Brother MFC-J497DW vs Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer costs $26 more upfront but prints cheaper per page — it pays that back after about 93 pages.
Cheaper to run
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer
- Price
- $315.49
- Cost per page (mono)
- 2.2¢/pg
Cost to run
| Total cost of ownership | Brother MFC-J497DW | Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer |
|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | $2,083 | $449 |
| After 2 years | $3,876 | $583 |
| After 3 years | $5,669 | $717 |
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer costs more upfront but 27.7¢ less per page. It overtakes Brother MFC-J497DW on total cost after about 93 pages — roughly 1 month at your 500 pages/month.
Specs compared
| Spec | Brother MFC-J497DW | Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 20 ppm |
| Print speed (color) | 12 ppm | 20 ppm |
| Resolution | 1200 x 600 | 4800 x 1200 |
| Duty cycle (monthly) | 2,500 pages | 25,000 pages |
| Recommended volume | 1,000 pages/mo | 1,500 pages/mo |
| Automatic duplex | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic document feeder | Yes | Yes |
| Display | — | 2.7-inch color touchscreen |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | No | Yes |
| USB | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Paper sizes | Letter, Legal, A4, Photo | Letter, Legal, A4, Photo |
| Weight (kg) | 8.21 | 11.8 |
Cartridges & running cost
Brother MFC-J497DW
Cheapest to run: Brother LC3011BK Standard-yield Black Ink Cartridge — $59.77 · 29.9¢/page · 200pg yield
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer
Cheapest to run: Epson 802XL High-Capacity Black Ink Cartridge — $57.99 · 2.2¢/page · 2,600pg yield
Which should you buy?
- High-volume or cost-conscious printing: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer — about 93% lower cost per page (2.2¢ vs 29.9¢).
- A lower upfront budget: Brother MFC-J497DW — $26 less to buy — it would take about 93 pages before the pricier one's lower running cost pays off.
- The fastest printing for a busy or shared office: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer — 20 ppm vs 12 ppm mono.
Where to buy
Brother MFC-J497DWBuy — $289.99
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One PrinterBuy — $315.49
Compare with other models
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper to run, the Brother MFC-J497DW or the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer?
- The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer — its cheapest black cartridge works out about 93% cheaper per page (2.2¢ vs 29.9¢ mono).
- Which costs less to buy, the Brother MFC-J497DW or the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer?
- The Brother MFC-J497DW is about $26 cheaper upfront based on current prices.
- Is the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer worth the higher price?
- It costs about $26 more upfront but prints cheaper per page, so it pays that back after roughly 93 pages. Past that point it's the cheaper machine to own.
- What are the main differences between the Brother MFC-J497DW and the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer?
- Print speed (mono): Brother MFC-J497DW 12 ppm, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer 20 ppm. Print speed (color): Brother MFC-J497DW 12 ppm, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer 20 ppm. Resolution: Brother MFC-J497DW 1200 x 600, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer 4800 x 1200. Duty cycle (monthly): Brother MFC-J497DW 2,500 pages, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4730 All-in-One Printer 25,000 pages.