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The Brother MFC-J6940DW is worth considering if your office regularly prints or scans Ledger/A3 documents and needs automatic two-sided handling. Its two paper trays, 50-page document feeder, and single-pass duplex copying and scanning make it unusually capable for wide-format office work. The trade-off is a large footprint and cartridge costs that may make it a poor fit for high-volume printing or buyers focused on the lowest cost per page.
What the Brother MFC-J6940DW does
This is a four-function color inkjet: it prints, scans, copies, and faxes. Brother’s US listing supports media up to 11 × 17 inches (Ledger) and specifies automatic duplex printing, single-pass duplex copy and scan, two 250-sheet trays, and a 50-page automatic document feeder (ADF). The combination matters most when a job involves both large sheets and batches of two-sided originals. Brother’s US product listing rates print speed at up to 28 pages per minute; that is a manufacturer rating, not a promise of real-world speed for every document.
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Brother’s Canadian specifications list a multipurpose tray that holds up to 100 sheets of plain paper, in addition to the two 250-sheet trays. The listed formats include Ledger/A3, Legal, and A4, and the ADF accommodates documents up to 11.7 inches wide by 17 inches long. Brother also lists a long-paper scan function up to 900 mm. Tray capacities and supported formats can vary by region, so check the documentation for the model sold in your market. Brother Canada’s specifications
How well does it suit an office workflow?
Where it earns its space
The MFC-J6940DW makes the most sense for a small office that regularly handles spreadsheets, plans, brochures, or other documents larger than Letter/A4. An ADF reduces manual feeding for batches, while single-pass duplex scanning and copying can handle both sides of originals without turning each sheet over. Brother’s manufacturer pages in the US, Australia, and Canada describe this large-format duplex workflow. Brother Australia’s product page
#1 Best Overall
- Item Package Dimension: 6.21L x 5.27W x 2.59H inches
- Item Package Weight - 0.44 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - INKJET PRINTER INK
Brother lists a recommended monthly volume of 250–2,500 pages for the US model. Treat this as manufacturer guidance, not an independent finding that the printer is the best-value choice at every point in that range. Brother’s US product listing
Space and everyday drawbacks
TechRadar’s review, last updated 11 August 2022, praised the printer’s speed and versatility for an inkjet and found its document and photo output acceptable for ordinary office use. The reviewer also noted that the paper trays protrude when extended to accommodate A3 sheets, a practical consideration if the printer will sit on a shallow desk or in a tight workspace. These are historical reviewer observations, not a guarantee of performance in every setup. TechRadar’s MFC-J6940DW review
Rank #2
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESS: This multifunction printer makes it easy to print, copy, scan, and fax on up to 11”x17” paper. Includes one 1,800-page yield black ink cartridge and one 750-page yield ink cartridge for each color in cyan, magenta, and yellow(2).
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED FEATURES: 500-sheet capacity with two trays(3), 100-sheet multipurpose tray(3), up to 50-page single-pass duplex copy & scan via ADF(3), and automatic duplex printing up to 11x17. Connect via wireless network(4), Ethernet, or USB.
- SPEED & QUALITY: Engineered with MAXIDRIVE Technology with print speeds of up to 31 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 30 ppm in color(5). The PerfectPrint Auto Detection System helps support reliable print quality for results you can be proud of.
- INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: With Wi-Fi Direct, print wirelessly without an external network connection. Print from and scan to Cloud apps(6), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the 2.7” color touchscreen for easy operation.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: The power of printing at your fingertips. Go mobile with the simple-to-use Brother Mobile Connect app(7) that delivers onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from a mobile device.
For occasional Letter/A4 printing, the large-format features may not justify the space and supplies. If low running cost is more important than duplex A3 handling, compare refillable inkjets and laser printers using current local prices and your expected print volume rather than assuming this model is economical. TechRadar specifically cautioned that disposable-cartridge costs can compare unfavorably with laser and refillable inkjet rivals.
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What should you expect to pay for ink?
Consumer Reports’ model-specific test page gives a useful warning about cost, but its displayed figures should not be treated as current prices or guaranteed results. Consumer Reports reports 15.1 cents per black-text page and 45.6 cents per color-graphics page in its testing; the test date and price basis are not stated in the retrieved page excerpt. It also reports about 208 black-text pages per cartridge, with a caution that maintenance can reduce actual yield. Consumer Reports’ test page
Rank #3
- UP TO 1-YEAR OF INK IN-BOX¹ – Enjoy exceptional convenience and savings with enough ink for up to 1 year of printing right out of the box¹.
- REVOLUTIONARY INKVESTMENT TANK TECHNOLOGY – Internal ink tank system works with front-loading cartridges for hassle-free, uninterrupted printing with no manual refills.
- COMPACT ALL-IN-ONE FUNCTIONALITY – Print, copy, scan, and fax with fast speeds, duplex printing, and a 20-page automatic document feeder
- WIRELESS AND CLOUD READY – Print-from and scan-to popular cloud services and mobile devices via the Brother Mobile Connect App³.
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Features a 150-sheet adjustable paper tray, bypass tray, and automatic duplex printing for letter and legal-size paper.
Consumer Reports also reports that five text pages took 14 seconds in its test; its displayed excerpt does not state the test date. Coverage, document type, maintenance, and cartridge prices affect what owners actually spend, so use local cartridge prices and realistic workloads for a buying calculation. A high-volume buyer should compare expected ink costs with those of a laser or refillable inkjet before choosing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which cartridges fit the MFC-J6940DW?
Cartridge codes depend on the market. Brother USA lists the LC402 standard and LC402XL high-yield families for this model; Consumer Reports says it tested the printer with LC402 black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges. Brother UK lists LC422-series supplies. Do not assume the US and UK families are interchangeable.
Rank #4
- BEST FOR HOME OFFICE AND SMALL OFFICE: Get your work done with a multifunction printer. Print, copy, and scan on one convenient, compact printer, with quick and easy setup for your home, home office, or small office space.
- EASY-TO-USE TOUCHSCREEN WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Seamless integration with the Cloud(2). Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more on a clear 2.7” color touchscreen display.
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED FEATURES: Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), 150-sheet paper tray(3). Print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) black/9 ppm color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) for easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor ink usage to help ensure you don’t run out(6).
| Market | Cartridge family listed for the model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| United States | LC402 standard and LC402XL high-yield | Brother USA |
| United Kingdom | LC422 series | Brother UK |
Before ordering, check the exact model label and use the Brother compatibility listing for the country where the printer was sold. The US listing showed an out-of-stock status when checked, but that status can change and does not establish availability at other retailers or in other regions. Brother USA
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Best Value
What to check before buying
- Large-format need: Confirm that you regularly print or scan Ledger/A3 documents; otherwise, you may be paying in space and supplies for a capability you rarely use.
- Duplex workflow: Verify that automatic two-sided scanning and copying address the way your office handles originals, not just finished print jobs.
- Physical clearance: Allow room for the trays to extend when loaded for A3.
- Running cost: Price the region-correct cartridges and estimate costs using your monthly mix of black text and color graphics. Do not rely on an undated test cost as a current quote.
- Paper compatibility: Check local documentation for the paper weight and feed path required by the Ledger/A3 plain, coated, or glossy stock you plan to use. Brother’s US listing recommends specific Innobella photo paper, but that is not a universal best-paper claim.
- Alternatives: If volume is high or cost per page dominates, compare current laser and refillable inkjet options on media size, duplex scanning, ADF capacity, footprint, and realistic supply costs. The available evidence does not establish a current model-by-model winner.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
