Brother HL-3170 Series

Overview

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 13 expert reviews

Excellent:

0
Good:

3
Average:

4
Bad:

6

Pros:

Boasts office-friendly features like automatic double-sided printing.
Wireless and wired networking options.
Generous monthly duty cycle.

Cons:

The photo quality lacks detail.
The fixed control panel can be awkward to operate.

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Last revision on January 25, 2016

Reviewers Liked

Boasts office-friendly features like automatic double-sided printing
Wireless and wired networking options
Generous monthly duty cycle
Two separate trays for standard and thicker-than-average paper
Speedy for the price
Auto-duplexing ADF
Wide support for cloud and mobile-device printing
Fast
WiFi Direct for easy connection to smartphones and tablets

Reviewers Didn't Like

The photo quality lacks detail
The fixed control panel can be awkward to operate
Subpar image printing
High CPP
Old-school control panel
Subpar text and photo quality

Expert reviews and ratings

This is a good printer that has earned a place on my network. It is not my only printer. The bulk of my day to day printing needs will continue to be handled by my seven year old monochrome Brother laser. If applicable, I will update this review in a...

By MyMac on January 14, 2015

The Brother HL-3170CDW is a good example of a printer that doesn't stand out from the crowd. It's a fine buy if you're only looking for a single-function printer that's quick and responsive, but the pronounced banding in photo mode is likely to turn off...

By DigitalVersus on July 31, 2013

To its credit, Brother offers a little more than most competitors do. The warranty lasts only one year, but there's free phone support for as long as you own the product. Speed is excellent, and for text and spot colour the HL-3170CDW's print quality is fine. Toner costs are around average.

By PCAdvisor on July 24, 2013

You want a colour laser printer, but you don’t have a lot of cash. How does $197 sound? That’s the price of the Brother HL-3170CDW, and in exchange it delivers reasonably good prints. Not pristine, evocative colour graphics – move on to another...

By Macworld Australia on July 22, 2013

You want a color laser printer, but you don't have a lot of cash. How does $280 sound? That's the price of the Brother HL-3170CDW, and in exchange it delivers reasonably good prints. Not pristine, evocative color graphics—move on to another printer for...

By Macworld on July 21, 2013

At just £240.00, Brother’s HL-3170CDW is a good entry-level laser printer for home users or small businesses that need to step up from an inkjet printer. It’s relatively compact for a laser printer, measuring about 240mm wide, 410mm high and 465mm...

By Macworld UK on June 05, 2013

We've mentioned before that we are far from a paperless society. For now, at least, there are tasks that require a piece of paper for confirmation, proof of purchase, or a litany of other needs. Laser printers have existed since the first practical...

By MacNN on May 14, 2013

Despite its photo printing shortcomings, the Brother HL-3170CDW is a capable color laser printer that meets all the major requirements for a small office...

By CNET Australia on May 10, 2013

This entry-level LED (laser-class) printer is fast, and it offers a wide range of cloud and mobile-device printing. Its high per-page cost and subpar image reproduction diminish its overall value, though....

By Computer Shopper on May 02, 2013

£227.90 ShopletEarlier this year, Brother introduced the new HL-3000 line of color LED printers targeted at small businesses looking to reduce their printing costs.The flagship Brother HL-3170cdw is a single function device offering print speeds up to 23...

By PrinterComparison on April 30, 2013

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