Brother HL-L5100DN vs Lexmark C3326dw
Detailed Technical Comparison & Buying Guide
Brother HL-L5100DN VS
Lexmark C3326dw Brother HL-L5100DN
✅ A legitimate workhorse built for high-volume monthly duty cycles.
❌ No built-in Wi-Fi on the 'DN' model; it's Ethernet or USB only.
Lexmark C3326dw
✅ Surprisingly compact for a full-colour laser printer with duplexing.
❌ Replacing the waste toner bottle is a bit of a messy chore.
| Feature | Brother HL-L5100DN | Lexmark C3326dw |
|---|---|---|
| Print Technology | Monochrome Laser | Colour Laser |
| Colour Output | Black | CMYK |
| Print Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi | 600 x 600 dpi |
| Black Print Speed (PPM) | 42 ppm | 26 ppm |
| Colour Print Speed (PPM) | N/A | 26 ppm |
| First Page Out Time | 7.2 sec | 10.9 sec |
| Auto Double-Sided | Yes | Yes |
| Input Paper Capacity | 250 Sheets | 250 Sheets |
| Output Tray Capacity | 150 Sheets | 100 Sheets |
| Supported Paper Sizes | A4, A5, A6, B5 | A4, A5, A6 |
| Paper Weight Support | 60-120 g/m2 | 60-176 g/m2 |
| Scanner Type | None | None |
| Scan Resolution | N/A | N/A |
| Auto Document Feeder | None | None |
| Copy Speed | No | No |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Ethernet Support | Yes | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Printing Support | Yes | Yes |
| Display Panel | N/A | N/A |
| Monthly Duty Cycle | N/A | N/A |
| Ink/Cartridge System | N/A | N/A |
| Borderless Printing | N/A | N/A |
| Width | N/A | N/A |
| Depth | N/A | N/A |
| Height | N/A | N/A |
| Machine Weight | N/A | N/A |
| Energy Efficiency | N/A | N/A |
| Noise Level (dB) | N/A | N/A |
| Processor Speed | N/A | N/A |
| Internal Memory | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud Print Support | N/A | N/A |
| Security Features | N/A | N/A |
| Compatible OS | N/A | N/A |
| Included in Box | N/A | N/A |
| Warranty Period | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended Use | N/A | N/A |
⚖️ Expert Verdict
The Lexmark C3326dw offers impressive color laser quality in a relatively compact chassis, but it cannot compete with the HL-L5100DN's speed or document throughput. The Brother is nearly twice as fast and much more affordable to operate for text-heavy administrative tasks. Lexmark's color model is excellent for small creative firms, but for a business that needs to churn out hundreds of black-and-white pages daily, the HL-L5100DN is the winner. It offers a much higher duty cycle and the mechanical robustness required for high-volume monochrome work.
What Owners Are Saying?
Brother HL-L5100DN
Law_Firm_LDN ★★★★★
Lexmark C3326dw
Retail_Rick ★★★★☆