The catch
Brother DCP-L2640DW
It lacks fax and automatic two-sided scanning. Even with the larger feeder, you still have to deal with the reverse sides yourself.
Side by side
Brother DCP-L2640DW vs Canon MF275dw: Canon adds fax, Brother feeds larger stacks
Quick verdict
Larger single-sided scan batches and fewer print-paper refills favor the DCP-L2640DW. When fax is a real requirement or desk depth is tight, go with the MF275dw, which is shallower but taller. Neither scans both sides automatically, so a double-sided archive means manual refeeding whichever one you buy.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A 40-sheet filing pile lands on a genuine feeder limit
Suppose monthly expenses and school forms usually add up to roughly 40 one-sided sheets. Brother takes that suitable stack inside its 50-sheet rating, whereas Canon, at 35 sheets, needs at least two loads. That tips things toward Brother if you keep getting called away from the desk. It still is not a hands-off two-sided scanner. With originals printed on both sides, someone has to flip or reposition the pages and check the order of the result on either machine.
Where this comes from
Fewest loads for 40 suitable one-sided sheets: ceiling(40 / 50) = 1 and ceiling(40 / 35) = 2. The Brother rating assumes 20 lb paper. Neither scans duplex automatically.
The catch
Canon MF275dw
With a 35-sheet feeder and a 150-sheet print tray, suitable single-sided batches force reloads sooner than on Brother.
Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Why pick it
- You often scan loose-paper batches that a 50-sheet feeder and 250-sheet print tray serve well, and fax is not needed.
- The shelf has the width and depth for the Brother, and its lower body is a plus.
- The catch
- It lacks fax and automatic two-sided scanning. Even with the larger feeder, you still have to deal with the reverse sides yourself.
Canon MF275dw
- Why pick it
- Fax has to be built into the same machine, and a 35-sheet one-sided feeder is acceptable to you.
- Being shallower on the desk counts for more than the larger Brother trays, and there is enough space above the Canon.
- The catch
- With a 35-sheet feeder and a 150-sheet print tray, suitable single-sided batches force reloads sooner than on Brother.
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What this page compares
Shared work and family paperwork: how do the DCP-L2640DW and MF275dw compare? Find out when a larger feeder helps, when fax decides it and why the shape of your shelf matters.
Each machine prints, copies and scans loose stacks and works over a home network. Brother puts larger paper batches first. Canon fits fax into a narrower, shallower housing and gives up tray and feeder capacity to do it.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Regular 40-sheet stacks of one-sided paper
Brother’s feeder rating covers suitable paper in one load, while Canon needs at least two.
- Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Better fit
- Canon MF275dw
- Good
Fax you cannot do without, plus compatible telephone service
Fax is on Canon only. Brother has none.
- Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Not suitable
- Canon MF275dw
- Better fit
A desk with little depth but plenty of height above it
Canon’s body has less depth, but you still need to measure for access and ventilation.
- Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Good
- Canon MF275dw
- Better fit
Scan both sides without dealing with the backs by hand
Each feeder scans one side only.
- Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Not suitable
- Canon MF275dw
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
A 40-sheet filing pile lands on a genuine feeder limit
Suppose monthly expenses and school forms usually add up to roughly 40 one-sided sheets. Brother takes that suitable stack inside its 50-sheet rating, whereas Canon, at 35 sheets, needs at least two loads. That tips things toward Brother if you keep getting called away from the desk. It still is not a hands-off two-sided scanner. With originals printed on both sides, someone has to flip or reposition the pages and check the order of the result on either machine.
How we worked this out
Fewest loads for 40 suitable one-sided sheets: ceiling(40 / 50) = 1 and ceiling(40 / 35) = 2. The Brother rating assumes 20 lb paper. Neither scans duplex automatically.
A fax needed only occasionally can still beat frequent larger batches
Picture a home office that prints daily but sends only a few faxes a year. When those faxes are mandatory and compatible telephone service is already in place, Canon spares you a trip somewhere else or a second service to set up. Larger trays on Brother do nothing to replace fax. But if the people on the receiving end take a scanned upload, fax is no longer a reason to pick Canon, and Brother’s larger batches become more valuable. Find out which route the receiving organization accepts before you pay for a feature you may never use.
How we worked this out
Canon has fax and Brother does not. Whether the receiving organization takes an upload depends on your situation. It is not a claim that an upload is legally equivalent or that a free alternative is guaranteed.
A shallow desk and a low shelf call for different printers
On a narrow workstation that also holds homework, Canon’s depth, 1.1 inches less, can be what counts. Under shelving, Brother’s height, 1.9 inches lower, may count for more. You cannot merge them into a claim that one printer is just more compact. Measure whichever dimension blocks your spot, then add room for the lid, originals, cables and ventilation. If a shorter height is what you mainly need, going by Canon’s smaller desk footprint is the wrong shortcut.
How we worked this out
Depth gap: 15.7 minus 14.6 = 1.1 inches. Height gap: 14.4 minus 12.5 = 1.9 inches. Both figures are body dimensions and not certified installation clearances.
Option A
Brother, DCP-L2640DW
DCP-L2640DW
You often scan loose-paper batches that a 50-sheet feeder and 250-sheet print tray serve well, and fax is not needed.
- Best for
- You often scan loose-paper batches that a 50-sheet feeder and 250-sheet print tray serve well, and fax is not needed.
Facts we checked
- Feeding scan originals: 50 sheets at 20 lb paper
- Automatic two-sided scanning: Not offered
- Main print tray: 250 sheets
- Fax: No
Option B
Canon, MF275dw
MF275dw
Fax has to be built into the same machine, and a 35-sheet one-sided feeder is acceptable to you.
- Best for
- Fax has to be built into the same machine, and a 35-sheet one-sided feeder is acceptable to you.
Facts we checked
- Feeding scan originals: 35-sheet simplex feeder
- Automatic two-sided scanning: Not offered
- Main print tray: 150 sheets
- Fax: Yes
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Brother DCP-L2640DW | Canon MF275dw | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding scan originals | 50 sheets at 20 lb paper | 35-sheet simplex feeder | A suitable stack of 40 sheets is over Canon’s capacity limit and still inside Brother’s rating. |
| Automatic two-sided scanning | No | No | On both machines, a two-sided filing job leaves the reverse sides to handle by hand. |
| Main print tray | 250 sheets | 150 sheets | Brother takes more input paper, which is a separate matter from scanner capacity. |
| Fax | No | Yes | If you need fax, that can matter more than Brother’s larger trays. Confirm that your telephone service is compatible. |
| Body width and depth | 16.1 by 15.7 inches | 15.4 by 14.6 inches | Canon has the narrower, shallower body. For either machine, add operating and cable clearance to the footprint. |
| Body height | 12.5 inches | 14.4 inches | Brother stands lower even with its larger paper capacities. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Brother DCP-L2640DW
- Compared with Canon, the body uses 0.7 inch more width and 1.1 inches more depth.
With Canon MF275dw
- The narrower footprint comes paired with a body that stands 1.9 inches taller than Brother.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Bigger one-sided batches count and fax does not
Go with Brother DCP-L2640DW. Brother means fewer input reloads and does not need the taller Canon body.
Fax is required and no other feature can stand in for it
Go with Canon MF275dw. Canon provides fax, given a compatible line and a recipient workflow that fits.
Automatic double-sided scanning is a requirement
Neither model fits. A 50-sheet feeder is no guarantee of duplex scanning.
Decision guide
Before you buy
Fewer paper interruptions in a busy home office are the aim, but a fax you have to send now and then can outweigh a larger feeder.
What this page can’t tell you
- Speed, jams and OCR success cannot be predicted from the minimum-load examples.
- We name no winner on reliability, print quality or consumable cost without support for it.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the laser printers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-L2640DW |
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| Canon MF275dw |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Brother DCP-L2640DW
You often scan loose-paper batches that a 50-sheet feeder and 250-sheet print tray serve well, and fax is not needed.
The shelf has the width and depth for the Brother, and its lower body is a plus.
See price & reviews on AmazonCanon MF275dw
Fax has to be built into the same machine, and a 35-sheet one-sided feeder is acceptable to you.
Being shallower on the desk counts for more than the larger Brother trays, and there is enough space above the Canon.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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