Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Brother - MFC-L8905CDW | Epson - EcoTank ET-2850 |
|---|---|---|
| Pages/min (color) | 33 | 5 |
| Pages/min (mono) | 33 | 10.5 |
| ADF | true | false |
Between the MFC-L8905CDW and EcoTank ET-2850, the MFC-L8905CDW comes out ahead in pages/min (color) / pages/min (mono), while the EcoTank ET-2850 wins on several specs. Overall, the MFC-L8905CDW scores 78.3 and the EcoTank ET-2850 scores 63.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The MFC-L8905CDW is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 14.9 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the MFC-L8905CDW if you care most about pages/min (color) / pages/min (mono). The biggest gaps in its favor are pages/min (color), pages/min (mono), adf. The single most decisive one: Pages/min (color) — 560.00% more. 33 vs 5.
The EcoTank ET-2850 similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable color, auto duplex, airprint, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the MFC-L8905CDW is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Brother - MFC-L8905CDW or Epson - EcoTank ET-2850?
Brother - MFC-L8905CDW leads the current Mars Score by 14.9 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare pages/min (mono), pages/min (color) against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Brother - MFC-L8905CDW if…
Brother - MFC-L8905CDW has the measurable edge on ppm color, ppm mono, has adf.
Choose Epson - EcoTank ET-2850 if…
Epson - EcoTank ET-2850 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Brother - MFC-L8905CDW wins
- ▲Pages/min (color) — 560.00% more. 33 vs 5.
- ▲Pages/min (mono) — 214.29% more. 33 vs 10.5.
- ▲Has ADF.
Why Epson - EcoTank ET-2850 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Brother - MFC-L8905CDW | Epson - EcoTank ET-2850 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Laser AIO (color) | Inkjet AIO |
| Ink system | Tonerlead | Refillable tank |
| Color | true | true |
| Pages/min (mono) | 33lead | 10.5 |
| Pages/min (color) | 33lead | 5 |
| Resolution | 2400x600 dpi | 5760x1440 dpi |
| Max paper size | Letter | Letter |
Features
| Spec | Brother - MFC-L8905CDW | Epson - EcoTank ET-2850 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto duplex | true | true |
| ADF | truelead | false |
| Wi-Fiⓘ | true | true |
| AirPrint | true | true |