Brother MFC-J6560DW vs MFC-J6540DW – What Has Changed?
Brother Australia has officially introduced the new MFC-J6560DW as the next-generation replacement for the highly successful MFC-J6540DW A3 Business Inkjet multifunction printer.
Both models are designed for small businesses, home offices and professional users needing affordable A3 print, scan, copy and fax functionality.
However, the new-generation MFC-J6560DW introduces several refinements aimed at improving office productivity, workflow integration and long-term business usability.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | MFC-J6540DW | MFC-J6560DW |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | Previous Generation | New Generation |
| Main Positioning | A3 Business Inkjet | A3 Business Inkjet |
| Paper Tray | Single Tray | Single Tray |
| Print Speed | Up to 28ppm | Up to 31ppm |
| A3 Duplex Printing | ✔ | ✔ |
| A3 Duplex Scanning | Single-pass A3 scan | Enhanced business workflow |
| Wireless Networking | ✔ | ✔ Improved |
| MAXIDRIVE Engine | Gen 1 | Updated Generation |
| Target Market | Home Office / SMB | Modern SMB / Workgroup |
| Product Status | Entering EOL / Clearance | Current Generation |
Why Did Brother Replace the MFC-J6540DW?
The MFC-J6540DW became extremely popular in Australia because it offered something few competitors could provide at its price point:
- A3 print, scan, copy and fax
- Automatic duplex printing
- Compact office-friendly design
- Low running costs
- Strong business functionality
For many businesses, it became one of the most affordable ways to access professional A3 business printing.
However, business printing needs continue to evolve.
Brother’s new-generation A3 business inkjet lineup now focuses more heavily on:
- Faster productivity
- Improved office workflows
- Better business integration
- Enhanced connectivity
- Modern business positioning
- Long-term platform scalability
Performance Improvements
Faster Print Speeds
The new MFC-J6560DW increases print speed to up to 31 pages per minute compared with 28ppm on the older MFC-J6540DW.
While this may appear to be a small specification change, it becomes much more noticeable in real office environments involving:
- Large business reports
- Continuous office printing
- Multi-user workflows
- Frequent colour document printing
Improved Responsiveness
The updated generation platform also improves first-page responsiveness and workflow efficiency for everyday office tasks.
Business Workflow Enhancements
One of the biggest differences between the two models is Brother’s updated business positioning.
The older MFC-J6540DW was primarily designed as a practical and affordable A3 office multifunction printer.
The new MFC-J6560DW now feels more refined toward modern business workflows with improvements including:
- Updated office integration
- Improved wireless functionality
- Modernised interface experience
- Better mobile printing support
- Enhanced business usability
Brother is clearly positioning the MFC-J6560DW as part of a broader future-ready office ecosystem.
Running Costs and Inkjet Advantages
Both models continue Brother’s strategy of promoting business inkjet printers as alternatives to traditional colour laser printers.
Compared with many colour laser printers, Brother business inkjet platforms can offer:
- Lower power consumption
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Lower colour cost per page
- Reduced heat generation
- Quieter office operation
For offices regularly printing colour documents, these advantages can create meaningful long-term savings.
Should You Still Buy the MFC-J6540DW?
Potentially yes — especially while clearance pricing remains available.
The MFC-J6540DW is still a very capable A3 multifunction printer and remains excellent value for many:
- Home offices
- Small businesses
- Real estate offices
- Schools
- Professional users
If your printing requirements are moderate, the older-generation model may still represent outstanding value.
However, businesses wanting:
- The latest platform
- Long-term deployment planning
- Improved workflow integration
- Better future support
- New-generation business features
may benefit more from moving directly to the newer MFC-J6560DW.
Final Verdict
The Brother MFC-J6560DW builds upon the strong foundation established by the MFC-J6540DW.
Rather than completely redesigning the platform, Brother has refined and modernised it for today’s office environments.
For businesses already familiar with the MFC-J6540DW, the new-generation MFC-J6560DW offers a natural upgrade path with faster performance, improved business integration and stronger long-term positioning.
At the same time, the older-generation MFC-J6540DW may still remain one of the best-value A3 multifunction printers available while stocks last.
Related Articles
- Brother Launches New Generation A3 Business Inkjet Printers
- Brother MFC-J6960DW vs MFC-J6940DW
- Brother MFC-J6975DW vs MFC-J6957DW
Need help choosing the right Brother A3 business printer?
Contact OzToner Australia for expert advice on Brother A3 business inkjet printers, consumables and office printing solutions.

