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Side-by-side specification comparison of two reference models

⁦Compare Brother HL-5170DN & MFC-L5850DW⁩

A full side-by-side comparison of reference models HL-5170DN and MFC-L5850DW within the same category.

Reference model ⁦Brother HL-5170DN⁩

⁦HL-5170DN⁩

Brother

Not for sale

View model
Reference model ⁦Brother MFC-L5850DW⁩

⁦MFC-L5850DW⁩

Brother

Not for sale

View model

Specifications

Side-by-side specification comparison of two reference models

Specification ⁦HL-5170DN⁩ ⁦MFC-L5850DW⁩
Price Not for sale Not for sale
Connectivity
USB Yes Yes
Ethernet Yes Yes
Wi-Fi — Yes
Wi-Fi Direct — Yes
Mobile Printing — ⁦AirPrint, Google Cloud Print 2.0, Brother iPrint&Scan, Mopria, Cortado Workplace, Wi-Fi Direct⁩
Apple AirPrint — Yes
Mopria — Yes
Security Features — Active Directory, Setting Lock, Secure Function Lock, Secure Print, Lock Slot, SSL/TLS, IPsec
Dimensions & Weight
Width — ⁦495.3 mm⁩
Depth — ⁦426.7 mm⁩
Height — ⁦485.1 mm⁩
Weight — ⁦17.2 kg⁩
Power & Warranty
Input Voltage — ⁦120 V⁩
Power Consumption Printing ⁦460 W⁩ ⁦630 W⁩
Power Consumption Sleep ⁦6 W⁩ ⁦8.4 W⁩
Warranty — ⁦1-year limited warranty (U.S.)⁩
Fax
Fax — Yes
Fax Modem Speed — ⁦33.6 kbps⁩
Fax Memory — ⁦500 pages⁩
General
Product Brand Brother Brother
Product Model ⁦HL-5170DN⁩ ⁦MFC-L5850DW⁩
Product Series HL Series ⁦MFC-L5000 Series⁩
Product Type Monochrome Laser Printer Monochrome Laser Multifunction Printer
Printer Functions Print Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
Print Technology Laser Laser
Consumables
Black Toner Model ⁦TN-3060⁩ ⁦TN-820 / TN-850⁩
Included Black Toner Yield — ⁦3000 pages⁩
Replacement Black Toner Yield ⁦6700 pages⁩ ⁦8000 pages⁩
Drum Model ⁦DR-3000⁩ ⁦DR-820⁩
Drum Yield ⁦20000 pages⁩ ⁦30000 pages⁩
Paper & Printing
Maximum Paper Size — Legal
Supported Paper Sizes ⁦A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Executive, Legal, Letter⁩ ⁦A4, A5, A6, B5, Letter, Legal, Executive, Folio⁩
Minimum Custom Media Width ⁦69.9 mm⁩ ⁦76.2 mm⁩
Maximum Custom Media Width ⁦215.9 mm⁩ ⁦215.9 mm⁩
Minimum Custom Media Length ⁦116 mm⁩ ⁦127 mm⁩
Maximum Custom Media Length ⁦406.4 mm⁩ ⁦355.6 mm⁩
Supported Media Types Plain, Bond, Recycled, Transparency, Envelope, Label Plain, Thin, Thick, Thicker, Recycled, Bond, Labels, Envelopes
Minimum Media Weight ⁦60 g/m²⁩ ⁦60 g/m²⁩
Maximum Media Weight ⁦161 g/m²⁩ ⁦200 g/m²⁩
Standard Input Capacity ⁦300 sheets⁩ ⁦300 sheets⁩
Maximum Input Capacity ⁦550 sheets⁩ ⁦1340 sheets⁩
Multipurpose Tray Capacity ⁦50 sheets⁩ ⁦50 sheets⁩
Output Capacity ⁦150 sheets⁩ ⁦150 sheets⁩
Automatic Duplex Printing Yes Yes
Scanning
Scanner Type — Flatbed + ADF
Optical Scan Resolution — ⁦1200 x 1200 dpi⁩
Black Scan Speed — ⁦28 ipm⁩
Color Scan Speed — ⁦20 ipm⁩
Duplex Scanning — Yes
ADF Capacity — ⁦70 sheets⁩
Print Performance
Black Print Speed A4 ⁦20 ppm⁩ ⁦42 ppm⁩
Black Duplex Print Speed ⁦9 ipm⁩ —
First Page Out Black ⁦10 s⁩ ⁦7.5 s⁩
Print Resolution ⁦2400 x 600 dpi⁩ ⁦1200 x 1200 dpi⁩
Monthly Duty Cycle — ⁦50000 pages/month⁩
Recommended Monthly Volume — ⁦Up to 3500 pages/month⁩
Processor Speed ⁦133 MHz⁩ ⁦800 MHz⁩
Standard Memory ⁦32 MB⁩ ⁦512 MB⁩
Maximum Memory ⁦160 MB⁩ —
Print Languages ⁦PCL 6, BR-Script 3, IBM ProPrinter XL, Epson FX-850⁩ ⁦PCL 6, BR-Script 3, PDF, XPS⁩
Copying
Black Copy Speed — ⁦42 cpm⁩
Copy Resolution — ⁦1200 x 600 dpi⁩
Maximum Copies — ⁦99 copies⁩
Copy Zoom Range — 25-400 %

Summary: Which Product Should You Choose?

Choose HL-5170DN if you need:

  • Higher Maximum Custom Media Length: ⁦406.4 mm⁩ vs ⁦355.6 mm⁩
  • Higher Black Duplex Print Speed: ⁦9 ipm⁩
  • Higher First Page Out Black: ⁦10 s⁩ vs ⁦7.5 s⁩
  • Higher Maximum Memory: ⁦160 MB⁩

Choose MFC-L5850DW if you need:

  • Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi Direct
  • Mobile Printing: ⁦AirPrint, Google Cloud Print 2.0, Brother iPrint&Scan, Mopria, Cortado Workplace, Wi-Fi Direct⁩
  • Apple AirPrint

Overall, choosing between HL-5170DN and MFC-L5850DW depends on your use case and which specs matter most. They share Print Technology (Laser) and Automatic Duplex Printing (Yes). They differ mainly on Wi-Fi. Review the differences above, choose by your priorities, and confirm availability before buying.

What is the difference between HL-5170DN and MFC-L5850DW?

HL-5170DN and MFC-L5850DW share specifications such as Print Technology (Laser), Automatic Duplex Printing (Yes), USB (Yes), Ethernet (Yes).

The main differences: Printer Functions (HL-5170DN: Print, MFC-L5850DW: Print, Scan, Copy, Fax); Black Print Speed A4 (HL-5170DN: ⁦20 ppm⁩, MFC-L5850DW: ⁦42 ppm⁩); Print Resolution (HL-5170DN: ⁦2400 x 600 dpi⁩, MFC-L5850DW: ⁦1200 x 1200 dpi⁩).

HL-5170DN may suit users who need its differing values, while MFC-L5850DW benefits those who need its paired strengths. Review the specs table above before deciding.