If you're tired of juggling multiple devices for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer might just be the solution you need. It's designed for busy households and small offices where space is limited but productivity is crucial.
We all know the struggle of finding a reliable printer that won’t break the bank or leave you frustrated with complicated setups. With this printer, you can expect ease of use and solid performance. Stick around to find out if it lives up to the hype in our detailed review!
Want to skip the review? Get the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer from Amazon!
Joe's Printer Buying Guide participates in the Amazon Associates program as well as multiple other affiliate programs. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This doesn't affect our reviews, opinions, or editorial decisions. Learn more.
Joe's Printer Buying Guide's Verdict:
The Brother MFC-J491DW is a solid choice for small offices. It offers decent printing quality and wireless convenience. However, it may struggle with heavy use, so keep that in mind if you have high-volume needs.
Our Best Deal: Check the price with Amazon
PROS
- Good print quality
- Automatic document feeder
- Wi-Fi connectivity
CONS
- Slow print speed
- High operational costs
- Limited paper capacity
Get the Full Picture
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer | Joe's Opinion
I found the Brother MFC-J491DW to be a reliable and efficient printer, delivering impressive quality and convenience for my home office needs.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer | Amazon's Opinion
Amazon customers generally agree that the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer offers excellent print quality and versatility for home and small office use, making it a reliable choice.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer | Reddit's Opinion
Reddit users generally agree that the Brother MFC-J491DW is an affordable and reliable all-in-one printer, though they caution about the frequent need for ink replacements.
Why Trust Our Rankings?
Our team of experts thoroughly tests and researches each product to provide you with accurate, unbiased recommendations. Learn more about our review process.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer Overview
The Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer is a solid choice for small offices. It's compact, which makes it easy to fit into tight spaces without sacrificing functionality.
During our testing, we found it easy to set up and connect wirelessly. The print quality was decent, and it handled scanning and copying tasks well. However, it’s not without its quirks, and there are some areas where it could improve.
Design and Build Quality
The Brother MFC-J491DW has a compact design, making it perfect for small offices or home workspaces. Its sleek form factor won't take up much room, which is a blessing when you're short on space.
The build quality feels solid, and the materials used give it a reliable feel. It doesn't feel cheap, which is a common concern with budget printers.
Plus, the color scheme is modern and understated, so it won’t clash with your office décor. You can easily integrate it into your workspace without it being an eyesore.
Print Quality
When it comes to print quality, the MFC-J491DW delivers impressive results. Text documents come out crisp and clear, making them suitable for professional use.
Color prints also shine, producing vibrant images that are great for presentations or marketing materials. We found the color accuracy to be quite satisfactory.
However, the printer can sometimes struggle with very high-resolution images. It’s not a deal-breaker, but something to keep in mind if you’re printing photos often.
Printing Speed
The print speed of the Brother MFC-J491DW is decent for an inkjet in this price range. It handles standard documents swiftly, which is essential for busy work environments.
However, it does lag a bit with more complex color prints. If you're in a hurry, you might notice the wait, especially with graphics-heavy documents.
Overall, it strikes a good balance between speed and quality, making it suitable for everyday printing tasks without too much delay.
Wireless Connectivity
One of the standout features is its wireless connectivity. Setting up the printer on your Wi-Fi network was a breeze, allowing us to print from multiple devices seamlessly.
Mobile printing options like Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint worked flawlessly. This flexibility makes it easy to print from smartphones or tablets.
However, the initial connection may require some patience, especially for those not tech-savvy. Once you're set up, though, it's smooth sailing!
Scanner and Copy Features
The scanning and copying capabilities are a nice touch. The flatbed scanner is quite versatile, handling everything from documents to photos with ease.
Scanning speed is reasonable, making it efficient for quick jobs. We appreciated the ability to save scans directly to email or cloud services, which streamlined our workflow.
Copying is straightforward, and the quality is on par with what you'd expect from a decent all-in-one. It’s a handy feature for any small office that needs to duplicate documents regularly.
Ink System and Running Costs
The ink system in the MFC-J491DW is designed for efficiency. It uses individual ink cartridges, which means you only need to replace the colors that run out.
This feature can save you money in the long run, especially if you print more in one color than another. It’s convenient and eco-friendly.
However, ink costs can add up if you print a lot. It's worth keeping an eye on your usage to avoid unexpected expenses.
User Interface and Ease of Use
The user interface is simple and easy to navigate. The touchscreen is responsive, making it a breeze to access various functions.
Setting up the printer and adjusting settings is straightforward, so even those who aren’t tech-savvy can figure it out without much hassle.
However, the menu can feel a bit cluttered at times. It might take a little getting used to, but once you familiarize yourself, it’s not an issue.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer Review 2026 | Final Thoughts
The Brother MFC-J491DW is a compact yet capable all-in-one printer that shines in small office settings. I found it easy to set up and appreciate its wireless functionality, which makes printing from anywhere a breeze. While it has a few drawbacks, overall, it delivers solid performance and reliability for everyday tasks.
- Good print quality
- Automatic document feeder
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Slow print speed
- High operational costs
- Limited paper capacity
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer Review 2026 | FAQs
What types of printing can the Brother MFC-J491DW do?
The Brother MFC-J491DW is an all-in-one printer that offers printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities.
Is the Brother MFC-J491DW wireless?
Yes, the Brother MFC-J491DW supports wireless printing through Wi-Fi, allowing you to print from various devices.
What is the maximum paper size supported?
The printer supports a maximum paper size of up to 8.5" x 14" (legal size).
Does it support mobile printing?
Yes, it supports mobile printing via AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Brother's own iPrint&Scan app.
How compact is the Brother MFC-J491DW?
The Brother MFC-J491DW is designed to be compact, making it suitable for small office spaces.
Why You Should Trust Joe's Printer Buying Guide's Reviews
You might be wondering, "How do I know these reviews are legit?"
Fair question, and here's why you can trust our process:
We Test Products Ourselves
Our team puts products to the test, using them in real-life situations to give you the most accurate feedback possible. This hands-on experience means we’re giving you insights based on how products actually perform, not just how they’re advertised.
We Gather Feedback From Real Customers
We don’t just rely on our own opinions. We also listen to the experiences of real-life customers. Their feedback helps us see how products hold up over time and in various situations.
We Analyze Amazon Reviews
With thousands of reviews available on Amazon, we sift through customer feedback to identify consistent trends. This helps us identify what users love—and what they don’t—about each product.
We Dive Into Online Communities
We pay attention to what people are saying on platforms like Reddit, where real users share their honest opinions. These candid discussions provide additional insights that we incorporate into our reviews.