Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer Review: The Small Business A3+ Workhorse We’ve Been Waiting For?

For years, our small creative studio ran on a fleet of dependable, if uninspired, A4 all-in-one printers. They handled invoices, letters, and standard reports with ease. But a recurring frustration constantly bottlenecked our workflow: the moment a project demanded a larger canvas. We were designing marketing mock-ups, reviewing architectural plans, and creating client presentations that were simply constrained by the 8.27 x 11.69-inch box of an A4 sheet. Every time we needed to print a full-scale proof or a large-format spreadsheet, we faced the same tedious routine: chopping the document into tiled sections, printing multiple pages, and painstakingly taping them together. It was unprofessional, time-consuming, and never gave us a true sense of the final product. We knew there had to be a better way than outsourcing every A3 print job, a process that was both costly and slow. We needed a professional, in-house solution that could handle everything from a single A3+ poster to a 50-page duplex report without breaking the bank or taking over the entire office.

What to Consider Before Buying an All-In-One Printer

An All-In-One Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for streamlining the modern home office or small business. By consolidating printing, scanning, copying, and often faxing into a single device, it dramatically reduces the physical footprint and cost associated with owning separate machines. The main benefit is efficiency. Imagine scanning a multi-page contract directly to a cloud service, printing high-quality marketing materials, and making quick copies of an invoice, all from one central hub. It’s about reclaiming desk space and simplifying your workflow, allowing you to focus on your actual work rather than managing multiple pieces of hardware.

The ideal customer for a robust device like this is someone facing the limitations of basic printers. This includes small business owners, graphic designers, architects, real estate agents, or even families with demanding home-schooling needs. If your work regularly involves multi-page documents, high-resolution scanning, or the need for larger print formats like A3, a powerful all-in-one is a game-changer. However, it might not be suitable for those who only print a few pages of text per month. For the casual user, a more compact and less feature-rich model would be more economical. If you only need to print, a dedicated single-function printer could be a better choice, just as a portable scanner would be for someone who is always on the move and only needs to digitise documents.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Do not underestimate the physical size of a feature-rich printer, especially one with A3 capabilities. Measure your intended space carefully, accounting for ventilation and access to paper trays and the scanner lid. As we discovered, and many users confirm, a model like the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW is a substantial piece of equipment that requires a dedicated, sturdy surface.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the print speed (PPM – pages per minute). Consider the paper capacity of the trays—frequent refilling can be a nuisance in a busy environment. An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is essential for scanning or copying multi-page documents, and its capacity and duplex (two-sided scanning) capability are key performance metrics for productivity.
• Materials & Durability: A printer for a small business is an investment that needs to withstand daily use. Look for a sturdy build quality, with robust trays and a solid chassis. While most are plastic, the weight and feel of the components can often indicate its longevity. At over 20 kg, you can feel the business-grade construction in this Epson model.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A user-friendly interface, such as a large colour touchscreen, can make a world of difference in day-to-day operation. Also, consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges and the ease of replacing them. Individual ink cartridges are generally more cost-effective than tricolor cartridges as you only replace the colour that runs out.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Big Box for a Big Performer

The arrival of the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer was an event in itself. The shipping box is enormous, and the courier’s advice to get help was not an exaggeration. As several users have noted, this is a two-person job to unbox and position safely. Weighing in at over 20 kilograms, its sheer heft immediately signals that this isn’t a flimsy home printer; it feels like a serious piece of business hardware. Once freed from its secure packaging, the printer’s design is functional and professional. Its dark grey and black chassis is clean and understated, fitting well into an office environment.

Setup was surprisingly straightforward. The 6.8 cm colour touchscreen is the star of the show, guiding us through every step with clear animations and instructions, from removing the transport tapes to installing the four individual Series 405 ink cartridges. Connecting it to our office Wi-Fi network was painless, and we were printing a test page from a laptop within 15 minutes of plugging it in. The initial calibration and ink priming process takes a few minutes, but it’s a completely automated, hands-off affair. Right out of the box, it felt robust, well-designed, and ready for business.

Deep Dive: Putting the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW Through Its Paces

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a printer’s capabilities, you have to live with it, push its limits, and integrate it into a real-world workflow. We spent weeks using the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer as our studio’s primary hub, throwing everything from large-format photo prints to dense, double-sided legal documents at it. This is what we found.

The Heart of the Machine: A3+ Printing & PrecisionCore Quality

The single biggest reason to invest in this machine is its A3+ capability, and we are thrilled to report that it delivers spectacularly. The magic behind the curtain is Epson’s PrecisionCore printhead technology. Unlike conventional thermal inkjets, PrecisionCore uses piezoelectric elements that fire ink droplets with incredible accuracy and speed, resulting in text that rivals a laser printer for sharpness and images that are vibrant and detailed. We printed a series of A3 marketing posters filled with rich gradients and fine text. The colours were punchy and accurate, and the 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution ensured there was no visible banding or pixelation. Text, even at small font sizes on a large sheet, was crisp and perfectly legible.

Speed is another area where it impresses. The claimed 25 ppm for black and white is realistic for standard text documents. A 30-page, single-sided report printed in just over a minute. Colour printing, at a claimed 12 ppm, is naturally slower, but a full-bleed A3 photo on glossy paper was ready in under two minutes, which is excellent for an inkjet of this class. The automatic duplexing is seamless, handling two-sided printing without any fuss or slowing down the process excessively. Having two 250-sheet paper trays is also a huge productivity booster, allowing us to load A4 in one and A3 in the other, switching between them effortlessly via the print driver. This versatility makes it an incredibly powerful tool for any small business that needs professional-quality, large-format output on demand.

A Workflow Powerhouse: Duplex Scanning, Copying, and Connectivity

The “4-in-1” moniker is well-earned. The Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer is a master of document management. The real star for office productivity is the 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) that supports two-sided scanning, copying, and faxing up to A3 size. This is a feature often missing from competitors and is an absolute game-changer. We tested it by scanning a 20-page, double-sided A3 legal contract. The printer fed each page smoothly, scanned both sides in a single pass, and delivered a perfectly collated PDF to our network drive in minutes. This single feature saved us an immense amount of time compared to manually flipping pages on a flatbed scanner.

Connectivity is as flexible as it gets. We primarily used the stable Ethernet connection for our office network, which provided flawless communication from all our workstations. For visiting clients, the Wi-Fi Direct feature was invaluable, allowing them to print directly from their laptops or phones without needing our network password. The Epson Smart Panel app and Email Print functionality further enhance its modern credentials. From my smartphone, I was able to scan a document directly to my Google Drive, check ink levels, and even print a photo that I had just taken while out of the office. This level of remote access and control is perfect for today’s hybrid work environments, ensuring productivity is never tethered to a specific desk.

Running Costs and the Firmware Conundrum

Long-term cost is a critical factor for any business purchase. The Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer uses Epson’s 405 series “Durabrite” pigment inks, which come in four individual cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow). This individual-cartridge system is vastly more economical than combined tricolor cartridges, as you only need to replace the specific colour that has been depleted. The inks themselves are excellent, producing water- and smudge-resistant prints that are perfect for business documents.

For higher volume printing, we highly recommend investing in the XL high-yield cartridges. While the upfront cost is higher, they offer a significantly lower cost-per-page, with the black XL cartridge rated for up to 1,100 pages. This brings running costs into a very competitive range for an inkjet printer. However, we must address a critical point that we discovered in our research and which is echoed in user feedback: firmware updates. Like many modern printer manufacturers, Epson occasionally releases firmware updates that can, intentionally or not, block the use of third-party or compatible ink cartridges. During our testing with the included Epson inks, we had no issues. But for any business planning to use compatible cartridges to further lower costs, our expert advice is to be extremely cautious and likely disable automatic firmware updates. The potential for a software update to suddenly reject your ink supply is a risk that needs to be managed proactively. If you’re committed to this printer’s incredible features, you can find the genuine Epson 405XL ink cartridges here to ensure continuous, uninterrupted performance.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our own extensive testing, we delved into feedback from other users to see if our experience was typical. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the printer’s core functions. Many, like one German user, praise the “well-explained” and “problem-free” setup process, a sentiment we strongly share. Another user highlighted that the “colours are great,” confirming our findings about the excellent print quality for photos and graphics. It’s frequently described as a “good all-rounder,” a perfect summary of its versatile capabilities.

However, two points of caution appear consistently. The first, which cannot be overstated, is its size. As one reviewer aptly put it, “You should be aware that it is not a small printer!” This is not a device you can tuck away on a small shelf. The second, more critical point, comes from a Spanish user who issued a strong warning: “I recommend never updating the printer’s firmware.” They reported that after an update, the printer stopped recognising their compatible cartridges, forcing them to find a way to downgrade the firmware. This is a significant consideration for anyone planning to use non-OEM inks. While some negative experiences related to receiving used or faulty units seem to be isolated seller or shipping issues rather than a systemic product flaw, the firmware caution is a piece of advice worth heeding.

How Does the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW Compare to the Alternatives?

The Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer occupies a specific niche as a small-business-focused A3+ machine. To understand its value, it’s helpful to compare it against popular A4-only all-in-one printers designed more for general home use.

1. Canon PIXMA TS5150 All-in-One Wireless Printer

The Canon PIXMA TS5150 is a fantastic, compact all-in-one for home users or students. Its primary strengths are its small footprint, affordability, and excellent photo printing quality for its class. However, the comparison with the Epson WorkForce is one of scale and purpose. The PIXMA is strictly an A4 printer, lacks an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), and uses a simpler two-cartridge (one black, one tricolor) system, which can be less cost-effective for frequent colour printing. Someone should choose the Canon PIXMA TS5150 if their needs are basic document and photo printing in a home setting where space is a premium and A3 capability is not required.

2. HP Envy 6120e All-in-One Printer

The HP Envy 6120e is another strong contender in the A4 home printer market, often positioned with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. It boasts a sleek, modern design and solid performance for everyday tasks like printing homework, photos, and documents. Like the Canon, it’s built for a different user entirely. It lacks the A3 functionality, duplex scanning ADF, and extensive paper capacity of the Epson. The Envy 6120e is the right choice for a family or individual who values ease of use, a compact design, and the convenience of an ink subscription service for predictable, low-to-moderate A4 printing volumes.

3. HP Envy 6420e All in One Printer with ADF

The HP Envy 6420e is a step up from the 6120e, crucially adding a 35-page Automatic Document Feeder. This makes it much more capable for home office tasks involving multi-page scanning and copying. It closes the gap with the Epson in terms of document management, but it remains an A4-only device. Its ADF is single-sided (not duplex scanning) and has a smaller capacity. The HP Envy 6420e is ideal for a busy home office that handles many A4 documents but has no need for the large-format printing, dual paper trays, and business-grade speed offered by the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW Worth It?

After extensive use, we can confidently say that the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer is a phenomenal machine for its target audience. If your small business, home office, or creative pursuit has been held back by the limitations of A4, this printer is the key to unlocking new capabilities. Its combination of superb A3+ print quality, rapid performance, and true all-in-one duplex functionality makes it an incredibly powerful and versatile hub for productivity. It successfully bridges the gap between consumer-grade models and far more expensive commercial machines.

Its only significant drawbacks are its considerable size and the potential issue with firmware updates affecting third-party inks. Provided you have the space for it and are mindful of the ink situation, it represents outstanding value. We recommend it without hesitation to architects, designers, marketers, and any office that needs to bring professional, large-format document handling in-house.

If you’ve decided the Epson WorkForce WF-7840DTW A3+ 4-in-1 Printer is the right fit for your needs, you can check its current price and availability here.