Printer
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
Insider Access
Best
Home Photo Small Business All-In-One Laser Cheap And Budget Wireless Inkjet Portable Mac Office Photo For iPhone Small Cheap Ink HP Brands Epson AirPrint Brother Black And White
Tools
Compare NEW Results Table Tool Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Brother MFC-L8905CDW [MFC-L8895CDW, MFC-L8900CDW] Brother HL-L2460DW Epson EcoTank ET-3950 Canon Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw/MF654Cdw Brother MFC-J4335DW Canon PIXMA MG3620 Epson EcoTank ET-2800/ET-2803 Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 Brother MFC-L2820DW Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Epson EcoTank ET-2980 Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Brother MFC-L3780CDW/MFC-L3720CDW Epson EcoTank ET-4950 Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Canon PIXMA TR8620a Canon PIXMA G3270
176 Printers bought and tested
Supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  1. Home
  2. Printer
  3. Compare

Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W vs Epson WorkForce WF-2850

Which Printer Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Build QualityDimensionsDisplay ScreenCartridgeExpected MaintenanceRisk Of CloggingScanner FeaturesEase Of UncloggingIn The BoxScan QualityBattery
    Efficiency
      Cost-Per-PrintPrinting Speed
    Document
      Black & White DocumentsColor DocumentsCost-Per-PrintPrinting SpeedDocument Printing Sizes
    Scanner
      Scanner FeaturesScan Quality
    Photo
      Color GamutColor AccuracySmall DetailsPhoto Printing Sizes
    Mobile App And Connectivity
      ConnectivityMobile AppOS Compatibility
    Comments

Products

Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W
Epson WorkForce WF-2850

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 08, 2026 07:55 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Feb 05, 2025 01:16 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Picture
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Picture
Print Technology
Inkjet
TypeAll-In-One
SuperTank
No
Wireless
Yes
ColorYes
Duplex Printing
Manual
TypeAll-In-One
TechnologyInkjet
SuperTank
No
Wireless
Yes
ColorYes
Duplex Printing
Automatic
  1. Recommended in 7 articles:
  2. All-In-One
  3. Cheap And Budget
  4. Inkjet
  5. 4

Our Verdict

Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W

Epson WorkForce WF-2850

The Brother MFC-J1205W is better than the Epson WorkForce WF-2850 for most uses. The Brother produces higher-quality documents, yields significantly more prints, and is much cheaper to maintain. However, the Epson has an automatic feeder and supports automatic duplex printing. It also has a better display, making it easier to navigate the settings menu. For photo printing, the Epson can produce a wider range of colors, but its color accuracy isn't as good as the Brother's.

0 

Variants

  • MFC-J1205W (White)
  • MFC-J1205W XL (White)
  • MFC-J1215W (White)
  • WorkForce WF-2850 (Black)

Review

See Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Review
See Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Review
0 
0 

Check Price

White
MFC-J1205W
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
MFC-J1205W XL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
MFC-J1215W
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEARCH
Epson
Read more

Main Differences for
Home

Threshold 

0.10

Home 
 

7.7
7.0

Cartridge 
 

8.1
4.2

Cost-Per-Print 
 

9.6
6.3

Black & White Documents 
 

9.0
7.5

Scan Quality 
 

8.0
6.0

Color Gamut 
 

6.5
8.0

Scanner Features 
 

6.2
7.2

Full Comparison

Design

Build Quality 
 

8.0
6.5

Build Quality Close Up 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Build Quality Close Up
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Build Quality Close Up

Type  

All-In-One
All-In-One
Show Text 

Dimensions 
 

8.3
0.0

ISO View Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W ISO View Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 ISO View Picture

Height  

6.3" (16.0 cm)
8.5" (21.5 cm)

Width  

17.1" (43.5 cm)
14.8" (37.5 cm)

Depth  

14.0" (35.5 cm)
11.6" (29.5 cm)

In Use Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W In Use Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 In Use Picture

Max Height 
 

6.3" (16.0 cm)
9.4" (24.0 cm)

Max Width 
 

17.1" (43.5 cm)
14.8" (37.5 cm)

Max Depth 
 

18.7" (47.5 cm)
23.0" (58.5 cm)

Weight 
 

12.8 lbs (5.8 kg)
12.0 lbs (5.4 kg)

Display Screen 
 

0.0
6.5

Display Screen Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Display Screen Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Display Screen Picture

Display Screen  

No
Yes

Display Screen Size 
 

N/A
2.4" (6.1 cm)

Touchscreen  

No
No
Show Text 

Cartridge 
 

8.1
4.2

Cartridge Picture In The Printer 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Cartridge Picture In The Printer
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Cartridge Picture In The Printer

Technology  

Inkjet

SuperTank 
 

No
No

Photo Cartridge 
 

No
No

Color  

Yes
Yes

Number Of Color Cartridges 
 

3
3

Black Cartridge Model 
 

LC404 BK
Epson 212 Black

Tested Black Page Yield 
 

62 prints
8 prints

Estimated Black Page Yield 
 

1,178 prints
152 prints

Color Cartridge Model 
 

LC404 C/M/Y
Epson 212 C/M/Y

Tested Color Page Yield 
 

36 prints
5 prints

Estimated Color Page Yield 
 

766 prints
106 prints

Third-Party Cartridge 
 

No Cartridges
Purchased One Did Not Work

Ink Type 
 

Dye And Pigment
Dye And Pigment

High Yield Cartridge 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Expected Maintenance 
 

6.0
6.5

Ink Related Maintenance 
 

Expected
Expected

Drum Unit 
 

No Drum Unit
No Drum Unit
Show Text 

Risk Of Clogging 
 

4.0

Print Technology 
 

Inkjet
Show Text 

Scanner Features 
 

6.2
7.2

Scanner Flatbed Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Scanner Flatbed Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Scanner Flatbed Picture

Scanner 
 

Flatbed
ADF + Flatbed

ADF Capacity 
 

N/A
30 pages

Scan Speed 
 

2 PPM
4 PPM

Duplex Scanning 
 

No
No

Max Flatbed Scan Size 
 

8.5" x 11"
8.5" x 11"

Max ADF Scan Size 
 

No ADF
8.5" x 14"

Flatbed Hinge Adjustability 
 

0.43" (11 mm)
0.43" (11 mm)

Fax 
 

No
Yes

Copy 
 

Yes
Yes

OCR Included 
 

Software
Software
Show Text 

Ease Of Unclogging 
 

Printhead Location 
 

In The Printer

Printhead Serviceability 
 

Not User Replaceable

High Flushing Volume 
 

Yes
Show Text 

In The Box  

In the Box Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W In the Box Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 In the Box Picture
Show Text 

Scan Quality 
 

8.0
6.0

Scan Quality Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Scan Quality Photo
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Scan Quality Photo

Max Scan Resolution 
 

1,200 DPI
1,200 DPI

Max Scan Color Depth 
 

24Bit
24Bit
Show Text 

Battery 
 

Advertised Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Tested Charging Time 
 

N/A
N/A
Efficiency

Cost-Per-Print 
 

9.6
6.3

Printer Total Cost 
 

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Black Cartridge Price 
 

24.99 US$
19.99 US$

Color Cartridge Price 
 

40.99 US$
20.95 US$

Black-Only Printing Cost 
 

0.021 US$/print
0.132 US$/print

Color Printing Cost 
 

0.054 US$/print
0.198 US$/print

Photo Printing Cost 
 

0.142 US$/print
0.524 US$/print

Ink Subscription 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Printing Speed 
 

5.7
6.1

Printing Speed Video  

Black Only Text Document 
 

9 PPM
8 PPM

Color Document 
 

6 PPM
4 PPM

Photo Printing Time 
 

70.0 s
90.0 s

Single Page Out Time (Black Only) 
 

10.4 s
15.0 s

Duplex Printing 
 

Manual
Automatic

Input Tray Capacity 
 

150 pages
100 pages
Show Text 
Document

Black & White Documents 
 

9.0
7.5

B&W Document Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W B&W Document Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 B&W Document Picture

Color Ink Needed For Black & White 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Color Documents 
 

8.0
7.5

Color Document Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Color Document Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Color Document Picture
Show Text 

Cost-Per-Print 
 

9.6
6.3

Printer Total Cost 
 

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Black Cartridge Price 
 

24.99 US$
19.99 US$

Color Cartridge Price 
 

40.99 US$
20.95 US$

Black-Only Printing Cost 
 

0.021 US$/print
0.132 US$/print

Color Printing Cost 
 

0.054 US$/print
0.198 US$/print

Photo Printing Cost 
 

0.142 US$/print
0.524 US$/print

Ink Subscription 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Printing Speed 
 

5.7
6.1

Printing Speed Video  

Black Only Text Document 
 

9 PPM
8 PPM

Color Document 
 

6 PPM
4 PPM

Photo Printing Time 
 

70.0 s
90.0 s

Single Page Out Time (Black Only) 
 

10.4 s
15.0 s

Duplex Printing 
 

Manual
Automatic

Input Tray Capacity 
 

150 pages
100 pages
Show Text 

Document Printing Sizes 
 

Letter (8.5" x 11")  

Yes
Yes

Legal (8.5" x 14")  

Yes
Yes

Tabloid (11" x 17")  

No
No

A6 (105mm x 148mm)  

Yes
Yes

A5 (148mm x 210mm)  

Yes
Yes

A4 (210mm x 297mm)  

Yes
Yes

Max Paper Weight 
 

300 g/m²
297 g/m²
Show Text 
Scanner

Scanner Features 
 

6.2
7.2

Scanner Flatbed Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Scanner Flatbed Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Scanner Flatbed Picture

Scanner 
 

Flatbed
ADF + Flatbed

ADF Capacity 
 

N/A
30 pages

Scan Speed 
 

2 PPM
4 PPM

Duplex Scanning 
 

No
No

Max Flatbed Scan Size 
 

8.5" x 11"
8.5" x 11"

Max ADF Scan Size 
 

No ADF
8.5" x 14"

Flatbed Hinge Adjustability 
 

0.43" (11 mm)
0.43" (11 mm)

Fax 
 

No
Yes

Copy 
 

Yes
Yes

OCR Included 
 

Software
Software
Show Text 

Scan Quality 
 

8.0
6.0

Scan Quality Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Scan Quality Photo
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Scan Quality Photo

Max Scan Resolution 
 

1,200 DPI
1,200 DPI

Max Scan Color Depth 
 

24Bit
24Bit
Show Text 
Photo

Color Gamut 
 

6.5
8.0

Parrots Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Parrots Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Parrots Picture

Color Range Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Color Range Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Color Range Picture
Show Text 

Color Accuracy 
 

6.6
5.4

Friends Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Friends Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Friends Picture

Color dE Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Color dE Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Color dE Picture

Color dE Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Color dE Graph
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Color dE Graph

Average Color dE 
 

6.98
9.40
Show Text 

Small Details 
 

9.0
9.0

Small Details Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Small Details Photo
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Small Details Photo

Max Print Resolution (DPI) 
 

1200 x 6000
5760 x 1440
Show Text 

Photo Printing Sizes 
 

8.0
9.5

Glossy Paper (4" x 6")  

Yes
Yes

Glossy Paper (5" x 7")  

Yes
Yes

Glossy Paper (8" x 10")  

No
Yes

Glossy Paper (8.5" x 11")  

Yes
Yes

Glossy Paper (13" x 19")  

No
No

Borderless Printing 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Mobile App And Connectivity

Connectivity 
 

7.0
7.0

Inputs Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W Inputs Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 Inputs Picture

Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi via Router 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Direct 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
No

USB Input To Computer 
 

Yes
Yes

External Storage Support 
 

No
No

Apple AirPrint 
 

Yes
Yes

Mopria Print Service 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Mobile App 
 

9.5
10

App Printscreen 
 

Compare High-Res
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W App Printscreen
Compare High-Res
Epson WorkForce WF-2850 App Printscreen

Mobile App  

Yes
Yes

App Name  

Brother Mobile Connect
Epson Smart Panel

iOS  

Yes
Yes

Android  

Yes
Yes

Photo (JPEG, PNG) 
 

Android and iOS
Android and iOS

PDF 
 

Android and iOS
Android and iOS

Microsoft Office Files 
 

Android and iOS
Android Only

Text Files (TXT) 
 

Android and iOS
Android Only

Webpages (HTML) 
 

No
Android and iOS
Show Text 

OS Compatibility 
 

Windows  

Fully
Fully

macOS  

Fully
Fully

Chrome OS  

Fully
Fully
Show Text 

Check Price

White
MFC-J1205W
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
MFC-J1205W XL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
MFC-J1215W
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black
WorkForce WF-2850
SEARCH
Epson
Back to Top

Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W

Epson WorkForce WF-2850

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W vs Epson WorkForce WF-2850: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via Insider access (which gives you access to extra features) and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. See what products we currently have for sale.
© 2026 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.