Brother MFC-J1010DW 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.
Quick Verdict
Important update: Brother has discontinued the MFC-J1010DW. Brother's own product page now lists it as "Discontinued" and "Out of stock," and it's no longer sold new through mainstream retailers — Amazon search results for it now surface mostly ink cartridges and its replacement models rather than the printer itself. If you already own one, everything below still applies, including our ink guide. If you're shopping for a printer today, jump to what to buy instead — the Brother MFC-J1170DW is the closest still-available match and uses the exact same ink.
When it was available, the MFC-J1010DW was a well-liked compact all-in-one: Brother's own listing shows a strong 4.1-star average across roughly 9,000 Amazon ratings, prized for its simple reliability and Brother's LC401 ink system rather than any flashy feature set.
At a Glance (Original Specs)
| Type | Compact color inkjet 3-in-1 (print / scan / copy) — no ADF, no fax |
|---|---|
| Print speed | 17 ppm black / 9.5 ppm color |
| Display | 1.8" color display |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB; works with Alexa |
| Ink | Brother LC401 (standard) / LC401XL (high-yield) |
| Original price | ~$109.99 MSRP (street price often ~$150–$190) |
| Amazon rating (while available) | ~4.1 / 5 stars (~9,000 ratings) |
| Availability today | Discontinued — not sold new |
Who the MFC-J1010DW Was Really For
- Home users who wanted a compact, no-frills printer for everyday documents and school work.
- Buyers who specifically wanted to avoid HP+ style ink lockout — Brother's LC401 ink works with third-party cartridges.
- Anyone who valued a color display over the button-menu screens common on cheaper printers.
The Legitimate Complaints (While It Was Available)
- No automatic document feeder. Multi-page scanning and copying meant lifting the lid for every page.
- No fax. Not an issue for most home buyers, but it ruled the printer out for anyone who needed one.
- Modest color print speed. At 9.5 ppm color, it was fine for light use but not built for volume.
It's Discontinued — Here's What to Buy Instead
Brother has moved buyers toward newer models in the same compact all-in-one family. Here's how the closest replacements compare:
| Brother MFC-J1170DW | Brother MFC-J1360DW (Work Smart) | Brother MFC-J1410DW (Work Smart) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$169.99 | ~$89.98 | ~$119.99 |
| Amazon rating | 4.2★ (1,276+) | 4.0★ (2,225+) | New model, limited ratings |
| Display | 2.7" color touchscreen | 1.8" color display | 2.7" color touchscreen |
| Auto duplex | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ADF | No | No | Yes (20-sheet) |
| Ink used | LC401 / LC401XL — same as the J1010DW | LC501 / LC501XL — different ink | LC501 / LC501XL — different ink |
| Best for | Owners who want matching ink/supplies to their old J1010DW | Tightest budget | Buyers who want an ADF and don't mind switching ink families |
If keeping the same ink cartridges on hand matters to you, the Brother MFC-J1170DW is the clear pick — it's the only current model here that uses the same LC401/LC401XL cartridges as the J1010DW, along with a bigger touchscreen and duplex printing the J1010DW never had. If you want the lowest price and don't mind buying different ink, the MFC-J1360DW is Brother's current top seller in this class. If you scan multi-page documents often, the MFC-J1410DW adds an automatic document feeder that none of these older-style compacts had.
Ink and Supplies for the MFC-J1010DW
The MFC-J1010DW uses Brother LC401 (standard) or LC401XL (high-yield) cartridges in black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. See our companion guide, What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J1010DW Use?, for exact cartridge numbers, page yields, and where to buy compatible ink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brother MFC-J1010DW still available new? No. Brother's own product page lists it as discontinued and out of stock. You may still find old stock or used units through third-party sellers.
What's the closest current replacement? The Brother MFC-J1170DW — it uses the same LC401/LC401XL ink and adds a bigger touchscreen and auto duplex.
Can I still buy ink for my MFC-J1010DW? Yes. LC401/LC401XL cartridges are still widely sold, including compatible versions at Castle Ink.
Should I repair or replace my MFC-J1010DW if it breaks? For a printer in this price class, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repair once it's out of warranty.
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J1010DW was a solid, no-subscription compact all-in-one while it was sold, and it's still a fine printer if you already own one. But it's discontinued, so new shoppers should look at the MFC-J1170DW (same ink, closest match), the budget-priced MFC-J1360DW, or the ADF-equipped MFC-J1410DW instead.
Where to Buy
Brother MFC-J1170DW (closest match, same ink): View on Amazon
Brother MFC-J1360DW (budget pick): View on Amazon
Brother MFC-J1410DW (adds ADF): View on Amazon
For more printer comparisons and our hand-picked accessories, visit our Castle Ink Amazon storefront.
Shop Compatible Ink & Toner at Castle Ink
Whether you're keeping your MFC-J1010DW running or upgrading to the ink-compatible MFC-J1170DW, Castle Ink carries compatible LC401XL cartridges at a fraction of OEM pricing:
Brother ink cartridges · HP ink cartridges · Canon ink cartridges · Epson ink cartridges
See also: Printer Ink Cost Calculator | Which printers work best with compatible ink
Related Fix-It-Fast Guides
Still using your MFC-J1010DW? These quick-fix guides cover common issues:
Why Is My Printer Only Printing Half a Page? 4 Quick Fixes
Why Is My Printer Paused? 4 Quick Fixes to Resume Printing
Why Is My Printer Printing Faded Text? 4 Quick Fixes
Why Is My Printer Printing Pink? 4 Quick Fixes for Color Cast