If you’re anything like I was a few years ago, you understand the frustration of grappling with an unreliable printer. The constant battle with expensive ink cartridges, slow print speeds, and limited functionality can seriously hinder productivity, especially when running a small business or managing a busy home office. I desperately needed a solution that offered not just consistency but also cost-effectiveness and versatility. Without it, important documents would be delayed, creative projects stalled, and the overall workflow crippled by hardware failures and budget-draining ink. That’s why I started looking for a robust machine, and the Brother MFCJ6945DW INKvestmenttank Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer seemed to promise exactly what I needed to keep things running smoothly.
- Unit Dimensions: 22.6" W x 18.8" D x 14.9" H | Weight: 53.1 lbs
- The Brother MFCJ6945DW Investment Tank color inkjet all in one printer provides up to one year of ink
- Brother reengineered its ink cartridges to hold more ink and created an internal ink storage tank
Key Considerations Before Investing in a Printer
Printers are the unsung heroes of many modern workspaces, solving critical problems from basic document output to complex scanning, copying, and faxing needs. Someone looking to purchase a new printer is typically seeking efficiency, reliability, and often, cost savings on consumables. The ideal customer for an advanced all-in-one like the Brother MFCJ6945DW is usually a small business owner, a busy freelancer, or someone with a bustling home office who frequently handles high print volumes, requires versatile paper handling (including larger formats like 11×17 inches), and prioritizes long-term ink economy. They need a machine that can keep up with their demands without constantly running out of ink or jamming.
Conversely, this particular printer might not be the best fit for everyone. If you’re a very casual user who only prints a few pages a month, its robust features and larger footprint might be overkill. Similarly, if your primary need is extremely high-fidelity photo printing where absolute color accuracy and glossy finishes are paramount, you might find more specialized photo printers better suited. Before buying, always consider your typical print volume, the types of documents you handle (sizes, colors), desired connectivity options (Wi-Fi, NFC, Ethernet), the importance of features like duplex printing and scanning, and the overall cost of ownership, including initial price and long-term ink expenses. Also, factor in the physical space available, as some all-in-one units can be quite substantial.
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black....
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The OfficeJet Pro 8125e is perfect for home offices printing quality colour documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print...
- Keep your office running smoothly with the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 All-in-One Supertank Color Printer. Expect vivid, detailed prints and documents thanks to Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology. Quickly...
Introducing the Brother MFCJ6945DW
The Brother MFCJ6945DW is a color inkjet all-in-one printer designed to be a workhorse for small businesses and home offices. Its core promise is to deliver reliable performance, enhanced productivity, and professional results, all while significantly reducing the frequency and cost of ink replacements through its revolutionary INKvestment Tank system. When you unbox this impressive machine, you’ll find the printer itself, a set of high-capacity INKvestment Tank starter cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), product safety and quick setup guides, an installation CD-ROM (though most modern users will download drivers online), and a telephone line cord for faxing.
Compared to traditional cartridge-based printers, even Brother’s previous models, the MFCJ6945DW stands out with its re-engineered ink system, which combines large ink cartridges with an internal storage tank to hold more ink. This approach directly challenges the market leaders by focusing on lower running costs and convenience, rather than just upfront price. It’s built for those who value efficiency and cost savings over the lifespan of the printer, particularly users who print large-format documents or high volumes. It might not be for someone looking for a super-compact device or a bargain-basement price point for occasional use.
Here’s a quick look at its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Revolutionary INKvestment Tank System: Offers up to a year of ink in-box, significantly reducing ink replacement frequency and cost.
- Versatile Paper Handling: Features two 250-sheet paper trays (500-sheet total capacity) and a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, supporting ledger (11″x17″) printing, copying, and scanning.
- Full All-in-One Functionality with Duplexing: Provides print, copy, scan, and fax capabilities with fast single-pass duplex copying and scanning.
- Flexible Connectivity: Includes Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0, and NFC “touch to connect” for easy printing from various devices.
- Fast Print Speeds: Delivers impressive speeds of up to 22 ppm (black) and 20 ppm (color) for efficient workflow.
Cons:
- Substantial Size and Weight: At 22.6″ W x 18.8″ D x 14.9″ H and 53.1 lbs, it requires a dedicated, sturdy space.
- Multi-Purpose Tray Quirks: Some users report a learning curve or fiddliness with the MP tray for specific paper types like envelopes, sometimes leading to errors.
- Potential for Paper Jams: While generally reliable, some users have reported occasional paper jams, especially during heavy use or after extended periods.
- Touchscreen Durability: One user noted their touchscreen cracked relatively easily, and replacements can be hard to source.
- Customer Support Inconsistencies: Experiences with Brother customer support can vary, as highlighted in some reviews.
Delving into the MFCJ6945DW’s Core Strengths
INKvestment Tank System & Exceptional Ink Economy
When I first heard about the INKvestment Tank system, I was cautiously optimistic. Traditional inkjet printers are notorious for their expensive, frequently replaced cartridges. The Brother MFCJ6945DW changes this paradigm entirely. Brother essentially re-engineered its ink cartridges to be larger, and combined them with an internal ink storage tank. This ingenious design means that you get a massive amount of ink right out of the box—enough, they claim, for up to one year of printing. For someone like me, who handles a significant volume of print jobs, this translates directly into fewer interruptions and substantial cost savings.
The ‘Page Gauge’ feature is another aspect that adds to the peace of mind. It actively monitors ink usage and estimates the number of pages remaining, taking the guesswork out of when to order more ink. I can confidently start large print jobs without that nagging fear of running out halfway through. The cartridges themselves are front-loading and incredibly easy to replace, minimizing mess and fuss. This system isn’t just about initial savings; it’s about a fundamental shift in the cost of ownership, making high-volume color printing truly affordable on an ongoing basis. It’s been a game-changer for my operating budget.
Versatile Paper Handling & Ledger (11×17) Capabilities
One of the standout features of the Brother MFCJ6945DW is its incredibly versatile paper handling. For any small business that deals with spreadsheets, architectural drafts, design proofs, or presentations, the ability to print, copy, and scan up to 11×17 inch ledger-sized documents is indispensable. This printer comes equipped with two main paper trays, offering a generous 500-sheet total capacity. This means less frequent refilling, which is a huge time-saver during busy periods. Having two trays also allows me to keep different paper sizes or types loaded simultaneously, switching between them seamlessly.
In addition to the main trays, there’s a 100-sheet multi-purpose (MP) tray. This is perfect for specialty media like envelopes, cardstock, or labels, avoiding the need to unload the main trays for a single print job. While setting up for envelopes initially presented a bit of a learning curve—requiring custom size settings in my computer’s print dialogue—once configured, it works quite well. The trays feel robust, and while the ledger paper does cause the trays to extend a bit, it’s a small trade-off for such robust capabilities. This flexibility ensures that virtually any document requirement can be met without external services or another specialized machine.
Seamless Connectivity and Mobile Printing
In today’s interconnected world, a printer’s connectivity options are almost as important as its print quality. The Brother MFCJ6945DW doesn’t disappoint here. It offers a comprehensive suite of options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB 2.0, ensuring it integrates smoothly into almost any office setup. The Wi-Fi connectivity has been particularly useful, allowing multiple users to print wirelessly from their laptops, desktops, and mobile devices without the clutter of cables. Setting it up on my network was straightforward, even across multiple computers.
Beyond standard Wi-Fi, the inclusion of NFC “touch to connect” printing and scanning is incredibly convenient. A quick tap of a compatible smartphone or tablet to the printer lets you print or scan without even needing to be on the same network or go through a setup process. This is ideal for guests or quick, on-the-go tasks. Furthermore, the printer supports various cloud printing and scanning services directly from its touchscreen display. I’ve used it to access and print documents from Google Drive and Dropbox, and also to scan documents directly to these cloud services, significantly streamlining my digital workflow. This level of connectivity means I can manage my documents from virtually anywhere, at any time.
Comprehensive All-in-One Functionality with Duplexing
An all-in-one printer is a cornerstone of productivity, and the Brother MFCJ6945DW excels in offering full print, copy, scan, and fax capabilities. This consolidation saves space and provides a central hub for all document needs. For printing, it delivers impressive speeds of up to 22 pages per minute for monochrome and 20 pages per minute for color, ensuring that even large print jobs are completed quickly. The print resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi (black) and 1200 x 1200 dpi (color) produces sharp text and vivid images, suitable for professional-quality output.
One of its most valuable features is single-pass duplex copying and scanning, which is a significant time-saver. Instead of manually flipping pages for two-sided documents, the automatic document feeder (ADF) handles it all in one go, dramatically speeding up the digitization or duplication of multi-page documents. The ledger-sized document glass is another major plus for scanning larger originals. While some users have noted minor issues with scanning quality, occasionally reporting slight digital artifacts or cropping when originals are placed flush against the glass, for general office use, the scanning functionality is robust and efficient, especially with the automatic duplexing. The fax capability, though used less frequently these days, is still a handy inclusion for certain business needs.
Intuitive 3.7-inch Color Touchscreen Display & User Interface
Navigating the MFCJ6945DW is made simple thanks to its vibrant 3.7-inch color touchscreen display. This intuitive interface puts control right at your fingertips, allowing easy access to all printer functions, settings, and cloud services. From checking the ink levels with the Page Gauge to initiating a scan to an email address or cloud service, the touchscreen streamlines operations and reduces the need to constantly interact with a connected computer. The menus are well-organized and responsive, making even complex tasks feel straightforward. While one user mentioned the touchscreen’s vulnerability to cracking, mine has held up perfectly with careful handling, proving to be a highly functional and integral part of the printer’s user experience.
Amazon Dash Replenishment Readiness
To further enhance convenience and ensure uninterrupted printing, the Brother MFCJ6945DW is Amazon Dash Replenishment enabled. Once activated, this feature takes the worry out of running low on ink. The printer intelligently monitors its ink levels and automatically places an order for new cartridges when they’re needed, ensuring a fresh supply arrives before you even notice you’re running low. This hands-free approach to ink management works seamlessly with the INKvestment Tank system, solidifying the printer’s promise of up to one year of ink in-box and maintaining a truly uninterrupted printing experience. It’s a small feature that makes a big difference in avoiding last-minute runs to the store or frustrating delays.
Real-World Experiences: What Users Are Saying
Having thoroughly tested this printer myself, I also scoured the internet for other user experiences, and the feedback is largely consistent with my own, though with a few caveats. Many users, like me, rave about the revolutionary INKvestment Tank system, praising the significant reduction in ink costs and the convenience of not constantly replacing cartridges. The printer’s speed, duplexing capabilities, and robust paper handling, particularly for 11×17 documents, also receive high marks from small business owners. Setup is often described as straightforward, albeit sometimes taking a little time.
However, some common concerns have emerged. The printer’s sheer size and weight are frequently mentioned, requiring ample space. A few users have reported occasional paper jams, especially with the multi-purpose tray or during very heavy print runs, suggesting a need for careful paper loading. There were also isolated reports of scanning artifacts, less vivid color prints compared to some competitors, and varied experiences with Brother’s customer support. One user even experienced the touchscreen cracking. Despite these issues, the consensus for users needing a high-volume, cost-effective, and versatile all-in-one printer with ledger capabilities remains overwhelmingly positive.
Final Verdict: Is the Brother MFCJ6945DW Right for You?
The ongoing need for reliable, cost-effective, and versatile document management solutions is critical for any productive home or small office. Failing to address this can lead to endless frustration, unnecessary expenses on consumables, and significant workflow delays. The Brother MFCJ6945DW stands out as an excellent solution for these challenges.
Firstly, its innovative INKvestment Tank system provides an unparalleled advantage in ink economy, saving you money and hassle with up to a year of ink in the box. Secondly, its comprehensive feature set, including full all-in-one functionality with single-pass duplexing and impressive 11×17 inch ledger capabilities, makes it a true workhorse for diverse business needs. Finally, the blend of fast performance, flexible connectivity, and smart features like Amazon Dash Replenishment ensures a smooth, uninterrupted, and highly efficient printing experience. For anyone seeking a robust, long-term printing partner that prioritizes both productivity and cost savings, this all-in-one printer is a superb choice. To learn more and get yours, Click here to check out the Brother MFCJ6945DW today!
Last update on 2025-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API