Brother HL-L3300CDW vs Canon MAXIFY GX5120
The Brother HL-L3300CDW and Canon MAXIFY GX5120 sit within $2 of each other ($429.99 vs $431.99), each representing a different long-term cost strategy for color office printing.
The HL-L3300CDW uses color laser toner, which holds up well in storage and produces durable, smudge-resistant prints.
Global reference price
The MAXIFY GX5120 uses Canon's refillable MegaTank inkjet system, offering very low per-page ink costs for high-volume printing.
Global reference price
Specification Comparison
Key Differences
Laser toner tends to have a longer shelf life and produces more durable output that resists water and smudging better than inkjet, which matters for documents that need to survive handling. MegaTank inkjet, on the other hand, generally undercuts laser on long-term per-page cost for high-volume color printing, making the total cost of ownership calculation dependent heavily on actual monthly print volume and the kind of documents being produced.
Pros & Cons
Brother HL-L3300CDW
Pros
- Durable, smudge-resistant laser output
- Toner doesn't dry out during storage
Cons
- Generally higher per-page cost than MegaTank inkjet at high volume
Canon MAXIFY GX5120
Pros
- Very low per-page ink cost via MegaTank
- Good for high-volume color printing
Cons
- Inkjet output is less durable/water-resistant than laser toner
Which One Is Right For You?
- Brother HL-L3300CDW: Best for offices printing documents that need to be durable and resist smudging or moisture.
- Canon MAXIFY GX5120: Best for high-volume color printing where minimizing ongoing ink cost matters most.
Conclusion
This decision comes down to document durability needs versus long-term ink cost — there's no universally correct answer, only the one that matches actual usage patterns.
Summary
Brother HL-L3300CDW
Strengths
- Durable output
Weaknesses
- Higher cost at high volume
Canon MAXIFY GX5120
Strengths
- Low cost at high volume
Weaknesses
- Less durable output
Choose laser (Brother) if output durability matters; choose MegaTank inkjet (Canon) if minimizing cost per page at high volume is the priority.