Brother DCP-T420W Ink Tank Printer

Brother DCP-T420W is a wireless all-in-one ink tank printer for printing, scanning, and copying. It builds on the value of the T220 by adding Wi-Fi, automatic two-sided printing, and a larger paper capacity

Brother DCP-T420W Ink Tank Printer is priced at Kes 18,700  here at Novelty Tech Solution in Nairobi, Kenya 

Full Specifications

Key Features Explained

1. Refillable Ink Tank System:

   • Ultra-Low Cost-Per-Page: The core feature. Using high-yield BC-60 ink bottles makes the cost of printing text and color graphics extremely low.

   • Easy Refilling: Color-coded, integrated tanks for spill-free refilling.

2. Wireless Connectivity (The “W”):

   • This is the primary upgrade over the DCP-T220. It can connect to your home/office Wi-Fi network, allowing multiple users (laptops, phones, tablets) to print without cables.

   • Supports mobile printing via Brother iPrint&Scan, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria, making it easy to print directly from smartphones and tablets.

3. Automatic Duplex Printing:

   • Automatically prints on both sides of the paper. This is a major convenience and paper-saving feature that the base T220 model lacks.

4. Improved Speed and Paper Capacity:

   • Faster print speeds than the T220 (17 ipm vs 12 ipm for black).

   • A larger 150-sheet paper input capacity reduces the frequency of refilling paper.

5. Basic LCD Display:

   • The small text-based LCD provides clearer status information and menu navigation compared to the LED-only indicators on the DCP-T220.

Who is this printer for?

• Home Offices & Families: The wireless functionality makes it perfect for a shared environment where multiple people need to print from different devices.

• Students: Excellent for printing assignments, projects, and notes with the convenience of wireless printing from laptops and phones, plus the cost-saving of ink tanks.

• Users who need automatic two-sided printing for reports, booklets, or to save paper.

• Anyone needing a versatile, low-cost color printer with essential modern features.

Potential Considerations / Limitations

• No Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): The scanner is a flatbed only. Scanning, copying, or digitizing multi-page documents requires placing each page individually on the glass, which is time-consuming.

• No Fax Function: As a “DCP” model, it does not include fax capabilities.

• Ink Type: Uses dye-based inks, which are vibrant for color photos but are not as water-resistant or fade-resistant as pigment inks. Best for general purpose printing, not archival photo printing.

• Scanner Type: Uses a CIS scanner, which is fine for documents but may not be ideal for scanning high-quality images of textured originals or book spines.

Comparison with Other Brother Printers

Conclusion

The Brother DCP-T420W is a significant upgrade over the basic DCP-T220, addressing its two biggest limitations: the lack of wireless connectivity and manual duplex printing. It strikes an excellent balance between the ultra-low running costs of an ink tank and the convenience features expected in a modern home printer.

It is highly recommended for most home and small office users who need a capable, affordable color printer. If you frequently need to scan multi-page documents, you would need to consider an MFC model (like the MFC-T450W or similar) that includes an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF).