🖨️ Review: Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer – A Capable and Connected Home Office Companion
The Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer aims to be the versatile workhorse for the modern home office or family, combining print, copy, and scan functions in a compact, stylish package. With a focus on ease of use and comprehensive wireless connectivity, including the added convenience of Alexa compatibility, this printer is a strong contender in the budget to mid-range AIO market.
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| Review: Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer – A Capable and Connected Home Office Companion |
Design and Setup: Compact Elegance
The TS6420a boasts a sleek and relatively compact design, available in both black and white finishes, making it easy to fit into tight spaces on a desk or shelf. Its physical footprint (approximately 15.9" x 12.5" x 5.9" with trays closed) is modest for an all-in-one device.
One of the printer's standout features is its user-friendly interface. It includes a 1.44-inch OLED display which, though small, is bright and clear, providing essential status updates and facilitating straightforward navigation through the menus.
Setting up the TS6420a is generally reported as a simple and quick process, especially when utilizing the dedicated Canon PRINT app. The app guides users through Wi-Fi connection (supporting Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n), ink cartridge installation, and linking the printer to various devices.
Core Functionality and Performance
As an All-in-One device, the TS6420a handles the three primary functions well:
Printing Quality and Speed
The PIXMA TS6420a uses a hybrid ink system with two cartridges: a pigment black for sharp text documents and a tri-color dye-based cartridge for vivid photos and graphics.
Text Quality: Text documents are a high point. The dedicated pigment black ink produces crisp, sharp text that rivals the clarity of a laser printer, even at smaller font sizes. This makes it excellent for reports, school work, and general office documents.
Photo Quality: Canon printers are often praised for their photo output, and the TS6420a is no exception. When using Canon's dedicated photo paper, images come out vibrant with rich, accurate colors and deep blacks, making it a capable machine for amateur photographers or casual family photo printing.
Speed: Print speeds are adequate for light-duty use. It achieves approximately 13.0 images per minute (ipm) for black-and-white and 6.8 ipm for color documents. While not the fastest, this speed is perfectly acceptable for the typical home user.
Copying and Scanning
The flatbed scanner offers an optical resolution of up to 1200 x 2400 dpi, which is sufficient for high-quality scans of photos and documents. The flatbed design, however, means it lacks an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), a trade-off for its compact size, so scanning multi-page documents must be done one page at a time. The copying function is also quick and reliable for everyday needs.
Connectivity and Smart Features
This is where the TS6420a truly shines, offering a comprehensive suite of wireless and smart features:
Wireless Printing: Standard wireless connectivity allows printing from virtually any device—PC, Mac, iOS (AirPrint), and Android (Mopria Print Service)—via Wi-Fi or the Canon PRINT app.
Dual Paper Feeding: A notable feature for this price point is the dual paper input: a 100-sheet front paper cassette for plain paper and a 100-sheet rear paper tray, which is ideal for easily feeding thicker media, envelopes, or dedicated photo paper without having to swap out the main paper supply.
Automatic Duplex Printing: The inclusion of automatic two-sided (duplex) printing is a major benefit, helping users save on paper and time, especially for general document printing.
Works with Alexa: The Alexa integration allows for voice-activated printing using simple commands, such as "Alexa, ask Canon Printer to print a checklist." This feature adds a modern layer of convenience, although its utility varies depending on how much a user relies on smart home devices.
The Bottom Line: Pros and Cons
The Canon PIXMA TS6420a is an excellent all-rounder for students, families, or small home offices with moderate printing needs. It delivers great print quality for both text and photos, offers flexible paper handling, and is packed with convenient wireless features.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
| High Print Quality: Crisp text (pigment black ink) and vibrant photos. | Two-Cartridge System: The tri-color cartridge means if one color runs out, the entire cartridge must be replaced. |
| Dual Paper Trays: 200-sheet total capacity with separate front cassette and rear tray for specialty media. | No Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): Limits efficiency for multi-page scanning or copying. |
| Automatic Duplex Printing: Saves paper and time with two-sided printing. | Small OLED Display: The 1.44-inch screen is clear but can feel restrictive compared to larger touchscreens. |
| Excellent Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi, AirPrint, Mopria, and Alexa voice commands. | Ink Costs: Cartridge replacement costs, particularly the XL versions, might be high for heavy volume users. |
| Compact Size: Fits easily in a tight home office space. | Slower print speeds compared to dedicated office-grade printers. |
Conclusion
For users prioritizing print quality, flexible paper handling, and extensive wireless options at an attractive price point, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a is a clear winner. Its ability to produce stellar photo prints alongside sharp documents, coupled with the convenience of its All-in-One functions and Alexa support, makes it a reliable and smart choice for handling the diverse printing demands of a busy home or light-duty office environment.