📸 Canon PIXMA MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer Review: A Budget-Friendly Workhorse for the Home
The Canon PIXMA MG3620 is a compelling choice for home users and students looking for a versatile all-in-one printer that balances affordability with essential features. This compact, wireless inkjet device handles printing, scanning, and copying, and is particularly appealing for its support of mobile and tablet printing. Available in several colors, including the striking Red variant (with dimensions of approximately 17.7" (W) x 12.0" (D) x 6.0" (H)), the MG3620 aims to be a discreet yet capable addition to any small home office or study space.
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| Canon PIXMA MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer Review: A Budget-Friendly Workhorse for the Home |
Key Features at a Glance
The MG3620 is built around simplicity and wireless connectivity. Its core features include:
Wireless Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi allows printing from virtually anywhere in the home via a router.
Mobile & Tablet Printing: Supports popular services like AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and the Canon PRINT app for direct printing and scanning from smartphones and tablets.
All-in-One Functionality: Offers print, scan, and copy capabilities from a flatbed scanner.
Automatic Duplex Printing: A valuable feature that allows for automatic two-sided printing, saving paper and making it more eco-friendly.
High Print Resolution: Capable of a maximum color resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, promising high-quality photo and document prints.
Hybrid Ink System: Utilizes two cartridges: one Pigment Black for sharp text and one Tri-Color (Dye-Based) for vibrant images. XL cartridges are available for extended yield.
Compact Design: Its modest footprint is ideal for limited desk space.
Design and Usability: Simple and Space-Saving
The MG3620 boasts a very basic yet functional design. The build quality is standard for a budget printer, utilizing a plastic casing that is lightweight. The compact dimensions (17.7" W x 12.0" D x 6.0" H) make it easy to place on a shelf or desk.
A significant point of discussion among users, however, is the lack of a display screen. The control panel relies on simple physical buttons for power, Wi-Fi status, copy functions, and paper size, which can make navigation and troubleshooting less intuitive than models with a small LCD.
Paper Handling: The printer uses a front-loading input tray that holds up to 100 sheets of plain paper or 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper. While the capacity is sufficient for casual home use, the lack of an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) means that multi-page copying or scanning must be done one page at a time on the flatbed scanner, which can be time-consuming.
Performance: Quality Over Speed
🖨️ Print Quality
This is where the MG3620 genuinely shines, especially considering its price point.
Documents: Black text documents are consistently crisp and sharp thanks to the pigment black ink. For everyday documents and assignments, the quality is excellent.
Photos and Graphics: The maximum 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution delivers surprisingly vibrant and detailed photo prints. Colors are rich and vibrant, although some experts note that color accuracy may not be perfect for professional work. The ability to print borderless photos up to 8.5" x 11" is a major plus for photo enthusiasts.
💨 Print Speed
Speed is decidedly not the MG3620's strength. Print speeds are rated at approximately 9.9 images per minute (ipm) for black and 5.7 ipm for color. While adequate for light printing, users with high-volume needs will find this machine noticeably slow. The automatic duplex (two-sided) printing feature, while highly convenient, significantly increases the total print time compared to single-sided output.
🌐 Connectivity and Setup
Wireless connectivity is the heart of this machine, supporting AirPrint, Mopria, and the Canon PRINT app. This versatility for printing directly from mobile devices is a major advantage.
However, a common complaint across many reviews is the initial Wi-Fi setup process, which is often described as glitchy, frustrating, and overly complicated. Users frequently report having to resort to the manual and multiple attempts to establish a stable wireless connection. Once connected, though, the wireless performance is generally reliable.
💰 The Cost of Ownership: A Double-Edged Sword
The initial purchase price of the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is highly attractive, positioning it as an excellent budget printer. However, potential buyers must carefully consider the running costs.
The printer uses a two-cartridge system (one black, one tri-color), which means that if one color runs out, you must replace the entire color cartridge. Furthermore, the standard cartridges have a relatively low page yield.
High Running Costs: The cost-per-page for both black-and-white and color prints is considered high compared to many competing models, particularly those using individual color cartridges or high-yield tank systems.
The XL Solution: To mitigate this, users who print more frequently should invest in the XL or XXL ink cartridges, which offer a substantially better page yield and lower the overall cost per print.
Key Pros and Cons
| Pros (Keunggulan) | Cons (Kelemahan) |
| ✅ Excellent Print Quality: Crisp text and vibrant, high-resolution photo prints. | ❌ High Running Costs: Standard ink cartridges have a low yield, leading to frequent replacements and higher long-term costs. |
| ✅ Wireless Mobile Printing: Seamless support for AirPrint, Mopria, and Canon PRINT app. | ❌ Difficult Initial Wi-Fi Setup: The setup process can be frustrating and unintuitive. |
| ✅ Automatic Duplex Printing: Saves paper and is great for documents. | ❌ Slow Print Speed: Not suitable for high-volume or fast-paced office environments. |
| ✅ Very Affordable Initial Price: Excellent value for a multifunctional device. | ❌ No Display Screen or ADF: Lacks an LCD screen for easy navigation and an Automatic Document Feeder for multi-page scanning. |
| ✅ Compact Design: Fits well in small spaces. | ❌ Two-Cartridge System: Requires replacing the entire color cartridge even if only one color runs out. |
🌟 Verdict: Who Should Buy the Canon PIXMA MG3620?
The Canon PIXMA MG3620 is an excellent choice for the casual home user, student, or family who needs a reliable, affordable all-in-one printer for occasional high-quality photo prints, school assignments, and light document copying. The compact size and superior wireless mobile printing features are significant selling points.
Its primary drawback is the high cost of ink and the slow speed, making it unsuitable for high-volume printing. If you plan to print often, you should factor the cost of the XL cartridges into your budget. If you can endure the potentially frustrating initial Wi-Fi setup, the MG3620 is a budget workhorse that consistently delivers quality output.