Brother DCP-J152W Ink Cartridges

Brother DCP-J152W Printer Review

With a starting price well under $100, the Brother DCP-J152W is an impressive all-in-one inkjet model that can handle color printing and basic copying and scanning. The lack of an automatic document feeder is a bit of a hindrance, but not unexpected for the low price. The four separate Brother DCP-J152W ink cartridges can be a bit expensive to replace, but their capacities are large.

The DCP-J152W is an upgrade from the DCP-J152 base model, as it includes wireless networking. The 1.8-inch color display includes a Web Connect feature for accessing services like Facebook and Picasa Web Albums for quick and easy printing. It also includes AirPrint and Google Cloud Print support for mobile printing, and Brother's own iPrint&Scan app offers even more options for getting files in and out.

Besides the lack of a document feeder, the other major drawback is the machine's fairly slow output speeds, at an ISO-rated maximum of 11 pages per minute in black and 6 pages per minute in color. This is easy to forgive, however, considering the unit's compact frame. It measures 6.3x14.7x16.1 inches, and weighs only 15.4 pounds with the Brother DCP-J152W ink installed. This makes it an easy fit on a desk surface, even when sharing a space with a PC.

Buyers can save on printer ink by enabling the Ink Save mode, which can help the Brother DCP-J152W printer ink last a bit longer. Since each Brother DCP-J152W ink cartridge has a rated capacity of 600 pages, replacements could be few and far between for light-duty users.

It is hard to beat the DCP-J152W when it comes to affordability, especially for its feature set. Lack of faxing and an automatic document feeder will make it better-suited for home users, but it is still a great value for the price.