Brother HLL3220CDW Review: A 19 PPM Wireless Color Laser Printer
The Brother HLL3220CDW is a print-only color laser printer built for home offices needing fast, professional-quality output with convenient wireless and automatic duplex features.
By Elvis Dicki
Updated October 20, 2026
In the home office and small business space, the demand for reliable, high-quality color printing is constant. The Brother HLL3220CDW enters this market as a dedicated color laser printer, engineered to deliver professional-grade documents with an emphasis on speed and connectivity. This model is squarely targeted at users who prioritize crisp text and vibrant graphics for business documents, proposals, and everyday printing tasks, without the need for scanning or copying functions. For those seeking a straightforward, efficient printing solution, the Brother HLL3220CDW offers a compelling combination of 19-page-per-minute output, automatic duplexing, and robust wireless integration.
This review analyzes the Brother Color Laser Printer with Wireless Printing based on its specifications, design, and feature set to determine its ideal use case. As a print-only device, it makes a clear trade-off, forgoing multi-function capabilities to focus on delivering consistent, fast color prints. Its built-in wireless and mobile printing support, coupled with a 250-sheet paper capacity, positions it as a convenient hub for small workgroups or individual professionals. The bottom line: if your primary need is producing professional color documents quickly and wirelessly from multiple devices, this Brother laser printer is a focused and capable contender.
Prime Brother HL-L3220CDW Color Laser Printer
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Brother HLL3220CDW at a Glance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Printer Type | Color Laser |
| Maximum Print Speed | 19 pages per minute (color & black) |
| Print Resolution | 2400 x 600 dpi |
| Paper Tray Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Output Sheet Capacity | 150 sheets |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 |
| Key Features | Automatic Duplex Printing, Wireless & Mobile Printing |
| Additional Functions | Print Only |
| Compatible Media | Plain paper, envelopes, labels, card stock, glossy photo paper |
| Item Weight | 24.7 pounds |
Design and Build
The Brother HLL3220CDW presents a functional, office-oriented design with dimensions of 15.7 inches deep, 15.7 inches wide, and 9.4 inches high. Weighing 24.7 pounds, it has a substantial presence, suggesting a build geared for durability in a stationary setting rather than portability. The design centers around a single, generous 250-sheet paper tray, which is designed to minimize frequent refills during high-volume printing tasks. A manual feed slot is included to handle specialty media like envelopes and labels, adding versatility for occasional non-standard printing jobs. The physical interface includes an LCD display for status monitoring and control, aligning with its role as a dedicated printing device.
Performance and Features
Print Speed and Quality
The core performance metric for the Brother HLL3220CDW is its print speed, rated at up to 19 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white documents. This speed is aimed at keeping pace with the demands of a busy home office or small workgroup. The printer delivers a maximum print resolution of 2400 x 600 dpi, which the manufacturer states is engineered for exceptional color accuracy and crisp text, suitable for professional business documents and vibrant graphics. It is designed to handle a variety of print media, including card stock, envelopes, glossy photo paper, and labels, supporting diverse printing needs from reports to marketing materials.
Connectivity and Control
Connectivity is a major highlight of this model. It features built-in Wi-Fi for wireless network printing, allowing seamless printing from laptops, PCs, smartphones, and tablets located on the same network. For a direct connection, a single USB 2.0 hardware interface is provided. The printer supports mobile printing through major platforms and cloud services, facilitated by a dedicated app. Control methods extend beyond the physical panel to include app-based and even voice control, offering flexible ways to manage print jobs. Brother emphasizes that built-in security protocols are included to help safeguard sensitive documents during wireless transmission.
Key Productivity Features
The Brother HLL3220CDW includes several features aimed at boosting efficiency. Automatic duplex (double-sided) printing is standard, saving time and reducing paper consumption by printing on both sides of a page automatically. The 250-sheet input capacity is designed to support higher-volume printing tasks without constant intervention. As a network-ready printer, it can be shared easily among multiple users in a small office environment. It’s important to note that this is a print-only device; it does not have copying, scanning, or faxing capabilities, which streamlines its function but requires separate devices for those tasks.
Setup, Support and Ownership
Setup involves connecting the printer to power and configuring the wireless network or USB connection. The manufacturer provides drivers and supports control via a mobile app for device management and printing. The printer uses a series of Brother Genuine toner cartridges (models include TN229BK, TN229C, TN229M, TN229Y and their high-yield XL/XXL variants) and a separate drum unit (DR229CL). Brother states that regular firmware updates are provided to ensure the printer remains current with the latest features and protection. The product is backed by a 1-year limited warranty from the manufacturer, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Long-term ownership costs will be influenced by the price and yield of the replacement toner cartridges and drum unit.
What Owners Say
At the time of this analysis, detailed owner review excerpts are not available. The product holds a rating, which provides a general indicator of initial user satisfaction. Potential buyers are encouraged to consult the latest customer feedback on the product page for real-world insights into reliability, print quality consistency, ease of wireless setup, and long-term toner costs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast 19 ppm print speed for both color and black
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper
- Wireless and mobile printing support via app and cloud
- Generous 250-sheet paper tray capacity
- Built-in security features for wireless printing
- Prints on a wide variety of media types
Cons
- Print-only function, no copy or scan capabilities
- Single paper tray may limit switching between media types
- Relatively heavy at 24.7 pounds
- Network-ready but may require additional configuration for some workgroups
- Ongoing cost depends on proprietary toner cartridges
Who Should Buy It (and Who Should Skip It)
The Brother HLL3220CDW is an excellent fit for home offices and small businesses where the primary need is producing professional-looking color documents, reports, and flyers quickly. It’s ideal for users who value the convenience of wireless and mobile printing from multiple devices and want the paper-saving benefits of automatic duplexing. Small workgroups that need to share a reliable color printer will also find its network-ready design beneficial.
This printer is not the right choice if you require an all-in-one device. Users who need to scan documents, make copies, or send faxes should look at a multi-function printer instead. Those with very high monthly print volumes that would exceed the capacity of a single 250-sheet tray may find the need for frequent refills inconvenient. Individuals with extremely limited desk space or who need to move the printer frequently might also want to consider its weight and footprint. For more insights on setting up a productive workspace, explore our guides on the best desk chairs and ergonomic seating options.
Final Verdict
The Brother HLL3220CDW carves out a specific niche as a dedicated, performance-oriented color laser printer. It succeeds by focusing on its core competency: delivering fast, high-quality color prints with robust wireless connectivity and efficient features like automatic duplexing. For a home office or small business that prints frequently but does not need a scanner or copier, this focused approach eliminates complexity and can provide a reliable printing hub. The generous paper capacity and support for various media types add to its versatility for professional document creation.
However, the trade-offs are clear. The lack of any scanning or copying functionality means it cannot serve as the sole peripheral for many modern offices. Its single-tray design, while capacious, may be a limitation for users who constantly switch between paper types. Ultimately, the Brother HLL3220CDW is a strong recommendation for the user whose checklist prioritizes wireless color printing speed and quality above all else. It embodies a “do one thing well” philosophy, making it a straightforward and potentially highly satisfying choice for the right user. For those researching other tech solutions, our Tech Gear and AI & Software sections offer further analysis on tools that boost productivity.
FAQs
Does the Brother HLL3220CDW have scanning or copying functions?
No, the Brother HLL3220CDW is a print-only color laser printer. Its additional printer functions are listed specifically as “Print Only.” It does not include a scanner bed, copier, or fax capability. Users requiring those functions would need to purchase a separate device or consider a multi-function printer model.
What kind of toner does this printer use, and is it expensive?
The printer uses Brother Genuine toner cartridges in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (models like TN229C, TN229M, TN229Y, TN229BK) and a separate drum unit (DR229CL). High-yield XL and XXL cartridge options are also available. The long-term cost of ownership is determined by the price and page yield of these consumables, which are not listed in the provided specifications. Potential buyers should research current prices for these cartridges to estimate ongoing expenses.
Can I print from my iPhone or Android phone with this printer?
Yes, the Brother HLL3220CDW supports mobile printing. It is compatible with major mobile printing platforms and cloud services. You can print directly from your smartphone or tablet using Brother’s dedicated app or other supported mobile printing methods, provided the device and printer are on the same wireless network.
How does the automatic duplex printing work?
The printer features automatic duplex printing, meaning it can print on both sides of the paper without requiring you to manually reinsert the pages. This function is typically selectable within the print driver settings on your computer or device. When enabled, the printer’s internal mechanism automatically flips the paper to print on the second side, saving time and reducing paper usage.
About the author
Elvis Dicki writes reviews and buying guides for CyberSecLabs.