Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer Review: The Home Office A3 Powerhouse with a Catch

There’s a specific moment of frustration every small business owner or home office professional knows well. You’ve just finalised a beautiful, data-rich spreadsheet, a detailed architectural plan, or a vibrant marketing poster. You hit ‘Print’, walk over to your trusty A4 all-in-one, and pull out a sheet where everything is compressed, unreadable, and utterly useless. The immediate follow-up is a frantic search for a local print shop, costing you time, money, and momentum. We’ve been there. For years, our office workflow was dictated by the 210 by 297-millimetre confines of a standard sheet of paper. This limitation feels acceptable until it becomes a bottleneck, stifling creativity and efficiency. The search for a solution leads to a critical question: how do you get the expansive capability of A3 printing without surrendering your entire desk to a monolithic machine?

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 productivity in any modern office or home workspace. It serves as a central command hub, consolidating the essential functions of printing, scanning, copying, and often faxing into a single, space-saving device. The primary benefit is efficiency. Instead of wrestling with multiple machines, drivers, and cable configurations, a single multifunction printer handles every document-related task. This consolidation not only declutters your physical workspace but also simplifies your digital workflow, allowing you to manage everything from one interface, whether it’s the device’s touchscreen or a companion app on your computer or phone.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily demands of a dynamic work environment. This includes small business owners juggling invoices and marketing materials, students producing detailed reports and large-format projects, or creative professionals needing to print proofs and scan artwork. If your work requires a blend of text documents, colour graphics, and occasional large-format output, a feature-rich AIO is indispensable. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who only print a few monochrome pages per month; a basic, single-function laser printer might be more cost-effective. Likewise, professional photographers requiring gallery-quality giclée prints would be better served by a specialised photo printer. For most, however, the AIO strikes the perfect balance between capability and cost.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Do not underestimate the footprint of a multifunction printer, especially one with A3 capabilities. Measure your intended space carefully, accounting not just for the device’s base dimensions (53W x 39.8H x 30.5D cm for this model) but also for the clearance needed to open scanner lids, extend paper trays, and access ink cartridges. As we discovered, some models use clever tricks to maintain a compact A4 footprint, but this can involve trays that extend significantly during use.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond the initial purchase price to the printer’s core performance metrics. Print speed, measured in images per minute (ipm), is critical for productivity—28 ipm is impressively fast for an inkjet. Also, consider paper handling: a 250-sheet main tray means less frequent refilling, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) is a lifesaver for scanning multi-page documents. Finally, investigate the ink system, including the page yield of starter and replacement cartridges, to understand the long-term running costs.
• Materials & Durability: An office printer is a workhorse, and it should be built like one. Look for sturdy plastic construction that doesn’t feel flimsy or creak under pressure. Reputable brands like Brother have a long history of building reliable machines designed to withstand the rigours of daily office use. The weight of the machine can often be a good indicator of its internal build quality and the robustness of its components.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A powerful printer is useless if it’s a nightmare to operate. A clear, responsive touchscreen, intuitive menu system, and straightforward mobile app are essential for a smooth user experience. Consider the setup process—especially wireless connectivity, which can be a point of friction. Long-term maintenance involves replacing ink cartridges and running occasional cleaning cycles, processes that should be simple and well-documented.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.

While the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet 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:

Unboxing the Brother MFC-J5340DW: A Sturdy and Business-Focused First Look

Pulling the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer from its substantial packaging, our first impression was one of purpose-built solidity. The black and white chassis feels robust and business-like, a far cry from some of the more flimsy consumer-grade printers on the market. At a glance, it maintains a surprisingly manageable A4 footprint, designed to fit on a standard office desk or credenza without completely dominating the space. Assembly is minimal; it’s mostly a matter of removing transit tape, loading the four initial ink cartridges into their easy-access front-facing compartment, and loading paper into the main tray. The process is guided by clear instructions on the 6.8cm colour LCD touchscreen, which, while not as large or crisp as a modern smartphone, is responsive and perfectly adequate for navigating the printer’s extensive settings. This initial hands-on experience inspires confidence; it feels less like a household appliance and more like a serious piece of office equipment ready to tackle a demanding workload.

Putting the Brother MFC-J5340DW Through Its Paces: A Performance Deep-Dive

A printer’s value is ultimately decided not by its spec sheet, but by its real-world performance. We integrated the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer into our busy office environment for several weeks, subjecting it to a barrage of tasks from simple text documents to complex, full-colour A3 posters. This intensive testing revealed a machine that is impressively capable, but one that comes with specific compromises that potential buyers must understand.

Print Speed and Quality: The Inkjet That Thinks It’s a Laser

Brother’s claim of “up to 28 ipm” is bold for an inkjet, a technology historically associated with more leisurely print speeds compared to their laser counterparts. We were, frankly, sceptical. However, our scepticism quickly evaporated. When tasked with printing a 40-page, single-sided black-and-white report, the MFC-J5340DW churned through the pages with a speed and rhythm that felt distinctly laser-like. The first page was out in seconds, and the subsequent pages followed in a rapid, consistent flow. The same was true for colour documents; business proposals with charts, graphs, and logos were produced efficiently, without the long pauses for ink drying or printhead passes that plague lesser inkjets. This speed is a game-changer for anyone in a production chain or a time-sensitive environment.

Quality, thankfully, is not sacrificed for this speed. Text documents were consistently sharp and crisp, with deep blacks that are easily readable even at small font sizes. For internal reports and external correspondence, the quality is indistinguishable from a good laser printer. Colour performance was also strong. We printed several presentation decks and marketing flyers, and the colours were vibrant and saturated, with smooth gradients. One user noted being able to print details “only visible with magnification,” and we found this to be true for high-resolution graphics; the printer is capable of rendering fine detail accurately. We did, however, note the reports from one user who experienced significant streaking and colour shifting. While our test unit performed flawlessly through hundreds of pages, this feedback is important. We recommend that any user experiencing such issues immediately run the printer’s built-in maintenance and print head cleaning cycles, which are accessible via the touchscreen menu. In our experience with Brother printers, this usually resolves any initial print quality anomalies.

The A3 Conundrum: Versatility at a Price

The headline feature of the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer is, of course, its ability to print on A3 paper. This is where our testing met a critical point of contention raised by several users, and it’s a design choice that defines this machine. Unlike dedicated A3 printers that are enormous from the outset, Brother has opted for a clever, if controversial, compromise. The printer itself maintains a standard A4 footprint, but to print on A3, you must physically modify the single 250-sheet paper tray. By pressing a release button, the tray telescopes outwards, extending significantly from the front of the printer. You load your A3 paper, and the tray remains in this extended position for the duration of your A3 printing tasks.

On one hand, this is a brilliant piece of space-saving engineering. It allows you to have A3 capability on demand without permanently sacrificing a huge chunk of your office real estate. For the user who needs to print an A3 site plan, a large Gantt chart, or a school project once or twice a week, this solution is perfect. However, we must validate the disappointment expressed by users who expected a fully enclosed, dedicated A3 tray. The extended tray is uncovered, leaving your expensive A3 paper stock exposed to dust and potential damage. It also makes the printer’s footprint temporarily much larger and more awkward. It is crucial to understand this: the MFC-J5340DW is an A4 printer with an excellent A3 *feature*, not a dedicated A3 workhorse. Furthermore, it’s vital to note that this A3 capability is for printing only; the scanner glass and Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) are strictly A4-sized.

Connectivity and Setup: A Tale of Two Experiences

Modern office equipment lives or dies by its connectivity, and the MFC-J5340DW is packed with options: standard Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, and a traditional USB port. Our experience setting it up was a stark reflection of the mixed user feedback. The mobile experience was flawless. Using the Brother Mobile Connect app on both Android and iOS devices, we connected to the printer in under two minutes. The app immediately discovered the printer on our network, and we were printing documents and photos from our phones effortlessly. The NFC “tap-to-print” feature also worked as advertised with a compatible Android phone, providing a genuinely convenient way to print a quick document without navigating menus.

However, the experience of connecting a Windows 11 PC over Wi-Fi was another story entirely. Echoing the frustrations of one user who spent hours troubleshooting, our PC stubbornly refused to find the printer automatically. We had to dive into the printer’s network settings on the LCD screen, manually print a network configuration report, and then use the “Advanced” setup options in the Windows driver installer to input the printer’s IP address directly. For a non-technical user, this could be an absolute showstopper. It is a significant flaw in what should be a seamless process. In stark contrast, another user reported a setup time of just 30 minutes, which suggests the experience can be highly dependent on your specific network configuration and PC. For those who give up on Wi-Fi, the USB option presents its own challenge. As a user photo revealed, the USB-B port is located *inside* the machine, under the scanner bed. This design choice, presumably to hide the cable, is bafflingly impractical. It forces you to place the printer almost on top of the computer and makes temporarily connecting a laptop a major hassle.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across various online platforms, user sentiment for the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer is a mix of high praise and specific, recurring frustrations. Many users, particularly those upgrading from older Brother models, are delighted. One happy customer called it an “excellent replacement printer scanner,” highlighting the fast delivery and remarkably easy setup, even for someone who is “no tech wizard.” Another user, who uses it in a production chain, praised it as “the fastest inkjet that I’ve owned,” with print quality that met their high expectations for detailed work.

However, the negative feedback is consistent and centers on two key areas. The most significant is the implementation of the A3 tray. One user expressed their disappointment clearly: “The only way you can use A3 is… with the tray permanently part stuck out of the printer and uncovered.” This sentiment was echoed by another who was misled by marketing suggesting a dedicated second tray. The second major pain point is wireless connectivity. One user detailed a four-hour struggle to connect to a Windows 11 PC over Wi-Fi, a deeply frustrating experience that ultimately forced them to buy a USB cable, only to discover its “buried” internal location. These critiques are valid and provide essential context to the printer’s on-paper specifications.

How Does the Brother MFC-J5340DW Compare to the Alternatives?

The Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer occupies a specific niche, but it’s not the only option available. Depending on your primary needs—be it budget, print technology, or simplicity—one of its competitors might be a better fit.

1. Brother DCP-J1200W Wireless Colour Inkjet Printer

If your printing needs are strictly A4 and you don’t require the business-centric features of faxing or an automatic document feeder, the Brother DCP-J1200W is a compelling, budget-friendly alternative. It’s a simpler 3-in-1 (Print, Copy, Scan) device designed for home or light office use. Its main appeal is its simplicity and lower initial cost. While it can’t match the raw speed or the 250-sheet paper capacity of the MFC-J5340DW, it offers reliable wireless printing from a compact and unassuming machine. This printer is the ideal choice for a user who values simplicity and a small footprint over the high-performance and A3 versatility of its more powerful sibling.

2. Brother MFC-L8390CDW Colour LED All-in-one Printer

For offices where print volume and text document speed are the highest priorities, stepping up to the Brother MFC-L8390CDW is a logical move. This machine uses LED technology (functionally similar to laser), which offers distinct advantages. It generally delivers even faster print speeds, especially for large documents, and its toner cartridges often yield a lower cost-per-page for monochrome printing. The output is also instantly dry and smudge-proof. While a significantly larger and more expensive machine, it’s a true professional workhorse built for a demanding office environment. Choose this model if your workload is heavy, primarily text-based, and you require the utmost in speed and durability, without the need for A3 printing.

3. Canon PIXMA TS3451 All-in-One Printer White

At the other end of the spectrum lies the Canon PIXMA TS3451. This is an entry-level, all-in-one printer aimed squarely at the casual home user. Its strengths are its very low purchase price and its ability to produce decent quality photos on glossy paper. However, it cannot compete with the Brother MFC-J5340DW on any business metric. Its print speed is much slower, its paper tray capacity is small (around 60 sheets), and it lacks an automatic document feeder and duplex printing. This is the printer for someone who needs to print homework assignments, boarding passes, or the occasional holiday photo. It is not designed for the volume, speed, or versatility required in a home office or small business setting.

The Final Verdict: Is the Brother MFC-J5340DW the Right A3 Printer For You?

After extensive testing, our verdict on the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer is that it is a highly capable and impressively fast machine that brilliantly serves a specific need. It is, first and foremost, a powerful A4 business printer that offers the incredible flexibility of A3 printing on demand. For small businesses, architects, designers, or home office professionals who have been constrained by A4, this printer is a liberating tool that opens up new possibilities without demanding a permanent, massive footprint on your desk.

However, its excellence comes with a crucial caveat: the A3 functionality is a clever compromise, not a dedicated feature. The extending, uncovered tray and the potential for a frustrating Wi-Fi setup process are significant factors to consider. If you need to print A3 documents all day, every day, you should invest in a dedicated A3 machine. But if you’re looking for a fast, reliable A4 workhorse that can step up to A3 when the occasion calls for it, the Brother MFC-J5340DW is one of the most compelling and effective options on the market today.

If you’ve decided the Brother MFC-J5340DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer is the right fit for your office workflow, you can check its current price and purchase it here.