Brother DCP-T820DW vs Brother DCP-T525W Printer Comparison

If you’re trying to decide between the Brother DCP-T820DW and Brother DCP-T525W, you’re likely someone who prints regularly, whether for work, school, or home use.

But which one is better for you? In this comparison, you’ll find a complete breakdown of their features, print performance, connectivity options, and overall value so you can confidently pick the best printer for your needs.

Brother DCP-T820DW vs DCP-T525W Specs Comparison

Feature	Brother DCP-T820DW	Brother DCP-T525W
Printer Type	All-in-One Ink Tank	All-in-One Ink Tank
Functions	Print, Scan, Copy	Print, Scan, Copy
Print Technology	Inkjet	Inkjet
Print Resolution	Up to 1200 x 6000 dpi	Up to 1200 x 6000 dpi
Print Speed (ISO)	17 ipm (Black), 16.5 ipm (Color)	12 ipm (Black), 6 ipm (Color)
Auto Duplex Printing	Yes	No
Connectivity	USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct	USB, Wi-Fi
Mobile Printing Support	Brother iPrint&Scan, AirPrint	Brother iPrint&Scan, AirPrint
ADF (Auto Document Feeder)	Yes (20 sheets)	No
Display	1-line LCD	1-line LCD
Ink Bottle Compatibility	Brother BT Series	Brother BT Series
Page Yield (Black/Color)	7,500 / 5,000 pages	7,500 / 5,000 pages
Paper Tray Capacity	150 sheets	150 sheets
Output Tray Capacity	50 sheets	50 sheets
Weight	8.1 kg	6.4 kg

Brother DCP-T820DW vs DCP-T525W Detailed Comparison

1. Print Speed and Performance

• DCP-T820DW offers a high ISO print speed of 17 ipm (black) and 16.5 ipm (color), making it ideal if you print large volumes regularly.
• DCP-T525W, on the other hand, prints 12 ipm (black) and 6 ipm (color), which is decent for everyday home use but slower overall.

Winner: DCP-T820DW – Perfect for fast-paced print environments.

2. Automatic Duplex Printing

Only the DCP-T820DW comes with automatic duplex printing, which allows you to print double-sided pages automatically—saving time and paper.

Winner: DCP-T820DW – A major advantage if you print multi-page documents.

3. Document Handling (ADF)

• DCP-T820DW includes a 20-sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF), allowing you to scan or copy multi-page documents hands-free.
• DCP-T525W does not include ADF, which means you’ll have to manually place each page on the scanner.

Winner: DCP-T820DW – Better for scanning large documents.

4. Connectivity Options

• Both printers support Wi-Fi and USB, but only the DCP-T820DW supports Wi-Fi Direct, which lets you print from your mobile devices even without a router.

Winner: DCP-T820DW – More flexible wireless printing.

5. Mobile Printing and App Support

You can print from your smartphone using Brother iPrint&Scan, Apple AirPrint, or other supported mobile apps on both models.

Winner: Tie – Both are mobile printing friendly.

6. Ink Efficiency

Both printers are built around Brother’s Refill Tank System and offer identical ink yields:

• 7,500 pages (black)
• 5,000 pages (color)

This ensures low running costs and fewer refills for you.

Winner: Tie – Excellent cost-per-page on both models.

7. User Interface and Display

Both printers include a 1-line LCD display for basic menu navigation. While it’s functional, it lacks the depth of more advanced displays.

Winner: Tie – Same interface experience.

8. Portability and Weight

• DCP-T820DW is a bit bulkier and weighs about 8.1 kg.
• DCP-T525W is lighter at 6.4 kg, which is better if you need a more portable option.

Winner: DCP-T525W – Lighter and easier to move.

So, Which Printer Is Better?

The Brother DCP-T820DW is the better choice if you need automatic duplex printing, faster print speeds, and a more durable design for frequent use.

However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for basic home printing, the DCP-T525W offers solid performance at a lower price.