🖨️ Review: Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer – The Essential Home Companion
In today's digital age, the need for a reliable, yet simple, home printer remains strong. Whether you're printing school assignments, scanning important documents, or making quick copies, an All-in-One (AIO) device is a staple. The Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer in White steps into this space, promising a straightforward, compact, and affordable solution for basic home printing needs.
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| Review: Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer – The Essential Home Companion |
This review delves into the key aspects of the TS3720, assessing its design, setup, performance, and overall value proposition for the average home user.
Design and Build: Compact and Practical
The TS3720 adheres to a philosophy of minimalist practicality. Its white casing is clean, unassuming, and surprisingly compact, making it an excellent choice for small desks, dorm rooms, or home offices where space is a premium. The lightweight build is a double-edged sword: it makes the printer easy to move and set up, but it also signals that the components are geared toward basic, non-heavy-duty use.
The operation panel is straightforward, featuring a small 1.5-inch LCD screen and simple buttons for initiating copy jobs, controlling power, and managing wireless connection. The printer utilizes a rear paper tray, which is often preferred for its ease of use when switching between different media types (like plain paper and photo paper) and can also help with thicker stock, though the overall paper capacity is relatively small (around 60 sheets).
Setup and Connectivity: Stress-Free Wireless
One of the standout features of the PIXMA TS3720, and a point frequently praised by users, is its ease of setup, particularly for wireless connectivity. Canon has streamlined the Wi-Fi connection process through its Wireless Connect feature, often allowing users to get the printer on their network quickly, even those who are not tech-savvy.
As a modern AIO, it is equipped with essential wireless printing options:
Canon PRINT app: For direct printing, scanning, and maintenance from a smartphone or tablet.
Apple AirPrint & Mopria Print Service: Standard protocols for printing directly from Apple and Android devices.
Chromebook Compatibility: Ensuring it works seamlessly with Google's ecosystem.
This robust mobile support truly makes it an accessible printer, reducing the reliance on a wired PC connection.
Performance: Quality for Everyday Tasks
The TS3720 is built for basic and moderate home use, not high-volume printing. Its performance metrics reflect this:
Printing
The maximum print resolution is a respectable 4800 dpi. It employs Canon's 2-Cartridge FINE Hybrid Ink System (one Black, one Color), which is typical for entry-level models.
Text Documents: Text quality is generally sharp and clear, perfectly adequate for reports, letters, and homework.
Color Graphics and Photos: For basic graphics and occasional photo printing, the results are vibrant enough for non-professional use. However, users should manage expectations; high-quality photo enthusiasts might find the dedicated photo printers or higher-end PIXMA models more suitable.
Speed: Print speeds are modest, rated at approximately 7.7 images per minute (ipm) for black and 4.0 ipm for color. This is sufficient for casual use but might feel slow for large print jobs.
Copying and Scanning
The flatbed scanner allows for high-quality scanning of documents and photos. The copying function is straightforward, making quick duplicates with just a few button presses. Note that this model typically only supports manual duplex (two-sided) printing—it does not have an automatic duplexer.
The Cost of Ownership: Cartridge System
The primary trade-off for the TS3720’s low purchase price is the 2-cartridge ink system. While easy to replace, these cartridges generally hold less ink than individual color tanks or the ink bottles of MegaTank/EcoTank systems.
For users who print very infrequently, the standard cartridges are manageable. However, if your printing volume increases, the recurring cost of replacing the two cartridges can become expensive over time. Potential buyers who anticipate moderate to high print volume should carefully calculate the long-term running costs or consider a cartridge-free printer as an alternative.
Summary: Who is the Canon PIXMA TS3720 For?
The Canon PIXMA TS3720 is an excellent choice for a very specific user profile:
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Highly Affordable initial purchase price. | High Running Costs due to low-yield 2-cartridge system. |
| Easy Wireless Setup and strong mobile support. | Modest Print Speed for larger jobs. |
| Compact Design ideal for limited spaces. | No Automatic Duplexing (two-sided printing). |
| Reliable Quality for everyday text and graphics. | Low Paper Capacity (60 sheets). |
It is the ideal entry-level AIO printer for a student, a small family that prints homework occasionally, or someone looking for a backup printer for essential scanning and copying. It delivers on its promise of basic, functional, and user-friendly home printing without the complexities or price tag of a professional machine.