A printer advertised as “automatic duplex” may still scan only one side of each sheet. If you regularly digitize double-sided contracts or forms, look for duplex scanning in the document feeder specification. The Brother MFC-L2820DW illustrates the distinction: it has automatic two-sided printing and a 50-sheet feeder, but no duplex scanning. The Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II adds single-pass two-sided scanning. If your printer already works well, the Brother ADS-1300 offers a separate scanner route.
Choose around the originals you actually scan
| Your routine | Option to consider | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly single-sided originals, plus black-and-white printing | Brother MFC-L2820DW | The feeder does not automatically capture both sides. Duplex printing does not change that. |
| Frequent double-sided batches and a need to replace the printer too | Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II | A larger all-in-one purchase makes less sense if only your scanning workflow needs improvement. Printing is monochrome. |
| A working printer, but repetitive double-sided scanning | Brother ADS-1300 | 20-sheet feeder, no Wi-Fi, and power requirements to check before relying on one USB cable. |
| Only an occasional double-sided form | Keep the current scanner and capture both sides manually | More handling and page-order checking; suitable only when the extra steps are acceptable. |
Printing, feeding and scanning are separate capabilities
Duplex printing puts output on both sides of a sheet. An automatic document feeder (ADF) takes a stack of originals through the scanner, but may read only their front sides. Duplex scanning captures both sides. A single-pass duplex feeder reads both sides during one pass through the scanner. Other automatic duplex feeders reverse the sheet internally; both avoid manually reloading the back sides, but the mechanisms differ.
Count sheets separately from scanned pages. Ten double-sided sheets contain twenty sides to capture. A 50-sheet feeder does not promise that it will digitize all one hundred sides automatically. Nor should a printer's pages-per-minute rating be used as its scanning speed.
For an occasional form, manual handling may be reasonable. With a single-sided scanner, capture the reverse sides too, then verify order and orientation before saving the final file. Do not assume your scanning software automatically interleaves two separate passes. Check whether it supports that workflow, or reorder the pages yourself.
Brother MFC-L2820DW: when single-sided scanning is enough
The MFC-L2820DW makes sense in this comparison for someone who needs a monochrome multifunction printer and mostly feeds single-sided originals. Its 50-sheet ADF handles stacks; Brother's specification explicitly lists duplex scanning as unavailable.
That limit is decisive if your normal job is a packet of double-sided contracts. Buying this model because its listing says “duplex” leaves the reverse-side work with you. Choose it only if the printing features and single-sided scanning fit your routine, rather than expecting a setting or software update to add automatic two-sided capture.
The exact model matters. This guide refers to the standard new MFC-L2820DW, not an XL toner bundle or a refurbished listing. Compare the contents of the offer you buy; a different toner package does not establish a different scanning mechanism.
Canon MF465dw II: double-sided scanning in an all-in-one
The US imageCLASS MF465dw II, item 7188C006, has a 50-sheet ADF that scans both sides in one pass. It is the more suitable route here if you need both a monochrome printer and automatic capture of double-sided originals. Color scanning and monochrome printing coexist: the ability to scan a color document does not mean the machine prints in color.
It also offers several ways to save scans. Canon's manual separates saving to a computer, USB memory, a shared folder, email or an FTP server. These are not interchangeable out-of-box workflows: the destination and sending method need configuration. If your requirement is a shared folder without a nearby computer driving each scan, confirm that setup before ordering instead of relying on a generic “wireless” label.
Choose the II model in the linked offer. The older MF465dw has a similar name; this comparison uses the US manual for the MF465dw II / MF462dw II series. A printer-only offer also differs from a bundle containing additional toner. Compare the whole purchase, including supplies and available desk space, without treating the feeder upgrade alone as a reason to replace a working printer.
See the Canon MF465dw II at B&H
Brother ADS-1300: keep the printer, add a scanner
The ADS-1300 separates scanning from printing. It provides two-sided scanning with a feeder rated for up to 20 sheets of 20 lb / 80 g/m² Letter or A4 paper. That is a smaller stack than the multifunction models above, but can be a practical tradeoff when your existing printer needs no replacement.
Check the computer's USB power output. Brother specifies a 5 V, 3 A supply and says the computer port must provide 15 W for the intended USB-powered setup. A USB-C socket alone is not proof. If the port cannot supply enough power, or you use a USB-A connection, the optional AC adapter is needed. Brother identifies accessory LK-1001C; include it in the purchase calculation when applicable. The USB data connection and the power requirement are separate checks.
The ADS-1300 does not have the Wi-Fi features of the ADS-1350W and ADS-1800W in the same family manual. It supports a computer USB connection and a separate scan-to-USB-flash-drive workflow. Do not select it expecting a wireless shared office scanner. Check the current Brother downloads for your operating system before buying; an older compatibility table is not a guarantee for a newer OS release.
Check the software you plan to use. Brother’s US download page says Brother ScanEssentials, BR-Receipts, Presto! BizCard and NewSoft Presto! ImageFolio will no longer be newly provided or updated after October 31, 2026. If one of those applications is part of your reason for buying the ADS-1300, check its current availability and a suitable replacement before ordering. The notice concerns those named applications; it does not say the scanner will stop working on that date. The same download page separately lists Brother iPrint&Scan and driver packages.
Its ordinary document size range is 2 to 8.5 inches wide and 2.76 to 14 inches long. Very small, thin or unusual originals may need a carrier sheet or a different handling method. The long-paper mode is a separate feature, not permission to feed an arbitrary stack of long receipts. For bound pages and fragile originals, consider whether keeping access to a flatbed is important.
Check a complete workflow before paying for an upgrade
- Start with a typical batch. How many sheets, how many printed sides, and what paper sizes do you handle?
- Identify the destination. A computer PDF, a USB drive and a shared folder have different setup requirements.
- Confirm the exact model. Look for duplex scanning explicitly; do not infer it from “duplex,” “ADF” or a similar model number.
- Check the extra purchases. For the separate scanner, power accessories may matter. For a replacement printer, include its supplies and space requirements.
- Review the resulting file. Both-side capture does not eliminate blank-page, rotation or page-order checks, and a PDF is not necessarily searchable without OCR.
If double-sided scanning is the problem, prioritize that function first. Choose the Canon when an all-in-one replacement is also useful, the ADS-1300 when you want to keep a working printer, and the MFC-L2820DW only when single-sided feeder scanning meets the job.
If you plan to carry the scanner between locations, compare the complete connection in our guide to USB-powered scanners: the ADS-1300 and Canon R10 take different approaches to computer-based scanning.
Sources and further reading
- Brother MFC-L2820DW US
- Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II US 7188C006
- Brother ADS1300 US new
- Brother ADS1300 official power troubleshooting
- Canon MF465dw II US manual: supported functions
- Canon II: preparations for scanning
- Brother ADS1300 family specifications with model distinctions
- B&H Canon MF465dw II 7188C006 printer-only
- Brother ADS-1300 US downloads and application availability notice
