In the modern home office, space is a premium and efficiency is king. I remember the early days of my own remote work setup: a separate scanner perched precariously on a stack of books, a bulky laser printer humming in the corner, and a fax machine (a relic, I know) collecting dust but occasionally needed for that one archaic client. It was a tangled mess of cables and a logistical nightmare. The dream was always a single, unified device that could handle everything—printing sharp documents, scanning multi-page contracts, copying invoices, and yes, even printing the occasional family photo—without constant troubleshooting. The challenge is finding a machine that doesn’t just claim to do it all, but does it all *well*. A cheap all-in-one can quickly become a source of immense frustration, with paper jams, connectivity drops, and an insatiable thirst for expensive ink turning a tool of productivity into a monument to stress. This is the problem the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax aims to solve: to be the reliable, high-volume central command for a bustling home-based business or a busy family.
- Print and scan wirelessly from any Wi-Fi enabled computer, or mobile device from around the house.
- Print laser-sharp text that is highlighter and smudge resistant with the Dual Resistant High Density (DRHD) Inks
What to Consider Before Buying a Home Office All-in-One Printer
An All-in-One printer, especially one that handles color and photos, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for streamlining workflow and creativity. In a world where digital and physical documents constantly intersect, these devices bridge the gap. They solve the problem of clutter by consolidating four machines into one, save time with features like automatic document feeders and wireless printing from any device, and unlock the potential to bring digital photos to life. The main benefit is consolidation and convenience—having a single, reliable point of contact for every document-related task your home or small office requires.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone running a small business from home, a student with heavy printing and scanning needs, or a family manager who handles everything from school permission slips to printing vacation photos. They need a workhorse that prioritizes speed, text quality, and document handling features like duplex printing. However, it might not be suitable for those who are professional photographers or graphic designers demanding perfect, borderless photo prints and precise color calibration. It’s also not for the minimalist who only prints a few pages a month and would be better served by a smaller, more basic model. For those who need true on-the-go printing, a dedicated portable photo printer would be a much better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A true all-in-one workhorse is not a tiny device. You must measure your intended space carefully. Consider not just the printer’s footprint (18.3″W x 18.1″D) but also the clearance needed for the paper tray, output tray, and for lifting the scanner lid. While the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax is designed for a desk, it’s a substantial piece of equipment at over 23 pounds.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just print speed. Key metrics for an office-centric device include the paper tray capacity—the MB2120 boasts a generous 250-sheet cassette, which is a massive time-saver. Also, consider the ink cartridge yield. High-yield cartridges cost more upfront but deliver a lower cost per page, which is crucial for high-volume printing. The monthly duty cycle (20,000 pages for this model) indicates the printer’s robustness and ability to handle heavy workloads.
- Materials & Durability: Most printers in this class are constructed from durable plastic. The key is how well they are assembled. Look for sturdy trays, a smoothly operating scanner lid, and a responsive control panel. The overall build of the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax feels solid and capable of withstanding the daily rigors of a busy office environment.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer should simplify your life, not complicate it. Consider the setup process, the intuitiveness of the onboard display, and the stability of the wireless connection. Long-term care involves replacing ink cartridges and occasionally cleaning the print heads. A design that makes these tasks simple and mess-free, as we found with the MB2120’s front-loading cartridges, is a significant advantage.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax stands out in several areas, particularly for users prioritizing document workflow and capacity. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.
While the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax is an excellent choice for a home office, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition, especially if your needs lean more towards photo printing. For a broader look at all the top models focused on portability and photos, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- User-Friendly Portable Photo Printer for iPhone, Android & PC - Get beautiful and colourful memories with Liene 4x6 photo printer! After opening the entire...
- Easy to use; Connect to the Kodak Photo Printer app via Bluetooth on your Android or iOS device and enjoy printing instantly your favorite snaps at home,...
- Print and customize your photos directly from your smartphone devices via the Canon Mini Print App.(1)
Unboxing and First Impressions of the Canon MAXIFY MB2120
Pulling the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax from its box, the first thing we noticed was its substantial, business-like presence. As one user aptly noted, “Although it looks big, it’s surprisingly light.” At 23.2 pounds, it’s manageable for one person to position on a desk, but its dimensions (18.3″ x 18.1″ x 10.3″) command a dedicated space. This is not a compact, occasional-use printer; it’s a piece of office infrastructure. The unboxing process itself is straightforward, though it involves removing a considerable amount of protective orange tape and plastic safeguards, a necessary evil to protect the delicate mechanisms during shipping. Once freed, the matte black finish gives it a professional look that blends well into an office setting. The 2.5-inch LCD screen is clear, though not a touchscreen, navigated by physical buttons. The overall construction feels robust, designed for durability rather than sleek aesthetics. It feels like a machine built for a purpose: high-volume work.
What We Like
- Excellent text quality, producing sharp, smudge-resistant documents.
- Large 250-sheet paper capacity minimizes the need for frequent refills.
- Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing saves paper and time.
- Generally straightforward wireless setup and mobile printing via the Canon PRINT app.
- Functions as a true workhorse, capable of handling high-volume scanning and printing tasks.
Drawbacks
- Does not support borderless photo printing, leaving a mandatory white border on all photos.
- Can consume ink quickly, potentially leading to high running costs.
- Some users report long startup/recalibration times and operational noise.
A Deep Dive into the Canon MAXIFY MB2120’s Performance
A printer’s true value is revealed not in its spec sheet, but in the day-to-day grind. Over weeks of intensive testing, we pushed the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax through every conceivable home office task, from printing 100-page reports to scanning delicate receipts and printing full-color photos. Our experience revealed a machine with a clear identity: a powerful document processor that moonlights, with some notable limitations, as a photo printer.
Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences
Getting a new printer onto your network can be a modern-day nightmare, but our initial experience with the MB2120 was refreshingly smooth. Following the step-by-step guide, we installed the four ink cartridges—which satisfyingly click into a front-accessible compartment—loaded paper, and powered it on. The on-screen wizard walked us through connecting to our Wi-Fi network, and within about 15 minutes, we were printing wirelessly from our main PC. The Canon PRINT app on both Android and iOS devices also connected seamlessly, allowing us to print documents from cloud services and scan directly to our phones with ease. This positive experience is echoed by several users who found the setup to be a “breeze.”
However, the story isn’t universally rosy. We encountered what another user described vividly: the printer’s frustratingly long recalibration process. After unplugging the machine to move it, powering it back on triggered a 5-10 minute cycle of whirring, clicking, and head cleaning before it was ready to print. This lengthy “re-cail setup,” as one user called it, can be a significant workflow interruption if you experience frequent power outages or need to move the device. Furthermore, some users have reported extreme difficulties with connectivity, describing the technology as slow and dated. While our wireless connection remained stable, it’s clear that network configurations and user tech proficiency can dramatically alter the setup experience from a 15-minute affair to a multi-hour ordeal of stress. This inconsistency is a definite point of caution.
The Heart of the Machine: Print Speed and Quality
When it comes to its core competency—printing documents—the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax is an absolute star. The secret lies in its Dual Resistant High Density (DRHD) inks. We printed text-heavy contracts, reports, and invoices, and the results were consistently excellent. The black text is laser-sharp, crisp, and deeply saturated. Most importantly, it’s incredibly durable; even immediately after printing, we couldn’t get the text to smudge when running a highlighter over it. This is a critical feature for any professional setting. Print speeds were impressive, closely matching the advertised 19 images per minute (ipm) for black and white and 13 ipm for color documents. The first page out time of around 6 seconds means you’re not left waiting for short print jobs.
The conversation shifts, however, when we turn to photo printing. While the printer’s 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution produces images with good detail and vibrant color on photo paper, it has one glaring, almost unforgivable flaw for a machine marketed with “Photo Printer” in its name: it cannot print borderless. No matter the setting or paper type used, every single photo we printed had a distinct, roughly 1/4-inch white border around the edge. For anyone looking to print frame-ready 4×6 or 5×7 photos, this is an immediate deal-breaker. It relegates its photo capabilities to casual snapshots or images embedded in documents, rather than dedicated photo printing. This is a critical limitation that users must be aware of before purchasing.
More Than a Printer: Scanning, Copying, and All-in-One Chops
Where the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax truly earns its “workhorse” title is in its comprehensive all-in-one feature set. The 250-sheet paper cassette is a standout feature, drastically reducing the frequency of paper refills compared to the 100 or 150-sheet trays common in this price range. Paired with automatic duplex printing, it’s a paper-saving, efficiency-boosting powerhouse for long documents. We fed it a 50-page, double-sided report, and it churned through the job without a single hiccup.
The scanner offers both a flatbed for books or single pages and an automatic document feeder (ADF). The flatbed scanner works flawlessly, producing sharp, color-accurate scans. The ADF, however, proved to be a point of contention. While it worked well for us with standard, crisp sheets of paper, we could see how it might struggle with thinner or slightly curled pages, lending credence to a user report that their ADF would “not grab the paper right and only scan half of the paper.” This suggests the ADF’s reliability may vary depending on the condition of the documents being scanned. The copying and faxing functions are standard and effective, rounding out a feature set that is genuinely built to serve as the central hub of a small office. The combination of a large paper tray and duplex printing is a productivity game-changer, and for those who prioritize these features, the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax is exceptionally compelling. You can see the full list of productivity features on its product page.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from a wide range of users reveals a printer that people either love for its workhorse capabilities or despise for its frustrating quirks. The sentiment is sharply divided. On the positive side, many users echo our findings, calling it an “awesome product” and a “workhorse” that handles high volumes of scanning and printing with ease. One happy customer noted, “After 2 months of using this printer, I’m very impressed… it can handle high volumes scanning, printing duplex, and it has high capacity ink cartridges and paper storage.” These users value its core office functions and find the setup convenient.
Conversely, the negative feedback is just as passionate. One small business owner described it as the “worst printer I have ever owned,” citing extreme stress from jobs that should be simple, long waits, and excessive noise. This aligns with our observation of the long startup times. Another major complaint centers on ink consumption, with one user stating, “Ink usage is unreal.” This concern, combined with the frustration over the lack of borderless printing and potential issues with the document feeder, paints a picture of a device that, when it misbehaves, can be a significant source of frustration. It seems the experience with the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax depends heavily on user expectations and, perhaps, the luck of the draw with individual unit reliability.
How Does the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Compare to the Alternatives?
While the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax serves as a robust home office hub, it’s not a portable device. If true portability and instant photo printing are your primary goals, you need to look at a completely different category of specialized devices. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular portable options.
1. HUIJUTCHEN Mini Photo Printer with Thermal Paper
- Ways to download print app "Fun Print" ---① Search "Fun Print" in Google Play. ② Search "Fun Print" in the App Store. You can turn on the wireless...
- Inkless Mini Sticker Printer --- Our wireless mini thermal printer measures 3.1x3.1x1.5 inch, weight 5.3oz, small size enough to carry with you anywhere....
This device represents the polar opposite of the Canon MAXIFY. The HUIJUTCHEN is a pocket-sized, inkless thermal printer designed for ultimate portability. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and prints small, monochrome stickers and notes. It’s perfect for journaling, scrapbooking, or creating labels on the fly. Its strength is its convenience and low running cost (no ink, just thermal paper). However, it cannot print in color, its print quality is basic, and it serves a single, niche purpose. Someone would choose this over the Canon if their only need is to print small, simple monochrome images and text instantly, anywhere they go.
2. Phomemo M02S Mini Thermal Photo Printer
- √ 300dpi HD Mobile Phone Printer- Phomemo M02S mini printer is a 300dpi printer. The image printing is more clear and high-definition. Mini size...
- √ What can you Use with M02S Printer- Pocket phone printer is good for printing black and white photos, text, memos. You can use it at home, school and...
The Phomemo M02S is a step up in the mini thermal printer category, offering a higher 300dpi resolution. This results in sharper, more detailed monochrome prints compared to many other pocket printers. Like the HUIJUTCHEN, it’s an inkless, portable device for printing stickers, labels, and notes from a smartphone. It’s aimed at crafters, students, and organizers who value high-quality thermal output for their projects. It’s a fantastic tool for its intended purpose but lacks any of the multi-function capabilities (color printing, scanning, copying) of the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax. The choice is clear: versatility and document power (Canon) versus specialized, high-res portable monochrome printing (Phomemo).
3. Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer
- Compact and lightweight. Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to your Smartphone
- For use with INSTAX MINI instant film only (sold separately) - Prints 2” x 3” photos
This is the most direct “photo printer” competitor, and it highlights the Canon’s shortcomings in that area. The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 doesn’t print documents; it creates tangible, credit-card-sized instant photos with the classic white border. It’s all about the fun, social, and nostalgic experience of printing and sharing physical snapshots from your phone. It offers creative features through its app, like adding frames or drawing on photos. Someone would choose the Instax Mini Link 2 if their goal is exclusively to create and share small, fun, physical photos. It does one thing, and it does it exceptionally well, whereas the Canon is a jack-of-all-trades office machine that treats photo printing as a secondary, compromised function.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax is clear: it is an outstanding home office all-in-one workhorse that is unfortunately let down by its “photo printer” claims. If you approach this machine as the central hub for a small business or a busy household that needs to print, scan, and copy documents efficiently, it is a fantastic choice. The sharp, smudge-proof text, large paper tray, and automatic duplex printing are standout features that genuinely boost productivity. It is built to handle volume and perform its core office tasks with speed and reliability.
However, if your primary reason for buying is to print high-quality, frame-worthy photos, you must look elsewhere. The lack of borderless printing is a non-negotiable flaw for any serious photo enthusiast. Furthermore, potential buyers should be aware of the mixed user reports regarding setup, noise, and long recalibration times. It’s a powerful tool, but one that may occasionally test your patience. We recommend the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax to anyone who prioritizes document workflow over photo perfection.
If you’ve decided the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Wireless Color Printer Scanner Copier Fax is the right fit for your home office needs, you can check its current price and availability here.
Last update on 2025-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API