If you're on the hunt for a reliable and budget-friendly printer, the Brother MFC-J491DW might just catch your eye. It promises wireless convenience and versatile features, but can it truly deliver without the usual headaches of connectivity and print quality?
Many users dread the thought of setup issues and costly ink replacements. Stick around as we dive deep into whether this printer meets expectations and if it's the right fit for your needs.
Want to skip the review? Get the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless 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 Wireless Printer impresses with its mobile printing options, making it easy to print from anywhere. However, we noticed some limitations in speed and paper handling during our tests. Overall, it's a solid choice for home or small office use, but be prepared for a few quirks.
Our Best Deal: Check the price with Amazon
PROS
- Easy wireless setup
- Mobile printing capabilities
- High-capacity paper tray
- Cloud connectivity
- Dash replenishment enabled
CONS
- No automatic duplex scanning
- Initial setup may take time
- Slightly higher price point
Get the Full Picture
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer | Joe's Opinion
I found the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer to be a reliable and efficient option, especially for home office tasks, with its easy wireless setup and impressive print quality.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer | Amazon's Opinion
Amazon customers generally agree that the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer offers excellent print quality and reliable wireless connectivity at an affordable price.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer | Reddit's Opinion
Reddit users generally agree that the Brother MFC-J491DW is a reliable and affordable all-in-one printer, though it may struggle with speed and ink efficiency.
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 Printer Overview
The Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer is a solid choice for home and small office use. It combines functionality with ease of use, making it perfect for everyday printing tasks.
During our tests, we found its mobile printing options to be quite handy. It easily connects to smartphones and tablets, which is a plus for those who love printing on the go.
Design and Build Quality
The Brother MFC-J491DW has a compact design, perfect for home or small office use. It's lightweight and fits comfortably on most desks without taking up too much space.
The printer sports a sleek, modern look, which blends well with other office equipment. The control panel is intuitive, making navigation a breeze even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
Overall, the build quality feels solid. It doesn’t feel flimsy, and I appreciated that it holds up well even with regular use.
Wireless Connectivity
One of the standout features is its wireless connectivity. Setting up the Brother MFC-J491DW on my home Wi-Fi network was straightforward and quick.
It supports various mobile printing options. I was able to print directly from my smartphone using Brother’s iPrint&Scan app, which was a game-changer for me.
This wireless capability allows for printing from multiple devices without the hassle of cords. It’s great for a busy office where multiple users need access to the printer.
Print Quality
The print quality of the Brother MFC-J491DW is impressive for both text and images. Text documents come out crisp and clear, making it suitable for professional use.
Photo printing is surprisingly good too, with vibrant colors and decent detail. I printed some family photos and was pleased with how they turned out.
However, it’s worth noting that while the quality is strong, it may not rival higher-end photo printers. But for day-to-day printing needs, it does the job well.
Speed and Performance
In terms of speed, the Brother MFC-J491DW performs admirably. It’s not the fastest printer out there, but it’s certainly quick enough for home and small office tasks.
It handles multiple pages efficiently, which is a relief when you’re in a hurry. I didn’t experience significant delays during my testing.
For the average user, the performance is more than adequate. It’s reliable and gets the job done without much fuss.
Scanning and Copying Features
The scanning and copying features are solid. The flatbed scanner is convenient for documents of various sizes.
I found the scanning quality to be very good, capturing details nicely. Whether I was scanning old family photos or important documents, the results were impressive.
Copying is simple as well, with options for resizing and adjusting quality. It’s a handy feature for anyone who needs to make quick copies without heading to a print shop.
Ink and Maintenance
The Brother MFC-J491DW uses standard ink cartridges, which are easy to replace. I appreciated that the cartridges are reasonably priced compared to some other brands.
Maintenance is straightforward. The printer provides notifications when ink levels are low, which helps avoid surprises during important print jobs.
However, like all inkjet printers, it’s good to be mindful of print frequency to prevent the ink from drying out. Regular use keeps everything running smoothly.
Mobile Printing Options
The mobile printing options are fantastic. Using the Brother iPrint&Scan app, I could print documents directly from my phone or tablet.
This feature is particularly useful for those of us who are always on the go. I could send prints to the MFC-J491DW from anywhere in the house.
Additionally, it supports Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, adding to its versatility. It makes printing a hassle-free experience, which I greatly appreciated.
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer Review 2026 | Final Thoughts
Overall, the Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer impressed me with its mobile printing options and ease of use. It's a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable printer for home or small office tasks. Just be aware of its few quirks; it’s not perfect, but it certainly gets the job done well.
- Easy wireless setup
- Mobile printing capabilities
- High-capacity paper tray
- Cloud connectivity
- Dash replenishment enabled
- No automatic duplex scanning
- Initial setup may take time
- Slightly higher price point
Brother MFC-J491DW Wireless Printer Review 2026 | FAQs
What mobile printing options does the Brother MFC-J491DW support?
The Brother MFC-J491DW supports mobile printing via Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Brother's iPrint&Scan app.
Can the Brother MFC-J491DW print from a USB drive?
No, the Brother MFC-J491DW does not have a USB port for direct printing from a USB drive.
Is the Brother MFC-J491DW compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems?
Yes, the Brother MFC-J491DW is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
How does the printer handle ink replacement?
The Brother MFC-J491DW uses individual ink cartridges, allowing you to replace only the color that runs out.
What is the maximum print resolution of the Brother MFC-J491DW?
The maximum print resolution is up to 6000 x 1200 dpi, providing high-quality print output.
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.