Comparison guide
Brother DCP-T720DW vs Epson EcoTank ET-2980: which should you choose?
Brother DCP-T720DW and Epson EcoTank ET-2980 compared under one framework. Decision axes: Judge text, graphics and photo quality, first-page and sustained speed, consumable cost per page, feed, duplex and ADF reliability, mobile and shared printing, multifunction features, and total ownership cost. Includes price context and category-specific tradeoffs.
Published: 2026-08-16 · Updated: 2026-08-16
Printers verdict
Upgrade for specific needs. The products share a category but prioritize different strengths. The figures below use the same weighting model and stored representative configurations; confirm the configuration and price on the merchant page before buying.
- Brother DCP-T720DW: A fast refill-tank multifunction printer with automatic duplexing, a 20-sheet ADF, and wireless connectivity.
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980: A seventh-generation home EcoTank with PrecisionCore, automatic duplexing, and a 1.44-inch color display.
- Upgrade recommendation: 60 / 100
- Data completeness: 100%
Choosing between Brother DCP-T720DW and Epson EcoTank ET-2980 starts with the real use case and the problem to solve, not with which product is newer. Use context: Start with monthly page count, mono-to-color mix, and the largest burst job across home documents, remote work, school materials, small-business output, and photos. Decision axes: Judge text, graphics and photo quality, first-page and sustained speed, consumable cost per page, feed, duplex and ADF reliability, mobile and shared printing, multifunction features, and total ownership cost. This guide applies one calculation model to stored representative configurations while keeping the category-specific decision order visible.
Core specifications on one baseline
| Item | Brother DCP-T720DW | Epson EcoTank ET-2980 | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print quality | 88 score | 94 score | +6.8% |
| Speed | 88 score | 86 score | -2.3% |
| Running cost | 96 score | 98 score | +2.1% |
| Paper handling | 90 score | 84 score | -6.7% |
| Connectivity | 88 score | 94 score | +6.8% |
| Features | 88 score | 90 score | +2.3% |
| Value | 91 score | 94 score | +3.3% |
| Print system | Refillable ink-tank multifunction | PrecisionCore refillable EcoTank multifunction | 0% |
| Mono print speed | 17 ppm | 15 ppm | -11.8% |
| Color print speed | 16.5 ppm | 8 ppm | -51.5% |
| Maximum sensitivity | 6000 dpi | 4800 dpi | -20% |
| Automatic duplex | Automatic | Automatic | Same |
| ADF capacity | 20 sheets | 0 sheets | -100% |
| Paper input | 230 sheets | 100 sheets | -56.5% |
| Scanner | Yes, 1200 x 2400 dpi CIS flatbed and ADF | Yes, high-resolution color flatbed | 0% |
| Consumable | Brother BT-D60/BT5000 bottled ink | Epson EcoFit bottled ink | 0% |
| Chipset | Not applicable | Not applicable | Same |
| Color | Black | White | Different |
| Lineup | brother-inkbenefit-printer | epson-ecotank-printer | Different |
| Region | KR | KR | Same |
| Model code | DCP-T720DW | C11CL41202 | Different |
Print quality
The print quality score is 88.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 94.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining small-text clarity, line bleed, color accuracy and gradation, and duplex show-through on plain and photo media on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Speed
The speed score is 88.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 86.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Brother DCP-T720DW leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining first-page wait from sleep, sustained mono and color throughput, and real workflow speed with duplex, copying, and scanning on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Running cost
The running cost score is 96.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 98.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining per-page and monthly cost using official yield, real coverage, starter supply quantity, ink or toner, drum, and maintenance parts on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Paper handling
The paper handling score is 90.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 84.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Brother DCP-T720DW leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining input capacity, supported size and weight, automatic duplex, simplex or duplex ADF, mixed-media jam and double-feed control, and output capacity on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Connectivity
The connectivity score is 88.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 94.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, mobile standards, multi-user queues, cloud and secure printing, and driver support life on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Features
The features score is 88.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 90.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining copy, scan and fax, touch controls, document automation, address book and admin policy, and user-replaceable maintenance parts on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Value
The value score is 91.0 for Brother DCP-T720DW and 94.0 for Epson EcoTank ET-2980. Epson EcoTank ET-2980 leads this dimension. It is a relative index combining total ownership value combining purchase price, required trays and supplies, cost per page at expected volume, warranty, repairs, and downtime on one baseline. Read the underlying specification rows, source completeness, and exact selling configuration before treating the lead as decisive. Similar averages can hide different weak points, so a small point gap matters less than whether the product removes a concrete problem under your normal usage conditions.
Who should choose Brother DCP-T720DW
Brother DCP-T720DW is the stronger fit when its leading dimensions match your primary use. Configuration checks: Verify monthly mono and color volume, inkjet, tank or laser type, exact model code, resolution and ISO speed, first-page time, automatic duplex and ADF, supported media, networking, official consumable part numbers and yields, and starter supply quantity. Then ask whether the product removes a concrete problem with the device you already own. If the gap is small and there is no real pain point, waiting for a price drop or a change in workload can be more rational than upgrading for novelty alone.
Who should choose Epson EcoTank ET-2980
Epson EcoTank ET-2980 is the better fit when more of its strengths overlap your priorities and its weaker dimensions remain acceptable. Switching costs: Include ink or toner, drum, waste-toner bottle, maintenance box, printhead and paper costs, stranded spare supplies, driver and shared-queue migration, subscription changes, and installation or service space. A higher total can still deliver lower practical value when that burden is large, so compare the score lead and switching cost on the same baseline.
How to read price and purchase availability
Neither product currently has an approved purchase link whose product name and configuration match the catalog, so no merchant link is shown. AsKrs does not guess a destination; this guide provides specifications and decision criteria until an exact listing is verified.
- Brother DCP-T720DW · No verified purchase link currently available
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 · No verified purchase link currently available
Final decision checklist
- Use context: Start with monthly page count, mono-to-color mix, and the largest burst job across home documents, remote work, school materials, small-business output, and photos.
- Configuration checks: Verify monthly mono and color volume, inkjet, tank or laser type, exact model code, resolution and ISO speed, first-page time, automatic duplex and ADF, supported media, networking, official consumable part numbers and yields, and starter supply quantity.
- Switching costs: Include ink or toner, drum, waste-toner bottle, maintenance box, printhead and paper costs, stranded spare supplies, driver and shared-queue migration, subscription changes, and installation or service space.
- When the score gap is small, identify the concrete problem the change will solve.
- Recheck the seller, delivery, return terms, condition, and current price at checkout.
Scope and limits of this comparison
This comparison is a structured decision aid built from published specifications and stored representative configurations. Scope and limits: Official yields use standard pages; real ink or toner use varies with coverage, cleaning cycles, and power habits, while color variance, clogging, drivers, wake behavior, and long-term feed durability depend on the environment. The scores are relative indicators for setting priorities within one category, not an absolute quality ranking. When a new configuration or verified specification becomes available, the catalog and its comparison pages are regenerated together.
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