver installation. While both printers offer wireless capabilities, the Brother's broader range of connectivity options may appeal more to users looking for flexibility in their printing solutions.

Design and Portability

In terms of design, the Brother Work Smart 1360 is a compact all-in-one unit suitable for home office environments, but it is not specifically designed for portability. Its weight and size make it less convenient for travel compared to the Portable Printer, which is exceptionally lightweight and compact.

The Portable Printer is explicitly designed for travel, weighing only 1.5 pounds and fitting easily into a backpack or briefcase. This focus on portability makes it ideal for mobile professionals, such as notaries or business travelers who need to print documents in various locations. However, the trade-off is that it lacks the multifunctional capabilities and print quality of the Brother printer.

Cost Efficiency

The Brother Work Smart 1360 is priced at $109.98, while the Portable Printer is about 17% cheaper at $63.99. The cost difference may be significant for budget-conscious consumers, but it's essential to consider the long-term costs as well. The Brother printer utilizes traditional ink cartridges, which could lead to higher ongoing costs depending on usage.

In contrast, the Portable Printer's thermal printing technology eliminates ink costs entirely, offering a more cost-effective solution for users who print less frequently. However, it’s important to note that the thermal printer only supports black and white printing, which could limit its utility for more colorful documents or graphics.

Customer Feedback and Popularity

The Brother Work Smart 1360 has a sales rank of 548, indicating a solid level of popularity among consumers. Users appreciate its multifunctional capabilities and ease of use, particularly the integration with cloud services and mobile apps. The overall performance in delivering quality prints makes it a favored choice for home and small office environments.

The Portable Printer, with a sales rank of 1082, is also well-received, particularly for its portability and convenience. Users often highlight its ease of use and the benefit of inkless printing technology, making it a practical option for those who need to print on the go. However, some users may find its limitations in color printing a drawback compared to a more versatile all-in-one printer.

Which should you buy?

Deciding between the Brother Work Smart 1360 and the Portable Printer Wireless for Travel depends largely on your specific needs. If you require a multifunctional printer that can handle various tasks such as printing, copying, and scanning with color output, the Brother Work Smart 1360 is the clear winner. Its robust features and cloud connectivity make it ideal for home and office use.

On the other hand, if portability and cost-effectiveness are your top priorities, and you only need basic black and white printing, the Portable Printer is the better choice. Its compact design and inkless technology cater well to mobile professionals who prioritize convenience. Ultimately, your choice should align with your printing habits and the environments in which you will be using the printer.