Brother MFC-290C

88 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
usability (30)
price (19)
performance (19)
multifunction (6)
size (5)

Negative
paper handling (14)
noise (4)
reliability (3)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 88 reviews of Brother MFC-290C. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the multifunction and size. The price and performance also get good feedback, but many are critical about the reliability and noise.

usability, performance, price, size, multifunction

paper handling, noise, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Brother MFC-290C is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 79/100 = Good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 88 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(48% of reviews)
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paper handling
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Showing 29 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 29 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (59)

Expert review by : James Hutchinson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Brother MFC-290C

A low-end multifunction printer from Brother.

Media card compatibility, automatic document feeder, front-facing paper tray, acceptable document print quality

Slow print speeds, no CompactFlash card slot, photo print quality could be improved

Brother's MFC-290C won't amaze you, but this multifunction printer is a decent budget buy for a family or home office.

Feb, 2009

Partner Source

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Expert review by (expertreviews.co.uk)

Brother MFC-290C review

Like buses, you wait ages for a new low-cost inkjet MFP to be released and then two come along at once.

Feb, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Reluctant to admit it's good

I hate that I have to buy the expensive Brother ink. But I bought really cheap 3rd party in on Amaz$n, and it clogged. And the cartridges didn't have much ink in them. I still think the "Use only factory ink" is a scam, but these do work.

Doesn't clog

Expensive ; The color inks are dull

Jan, 2012

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

What can I say

The best price I could find. Egg was beating Staples' price even when I had a coupon from them. The product gets 5 eggs, and NewEgg gets 10. :p

It works as advertised

None

Nov, 2011

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

OK for the price

Overall, it met my needs. Needed to see some color to review business documents. Wanted a low price. However, knowing what I know now, I would rather have spent a little more money for better performance & less noise.

inexpensive

no automatic two-sided printing

Mar, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

AWESOME

Would be a good printer if the colors were more vivid and the printer didn't eat up ink weekly just to clean itself. The Quality itself is decent for normal printing. But photo printing on copy paper is just dull.

Easy setup ; Software included does quick and easy scanning ; Great black and white printing (crisps and clear) ; Excellent build quality, strong plastics ; Cheap ink cartridges ; Quick, but it needs to "clean" the cartridges before it prints ;...

Dull colors on Copy paper ; Uses inks to "clean" itself (So, if you don't use it at all, it still eats up ink). Cleans itself every 2-3 weeks ; Black texts looks a little more dark gray ; No USB cable included (Like selling cars with no battery)

Feb, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Brother MFC series MFC-290C Up to 30 ppm 6000 x 1200 dpi InkJet MFC / All-In-One Color Printer - Retail

Would be a good printer if the colors were more vivid and the printer didn't eat up ink weekly just to clean itself.

Easy setup

Dull colors on Copy paper

Feb, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Ok MFC -

If the paper jams do not return then it's a great Multi-function printer at a really great price. If the paper jams come back then next it I might get a HP.

This is a great value. Really overall a nice printer for the money (I got it on sale which made it a REALLY good deal). Scans great, fax is decent, printer and copy is ok

I gave this printer 3 and not 4 stars because I had some problems with paper jams. Mostly the 1st day I had it. I got different (better 22lb) paper and it has been ok now

Jan, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Incredibly handy

I continue to be surprised at what a high quality machine this appears to be in all phases of operation. I haven't sent any faxes with it yet, but for printing, scanning, and copying it's fast and convenient and the overall quality for personal use is...

The MFC-290 offers fast, quiet printing with good quality photo printing on plain paper. The scanning speed is faster than my stand-alone Visioneer flat bed USB scanner. Replacement ink is $6.99 per cartridge and a seperate cartridge is available for...

Locating the USB port was suprisingly challenging. It would be handy to have a jack readily accessible on the back of the chassis, but the way the MFC-290C routes the USB cable probably helps with accidental disconnects. It works, so it's not that big...

Jan, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)