Brother DCP-8085DN review: multi-function laser printer

The scanner has a maximum resolution of 600 x 2,400dpi, but the driver's interface limits you to a selection of resolutions from a pull down menu, including 600 x 600 and 2,400 x 2,400, but not the scanner's actual maximum. Scan quality from the flatbed was excellent with sharp detail and consistent colour that produced accurate shading and natural-looking flesh tones. Our high resolution images were smooth and precise, without any graininess or significant banding. ADF scans were also excellent and displayed none of the rough banding we've seen from less well made devices. Our pages lined up correctly and were passed through the feeder without creasing or tearing.

Scan speeds weren't particularly fast except at low resolutions. While a 150dpi A4 flatbed scan took just 14 seconds, we had to wait 35 seconds for the same scan at 300dpi and 42 seconds for a 600dpi scan of a 6 x 4in photo. A 10-page colour simplex ADF scan at 300dpi took five minutes.

The DCP-8085DN is a capable office copier, although we had to set its brightness to maximum to ensure that graphics-heavy copies didn't look murky. The usual enlargement and reduction settings are present, with some pre-sets to make it easy to convert between common sizes. It defaults to single-sided copying but a duplex button and menu make it easy to switch modes and a duplex copy emerged in 32 seconds. A standard copy from the platen took 10 seconds and 10 single-sided sheets copied from the ADF emerged in just 29 seconds.

The DCP-8585DN is economical to run, with costs of just 1.2p per page if you buy Brother's 8,000 page high yield toner cartridges (TN-3280), which cost around £95. It comes with a 3,000 page standard yield cartridge (TN-3230) but there is an additional cost in the form of a 25,000 page drum unit (DR-3200), which can be replaced at a cost of £110. Including the cost of the drum, each page costs 1.6p.