We’ve all been there. It’s ten minutes before a crucial deadline, and you need to print a report. Or perhaps your child remembers they need a signed permission slip for school *right now*. You send the document to your printer, and… nothing. You’re met with a cryptic error message, a blinking light of doom, or the dreaded “printer offline” status, despite it being plugged in and turned on. The ensuing battle with network settings, driver reinstalls, and paper jam phantom pains is a uniquely modern form of torture. This frustration isn’t just an inconvenience; it can disrupt your workday, add stress to family life, and make you want to throw the offending machine out the window. Having a reliable, easy-to-use printer isn’t a luxury; it’s a foundational piece of a functional home or hybrid work setup.
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp...
What to Consider Before Buying a Home All-in-One Printer
A home all-in-one printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for managing the flow of physical and digital documents in our lives. It’s the bridge between the email attachment and the hard copy you need for a meeting, the scanner that digitizes old family photos, and the copier for important records. The main benefit is consolidation; instead of three separate, bulky devices, you get a single, compact unit that handles printing, scanning, and copying, saving valuable desk space and streamlining your workflow. It empowers you to be productive and creative, whether it’s printing professional-looking reports, vibrant school projects, or borderless family photos.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily demands of a hybrid work schedule, a student managing assignments, or a family juggling schoolwork, document signing, and creative projects. They need versatility without a steep learning curve or a prohibitive price tag. Conversely, this type of printer might not be suitable for those who run a high-volume business from home and require the speed and per-page economy of a laser printer, or for a photographer who needs the specialized, wide-format archival quality of a professional photo printer. For those who only need to print small photos from their phone, a dedicated portable photo printer might be a better, more compact choice.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A home printer needs to fit into your life, and that starts with your physical space. Measure your intended desk or shelf area before buying. The Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer boasts a compact footprint, but you still need to account for clearance for the paper trays and lid access for scanning. A sleek, modern design can also help it blend into your home decor rather than looking like an industrial eyesore.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the initial price. Key performance metrics include print speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM) for both black and color prints, and print resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI), which determines the sharpness of text and photos. A crucial feature for saving time and paper is automatic duplexing (2-sided printing), which this model includes. Consider the paper tray capacity to avoid constant refilling.
- Materials & Durability: Most consumer-grade printers are made primarily of plastic to keep costs down. While they may not feel as robust as their enterprise-level counterparts, they should still feel solid and well-constructed. Pay attention to the sturdiness of the paper trays and scanner lid, as these are the most frequently handled parts. As some users have noted, a printer can sometimes feel a bit “rickety,” so ensure it’s placed on a stable, level surface.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The best features are useless if the printer is a nightmare to set up and maintain. Look for simple, guided wireless setup processes, intuitive control panels, and easy-to-use companion apps for mobile printing. Ink replacement is a major part of long-term ownership; understand the type of cartridges it uses (e.g., a two-cartridge system vs. individual ink tanks) and the process for replacing them.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, 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)
First Impressions and Key Features of the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer
Upon unboxing the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer, the first thing we noticed was its clean, minimalist aesthetic. The white finish and compact design (14.8″D x 14″W x 6.7″H) immediately make it feel at home in a modern workspace, rather than a bulky piece of legacy office equipment. It’s refreshingly small for an all-in-one device, a sentiment echoed by users who appreciate that it doesn’t dominate their desk space. Inside the box, we found the printer itself, a power cord, a starter set of PG-295 Black and CL-286 Color ink cartridges, and the setup documentation.
The initial setup process is designed to be user-friendly. Canon prominently features a QR code in the instructions, which directs you to a setup website with easy-to-follow video guides. This modern approach is a welcome change from dense, confusing paper manuals. The printer features a small but clear 1.42” Monochrome OLED screen that provides status updates and guides you through the process. While we found the setup to be straightforward, it’s worth noting some users had minor hiccups, like needing to manually enter a long Wi-Fi password, which can be tedious but is a one-time task. Overall, the first impression is that of a thoughtfully designed machine built for the modern, connected home.
Key Benefits
- Excellent value for an all-in-one (print, scan, copy) device
- Automatic 2-sided (duplex) printing saves paper and time
- Simple wireless setup and reliable dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- Impressive photo and document print quality for its class
- Compact, stylish design with a small footprint
Potential Drawbacks
- Plastic construction can feel slightly flimsy or “rickety”
- Combined color ink cartridge can be wasteful if one color runs out first
- Setup can be challenging for less tech-savvy users
A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA TS6520’s Real-World Performance
A printer’s true worth is revealed not on the spec sheet, but in day-to-day use. We put the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer through its paces, testing everything from its initial setup and connectivity to its core printing, scanning, and copying functions. Our goal was to see if this budget-friendly machine could handle the varied demands of a busy household or home office, and we were consistently impressed by its capabilities.
Seamless Setup and Wireless Connectivity: A Breath of Fresh Air?
For many, the biggest hurdle with a new printer is the setup. Canon has clearly worked to streamline this with the TS6520. As mentioned, our experience began with the QR code, which led to a clear, step-by-step online guide. The printer quickly identified our Wi-Fi network, and after inputting the password via the control panel, it was online in minutes. From there, installing the drivers on our PC and connecting our smartphones via the Canon PRINT app was seamless. This mirrors the experience of many users who found it “super easy” and praised its stable connection, with one noting, “With my previous printers (Epson and Ricoh), I constantly had issues… This Canon has had zero connection problems.”
The inclusion of dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) is a significant feature at this price point. It ensures a more stable and reliable connection, reducing the likelihood of print jobs failing or the printer dropping off the network. We successfully printed from a Windows PC, a MacBook, and multiple iPhones using Apple AirPrint without a single hiccup. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not every user has a flawless experience. Some have reported tedious manual setup processes for Wi-Fi or confusion when the included documentation referenced a slightly different model number (e.g., TS6420a). While our setup was smooth, those who are less comfortable with technology might find parts of the process vague. For the majority, though, getting the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer connected and ready to print is refreshingly simple.
Print Quality Unpacked: From Crisp Documents to Vibrant Photos
The heart of any printer is its output quality, and this is where the TS6520 truly shines. It utilizes a 2-cartridge hybrid ink system: a pigment-based black ink (PG-295) for sharp, smudge-resistant text, and a dye-based color cartridge (CL-286) for vivid images. For everyday documents, this system is exceptional. We printed multi-page reports, resumes, and school assignments, and the text was consistently crisp and dark, rivaling the clarity of more expensive laser printers. This performance is ideal for students or home office users who need professional-looking documents, as one user confirmed: “I am just using this for school right now so it works great when I need to print off my documents!”
Where the printer surprised us was its photo printing capability. We printed several 4×6 and 8.5×11 inch borderless photos on Canon glossy photo paper, and the results were fantastic. Colors were vibrant and accurate, and details were sharp, thanks to the up to 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution. One user perfectly captured our sentiment, stating they were “surprised” by the photo quality for a home unit. It’s also versatile, as another user noted it works well with sticker paper. However, achieving this quality is contingent on one critical factor: using genuine Canon ink. One user provided a crucial warning after their prints became flawed, “UPDATE! The new ink cartridges from ANKINK were to blame. I just replaced my cartridges with the Cannon brand ink and once again all is well!” This is a vital lesson: while third-party inks may be cheaper, they risk compromising the excellent quality the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer is capable of delivering.
Everyday Usability: Duplexing, Scanning, and Paper Handling
Beyond print quality, a printer’s daily convenience is paramount. The standout feature here is the automatic duplexing. With a single click, the printer automatically prints on both sides of the paper. In our testing, this worked flawlessly and is a game-changer for reducing paper consumption and creating professional, multi-page documents without manual intervention. This feature alone adds tremendous value and is often omitted from printers in this price range.
The all-in-one functionality is also well-implemented. The flatbed scanner on top is easy to use for both copying and scanning to a computer. We digitized old photos and documents with good color fidelity and sharpness. The intuitive control panel and the small OLED display make it simple to initiate a copy without needing a computer. However, paper handling is a mixed bag. The printer offers two input sources: a front cassette and a rear tray, which is great for having plain paper ready in the cassette and specialty media like photo paper or envelopes in the rear tray. While we experienced no issues, one user reported significant paper jams when loading about 15 pages into the front cassette. This suggests it’s best to avoid over-filling the trays. The lack of an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning is a deliberate design choice to keep the footprint small, a trade-off we think is reasonable for its target audience.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across a wide range of feedback, a consensus emerges that the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer offers fantastic value for its price. Many users echo our positive experience with setup, like one who found it “easy to set up and multifunctional,” specifically praising the convenience of wireless printing straight from their phone. Another user who was initially skeptical due to some negative reviews “went ahead and gave it a try, and it turned out to be pretty good. Easy installation, no paper jams, prints pretty well.” The surprising quality of photo prints is another common point of praise, with one Spanish-speaking user noting that the photo quality truly surprised them, calling it an “excellent machine for home use.”
However, the feedback isn’t universally positive. The most common complaint revolves around reliability and long-term issues. One frustrated user detailed how their first model failed with a phantom paper jam message, and the replacement unit refused to recognize that paper was loaded. Another user found the printer to be incredibly slow, with long waits between prints and a tedious process for canceling jobs. These experiences, while not representative of the majority, highlight a potential for hardware failure and performance quirks, underscoring the importance of the included 3-year manufacturer warranty.
How Does the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer Compare to the Competition?
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer is a versatile all-in-one, but the market offers many specialized alternatives. How it stacks up depends entirely on your primary printing needs.
1. 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
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 is not a direct competitor but rather a different tool for a different job. This device is purely a portable photo printer, designed to create small, credit-card-sized instant prints directly from your smartphone. It’s all about fun, spontaneity, and tangible memories you can share immediately. If your goal is to print photos at parties or for a scrapbook, the Instax is a fantastic choice. However, it cannot print documents, scan, or copy. The Canon PIXMA TS6520, by contrast, is a home hub that can produce high-quality, larger photo prints (up to 8.5″ x 11″) in addition to handling all your document-related tasks. You’d choose the Instax for portability and fun, and the PIXMA for versatility and productivity.
2. KODAK Mini 3 Retro Photo Printer Bundle
- Low Photo Cost: Why pay more to print? Printing has never been easier with our Kodak Mini 3 Retro portable photo printer. Photos are even half the cost if...
- Superior Photo Quality: The Kodak Mini 3 Retro utilizes 4PASS technology, which allows you to print flawless photos in just a few seconds. As the photos...
Similar to the Fujifilm Instax, the KODAK Mini 3 Retro is a dedicated portable photo printer. It uses 4PASS dye-sublimation technology to create durable, laminated 3×3-inch square prints that are fingerprint and water-resistant. Its strength lies in the superior quality and longevity of its small-format prints compared to some other instant print technologies. This makes it ideal for users who prioritize archival-quality small photos. The Canon PIXMA TS6520 uses inkjet technology, which is more versatile for different paper types and sizes but the prints aren’t inherently laminated. The choice is clear: if you only want high-quality, pocket-sized square photos, the KODAK is a strong contender. If you need to print anything else, from a shipping label to a term paper, the PIXMA is the only viable option.
3. co2CREA Hard Case for Canon SELPHY CP1500 Photo Printer
- co2CREA hard compact photo printer travel case replacement for Canon SELPHY CP1500 wireless compact printer or SELPHY CP1300 wireless compact photo printer...
- This Canon SELPHY printer protection case perfect fit your Canon SELPHY CP1500 ink and paper compact printer or SELPHY CP1300 wireless compact photo...
This product is not a printer but an essential accessory that highlights a different branch of the Canon family tree. The case is designed for the Canon SELPHY series, which are compact, portable dye-sublimation printers—a middle ground between the PIXMA and the pocket printers above. A SELPHY is great for printing 4×6 photos at events or while traveling. This hard case is designed to protect that investment. Comparing it to the PIXMA TS6520 underscores a key difference in philosophy: the TS6520 is a stationary all-in-one meant to live on a desk, while the SELPHY (and this case) is built for portability. If your primary need is printing 4×6 photos away from home, the SELPHY and its protective case are the right ecosystem for you.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Canon PIXMA TS6520 the Right Printer for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently recommend the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer as an exceptional choice for a specific user: students, families, and anyone in a hybrid work environment who needs a reliable, versatile, and affordable all-in-one machine. Its strengths are significant: the automatic duplexing is a fantastic paper-saver, the wireless connectivity is stable and easy to set up, and the print quality for both documents and photos is far better than its price tag suggests. Its compact, stylish design is the cherry on top, allowing it to fit seamlessly into any home.
It is not, however, a printer for everyone. High-volume business users will find it too slow, and its two-cartridge system is less economical than ink tank models for heavy use. Creative professionals who need perfect color accuracy or a wide variety of media handling will want to look at more specialized, expensive models. But for its intended purpose—as the central hub for a modern household’s printing, scanning, and copying needs—it hits a remarkable sweet spot of performance, features, and value. It solves the core problem of unreliable, complicated home printing with grace and efficiency.
If you’ve decided the Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Duplex Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API