Brother DCP-L2640DW Review (2026): Honest Pros, Cons & Who It's Really For

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How we evaluate printers: This review is based on Castle Ink's printer ranking methodology, which weighs aggregated customer reviews, professional review cross-checks, total cost of ownership, and specs/feature fit. Read our full ranking and recommendation methodology.

Looking for more options? Check out our full roundup: 10 Best Laser Printers (2026).

QUICK VERDICT

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the multifunction version of Brother's popular HL-L2460DW: the same fast 36 ppm monochrome laser engine and automatic duplex printing, plus a flatbed scanner, copier and a 50-page automatic document feeder in a footprint that still fits on a normal desk. At around $210 it costs roughly $30 more than the print-only HL-L2460DW, which is a small premium for scanning and copying you will almost certainly use at some point. Owner feedback is strong at 4.2 stars across 3,700+ ratings, with print quality, setup and running costs drawing the most praise — one reviewer notes it pays for itself inside a year on toner savings alone. The caveats are the same ones that follow every current Brother laser: mixed reports on long-term Wi-Fi stability, and an optional Refresh toner subscription worth reading carefully before you enroll.

→ Check the current price of the Brother DCP-L2640DW on Amazon

AT A GLANCE

• Monochrome laser all-in-one — print, copy and scan (no fax)
• Up to 36 ppm print speed, 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution
• Automatic two-sided (duplex) printing built in
• 50-page automatic document feeder for multi-page scans and copies
• Scan speeds up to 23.6 ipm mono and 7.9 ipm color
• Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Ethernet and USB connectivity
• 250-sheet paper tray plus a manual feed slot for envelopes and labels
• Uses Brother TN830 / TN830XL toner cartridges and a DR830 drum unit
• Brother Mobile Connect app support; works with Alexa

WHO THIS PRINTER IS FOR

• Home offices and small teams that print mostly text and need occasional scanning or copying without buying a second device.
• Anyone who liked the look of the HL-L2460DW but realized they would miss a flatbed and document feeder.
• Buyers who scan multi-page documents regularly — the 50-page ADF is the single biggest reason to pick this over the print-only models.
• People who want a wired Ethernet option alongside Wi-Fi for a more stable connection in a shared office.

WHO SHOULD SKIP IT

• Anyone who needs color — this is a monochrome machine and will never print a color page.
• Buyers who need fax; the DCP line drops it, so step up to Brother's MFC models if you still send faxes.
• Anyone who wants a large color touchscreen — the control panel here is a small mono LCD.
• Buyers who print in very high volume; a workgroup-class machine with larger toner and paper capacity will cost less per page over time.

WHAT PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT IT

• Print quality is the single most-mentioned strength in owner reviews — sharp, clean text at speed.
• Setup is repeatedly described as easy, with most buyers getting it onto Wi-Fi in a few minutes.
• Value for money scores well, and owners specifically call out how reasonable the toner costs are compared with inkjet alternatives.
• Print speed holds up in real use, with fast first-page-out times for one-off documents.
• The 50-page ADF turns multi-page scanning and copying into a genuine time-saver rather than a spec-sheet line item.

THE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS

• Connectivity is the most common complaint: while many owners say Wi-Fi connects easily and stays put, a meaningful minority report repeated dropouts and having to re-add the printer.
• Durability feedback is split — most owners describe it as rock solid, but a subset report failures within the first few months.
• Ease of use divides opinion; the small mono LCD and symbol-based menus frustrate some owners who expected a friendlier panel.
• Brother's optional Refresh toner subscription has generated well-documented complaints across this generation of printers, including reports of genuine Brother toner being flagged as invalid. Enroll only after reading the terms.
• No fax and no color, which are obvious omissions but still catch out buyers who assumed an all-in-one does everything.

HOW IT COMPARES

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: BROTHER HL-L2460DW

If you genuinely never scan or copy, our Brother HL-L2460DW review covers the print-only version of the same engine for around $30 less, using identical TN830 toner.

UPGRADE PICK: BROTHER MFC-L2820DW

If you still need fax or want a slightly more capable control panel, our Brother MFC-L2820DW review covers the fax-equipped step-up in the same family, again on TN830 toner.

TONER AND SUPPLIES FOR THE DCP-L2640DW

The DCP-L2640DW uses Brother's TN830 standard-yield or TN830XL high-yield toner, plus a DR830 drum unit that is replaced far less often than the toner. Buying the high-yield cartridge is almost always the cheaper route per page, and it is where compatible toner makes the biggest difference to running costs. Castle Ink stocks compatible Brother TN830XL toner and DR830 drum units at a fraction of OEM pricing.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does the DCP-L2640DW print in color? No. It is a monochrome laser printer, so every page prints in black and white.

Does it have a fax? No. The DCP line is print, copy and scan only. If you need fax, look at Brother's MFC-L2820DW instead.

What toner does it use? Brother TN830 standard-yield or TN830XL high-yield toner, along with a DR830 drum unit.

Does it support automatic double-sided printing? Yes, automatic duplex printing is built in — you do not need to flip pages manually.

Should I sign up for Brother Refresh? It can be convenient, but owners across this printer generation have reported problems with the subscription flagging legitimate toner. Read the terms before enrolling.

BOTTOM LINE

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is the version of Brother's best-selling mono laser most people should actually buy. You get the same fast, cheap-to-run 36 ppm engine and automatic duplex as the print-only model, plus scanning, copying and a 50-page document feeder for a modest premium. Go in knowing that Wi-Fi stability is the one area where owner reports genuinely diverge, and treat the Refresh subscription as optional rather than automatic.

→ Check the current price of the Brother DCP-L2640DW on Amazon

SHOP COMPATIBLE TONER AT CASTLE INK

Save on replacement toner and drum units for the DCP-L2640DW: Brother TN830XL Toner · Brother DR830 Drum Unit · All Brother ink & toner

See also: Brother HL-L2460DW review | Best Laser Printer for Home Use in 2026

This review is part of our Best Printers Buying Guide, covering top picks for every use case and budget.