Canon's line of PIXMA printers brings state-of-the-art print versatility into your home at an affordable price. PIXMA printers are affordable and compact, which makes them perfect for students and home office settings. They feature built-in scanners and wireless connectivity designed to make copying and emailing documents quick and easy. Scan passages from library books or expense reports, and organize them with keyword-searchable terms to access your notes anytime. The PIXMA series features everything from inexpensive entry-level printers to professional grade models designed for home office use.
Different models in the PIXMA series are intended for different uses. Knowing which one is which is key to getting the best results for your buck. Furthermore, getting to know which PIXMA line printers perform the best---and which ones tend to leave their buyers disappointed---lets you know that you're making the right investment. Here are some popular models from the PIXMA line, suited for whatever your distinct needs may be:
FOR STUDENTS:
Canon PIXMA MG7720 Wireless All-in-One Printer
Students will be hard pressed to find a Canon printer better suited for their general-use needs than the PIXMA MG7720. It prints up to 15 pages per minute black and white text and ten pages per minute color, which makes it among the more efficient budget-friendly models out there. Designed for people who print photos as well as text, it features six individual ink tanks including gray ink that "provides an expanded color gamut and enriched magenta and photo black inks that produce stunning photos and documents." The MG7720 is the perfect example of how spending a little more on your principal printer will vastly improve the results you get. It uses PGI-270 and CLI-271 ink cartridges, which print around 300 black and white pages per cartridge. You can save on ink expenses when you use XL sized affordable alternative cartridge replacements to the PGI-270 and CLI-271 designed to print upward of 500 pages before replacement; for bigger savings buy PGI-270/CLI-271 ink bulk sets of compatible cartridges to save yourself a lot of money as well as extra trips to the store. Some reviewers reported issues with the paper feeding system, but overall the feedback customers provided is glowing.
Available in AMAZON: 4 stars. Cost: $69.00.
Canon PIXMA MG2520 Printer
The Canon PIXMA MG-2520 is among the most affordable and lightweight multifunction printers on the market today. Available for under $30 from most major retailers, it prints full color as well as scans and copies, making it an ultra-inexpensive choice for students. The Canon PIXMA MG-2520 uses PG-245 and PG-246 cartridges which feature lower pages-per-cartridge capacity---around 180 per black and white cartridge---and can get expensive for people who print frequently. Be sure to explore XL sized cartridges (300 B&W pages per), as well as compatible Canon PG 245 and Canon CL 246 alternatives, as a way to keep your ink costs down significantly.
AMAZON: 3.8 stars. Cost: $29.99.
MULTIFUNCTION PRINTER FOR HOME USE:
Canon PIXMA MX922 All-in-one Printer
A #1 Best Seller in multifunction printers according to Amazon®, the Canon MX922 is among the more popular home-use printers on the market. It features an easy setup and wireless print access for desktop, laptop, and mobile devices. Customers note in reviews that the MX922 is quite large and bulky, which may not be ideal for dorm rooms and small apartment spaces. Other reviewers note that brand name ink cartridges are pricey and run out quickly, but affordable PGI-250XL cartridges are available to help cut costs. High yield replacements for Canon 250 ink cartridges for this model are especially affordable.
AMAZON: 3.8 stars. Cost: $69.99.
IMAGE HEAVY:
Canon PIXMA iP8720 Wireless Printer
If you are someone who prints a lot of images, the PIXMA iP8720 delivers photo-quality results without breaking the bank. It features six individual ink pots designed to create rich color tones and an excellent image resolution at a fraction of comparable pro-grade printers. The iP8720 comes preloaded with Apple® Airprint® and Google® Cloudprint®, which makes it easy to print directly from your iPhone® or Android® phone instantly. Its paper feed system can handle finished photo paper in sizes up to 13" x 17" with ease. Canon leads in the photography world and their printers reflect that same dedication to image clarity and color correctness in their print results. The iP8720 is a bit more costly than many more basic models, however, and might not be ideal for people who anticipate printing more text than imagery. Also, this model does NOT feature a scanner, so if you wish to scan and copy documents, this might not be the right printer for you. AMAZON: 4.2 stars. Cost: $221.96.
BETTER TEXT/IMAGE OUTPUT:
Canon PIXMA MG7120 Wireless Color Photo All-In-One Printer
If you're looking for something that can produce both text and images efficiently, the PIXMA MG7120 is hard to beat. It features six ink pots for color correctness and accepts paper as large as 11" x 17" in size with an auto-document feeder system. From auto-duplex mode to cloud print services and quick scan, it comes with a range of features ideal for making your home office more print efficient---all for much less than standard business-grade laser printers. If you're looking for the type of photo-quality results you'd get from a photo printer, but also want to scan and copy documents, this is a great option. AMAZON: 4 stars, Cost: $139.97.
Canon PIXMA MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Color Inkjet
The PIXMA MG3620 is among the most affordable all-in-one printers available on the market. It features many of the same state-of-the-art features you'd expect from more expensive printers, including a scanner and easy wireless connectivity, but for a whole lot less. The MG3620 uses PG-240 ink cartridges which only produce 180 pages per cartridge by the most generous estimates. What this means is you'll end up buying ink more often. Beyond the hassle of ordering replacements, the cost you put into your cheap printer for ink can quickly cost more than purchasing a more efficient printer so consider affordable Canon PG 240 / CL 241 ink replacements. As inexpensive printers go, the MG3620 is well liked and gets higher customer ratings than nearly any other budget model from any manufacturer. AMAZON: 3.7 stars, Cost: $23.20 black printer, $39.99 white printer, $54.99 red printer
Choosing a Canon PIXMA printer that suits your needs and saves you money takes a little research. It can also save you money over time, too! Understanding how much you print and what type of printing you predominantly do will give you a world of insights into the proper PIXMA for your lifestyle. Whether you're a student in the dorms or a small business owner who needs to print off invoices once in a while, there's a PIXMA printer out there for you.