Is the Brother DCP-L3551CDW Laser Printer still worth it in 2025?
Yes, if you need an A4 color laser-class MFP with duplex printing, a 50-sheet ADF, and predictable running costs. It is marked discontinued on Brother India, but supplies are widely available and high-yield TN-267 toners keep color cost per page in check.
Table of Contents
What is the Brother DCP-L3551CDW
The DCP-L3551CDW is a color LED all-in-one for small offices. It prints up to 18 pages per minute, adds auto two-sided printing, and takes a 50-sheet ADF for batch copies and scans. You get USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, plus AirPrint and Mopria for phones and tablets. On Brother India’s site, the product is marked discontinued, but toners and drum units remain available. Good news if you want to run it for years without hunting for parts.
Duplex scanning?
No. It duplex-prints, but the ADF is single-sided. For two-sided scans in one pass, look at higher-end models.
Key specs at a glance
- Functions: print, copy, scan
- Speed: up to 18 ppm in mono and color
- Tray: 250-sheet input, 150-sheet output, 1-sheet manual feed for heavy media up to 163 gsm
- ADF: 50 sheets
- Connectivity: USB 2.0, 10/100 Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, Mopria
- Memory: 512 MB
- Max duty cycle: 30,000 pages per month
- Size/weight: 410 × 475 × 414 mm, 23.5 kg
Pros and cons
Pros
- Predictable CPP, cheaper in high-yield
- Duplex print and 50-sheet ADF
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, Mopria
- Compact footprint for a color laser-class unit
Cons
- No duplex ADF scanning
- Color CPP still adds up for heavy graphics
- Marked discontinued on Brother India, so stock varies
DCP-L3551CDW Price in India
Expect a street price between ₹32,000 and ₹38,000 depending on stock and the retailer. Because the model is officially discontinued in India, pricing can swing during clearance or low-inventory periods.
Which toner numbers should you buy?
Standard: TN-263 (BK ~1,400 pages, C/M/Y ~1,300).
High-yield: TN-267 (BK ~3,000, C/M/Y ~2,300).
Drum: DR-263CL (~18,000 pages).
Cost per page in India (with the math)
Here’s the simple formula we use:
Cost per page = Cartridge MRP ÷ ISO page yield
Add drum CPP if a separate drum is used.
We use India MRPs from Brother’s supplies pages.
Standard yield (TN-263) + drum
- Black: ₹6,590 ÷ 1,400 ≈ ₹4.71
- Colour (CMY only): 3 × ₹5,790 ÷ 1,300 ≈ ₹13.36
- Colour (CMYK incl. black): ₹18.07
- Drum (DR-263CL): ₹9,690 ÷ 18,000 ≈ ₹0.54 per page
- All-in black: ₹5.25
- All-in colour (CMYK): ₹18.61
High yield (TN-267) + drum
- Black: ₹7,890 ÷ 3,000 ≈ ₹2.63
- Colour (CMY only): 3 × ₹7,390 ÷ 2,300 ≈ ₹9.64
- Colour (CMYK incl. black): ₹12.27
- Drum: ₹0.54 per page
- All-in black: ₹3.17
- All-in colour (CMYK): ₹12.81
What this means
If you print a lot of color pages, high-yield TN-267s cut color CPP by roughly a third. For mostly text with occasional charts, standard black may be fine, but the TN-267BK pays for itself quickly above a few reams a month.
Who should buy DCP-L3551CDW Printer
- Service firms printing 300 invoices a month: mono CPP with TN-267BK + drum at ~₹3.17 is sensible.
- Coaching centers printing weekly notes: color CPP with TN-267 averages ~₹12–13, still cheaper and cleaner than many inkjets that sit idle and clog.
- Home offices: if you want no-mess toners and sharp text, this fits. If you need borderless glossy photos, get a dedicated photo inkjet.
Print quality, speed, and noise
Text looks crisp at 600 × 600 dpi with 2,400-quality enhancement. Charts and infographics print clean, with solid fills and tidy edges. First page appears in roughly 15.5 seconds from ready. Noise is moderate in small rooms; plan a corner spot on a solid table.
Duplex and ADF workflow
Auto two-sided printing halves paper use for reports and drafts. The 50-sheet ADF speeds through multi-page copy and scan jobs. Scans are single-sided per pass. For two-sided originals, flip and feed the second side, then combine pages in software.
Connectivity and mobile printing
You get Ethernet for shared offices, Wi-Fi for flexible placement, and Wi-Fi Direct when there’s no router. AirPrint on iPhone and iPad, plus Mopria on Android, work out of the box. Brother iPrint&Scan is handy for quick scans to phone or PC.
Consumables and maintenance
- Standard vs high-yield: move to TN-267 if you cross ~200 color pages a month.
- Drum: the DR-263CL assembly is rated for ~18,000 pages. Toner saves your day-to-day; the drum is the long-haul consumable.
- Care: keep vents dust-free, use quality paper, and store spare toners upright in a cool, dry spot.
Comparison Table
| Model | Duplex print | Duplex scan | ADF | Speed | Typical CPP color (India) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother DCP-L3551CDW | Yes | No | 50 | 18 ppm | ~₹12.8 (TN-267 + drum) | SMB, home offices |
| Canon MF643Cdw | Yes | No | 50 | 21 ppm | similar | offices needing color screen |
| HP Color Laser 179fnw | No | No | 40 | 19 ppm | usually higher | budget color laser entry |
Cost per Page Table (India MRPs)
| Consumable | MRP | ISO Yield | CPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN-263BK | ₹6,590 | 1,400 | ₹4.71 |
| TN-263C/M/Y (each) | ₹5,790 | 1,300 | ₹4.45 |
| Color CMY subtotal | ₹13.36 | ||
| Color CMYK incl. BK | ₹18.07 | ||
| DR-263CL drum | ₹9,690 | 18,000 | ₹0.54 |
| Mono all-in (std) | ₹5.25 | ||
| Color all-in (std) | ₹18.61 | ||
| TN-267BK | ₹7,890 | 3,000 | ₹2.63 |
| TN-267C/M/Y (each) | ₹7,390 | 2,300 | ₹3.21 |
| Color CMY subtotal (HY) | ₹9.64 | ||
| Color CMYK incl. BK (HY) | ₹12.27 | ||
| Mono all-in (HY) | ₹3.17 | ||
| Color all-in (HY) | ₹12.81 |
ISO/IEC 19798 yields. Drum CPP added separately.
Alternatives to consider
- Canon imageCLASS MF643Cdw: duplex print, color screen, similar CPP with Canon toners.
- HP Color Laser MFP 179/179fnw: smaller and cheaper, but slower and may have a higher color CPP.
- Brother MFC-L3735CDN: adds fax and network focus if you need it.
Setup mini-guide: join Wi-Fi fast
- Power on and set language.
- On panel: Menu → Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard → select SSID → type password.
- Install Brother iPrint&Scan on phone or drivers on PC.
- Print a test page. If speeds are slow, switch from 2.4 GHz congestion to Ethernet for big jobs.
The Bottom Line
If you want a sturdy color laser-class MFP with duplex print, a 50-sheet ADF, and clear running costs, the DCP-L3551CDW still makes sense in India. Get TN-267 toners to keep color affordable. Just note the discontinued tag and buy from a reliable seller with fresh stock.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the DCP-L3551CDW laser or ink?
It’s a color LED (laser-class) printer that uses toner, not ink.
Does it support AirPrint and Mopria?
Yes. Both are supported alongside Brother iPrint&Scan.
Recommended monthly volume?
Max duty cycle is 30,000 pages. We recommend staying around 200–1,000 pages monthly for comfort.
Can it print borderless photos?
No. For borderless glossy photos, pick a photo inkjet. This is better for documents, charts, and flyers.
What paper weights does it accept?
Up to 163 gsm via the manual feed, standard tray handles typical office stocks.
What are the dimensions and weight?
Approx. 410 × 475 × 414 mm, 23.5 kg. Plan a sturdy table.
Will it work with macOS and Linux?
Yes. macOS and Linux are supported via Brother’s drivers or CUPS.
Is it discontinued? Will supplies dry up?
Brother India lists the unit as discontinued, but TN-263/TN-267 and DR-263CL are widely available in India.
Featured Snippet Boxes
What is the Brother DCP-L3551CDW?
An A4 color LED all-in-one that prints 18 ppm, adds duplex printing, a 50-sheet ADF, and Wi-Fi with AirPrint and Mopria. It’s marked discontinued on Brother India, but toners and drum units are readily available.
Does it duplex-scan?
No. The ADF is single-sided. It prints two-sided automatically, but double-sided scanning needs two passes.
Which toner numbers fit?
Standard TN-263 set and high-yield TN-267 set. The drum is DR-263CL. Use high-yield if you print color frequently.
What’s the real cost per page in India?
With TN-267, expect about ₹3.17 for mono and ₹12.81 for full-color CMYK including drum. Standard TN-263 sits closer to ₹5.25 mono and ₹18.61 color.
