Main trade-off
Brother MFC-T780DW
One-sheet manual feed, no Ethernet or fax.
Head-to-head
Brother T780DW vs T980DW: Occasional sheets or a second paper stack?
The short answer
Choose T980DW when the household repeatedly alternates plain paper and another supported medium. Its 80-sheet multipurpose tray replaces T780DW’s one-sheet manual feed, and it adds Ethernet and fax. Choose T780DW when special sheets are occasional and the smaller 15.4 by 13.5 inch base matters. Both retain a 20-sheet single-sided feeder and 50-sheet output. T980DW’s front USB printing is JPEG only, so it is not a general PDF print station.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A second stack helps when family projects repeatedly interrupt work paper
T980DW can keep a supported second medium in its multipurpose tray while ordinary paper stays in the main tray. T780DW’s one-sheet manual feed instead needs a person to supply each sheet in that route. For a small batch of supported envelopes or project sheets, this can change how often someone returns to the printer. Use the media-specific capacity rather than assuming the full 80-sheet plain-paper rating applies to envelopes or heavy stock. Correct source and media settings still matter.
What this is based on
Home-office plain documents plus repeated family or small-business special-media batches crossed with one-sheet versus multipurpose feeding. Capacity remains media-dependent and settings reset is retained.
Main trade-off
Brother MFC-T980DW
Larger base, unchanged 50-sheet output and JPEG-only direct USB printing.
Brother MFC-T780DW
- Choose it for
- Keep a smaller listed base when one main paper type covers most jobs.
- Retain automatic duplex and the same 20-sheet single-sided original feeder.
- Main trade-off
- One-sheet manual feed, no Ethernet or fax.
Brother MFC-T980DW
- Choose it for
- Use a separate multipurpose stack instead of attending the manual slot for each supported sheet.
- Connect the printer by Ethernet and use fax where a compatible service is required.
- Main trade-off
- Larger base, unchanged 50-sheet output and JPEG-only direct USB printing.
About this comparison
Brother MFC-T780DW vs T980DW for a shared home office, envelopes and a small desk. Compare the second tray, wired access and the USB printing catch.
These adjacent Brother tank all-in-ones share automatic duplex printing and a 20-sheet single-sided feeder. T980DW is the plausible upgrade for paper variety and wired sharing, while T780DW keeps a smaller listed base for a simpler document routine.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Repeated supported special-media batches
T980DW has a multipurpose stack rather than a one-sheet slot.
- Brother MFC-T780DW
- Caution
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Better fit
Tight desk with occasional special sheets
T780DW has the smaller listed base.
- Brother MFC-T780DW
- Better fit
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Caution
Printer must connect to the router by cable
T980DW adds Ethernet.
- Brother MFC-T780DW
- Caution
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Better fit
A PDF on a USB stick must print directly
T980DW’s direct-print USB support is JPEG only.
- Brother MFC-T780DW
- Caution
- Brother MFC-T980DW
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A second stack helps when family projects repeatedly interrupt work paper
T980DW can keep a supported second medium in its multipurpose tray while ordinary paper stays in the main tray. T780DW’s one-sheet manual feed instead needs a person to supply each sheet in that route. For a small batch of supported envelopes or project sheets, this can change how often someone returns to the printer. Use the media-specific capacity rather than assuming the full 80-sheet plain-paper rating applies to envelopes or heavy stock. Correct source and media settings still matter.
How we reached this conclusion
Home-office plain documents plus repeated family or small-business special-media batches crossed with one-sheet versus multipurpose feeding. Capacity remains media-dependent and settings reset is retained.
The paper convenience comes from the same space needed for ordinary desk work
The listed T980DW base is 1.7 inches wider and 3 inches deeper than T780DW’s. That can matter on a desk shared with a monitor, workbook or paperwork waiting to scan. The extra paper route is useful only if it solves a repeated loading problem. If the second medium appears once in a while, the one-sheet slot may be an acceptable trade for a smaller base. These are listed unit dimensions, so check open supports, original clearance and maintenance access before deciding either fits.
How we reached this conclusion
A shared work surface plus infrequent versus recurring paper changes crossed with exact listed base dimensions. No complete operating-footprint area or comfort claim is inferred.
The front USB port does not turn the printer into a PDF drop-off point
T980DW adds a front USB route, but direct printing supports JPEG. A family member carrying a PDF form on a stick can still need a phone, computer or another supported connection. The distinction is easy to miss because scanning to a PDF and printing a PDF are separate operations. Both models also retain the same 20-sheet single-sided original feeder and 50-sheet output, so the upgrade should be justified by paper input and connections rather than imagined automation elsewhere.
How we reached this conclusion
Files handed between household users plus a wish to avoid the work computer crossed with explicit direct-print format and unchanged feeder/output limits. Scan file formats are not transferred to print support.
Choice A
Brother, MFCT780DW
Brother MFC-T780DW
Keep a smaller listed base when one main paper type covers most jobs.
- Best matched use
- Keep a smaller listed base when one main paper type covers most jobs.
Checked facts
- Second paper route: One-sheet manual feed beside 150-sheet tray.
- Listed base: 15.4 by 13.5 inches.
- Output and originals: 50-sheet output, 20-sheet single-sided feeder.
- Connections: Dual-band Wi-Fi and USB connection.
Choice B
Brother, MFCT980DW
Brother MFC-T980DW
Use a separate multipurpose stack instead of attending the manual slot for each supported sheet.
- Best matched use
- Use a separate multipurpose stack instead of attending the manual slot for each supported sheet.
Checked facts
- Second paper route: 80-sheet multipurpose tray beside 150-sheet tray.
- Listed base: 17.1 by 16.5 inches.
- Output and originals: 50-sheet output, 20-sheet single-sided feeder.
- Connections: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, fax and JPEG-only direct USB printing.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Brother MFC-T780DW | Brother MFC-T980DW | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second paper route | One-sheet manual feed beside 150-sheet tray. | 80-sheet multipurpose tray beside 150-sheet tray. | The upgrade changes repeated loading for supported secondary media. |
| Listed base | 15.4 by 13.5 inches. | 17.1 by 16.5 inches. | T980DW adds 1.7 inches in width and 3 inches in listed depth. Check working clearances separately. |
| Output and originals | 50-sheet output, 20-sheet single-sided feeder. | 50-sheet output, 20-sheet single-sided feeder. | Neither of these capacities grows with the higher model number. |
| Connections | Dual-band Wi-Fi and USB connection. | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, fax and JPEG-only direct USB printing. | A USB socket does not mean every document on a stick can print directly. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Brother MFC-T780DW
- A run of special-media sheets can keep bringing someone back to the manual slot.
If you choose Brother MFC-T980DW
- The larger input arrangement does not increase output capacity or automate scanning the backs. Restore paper-source settings for the next user.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Special-media loading repeatedly interrupts the main task
Choose Brother MFC-T980DW. The multipurpose tray changes that physical workflow.
Desk space is tight and the second paper type is rare
Choose Brother MFC-T780DW. The smaller base can outweigh the unused second stack.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
A second paper source can reduce repeated loading, but the printer then occupies more of the desk used by the same family.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured network reliability or print-quality comparison.
- Neither model automatically scans both sides.
- The 80-sheet rating is not an envelope or heavy-stock promise.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current ink-tank printers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC-T780DW |
|
| |
| Brother MFC-T980DW |
|
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Brother MFC-T780DW
Keep a smaller listed base when one main paper type covers most jobs.
Retain automatic duplex and the same 20-sheet single-sided original feeder.
See price & reviews on AmazonBrother MFC-T980DW
Use a separate multipurpose stack instead of attending the manual slot for each supported sheet.
Connect the printer by Ethernet and use fax where a compatible service is required.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.