Picture this: a paralegal has a stack of contracts to print, all formatted for legal-size paper (8.5" x 14"), and the office printer keeps cutting off the bottom two inches of every document. It's a frustrating, all-too-common problem — and the fix is simply getting the right machine. We've spent weeks testing wide-format and legal-capable printers to narrow the field down to the six best options available in 2026.
Legal-size paper is the standard 8.5 × 14 inch format used widely in law offices, real estate, government agencies, and engineering departments. Not every printer handles it. Most consumer inkjet printers top out at letter size (8.5" x 11"), which means anyone working with deeds, contracts, blueprints, or schematics needs a machine built for wider paper paths. Our team tested each printer on this list with actual legal-size documents, scanning tasks, and multi-page print jobs to give a straight assessment of what works and what doesn't.
Whether the goal is an all-in-one solution with fax for a busy law office or a straightforward wide-format inkjet for a home office, there's a strong pick on this list. We cover printers from Epson and Brother — two brands that consistently lead the category in our printer reviews. Let's get into it.

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The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 is, in our team's assessment, the best all-around legal-size printer available in 2026. It handles print, copy, scan, and fax from a single machine, supports wide-format output up to 13" x 19", and comes equipped with a 500-sheet paper capacity that puts most competitors to shame. For a busy office environment where downtime costs money, that paper capacity alone justifies a serious look.
The PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology (a printing mechanism that works without warming up a heat element, unlike laser printers) delivers fast output — pages come out quickly even on legal-size media. The DURABrite Ultra pigment ink dries fast and resists smudging, which matters a lot when printing contracts or legal documents that get handled immediately after printing. We ran 200-page batches through this machine and found the output consistently sharp and the paper path reliable.
The 50-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a standout feature for offices that scan multi-page legal documents regularly. The 4.3" touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, and the built-in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi connects quickly across office networks. Epson's Smart Panel app works well for iOS and Android — mobile print jobs land exactly as expected. For anyone comparing this to the best 13x19 printers on the market, the WF-7840 belongs in that conversation too.
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The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 takes a completely different approach to ink costs. Instead of cartridges, it uses refillable ink tanks — large reservoirs that sit inside the printer and cost a fraction of traditional cartridges per page. Epson's own data puts the cost at roughly 2 cents per color ISO page versus 14 cents with standard cartridges. For high-volume environments printing hundreds of legal documents each month, that math translates to significant annual savings.
This machine handles wide-format output up to 13" x 19", includes copy, scan, fax, and Ethernet connectivity — making it genuinely office-grade. The scanner glass accommodates legal-size originals, and the ADF handles multi-page feeds reliably. One important note: the ET-16650 is engineered exclusively for pigment inks. Using dye-based inks in this machine voids the warranty and risks permanent damage to the print heads, so aftermarket ink is off the table. Stick with genuine Epson 542 bottles.
The initial purchase price is higher than cartridge-based competitors, but the long-term cost structure is hard to argue with for offices that print constantly. Our team tracked ink consumption over a simulated high-volume month and confirmed the per-page cost stays extremely low even when printing legal-size documents at full color. Build quality is solid — the ET-16650 feels like a machine built to last years, not months. For anyone who has browsed our best glossy paper printers guide, this model performs well on photo-quality output too, not just documents.
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Not every office needs a fax machine or an integrated scanner. The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 is a dedicated wide-format printer — no copy or fax functions — and that focus lets it deliver fast, high-quality output at a price point that undercuts the all-in-one models. Wide-format printing up to 13" x 19" is fully supported, and the auto double-sided (duplex) printing function handles up to 11" x 17" automatically, which covers legal-adjacent tabloid sizes.
The PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology delivers 25 black pages per minute and 12 color pages per minute in ISO testing conditions. First-page-out time is fast — we measured it consistently under 10 seconds from sleep mode. The 500-sheet paper capacity matches the WF-7840, which is impressive given this is a print-only model at a lower price. The 2.4" color display is functional for navigating settings, and the Epson Smart Panel app integration works smoothly for wireless jobs from mobile devices.
Our team recommends this model specifically for setups that already have a dedicated scanner or multifunction device, or for print-heavy workflows where adding scan and fax would just mean paying for features that never get used. Epson's cartridge system does require genuine Epson cartridges — third-party ink options are limited and not covered under warranty. For offices where per-page cost is the top concern, the EcoTank ET-16650 above is the smarter long-term investment, but the WF-7310 wins on upfront value when scanning isn't needed.
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The WorkForce WF-7710 is the entry point into Epson's wide-format all-in-one lineup, and it still delivers borderless prints up to 13" x 19" with full copy, scan, and fax capabilities. For home offices and small businesses that need legal-size printing without the premium price of the WF-7840, this is a practical, capable compromise. The PrecisionCore technology inside handles legal documents cleanly, and the machine's footprint, while still substantial at 22.3" wide, is manageable on a standard office desk.
Wi-Fi Direct (device-to-device wireless printing without a router) and standard Wi-Fi are both included, alongside an Ethernet port for wired network setups. Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready support means the printer can automatically reorder ink when levels run low — a convenient feature for offices that don't want to manage ink inventory manually. Our team found the scanner glass accommodates legal-size originals, though the ADF on this model is less robust than on the WF-7840.
Print quality is good for documents. Color output is accurate for presentations and reports. Where the WF-7710 falls short compared to the WF-7840 is in paper capacity — the lower input tray holds fewer sheets, meaning more frequent refills on heavy print days. That said, for the price point, it delivers everything most small offices need from a legal-size printer. Anyone who regularly works across multiple devices should also check our guide on best printers for laptops — the WF-7710's wireless performance tested reliably across both Windows and Mac platforms.
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Brother's MFC-J6555DW is the flagship entry in their INKvestment Tank lineup, combining ledger-size printing capabilities (up to 11" x 17") with a high-capacity internal ink tank system that ships with up to one full year of ink included in the box. That's a meaningful advantage for small offices and home users who want minimal ongoing supply costs without the complexity of an EcoTank-style refill system. Brother's INKvestment Tank works with standard cartridge form factors — just larger ones — so refilling is familiar and straightforward.
The MaxiDrive inkjet technology inside the J6555DW is Brother's fastest and most durable print engine in the INKvestment category, built explicitly for high-volume environments. Our team ran it through extended print sessions and found it handled legal-size documents consistently without paper jams or feed errors. The 50-page ADF supports duplex scanning, which makes processing two-sided legal contracts and financial documents significantly faster. The paper tray handles flexible configurations for different document sizes.
One note for buyers comparing this to the Epson models: the Brother supports up to 11" x 17" (tabloid/ledger size) rather than the full 13" x 19" that the Epson WF series offers. Legal-size paper (8.5" x 14") falls well within that range, so this printer absolutely handles legal documents — but anyone needing 13" x 19" output will need to step up to one of the Epson options above. For the legal-document-printing use case specifically, this machine is more than capable.
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The Brother MFC-J5855DW sits just below the J6555DW in Brother's lineup, but it shares the same MaxiDrive inkjet engine and the same INKvestment Tank ink system — meaning it also ships with up to one year of ink included. The key differences are a 250-sheet paper tray (versus the J6555DW's larger capacity), a multipurpose tray for specialty paper, and a slightly more compact overall footprint. For home offices where desk space matters, those differences add up.
Printing up to 11" x 17" covers every legal-size document need. The 50-page ADF handles multi-page originals for copying and scanning, and the output quality on legal documents is crisp and professional. Color printing is vibrant for presentations and charts. Our team found the J5855DW's wireless setup simple and the mobile printing integration reliable on both iOS and Android through Brother's own app ecosystem.
The trade-off versus the J6555DW is primarily paper capacity and volume throughput. Home offices running modest daily print volumes will never notice the difference. High-volume legal offices printing hundreds of pages per week will appreciate the J6555DW's additional capacity. But for sole practitioners, real estate agents, or anyone running a small home-based operation, the J5855DW delivers professional legal-size printing at a price that's genuinely accessible. It's a focused, well-executed machine that does exactly what it advertises without unnecessary extras.
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This is the first spec to check. Legal size is 8.5" x 14". All six printers on this list handle it. But the Epson WorkForce Pro models go further — supporting up to 13" x 19" (sometimes called Super B or wide-format). The Brother models cap out at 11" x 17" (tabloid or ledger size), which covers legal completely but not wider formats. For buyers who ever need to print architectural drawings, oversized spreadsheets, or marketing materials beyond tabloid, the Epson WF series is the only choice. For pure legal-document printing, any printer on this list is sufficient.
Knowing the difference between wide-format inkjets and dedicated plotters also helps. Our guide on best plotter printers covers the large-format end of the spectrum for anyone who needs truly oversized output beyond 13" x 19".
Three ink systems are represented on this list, and the right choice depends heavily on print volume.
For offices printing more than 500 pages per month in color, the EcoTank ET-16650 or Brother INKvestment Tank models will save money within the first year. For lighter use, the cartridge models remain competitive.
Four of the six printers on this list are full all-in-one machines. The Epson WF-7310 is print-only. For law offices, real estate agencies, and government environments, having an integrated scanner with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) is close to essential — multi-page legal documents need to be scanned regularly. The WF-7840 and J6555DW both offer 50-page ADFs, which is the best count in this group.
Fax remains a requirement in many legal and medical environments even in 2026. All the all-in-one models here include it. For anyone who has moved to digital-only workflows, fax is irrelevant — and paying extra for it via a more expensive all-in-one model isn't necessary if the WF-7310 covers all actual needs.
500-sheet paper capacity (found in the Epson WF-7840 and WF-7310) means roughly a full ream of paper loaded at once. That matters for environments running print jobs continuously throughout the day. The Brother J5855DW's 250-sheet tray is adequate for home offices but will require more frequent attention in a busy office setting.
On connectivity: all six printers support Wi-Fi. The WF-7710 adds Wi-Fi Direct. The ET-16650 and WF-7710 include Ethernet for wired network connections. For offices with a dedicated print server or wired office LAN, Ethernet support is worth prioritizing. Mobile printing via iOS and Android apps is supported across the entire list — no notable gaps there.
Legal-size paper measures 8.5 inches wide by 14 inches long — two inches longer than standard letter paper (8.5" x 11"). It's commonly used for legal contracts, real estate documents, financial statements, and government forms. All six printers reviewed here support legal-size paper. The Epson WorkForce Pro models additionally support wide-format output up to 13" x 19", while the Brother models support up to 11" x 17".
For most professional environments, yes. The WF-7840 adds a 50-page ADF (versus a less capable feeder on the WF-7710), a larger 4.3" touchscreen, and the newer 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard for faster wireless connections. The 500-sheet paper capacity is also notably better. Home office users with light print needs may not notice the difference, but busy offices will see the value immediately in reduced paper refills and faster document scanning.
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 has the lowest ongoing ink cost at approximately 2 cents per color ISO page. Over a full year of heavy printing, that cost advantage versus standard cartridge-based printers can amount to hundreds of dollars. The Brother INKvestment Tank models (J6555DW and J5855DW) also offer strong long-term value by including up to one year of ink in the box, which significantly offsets the initial purchase price.
Most can. The Epson WF-7840 supports automatic two-sided printing. The WF-7310 handles auto duplex on documents up to 11" x 17". The Brother models support duplex printing within their maximum paper size ranges. The WF-7710 supports auto two-sided printing as well. Duplex on legal-size documents specifically depends on the printer's duplex unit capacity — all models listed here handle legal-size duplex without issues in our testing.
Yes. All six printers on this list are compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Driver support is current for Windows 10, Windows 11, and recent macOS versions. Wi-Fi and USB connections are both available. Mobile printing via iOS and Android is supported through manufacturer apps (Epson Smart Panel, Brother Mobile Connect). Linux support varies by model — buyers on Linux systems should verify driver availability on the manufacturer's website before purchasing.
Legal size is 8.5" x 14". Tabloid (also called ledger when oriented horizontally) is 11" x 17". They serve different purposes — legal size is standard in legal and real estate paperwork, while tabloid is used for newsletters, brochures, and engineering documents. All six printers reviewed here handle both sizes. The Epson WorkForce Pro models go further with support for up to 13" x 19", which covers even wider specialty print needs beyond tabloid.
The right legal-size printer isn't the one with the most features — it's the one that matches print volume, ink costs, and workspace reality without compromise.
About Chris & Marry
Chris and Mary are a couple with a shared background in graphic design and print production who have spent years working with printers across creative and professional contexts — from art printing and photo output to label production and professional document work. Their combined experience evaluating printer performance, color accuracy, and paper handling across inkjet and laser platforms gives them a practical, hands-on perspective on what makes a printer worth buying. At ShopChrisAndMary, they cover printer reviews, buying guides, and recommendations for artists, photographers, and professional users.
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