For years, my home office has been a revolving door of printers, each promising seamless connectivity and brilliant prints, but ultimately delivering a unique brand of frustration. I’ve wrestled with drivers that refuse to install, Wi-Fi connections that drop at the most inopportune moments, and ink cartridges that cost a small fortune and run dry after printing a dozen pages. It’s a familiar story: you need to print a single, urgent document—a shipping label, a concert ticket, a signed contract—and suddenly you’re a reluctant IT technician, rebooting routers and reinstalling software. This cycle of disappointment is not just an inconvenience; it’s a productivity killer. The search for a reliable, affordable, and versatile all-in-one printer feels less like a shopping trip and more like a quest for a mythical creature. It was with this healthy dose of skepticism that we welcomed the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer into our workspace.
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What to Consider Before Buying a Home Office All-in-One Printer
An all-in-one printer is more than just an item on your desk; it’s a key solution for bridging the physical and digital worlds. For students, remote workers, and small business owners, it’s the central hub for turning digital ideas into tangible documents, scanning important paperwork for archival, and making quick copies without a trip to the local print shop. The main benefits are consolidation and convenience—one compact device replaces a separate printer, scanner, and copier, saving valuable space and streamlining your workflow. A quality all-in-one empowers you to handle everything from printing vibrant school projects and detailed business reports to digitizing family photos and managing household documents with ease.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a moderate, but varied, workload. This includes the home office professional who needs to print multi-page reports with automatic duplexing, the creative hobbyist who requires rich color reproduction for photos and crafts, or the parent managing a flurry of school forms and worksheets. It’s built for versatility over sheer volume. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for those who exclusively print high volumes of black-and-white text documents, where a laser printer might prove more cost-effective per page. It’s also not designed for professional photographers who need gallery-quality prints, as dedicated photo printers offer a wider color gamut and specialized features for that purpose.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Printers can be surprisingly bulky. The Brother MFC-J1360DW measures 13.5″D x 15.4″W x 7.2″H, which is a reasonably compact footprint for an all-in-one. Before buying any printer, measure your intended space, accounting for the room needed to open the scanner lid and access the paper trays. Remember that you’ll also need clearance for paper output and potential rear access for jams.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just print speed. Consider the paper tray capacity—the 150-sheet tray on this model is standard for home use and reduces the frequency of refills. The 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a critical feature for anyone who needs to scan or copy multi-page documents, saving you the tedious task of placing each page on the flatbed scanner individually.
- Materials & Durability: A printer should feel solid, not flimsy. As some users have noted, the Brother MFC-J1360DW has a reassuring heft at 16.8 pounds, suggesting a sturdy internal frame and durable components. Cheaper printers often use thin, brittle plastics that are prone to cracking, especially on high-contact parts like the scanner lid and paper trays. A well-built machine is more likely to withstand the rigors of daily use.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The most powerful printer is useless if it’s a headache to operate. We look for intuitive setup processes, stable wireless connectivity, and a user-friendly mobile app. For long-term care, consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges. This model uses the Brother Genuine LC501 Series, which are individual color cartridges, meaning you only have to replace the color that runs out—a more efficient system than tri-color cartridges. You can check the current pricing on its ink and features.
Choosing the right printer is about balancing features, performance, and long-term costs to find the perfect fit for your specific needs.
While the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is an excellent inkjet choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against different technologies. For a broader look at models designed for high-volume text printing, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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First Impressions: A Solid Build and a Sigh of Relief
Unboxing the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer immediately set it apart from many of its flimsy-feeling competitors. The unit was packaged securely, and at nearly 17 pounds, it felt substantial and well-constructed—a sentiment echoed by users who noted it doesn’t feel “cheap in construction.” The design is clean and functional, with a compact form factor that fits neatly on a desk without dominating the entire space. The front panel features a 1.8” color display and physical push buttons. While the screen isn’t a large touchscreen, it’s bright, clear, and perfectly adequate for navigating menus and checking printer status directly. The initial setup, which we dreaded based on past experiences, was shockingly straightforward. Brother provides a simple quick-start guide with clear illustrations, and installing the four initial LC501 ink cartridges was a clean, click-in-place process. From unboxing to being ready for software installation, the entire physical setup took less than 10 minutes. It was a promising start that hinted at a user-focused design philosophy, a feature that really sets it apart for those tired of complicated electronics. You can see its full feature set and user reviews online.
Key Benefits
- Remarkably simple and fast wireless setup
- Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing saves paper and time
- Vibrant and accurate color reproduction for photos and graphics
- Versatile connectivity options including a robust mobile app
- Sturdy, well-built construction for its price point
Potential Drawbacks
- Included “starter” ink cartridges have a limited page yield
- Some users have reported intermittent Wi-Fi connection issues
- Print speed is adequate for home use but may be slow for busy offices
A Deep Dive into the Brother MFC-J1360DW’s Real-World Performance
A printer’s true worth is only revealed through day-to-day use. We put the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer through its paces over several weeks, tackling everything from dense text documents and multi-page scans to full-color photo prints and creative craft projects. Our goal was to move beyond the spec sheet and understand how this machine performs when it becomes an integral part of a busy home or small office workflow.
The “It Just Works” Setup and Seamless Connectivity
The single most praised aspect of this printer, both in our tests and across numerous user testimonials, is the setup process. Brother has clearly invested significant effort in making this as painless as possible. Following the on-screen prompts on the 1.8″ display, we connected the printer to our Wi-Fi network in under two minutes without a single failed attempt. This is the first hurdle where many printers fall, but the Brother MFC-J1360DW cleared it with ease. The real magic, however, happened when we moved to our computers. As one fantasy writer noted, their “laptop automatically found the printer without having to prompt Windows for assistance.” Our experience was identical on both a Windows 11 PC and a MacBook Air. The operating systems immediately recognized the printer on the network, and the required drivers were downloaded and installed with minimal intervention.
The experience is elevated further by the Brother Mobile Connect app. It’s a clean, intuitive application that handles setup, management, and operation directly from your smartphone. We were able to print PDFs from our phone’s storage, scan a document directly to Google Drive, and check ink levels, all without ever touching our computer. This seamless mobile integration is a massive win for modern workflows where tasks often start on a mobile device. We also appreciated Brother’s handling of their ink subscription service, Refresh. While the printer does prompt you to sign up during setup, it is entirely optional and easy to decline, a point of relief for users wary of being locked into recurring payments. This hassle-free installation and reliable connectivity make the Brother MFC-J1360DW an excellent choice for anyone who considers themselves non-tech-savvy.
Print Quality and Speed: A Versatile Performer for Mixed Media
When it comes to output, the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer strikes an impressive balance between quality and everyday utility. For standard black-and-white text documents, the print is crisp and sharp, with no noticeable bleeding or feathering even on standard copy paper. The claimed speed of 16 pages per minute (ppm) for black text is realistic for draft quality, slowing slightly for higher-quality settings, but it’s more than sufficient for typical home office tasks. The automatic duplex printing is a standout feature in this price range. It worked flawlessly in our tests, effortlessly printing on both sides of the page, which is a fantastic way to save paper and create more professional-looking documents.
Where the printer truly shines, however, is in color printing. We were particularly interested in testing this after seeing a user review from a DIY crafter who praised the “wonderful and spot on” colors for a decoupage project. To test this, we printed a variety of high-resolution images, including vibrant floral patterns and detailed illustrations, on both plain and glossy photo paper. The results were excellent. The colors were rich and accurate, closely matching the digital source files. The maximum resolution of up to 1200 x 6000 dpi allows for fine detail and smooth gradients, making it a surprisingly capable machine for creative projects, printing book covers, or creating proxies for card games, as another user reported. While it won’t replace a dedicated professional photo printer, the quality is far superior to what we’ve seen from many budget all-in-ones, making the Brother MFC-J1360DW a great tool for hobbyists and families.
All-in-One Functionality: A True Hub for Document Management
The “All-in-One” moniker is well-earned here. The scanning and copying functions are robust and thoughtfully integrated. The flatbed scanner is perfect for single sheets, photos, or book pages, producing clear and accurate digital copies. The real productivity booster, however, is the 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). We tested it by scanning a 15-page contract, and it fed each page through smoothly without a single jam. It’s important to note that this is a single-sided ADF, so for two-sided documents, you’ll need to scan one side, flip the stack, and scan the other, but its inclusion at this price point is still a major advantage.
The connectivity features extend the printer’s utility far beyond simple print jobs. The ability to scan directly to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive from the printer itself or via the mobile app is incredibly useful for digitizing receipts and important documents on the fly. We found this much more efficient than scanning to a computer and then manually uploading the file. While we maintained a stable Wi-Fi connection throughout our testing, it’s worth noting that a handful of users have reported the printer occasionally falling into a “sleep” state and needing to be woken up or reconnected manually. This seems to be network-dependent, as the vast majority of feedback praises the stable connection. With a full suite of options including Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, AirPrint, and Mopria, the printer offers a flexible solution for nearly any device or setup.
Ink Management and Long-Term Operating Costs
No inkjet printer review is complete without a frank discussion about ink. The most common criticism of the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer relates to the starter cartridges. As one user noted, their black ink warning appeared after printing just over 100 pages. Our experience was similar; these initial cartridges are truly meant for setup and a small number of initial prints. This is a common practice across all brands, but it’s crucial for new buyers to be aware and factor in the cost of a set of standard LC501 replacement cartridges with their initial purchase.
Once you move to the standard cartridges, the value proposition improves. The individual ink tank system is cost-effective, as you only replace the specific color that has been depleted. Brother’s Page Gauge technology, displayed on the printer’s screen and in the app, provides a clear visual estimate of remaining ink levels, helping to prevent you from being caught off guard mid-print. For those with consistent printing needs, the optional Refresh EZ Print Subscription offers a service similar to competitors, where the printer automatically orders new ink when it runs low. We didn’t test the subscription long-term, but appreciated that it was an opt-in service rather than a mandatory part of the printer’s functionality, giving users full control over their ink purchasing decisions.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from a wide range of users reveals a consistent picture. The overwhelming majority of owners are thrilled with their purchase, frequently citing the Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer as a refreshing departure from frustrating experiences with other brands. One user, after years of disappointment with a different brand, called their first Brother purchase “a great decision,” highlighting the easy installation and flawless performance. Another, a substitute teacher and DIY enthusiast, showcased a project with beautifully printed flowers, confirming our findings on its excellent color quality. The sentiment that it’s “the easiest printer to connect via Bluetooth or wifi” is a common refrain.
However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. The most common complaint, as we also found, is the low capacity of the starter ink cartridges. One user was “not super impressed” when the black ink needed replacement after about 100 pages. A smaller number of users have encountered technical issues. One person found the color quality to be faded and “worse than the DRAFT setting” on their old printer, suggesting potential quality control variations or settings issues. Another described the Wi-Fi connection as “exasperating,” requiring physical reconnection at times. These negative experiences appear to be in the minority but are important to consider, especially the one about the refurbished unit arriving broken, which underscores the potential risks of buying used electronics. Overall, the consensus leans heavily positive, celebrating the printer’s reliability and ease of use. You can read more first-hand experiences and reviews to get a broader perspective.
Considering the Broader Ecosystem: Ink and Running Costs
When you buy a printer, you’re not just buying a single piece of hardware; you’re investing in an ecosystem, with ink being the most significant ongoing cost. The Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer uses the LC501 series cartridges, but it’s helpful to understand how this compares to the ink solutions for other popular printer brands.
1. HP 64 Black Ink Cartridge
- Sold as 1 Each.
- Rely on original HP ink for consistent, high-quality results.
This cartridge is designed for popular HP printers like the ENVY Photo and ENVY Inspire series. HP heavily promotes its Instant Ink subscription service, where you pay a monthly fee for a set number of pages, and the printer automatically orders new cartridges before you run out. This is a fundamentally different model from Brother’s more traditional “buy ink as you need it” approach (though Brother also offers an optional subscription). Users who prefer a predictable, fixed monthly cost and never want to think about shopping for ink might prefer the HP ecosystem. However, those with irregular printing habits may find they overpay in months they don’t print or face overage charges in heavy-use months.
2. MILEKO 822XL Ink Cartridges 5 Pack
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This product represents the world of third-party, remanufactured ink, in this case for Epson WorkForce printers. The primary appeal here is a significantly lower upfront cost compared to genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cartridges like Brother’s LC501. For budget-conscious users who print in high volume, the savings can be substantial. However, this path comes with potential risks. Print quality can be inconsistent, and there’s a small chance that third-party cartridges could cause printer errors or even damage, which might not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. It’s a trade-off between cost savings and the peace of mind that comes with using genuine supplies.
3. HP 910XL Ink Cartridges 4-Pack
- Automatic
- These cartridges work with: HP OfficeJet 8010, 8010e, 8012e, 8014e, 8015, 8015e, 8018, 8022, 8022e; HP OfficeJet Pro 8020, 8020e, 8024e, 8025, 8025e, 8028,...
This multipack of genuine HP ink is for their OfficeJet Pro series, which are often geared towards small business use. This highlights the bulk-purchase model. Buying a 4-pack of standard or XL (high-yield) cartridges is often more economical than buying them individually. This approach is ideal for users who prefer to have a full set of replacement inks on hand and want the reliability of genuine cartridges without committing to a monthly subscription. When considering the Brother MFC-J1360DW, buyers should look at the cost of multipacks of LC501 cartridges to compare the long-term running costs against competitors like this HP bundle.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Brother MFC-J1360DW Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is a resounding yes. The Brother MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is a standout device in the crowded home printer market. It masterfully addresses the most common pain points for users: difficult setup, unreliable connectivity, and mediocre print quality. Its combination of a rock-solid build, an exceptionally user-friendly installation process, robust mobile app integration, and surprisingly vibrant color output makes it an incredible value. We recommend it wholeheartedly for students, families, creative hobbyists, and home office professionals who need a versatile and dependable all-in-one machine that simply works.
While the limited capacity of the starter ink is a valid initial drawback, the overall performance and rich feature set—especially the automatic duplex printing and capable ADF—far outweigh this minor inconvenience. This is a printer that feels designed by people who have actually experienced the frustrations of its competitors. If you’re ready to end the cycle of printer problems and invest in a machine that respects your time and delivers on its promises, we are confident you will be delighted with this choice. To explore its features further and check the latest price and availability, click here.
Last update on 2025-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API