Brother MFC-J491DW vs Canon MAXIFY MB5420
Canon MAXIFY MB5420 costs $75 more upfront but prints cheaper per page — it pays that back after about 293 pages.
Cost to run
| Total cost of ownership | Brother MFC-J491DW | Canon MAXIFY MB5420 |
|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | $2,176 | $714 |
| After 2 years | $3,953 | $954 |
| After 3 years | $5,731 | $1,194 |
Canon MAXIFY MB5420 costs more upfront but 25.6¢ less per page. It overtakes Brother MFC-J491DW on total cost after about 293 pages — roughly 1 month at your 500 pages/month.
Specs compared
| Spec | Brother MFC-J491DW | Canon MAXIFY MB5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Print technology | inkjet | inkjet |
| Color support | color | color |
| Device type | multifunction | multifunction |
| Functions | print, scan, copy, fax | print, scan, copy, fax |
| Print speed (mono) | 12 ppm | 24 ppm |
| Print speed (color) | 12 ppm | 15.5 ppm |
| Resolution | 1200 x 600 | 600 x 1200 |
| Duty cycle (monthly) | 2,500 pages | — |
| Recommended volume | 1,000 pages/mo | — |
| Automatic duplex | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic document feeder | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | No | Yes |
| USB | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Paper sizes | Letter, Legal, A4, Photo | Letter, Legal |
| Weight (kg) | 8.21 | 12.88 |
Cartridges & running cost
Brother MFC-J491DW
Cheapest to run: Brother LC3011BK Standard-yield Black Ink Cartridge — $59.24 · 29.6¢/page · 200pg yield
Canon MAXIFY MB5420
Cheapest to run: Canon PGI-2200 Black Ink Tank — $40.00 · 4.0¢/page · 1,000pg yield
Which should you buy?
- High-volume or cost-conscious printing: Canon MAXIFY MB5420 — about 86% lower cost per page (4.0¢ vs 29.6¢).
- A lower upfront budget: Brother MFC-J491DW — $75 less to buy — it would take about 293 pages before the pricier one's lower running cost pays off.
- The fastest printing for a busy or shared office: Canon MAXIFY MB5420 — 24 ppm vs 12 ppm mono.
Where to buy
Brother MFC-J491DWBuy — $399.00
Canon MAXIFY MB5420Buy — $473.95
Compare with other models
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper to run, the Brother MFC-J491DW or the Canon MAXIFY MB5420?
- The Canon MAXIFY MB5420 — its cheapest black cartridge works out about 86% cheaper per page (4.0¢ vs 29.6¢ mono).
- Which costs less to buy, the Brother MFC-J491DW or the Canon MAXIFY MB5420?
- The Brother MFC-J491DW is about $75 cheaper upfront based on current prices.
- Is the Canon MAXIFY MB5420 worth the higher price?
- It costs about $75 more upfront but prints cheaper per page, so it pays that back after roughly 293 pages. Past that point it's the cheaper machine to own.
- What are the main differences between the Brother MFC-J491DW and the Canon MAXIFY MB5420?
- Print speed (mono): Brother MFC-J491DW 12 ppm, Canon MAXIFY MB5420 24 ppm. Print speed (color): Brother MFC-J491DW 12 ppm, Canon MAXIFY MB5420 15.5 ppm. Resolution: Brother MFC-J491DW 1200 x 600, Canon MAXIFY MB5420 600 x 1200. Ethernet: Brother MFC-J491DW No, Canon MAXIFY MB5420 Yes.