🖋️ Canon PIXMA TS702a Review: The Compact Workhorse for Home and Small Office
The modern home and small office demand a printer that is not only compact but also capable of handling a varied workload, from crisp documents to vibrant photos. Canon's answer to this need is the PIXMA TS702a Wireless Single Function Printer. Combining a large paper capacity with a versatile 5-color ink system and extensive mobile connectivity, the TS702a positions itself as a high-performance printer without the bulk of a multi-function unit.
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| Canon PIXMA TS702a Review: The Compact Workhorse for Home and Small Office |
This review dives deep into the features, performance, and overall value of the PIXMA TS702a to help you decide if this single-function inkjet is the right fit for your printing needs.
🎨 Design and Build: Small Footprint, Big Capacity
One of the most immediate selling points of the PIXMA TS702a is its compact design. Unlike many home office printers that can dominate a desk, the TS702a maintains a relatively small footprint. Its sleek, black aesthetic is professional and unassuming, allowing it to blend seamlessly into various office environments.
Despite its size, Canon has engineered the TS702a to hold a substantial amount of paper—a feature typically reserved for larger, more expensive printers.
Dual Paper Feeding: It boasts a 350-sheet total capacity, split between a 250-sheet front cassette and a 100-sheet rear paper tray. This dual-tray system is excellent for users who frequently switch between plain paper for documents and specialty paper (like photo paper or cardstock) without having to constantly swap paper loads.
Multi-Purpose Tray: A noteworthy inclusion is the dedicated multi-purpose tray, which allows for specialized printing on items like CDs, DVDs, or even PVC cards (with an optional adapter), adding a layer of creative functionality.
🚀 Performance: Speed and Print Quality
The Canon PIXMA TS702a is built on a 5-Color Individual Ink System, which includes a pigment-based Black ink for sharp, dense text and four dye-based inks (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) for vivid color and photo reproduction. This hybrid system ensures versatility and quality across different print tasks.
Document and Photo Quality
| Category | Print Performance |
| Text | The pigment black ink delivers exceptionally crisp, laser-like text. Documents are sharp and professional, even at small font sizes. |
| Color Graphics | Color charts, graphs, and presentations show solid fills and smooth gradients, making the printer suitable for professional reports. |
| Photos | Photo quality is where the PIXMA line traditionally shines, and the TS702a is no exception. It produces vibrant, high-detail borderless photos up to 8.5" x 11", with a maximum resolution of $4800 \times 1200$ dpi. |
Speed
While not the fastest on the market, its speeds are respectable for a printer in this class and generally satisfy the needs of a busy home or small office.
Black Document (ESAT): Up to 15.0 ipm (images per minute)
Color Document (ESAT): Up to 10.0 ipm
4" x 6" Borderless Photo: Approximately 21 seconds
Furthermore, the inclusion of automatic two-sided (duplex) printing is a major benefit for saving paper and time on multi-page documents.
📱 Connectivity and Ease of Use: Seamless Wireless Integration
In an increasingly mobile world, connectivity is paramount, and the TS702a is packed with options that make printing from any device effortless.
Robust Wireless Features
Wi-Fi and Ethernet: It offers standard Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g/n) for wireless network printing and an Ethernet port for a stable wired connection, perfect for a shared office environment.
Mobile Printing: The printer fully supports the most popular mobile protocols:
AirPrint®: For direct, hassle-free printing from Apple iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Mopria® Print Service: For easy printing from most Android devices.
Canon PRINT App: Provides a consolidated experience for printing, checking ink levels, and accessing cloud services.
Voice-Activated Printing: For ultimate convenience, the TS702a is compatible with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to use simple voice commands to print templates, lists, and even check the printer's status.
Setup and Interface
Setup is generally reported by users as straightforward and easy, particularly when using the Canon PRINT app's guidance. The printer includes a 2-Line LCD display on the front, which provides essential status updates, though it lacks the touchscreen interface found on some more premium models.
💰 Ink Cost and Value Proposition
As with all inkjet printers, the long-term running cost is a key consideration. The TS702a uses individual ink cartridges (five in total: Pigment Black, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow).
Individual Cartridges: This 5-cartridge system is efficient, as you only need to replace the single color that runs out, minimizing waste compared to tri-color cartridges.
High-Yield Options: Crucially for high-volume users, the TS702a is compatible with High-Yield XL and XXL ink tanks. While the initial cost of ink cartridges can be a drawback compared to competitors, using the high-yield options significantly lowers the cost per page, making it a viable option for those with moderate-to-heavy printing demands.
Canon has rated the printer for a Recommended Monthly Print Volume of 250 to 1,000 pages, indicating its design as a reliable workhorse for its class.
✅ Pros and ❌ Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional Print Quality (especially photos and sharp text). | High Cost Per Page when using standard-capacity ink tanks. |
| Large 350-Sheet Paper Capacity with dual paper trays. | Single-Function (no built-in scanner or copier). |
| Robust Wireless Connectivity (AirPrint®, Mopria®, Wi-Fi, Ethernet). | 2-Line LCD is basic and not a full touchscreen. |
| Automatic Duplex Printing for saving paper. | |
| Compact Size for a high-capacity printer. |
🎯 Final Verdict: A Single-Function Star
The Canon PIXMA TS702a is an excellent choice for a user or small team that primarily needs high-quality, high-volume printing without the need for a dedicated built-in scanner or copier.
It effectively solves the common home office dilemma: how to get a professional-grade paper capacity and high print quality in a space-saving design. Its stellar photo output, crisp text, and diverse mobile connectivity options (AirPrint, Mopria) make it a truly versatile single-function printer.
While high-volume users should commit to the XL/XXL ink tanks to manage running costs, the initial affordability and feature set of the TS702a make it a top-tier recommendation for anyone seeking a fast, compact, and high-quality photo and document printer.