Any standard best printers adeptly handle letter, legal, and A4 paper sizes. But when your projects demand larger formats—think striking posters, detailed maps, or impactful marketing collateral—an A3 Printer becomes indispensable. Sometimes referred to as tabloid printers, these wide-format devices are specifically engineered to manage paper sizes up to 11 by 17 inches (or A3). This guide reviews the top A3 printers currently available, ensuring you find the perfect model to meet your large-format printing needs.
As amazingprint.net’s dedicated printing expert, I have rigorously evaluated numerous printers, with a significant portion designed for expansive paper formats like tabloid, super-tabloid, A2, and beyond. This curated list of top A3 printers encompasses both inkjet and laser technologies, catering to a spectrum of budgets and requirements. Whether you are a photographer seeking superior print-only devices or a business professional needing a versatile all-in-one solution, you’ll find A3 printers here that excel at handling paper sizes larger than standard letter or legal.
Quick Picks: Top A3 Printers at a Glance
Brother MFC-J6959DW on a white background
1. Brother MFC-J6959DW: Best A3 Printer Overall
The ultimate A3 printer for most users, blending speed, versatility, and comprehensive features for all your wide-format printing tasks.
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 on a white background
2. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Best Budget A3 Printer
Exceptional A3 print quality without breaking the bank, ideal for home offices and small businesses seeking affordability.
OKI C844dnw on a white background
3. OKI C844dnw: Best Compact A3 Printer
The world’s smallest A3 printer, perfect for environments where space is at a premium but large format printing is essential.
Xerox VersaLink C7000DN on a white background
4. Xerox VersaLink C7000DN: Best A3 Laser Printer
Professional-grade A3 laser printing, offering unmatched quality, speed, and a robust suite of features for demanding office environments.
Brother MFC-J6955DW on a white background
5. Brother MFC-J6955DW: Best A3 Printer for Workgroups
Designed for shared office spaces, this A3 printer supports multiple users with its high capacity and efficient performance.
Epson EcoTank ET-8550 on a white background
6. Epson EcoTank ET-8550: Best A3+ Printer for Photos
Ideal for photographers and creative professionals, delivering superior A3+ photo prints with economical ink tank technology.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e on a white background
7. HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e: Best A3 Printer for Home Offices
Compact and cost-effective A3 printing solution, perfectly suited for home office environments needing occasional large-format prints.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 on a white background
8. Epson EcoTank ET-15000: Best A3 Ink Tank Printer
Enjoy ultra-low running costs with this A3 ink tank printer, packed with features for both home and small office use.
Brother MFC-J6945DW on a white background
9. Brother MFC-J6945DW (MFC-J6947DW): Best A3 Printer for Business
Robust and reliable A3 printer designed for demanding business environments, offering high capacity and sharp print quality.
The Best A3 Printers of 2024: Detailed Reviews
Below are comprehensive reviews of each A3 printer featured in our top picks. Each printer has undergone rigorous testing to ensure our recommendations are dependable and tailored to your specific needs.
1. Brother MFC-J6959DW: Best A3 Printer Overall
Why We Recommend It:
The Brother MFC-J6959DW stands out as the premier A3 printer due to its exceptional blend of features, speed, and versatility. It’s an ideal all-in-one solution for businesses and home offices that require both standard and large-format printing capabilities. This printer doesn’t just print A3; it elevates office productivity with its innovative banner printing feature and robust performance.
Expert Analysis:
As part of Brother’s X-Series, designed for business environments, the MFC-J6959DW is equipped with essential tools for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers duplex printing and scanning, ensuring efficiency in handling double-sided documents up to A3 size. Its high ink and paper capacity minimize downtime, making it suitable for heavy workloads.
Image: Brother MFC-J6959DW printing pages, showcasing its paper handling.
Unique Banner Printing Capability:
What truly distinguishes the MFC-J6959DW is its ability to print and cut banners from paper rolls. This feature is a game-changer for businesses needing to create in-store signage or attention-grabbing marketing materials directly at the point of sale. This capability alone positions it uniquely in the A3 printer market.
Image: Close-up of Brother MFC-J6959DW display, highlighting user interface.
Performance and Capacity:
Featuring dual paper trays with a total capacity of 750 sheets, plus a 250-sheet multipurpose tray, the MFC-J6959DW is built for substantial print jobs. Compatibility with Brother’s high-yield ink cartridges further enhances its efficiency, reducing the frequency of replacements and lowering running costs. It boasts a rapid print speed of 30 images per minute (ipm) for monochrome prints, keeping pace with demanding office environments.
Image: Brother MFC-J6959DW unboxed, showing components.
Business-Oriented Features:
Equipped with NFC for secure printing and a large, intuitive touchscreen interface, the MFC-J6959DW is designed for ease of use and secure operation in a busy office. While it operates on inkjet technology and isn’t as fast as a laser printer, it compensates with superior functionality and versatility, particularly in color and large format printing.
Image: Side view of Brother MFC-J6959DW, showing its compact design.
Considerations:
Despite its strengths, the MFC-J6959DW has a few drawbacks. The paper roll for banner printing utilizes an entire paper tray, which might be inconvenient if you frequently switch between banner and standard printing. While high-yield cartridges are available, the initial ink supply is not substantial. It is also less ink-efficient compared to ink tank printers and slower than laser counterparts, which may be factors for very high-volume, monochrome-heavy offices.
Image: Brother MFC-J6959DW setup process, illustrating ease of installation.
Verdict:
The Brother MFC-J6959DW is an exceptional A3 color inkjet printer, ideal for businesses seeking a feature-rich, high-performance device capable of handling both everyday documents and large-format marketing materials. Its unique banner printing capability and comprehensive feature set make it our top pick for the best A3 printer overall.
Image: Brother MFC-J6959DW banner roll feature in action.
Read the full Brother MFC-J6959DW review.
2. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310: Best Budget A3 Printer
Why We Recommend It:
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is the best A3 printer for budget-conscious buyers who refuse to compromise on print quality. It’s perfect for home offices and small businesses needing to produce professional-quality A3 prints without incurring high costs. This printer combines affordability with excellent output, making A3 printing accessible to a wider audience.
Expert Analysis:
Epson’s WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is designed to meet the needs of small offices requiring versatile printing up to 13 x 19 inches. Its dual 250-sheet paper trays are a standout feature, allowing users to load both A4 and A3 paper simultaneously, enhancing workflow efficiency. As an inkjet printer, it supports a wide range of media, including photo paper, envelopes, labels, and card stock, adding to its versatility.
Image: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 in a home office setup, showcasing its compact size.
Performance and Speed:
With a print speed of 25 pages per minute (ppm) in monochrome, the WF-7310 is surprisingly fast for its price range. It also offers automatic duplex printing up to A3 size, a feature often found in more expensive models. The print resolution is sharp and clear, ensuring high-quality documents and vibrant images. Connectivity options are robust, supporting both wired and wireless setups.
Image: Paper output tray of Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 extending, demonstrating paper handling.
Cost-Effective Operation:
While the initial price of the WF-7310 is attractive, it’s also designed for economical operation. It uses Epson’s DURABrite Ultra inks, known for their vividness and durability. These inks are available in individual cartridges, allowing for cost-effective replacement of only the colors that run out. XXL cartridges are also available, further reducing the cost per page, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious users.
Image: Rear view of Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310, highlighting paper input trays.
User-Friendly Features:
The WF-7310 includes a motorized output tray and convenient brochure printing capabilities, enhancing its usability for various office tasks. However, to keep the price down, it omits some premium features like a touchscreen interface and NFC connectivity. Setup is straightforward, though the initial cartridges included are of a smaller size, intended for setup rather than extended use.
Image: Control panel of Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310, simple and functional.
Considerations:
The main trade-offs with the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 are the lack of a touchscreen and NFC, which are typically found in higher-end models. Also, it’s not part of Epson’s EcoTank line, meaning it uses traditional cartridges rather than refillable tanks. Users should be prepared for the ongoing cost of cartridge replacements, although the availability of high-yield cartridges mitigates this somewhat.
Image: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 printing a document, showing output quality.
Verdict:
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 is an outstanding budget A3 printer that delivers excellent print quality and performance. Its affordability, coupled with features like duplex A3 printing and dual paper trays, makes it a top choice for home offices and small businesses that need cost-effective large-format printing.
Image: Cartridge replacement in Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310, highlighting ease of maintenance.
Read the full Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7310 review.
3. OKI C844dnw: Best Compact A3 Printer
Why We Recommend It:
The OKI C844dnw is celebrated as the world’s smallest A3 color printer, making it an ideal solution for users who require large format printing but are constrained by space. It’s a stellar choice for small offices or home environments where a bulky printer is simply not feasible. Despite its compact size, it doesn’t skimp on features or performance, offering a powerful printing solution in a small package.
Expert Analysis:
The OKI C844dnw defies expectations by packing A3 printing capability into a footprint comparable to a standard A4 printer. It’s designed to be modular, starting as a compact unit but expandable with additional paper trays to increase capacity. This adaptability makes it suitable for businesses that anticipate growth or have fluctuating printing needs.
Image: Front view of Oki C844dnw, emphasizing its compact design.
Scalable Paper Capacity:
Out of the box, the C844dnw holds 300 sheets in its primary tray and an additional 100 in the multipurpose tray. For businesses with higher volume needs, its paper capacity can be significantly increased to 2,540 sheets by adding up to three optional paper drawers. This scalability ensures it can grow with your business needs, making it a long-term investment.
Image: Oki C844dnw with paper tray extended, showing paper capacity.
High-Yield Toner Cartridges:
The printer ships with pre-installed toner cartridges capable of printing approximately 2,500 pages. Even more impressively, these can be replaced with high-yield cartridges that can produce up to 10,000 pages. This high capacity reduces downtime for toner replacement and lowers the overall running costs, especially for businesses with substantial printing demands.
Image: Toner cartridge replacement in Oki C844dnw, illustrating ease of maintenance.
Advanced Features and Performance:
The C844dnw is equipped with features like automatic duplex printing and built-in Wi-Fi, essential for modern office environments. It offers an optional banner tray upgrade for printing on rolls, expanding its versatility for marketing and signage creation. Utilizing LED technology instead of traditional laser, it achieves similar high-quality output with efficient energy use. It boasts a fast print speed of up to 36 ppm, ensuring productivity even with large print jobs.
Image: Control panel of Oki C844dnw, highlighting user-friendly interface.
Considerations:
Despite its many advantages, the OKI C844dnw does have a few drawbacks. It lacks a touchscreen control panel, which some users might find less intuitive compared to touch-based interfaces. The initial setup process can be somewhat lengthy. Additionally, while it offers cost-effective operation in the long run due to high-yield toner, the initial purchase price and toner cartridges are relatively expensive.
Image: Rear connectivity ports of Oki C844dnw, showing network options.
Verdict:
The OKI C844dnw is an exceptional compact A3 printer that doesn’t compromise on performance or features. Its small footprint, combined with scalable paper capacity and high-yield toner options, makes it an excellent choice for businesses and home offices where space is limited but large format, high-quality printing is required.
Image: Oki C844dnw printing a color document, demonstrating print quality.
Read the full Oki C844dnw review.
4. Xerox VersaLink C7000DN: Best A3 Laser Printer
Why We Recommend It:
The Xerox VersaLink C7000DN is our top pick for the best A3 laser printer, offering unparalleled print quality, robust features, and exceptional performance for demanding office environments. This printer excels in delivering sharp text and vibrant colors on A3 paper, making it ideal for businesses that require professional-grade large format prints.
Expert Analysis:
The Xerox VersaLink C7000DN is a high-end laser printer designed for medium to large offices that demand top-tier print quality and multifunctionality. While it’s a significant investment both in terms of space and budget, it justifies its position with outstanding capabilities and a comprehensive suite of features. It’s built to handle heavy workloads and complex printing tasks with ease.
Image: Front view of Xerox VersaLink C7000DN, showcasing its professional design.
Exceptional Print Quality and Speed:
The C7000DN delivers exceptional print resolution up to 1200 x 2400 DPI, ensuring that both text and graphics are exceptionally sharp and detailed, especially on large A3 prints. It boasts a rapid print speed of 35 pages per minute, maintaining efficiency even with large, complex documents. Duplex printing on A3 paper is standard, further enhancing its productivity.
Image: Paper output of Xerox VersaLink C7000DN, showing print clarity.
Multifunctionality and User Interface:
As a 4-in-1 multifunction device, the VersaLink C7000DN offers scanning, copying, and faxing in addition to its superior printing capabilities. A standout feature is its customizable five-inch color touchscreen, which simplifies operation and provides access to a range of apps and workflows. This interface enhances user experience and streamlines office tasks.
Image: Touchscreen control panel of Xerox VersaLink C7000DN, highlighting user interface.
Expandability and Robust Design:
The VersaLink C7000DN is designed to be expandable, with optional modules available to increase paper capacity, allowing it to scale with the growing needs of a business. Its robust build quality ensures durability and reliability in busy office environments. However, its substantial size and weight require a dedicated space, making it less suitable for small offices or home use.
Image: Side view of Xerox VersaLink C7000DN, demonstrating its size.
Considerations:
The Xerox VersaLink C7000DN has some drawbacks. It is bulky and heavy, requiring significant space. While it offers extensive features, Wi-Fi connectivity is an optional extra, which is unexpected at this price point. The standard paper tray capacity is relatively small for a printer of this class, necessitating the purchase of additional paper trays for high-volume environments. Toner costs can also be high, although the efficiency and quality of output help justify the expense for professional use.
Image: Rear connectivity of Xerox VersaLink C7000DN, showing ports.
Verdict:
The Xerox VersaLink C7000DN is an outstanding A3 laser printer that delivers top-notch print quality, speed, and a wealth of features. While it demands a significant investment and space, its performance and capabilities make it the best choice for businesses that prioritize professional-grade large format printing and require a robust, reliable, and feature-rich laser printer.
Image: Xerox VersaLink C7000DN in an office setting, showing typical use case.
Read the full Xerox VersaLink C7000DN review.
5. Brother MFC-J6955DW: Best A3 Printer for Workgroups
Why We Recommend It:
The Brother MFC-J6955DW is specifically designed as the best A3 printer for workgroups, excelling in shared office environments where multiple users require access to large format printing. It combines high print speeds, substantial paper capacity, and user-friendly features, making it an ideal choice for enhancing team productivity.
Expert Analysis:
The Brother MFC-J6955DW is engineered to handle the demands of a busy workgroup, offering robust performance and a comprehensive feature set that rivals many laser printers. As a four-in-one inkjet, it provides printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities up to A3 size. Its design prioritizes ease of use and efficiency in a shared office setting.
Image: Brother MFC-J6955DW printing multiple pages, demonstrating speed.
High Capacity and Efficient Performance:
Equipped with twin paper trays holding 500 sheets and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, the MFC-J6955DW minimizes paper refills, crucial for busy workgroups. It utilizes Brother’s Innobella ink cartridges, known for their high yield, which reduces the cost per page and ensures long intervals between ink replacements. The printer boasts a fast print speed of 30 ppm for monochrome and supports rapid duplex printing, essential for document-heavy workflows.
Image: Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) of Brother MFC-J6955DW in use, showing document handling.
User-Friendly and Business-Ready Features:
The MFC-J6955DW features an excellent touchscreen interface, simplifying operation and access to printer functions. It includes all standard business features, such as mobile printing, cloud connectivity, and security options. Its full A3 capability extends to both printing and scanning, accommodating large documents and media.
Image: Paper trays of Brother MFC-J6955DW, highlighting paper capacity.
Cost-Effectiveness and Ink Efficiency:
While the initial cost might be higher than some inkjet printers, the MFC-J6955DW offers long-term cost savings through its high-yield ink cartridges. The cost per page is competitive, even compared to some laser printers, making it an economical choice for workgroups with substantial printing needs. However, it’s worth noting that while it excels in document printing, photo quality is not its strongest suit.
Image: Side profile of Brother MFC-J6955DW, showing its dimensions.
Considerations:
The Brother MFC-J6955DW is a large and somewhat heavy printer, requiring ample space in an office environment. While it’s generally faster than many inkjets, it’s still slower than comparable laser printers in terms of raw print speed. Although ink costs are reasonable for high-yield cartridges, it’s less economical than ink tank printers for very high-volume printing scenarios. Also, its photo printing quality is not as refined as printers specifically designed for photo output.
Image: Scanner bed of Brother MFC-J6955DW, showing A3 scan capability.
Verdict:
The Brother MFC-J6955DW is an excellent A3 inkjet printer tailored for workgroups that need reliable, high-volume, large-format printing. Its combination of speed, capacity, user-friendly features, and cost-effective operation makes it our top recommendation for the best A3 printer for shared office environments.
Image: Unboxing of Brother MFC-J6955DW, showing included accessories.
Read the full Brother MFC-J6955DW review.
6. Epson EcoTank ET-8550: Best A3+ Printer for Photos
Why We Recommend It:
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is the definitive choice for the best A3+ photo printer, especially for those who prioritize exceptional photo print quality and cost-effective ink consumption. Its EcoTank system, combined with advanced color technology, delivers stunning, borderless A3+ photos, making it ideal for photographers and creative professionals.
Expert Analysis:
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 distinguishes itself with its refillable ink tank system, which dramatically reduces running costs compared to cartridge-based printers. It’s designed for high-quality photo printing up to A3+ size, utilizing a six-color dye ink set that includes gray ink to enhance black and white prints and improve color accuracy. While it’s also capable of document printing and basic office tasks, its strength lies in photo output.
Image: Epson EcoTank ET-8550 printing a photo, showcasing photo print quality.
Superior Photo Print Quality:
The ET-8550 excels in producing vibrant, detailed, and color-accurate photos. The inclusion of gray ink in its ink set is particularly beneficial, adding depth and nuance to monochrome prints and improving the overall color gamut. Borderless printing up to A3+ size is supported, allowing for professional-looking photo prints and artwork.
Image: Scanner bed of Epson EcoTank ET-8550, showing scan area.
Economical Ink Tank System:
The EcoTank system uses bottled ink to refill the printer tanks, significantly lowering the cost per print compared to traditional ink cartridges. The initial ink bottles included are sufficient for thousands of prints, providing substantial savings over time, especially for users who print photos frequently.
Image: Unboxing of Epson EcoTank ET-8550, showing ink bottles and components.
User-Friendly Features and Connectivity:
The ET-8550 features a large, user-friendly touchscreen interface for easy navigation and control. It supports various media types and sizes, including fine art papers and card stock, catering to diverse creative printing needs. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, with mobile printing support for added convenience.
Image: Touchscreen display of Epson EcoTank ET-8550, highlighting user interface.
Considerations:
While the ET-8550 is exceptional for photo printing, it has some limitations. Its duplex print speed is slow, which may not be ideal for users who frequently print double-sided documents. The scanner is limited to A4 size, which is a drawback for those needing to scan large format documents. The initial purchase price is higher than cartridge-based printers, although the long-term savings on ink offset this cost for frequent printers.
Verdict:
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is the premier A3+ photo printer, delivering outstanding print quality and incredibly low running costs thanks to its EcoTank system. For photographers and creative professionals who demand the best in large format photo printing and value long-term economy, the ET-8550 is unmatched.
Read the full Epson EcoTank ET-8550 review.
7. HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e: Best A3 Printer for Home Offices
Why We Recommend It:
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e is the best A3 printer for home offices, striking a perfect balance between affordability, functionality, and compact design. It’s an excellent choice for home users and small offices that occasionally need to print, scan, or copy in A3 format without taking up excessive space or breaking the bank.
Expert Analysis:
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e is designed as a versatile 3-in-1 inkjet printer suitable for home office environments. It offers A3 printing, scanning, and copying capabilities in a relatively compact footprint. While it may lack some of the advanced features of higher-end office printers, it provides essential functionalities at a competitive price point.
Image: HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e in a home office environment, showing its size.
Good Paper Capacity and Speed:
The 9730e comes with a generous 500-sheet paper capacity split between two trays, reducing the need for frequent paper refills. It offers a print speed of 22 ppm for monochrome, which is reasonably fast for an inkjet in its class. It also supports 2-sided scanning, enhancing efficiency for document handling.
Image: Control panel of HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e, highlighting the touchscreen.
User-Friendly and Feature-Rich:
Equipped with a large 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display, the 9730e is easy to operate and navigate. It includes essential features like dual-band Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and HP’s Wolf Pro Security, making it secure and convenient for home and small office use. The HP Smart App further simplifies printing and scanning tasks from mobile devices.
Image: Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) of HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e, showing document input.
Affordable Initial Cost:
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e is competitively priced, making it accessible for home users and small businesses on a budget. However, like many affordable cartridge-based printers, the cost of ink is a significant consideration. The printer uses standard inkjet cartridges, which can become expensive over time, especially with frequent A3 printing.
Image: Paper trays of HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e, showing paper handling.
Considerations:
The main drawbacks of the 9730e are its relatively expensive ink cartridges and some limitations in paper handling. It experienced paper jams during testing with heavier paper stock (over 105 g/m²). The automatic document feeder (ADF) is limited to A4 size, which means you cannot automatically scan A3 documents. Also, it lacks some advanced features found in higher-end office printers.
Image: Rear connectivity ports of HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e, showing connections.
Verdict:
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e is a solid and affordable A3 printer for home offices. Its compact design, good print quality, user-friendly features, and A3 capabilities make it an excellent choice for users who need occasional large format printing without the high cost and bulk of professional office printers.
Image: HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e printing a document, demonstrating output.
Read the full HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e review.
8. Epson EcoTank ET-15000: Best A3 Ink Tank Printer
Why We Recommend It:
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the best A3 ink tank printer, offering an unbeatable combination of ultra-low running costs, comprehensive features, and reliable A3 printing. It’s perfect for users who print frequently and need a cost-effective solution without sacrificing print quality or functionality.
Expert Analysis:
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a premium four-in-one office printer that utilizes Epson’s EcoTank system, which replaces traditional ink cartridges with refillable ink tanks. This design significantly reduces ink costs and environmental waste. It’s packed with features suitable for both home and small office environments, including A3 printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000
Image: Front view of Epson EcoTank ET-15000, highlighting ink tank system.
Ultra-Low Running Costs:
The primary advantage of the ET-15000 is its incredibly low running costs. It ships with enough ink in the box to print up to 6,200 black and white pages and 5,200 color pages. Refill ink bottles are very affordable, making it one of the most economical A3 printers in the long run, especially for high-volume printing.
Comprehensive Feature Set:
Despite its focus on economy, the ET-15000 is not lacking in features. It includes a 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), a fax facility, a touchscreen control panel, and both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity. It offers versatile paper handling with a 250-sheet main tray and a 20-sheet rear tray, accommodating various paper types up to A3+.
User-Friendly and Efficient:
The touchscreen interface simplifies printer operation and setup. The ink tank system is easy to refill, reducing mess and downtime. While its print speed of 17 ppm for monochrome is not the fastest, it’s adequate for most home and small office needs, especially considering the cost savings.
Considerations:
The initial purchase price of the EcoTank ET-15000 is higher than cartridge-based printers, which might be a barrier for some buyers. It lacks a front USB Host port, which some users might find inconvenient for direct printing from USB drives. While it supports A3+ paper size, its standard paper capacity is somewhat limited compared to office-centric models.
Verdict:
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is the definitive best A3 ink tank printer, offering unparalleled running cost savings without compromising on features or print quality. For users who prioritize long-term economy and need a reliable, feature-rich A3 printer for home or small office use, the ET-15000 is an excellent investment.
9. Brother MFC-J6945DW (MFC-J6947DW): Best A3 Printer for Business
Why We Recommend It:
The Brother MFC-J6945DW (known as MFC-J6947DW in the UK) is the best A3 printer for business environments that require a robust, high-capacity, and reliable device capable of handling substantial print volumes and large format media. It combines laser-like performance with inkjet versatility, making it a strong contender for busy offices.
Expert Analysis:
The Brother MFC-J6945DW is designed to bridge the gap between inkjet and laser printers, offering the speed and capacity often associated with lasers while retaining the versatility of inkjet technology, particularly in color and photo printing. It’s built for demanding business environments and offers a comprehensive suite of features to enhance office productivity.
Brother MFC-J5945DW
Image: Brother MFC-J6945DW in a business setting, demonstrating its office suitability.
High Paper and Ink Capacity:
The MFC-J6945DW boasts a substantial paper capacity of 750 sheets, minimizing interruptions for paper refills in busy offices. It ships with a generous amount of ink, reportedly enough for a year of typical office use. High-yield ink cartridges are available, further reducing running costs and extending the intervals between replacements.
A3 Printing and Scanning Capability:
A key feature is its ability to handle A3 paper for both printing and scanning in duplex mode. This is particularly valuable for businesses that frequently work with large documents, blueprints, or marketing materials. The ability to duplex print and scan A3 documents efficiently streamlines workflows and enhances productivity.
Performance and Print Quality:
The MFC-J6945DW offers a print speed comparable to laser printers, making it suitable for high-volume printing environments. It delivers crisp and bold text, ideal for professional documents. While it can print on photo paper, its photo quality is not as sharp as dedicated photo printers, but it’s more than adequate for business graphics and color documents.
Considerations:
Despite its strengths, the MFC-J6945DW has some limitations. The initial ink cartridges included, while generous, are not as high capacity as the replacement cartridges. Photo printing quality, while decent, lacks the sharpness of dedicated photo printers. It cannot scan A3 documents from the ADF, only from the flatbed scanner. Print results can sometimes be inconsistent, particularly with color accuracy. It also has a large footprint, requiring significant desk space.
Verdict:
The Brother MFC-J6945DW (MFC-J6947DW) is a robust and reliable A3 inkjet printer, making it the best choice for businesses needing a high-capacity, feature-rich device capable of handling large format printing and scanning. Its laser-like performance, coupled with inkjet versatility and reasonable running costs, makes it an excellent workhorse for demanding office environments.
Read the full Brother MFC-J6947DW review.
Choosing the Right A3 Printer: Key Considerations
Selecting the best A3 printer depends on your specific needs and priorities. Here are crucial factors to consider before making a purchase:
Inkjet vs. Laser:
The choice between inkjet and laser technology depends largely on your primary printing needs. Inkjet printers generally excel at photo printing due to their ability to deliver smooth color gradients and vibrant images. They are also typically more affordable upfront. Laser printers, on the other hand, are known for their speed and efficiency in printing text documents. They are often more cost-effective for high-volume black and white printing and produce crisp, durable text. For a deeper dive, explore our reviews of the best inkjet printers, best ink tank printers, and best laser printers.
Print-Only vs. Multifunction (All-in-One):
Decide whether you need a printer that only prints or one that also scans, copies, and possibly faxes. Multifunction printers (MFPs), also known as all-in-one (AIO) printers, offer versatility by combining multiple office functions into a single device. While convenient, they often come at a higher price. If you only need printing or already have separate scanning and copying solutions, a print-only device might be more economical. For more versatile options, see our guide to the best all-in-one printers.
Home vs. Office Use:
Consider where the printer will be used. Home printers are typically more compact, affordable, and designed for lighter use. Office printers are built for higher print volumes, faster speeds, and durability. They often include features like larger paper capacities, advanced security options, and workgroup support. For business-centric recommendations, check out the best small business printers.
Subscription Plans:
Evaluate whether a printer ink subscription plan is beneficial for you. These plans can offer cost savings and convenience, especially if you print frequently. Manufacturers like HP and Brother offer subscription services that automatically deliver ink or toner when you’re running low. While not essential, they can simplify supply management and reduce printing costs for high-volume users.
Essential Features:
Identify the features that are most important for your needs. Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity are standard in most A3 printers, enabling easy network sharing. Automatic document feeders (ADF) are crucial for efficient multi-page scanning and copying. Auto-duplex printing and scanning (double-sided) save paper and time. For A3 printing, check the printer’s specifications for supported paper thickness, especially if you plan to print on card stock or heavier media.
Budget:
Determine your budget, considering both the upfront cost of the printer and the ongoing running costs, primarily ink or toner. Inkjet printers are often cheaper to buy but may have higher ink costs per page. Laser printers typically have a higher initial cost but can be more economical in the long run for high-volume text printing. Ink tank printers like Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank models offer the lowest running costs due to their refillable ink systems, though they may have a higher upfront price. Keep an eye out for deals, especially during Prime Day printer deals and Black Friday printer deals.
Our Testing Methodology for A3 Printers
At amazingprint.net, our review process for A3 printers is rigorous and comprehensive. Our expert, [Your Name/Title], has extensive experience testing a wide range of printing products, from best photo printers to best large format printers. Our testing methodology ensures that every printer is evaluated under real-world conditions to provide you with reliable and practical recommendations.
Initial Setup and Unboxing:
We begin by timing the unboxing and setup process. This includes assessing the packaging for sustainability and evaluating the user manual for clarity and ease of use. Any difficulties or user-friendly design elements are noted, as the initial experience is crucial for user satisfaction.
Connectivity and Software:
We test both wired (Ethernet, USB) and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections to ensure reliable connectivity. We also evaluate the companion apps provided by manufacturers like HP and Epson, assessing their functionality and contribution to the overall user experience. Remote printing capabilities and mobile integration are thoroughly tested.
Print Performance Testing:
Our performance tests utilize a standardized suite of test documents, photos, and graphics designed to assess various aspects of print quality, including:
- Detail Resolution: Evaluating the sharpness and clarity of fine lines and intricate details in text and images.
- Contrast: Assessing the printer’s ability to produce deep blacks and bright whites, and the overall dynamic range.
- Color Accuracy: Measuring how accurately the printer reproduces colors compared to the original source, crucial for photo and color document printing.
- Color Gamut: Testing the range of colors a printer can produce, particularly important for vibrant and realistic photo prints.
- Feathering and Smearing: Specifically for inkjet printers, we check for ink feathering (bleeding into paper fibers) and smearing, especially on different paper types.
- Print Speed: We measure the actual print speed for both monochrome and color documents, comparing it against manufacturer claims using a ten-page text document and complex graphics.
Media Handling and Versatility:
We test each printer with a range of paper stocks, from standard 75gsm office paper to heavy 600gsm card stock, and various media types like photo paper, envelopes, labels, and specialty media if supported. We evaluate the printer’s ability to handle different paper weights and types without jamming or misfeeding. If the printer claims to support printing on unconventional media like t-shirt transfers or banners, we test these capabilities as well.
Multifunction Features:
For all-in-one printers, we rigorously test scanning, copying, and faxing functionalities:
- Scan Quality and Speed: Assessing the resolution, color accuracy, and speed of the scanner, including both flatbed and ADF scanning if available.
- Copy Quality and Speed: Evaluating the quality and speed of color and monochrome copies, and testing features like duplex copying and document enlargement/reduction.
- ADF Performance: Testing the automatic document feeder for reliability, paper capacity, and ability to handle different paper weights and sizes.
Cost of Ownership Analysis:
We conduct a thorough cost of ownership (COO) analysis, considering the initial printer price and the ongoing costs of consumables, primarily ink or toner. We calculate the cost per page for both black and white and color printing to provide a clear picture of long-term expenses. We also evaluate the availability and cost of high-yield cartridges and ink tank refill options.
Build Quality and Design:
Our assessment includes a subjective evaluation of the printer’s build quality and design. We consider the robustness of materials, ease of access to paper trays and ink cartridges, the intuitiveness of the control panel and user interface, and the overall ergonomic design.
By combining quantitative performance testing with qualitative assessments of usability, design, and cost, our reviews aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of each A3 printer’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific printing needs and priorities.
