Canon PIXMA TS202 Review: Budget Photo Printer
Review of the Canon PIXMA TS202 inkjet photo printer. Explore features, benefits, print quality, cost-effectiveness, and whether it’s right for you.
Introduction
In today’s digital landscape, the need for accessible and reliable printing remains constant. Whether you’re a student churning out reports, a small business owner managing marketing materials, or a family printing cherished photos, the frustration of high ink costs, slow speeds, and unreliable performance can significantly impact productivity. The Canon PIXMA TS202 aims to address these common printing challenges, offering a compact, budget-friendly solution for everyday printing needs.
Overview
The Canon PIXMA TS202 is a compact inkjet photo printer designed for individuals and small offices seeking a simple and affordable printing solution. Featuring a rear paper tray and a fine hybrid ink system, this printer balances functionality with a minimal footprint. It’s designed to deliver clear documents and vibrant photos while keeping running costs manageable, particularly with the option of XL ink cartridges. Although it relies on a USB connection and lacks wireless capabilities, the TS202 provides essential printing features for those prioritizing affordability and space-saving design.
This printer targets users who prioritize simplicity and cost-effectiveness over advanced features like wireless connectivity or automatic duplexing. It’s an ideal choice for students, families, and small businesses needing occasional document and photo printing, but who don’t require high-volume or feature-rich capabilities. The straightforward setup and operation make it exceptionally user-friendly, even for those less familiar with printing technology.
Features
XL Ink Cartridge Compatibility: A key advantage of the TS202 lies in its compatibility with XL ink cartridges. These larger cartridges significantly reduce the frequency of replacements, translating into lower long-term printing costs and less hassle. The cost per page is noticeably reduced when using XL cartridges, making the TS202 a more economical choice for moderate to regular printing volumes.
Compact and Space-Saving Design: Designed for modern living and small workspaces, the PIXMA TS202 boasts a remarkably compact footprint. Its slim profile allows it to fit comfortably on a desk, shelf, or even a small side table, freeing up valuable space. The compact design doesn’t compromise functionality; it simply optimizes for convenience and usability in limited areas.
Fine Hybrid Ink System: The PIXMA TS202 utilizes Canon’s Fine Hybrid Ink System, combining pigment black ink for sharp text and dye-based color inks for vibrant photo reproduction. This combination delivers crisp, clear documents and impressive photo quality, ensuring that your prints look their best. The hybrid system intelligently balances the strengths of both ink types for optimal results across a range of media.
Rear Paper Tray for Easy Refilling: The dedicated rear paper tray simplifies paper loading, providing quick and easy access for replenishing your paper supply. This user-friendly feature prevents interruptions during printing, streamlining your workflow and ensuring a smooth printing experience. It comfortably holds up to 60 sheets of plain paper or smaller photo paper sizes.
Benefits
Quick Printing Speed for Everyday Tasks: The respectable print speeds ensure that documents and photos are printed quickly, minimizing wait times and improving overall productivity. While not the fastest printer on the market, it provides adequate speed for typical home and office tasks.
Crisp, Clear Text and Vibrant Photo Reproduction: The fine hybrid ink system delivers exceptional print quality, with sharp, detailed text and vibrant, accurate colors in your photos. Your documents will look professional, and your photos will come to life, preserving your memories with stunning clarity.
Simple and Intuitive Operation: The TS202 is remarkably easy to set up and use, even for those with limited printing experience. The straightforward controls and clear instructions ensure a hassle-free printing process from start to finish.
Reduced Printing Costs with XL Cartridges: Utilizing XL ink cartridges significantly reduces your long-term printing expenses. The extended cartridge life minimizes the need for frequent replacements, saving you money and reducing waste. This affordability makes the TS202 a budget-friendly choice for users with occasional to moderate printing needs.
Space-Saving Design for Any Environment: The compact design of the TS202 allows it to fit seamlessly into any room, regardless of size. Whether you’re working from home, in a small office, or in a dorm room, the printer’s small size won’t clutter your workspace.
Usages
Useful for Small Businesses Needing Basic Printing: Small businesses can rely on the TS202 for basic document printing needs, such as invoices, letters, and marketing materials, without incurring high printing costs.
Great for Families Printing Photos: Families can cherish their memories and create personalized gifts with the TS202’s vibrant photo printing capabilities. The printer delivers impressive results for printing photos up to 5×7 inches.
Ideal for Students and Frequent Document Printing: Students can benefit from the TS202’s affordability and decent print quality for assignments, essays, and research papers. The XL ink cartridge option helps manage costs during long study periods.
Perfect for Home Offices: The TS202’s compact size, affordability, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for home office setups, providing reliable printing for documents, letters, and occasional photo prints.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable purchase price
- Compact and space-saving design
- Acceptable print quality for documents and photos
- Compatibility with XL ink cartridges for lower running costs
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- Lacks wireless connectivity
- Requires a USB cable (not included)
- Print speeds are not the fastest
- Limited paper capacity
- Print quality could be improved for professional photo printing
FAQs
Are these cartridges compatible with other Canon printers?: The PG-243/CL-244 and PGI 246/CLI 246 cartridges are specific to Canon PIXMA TS series printers. Compatibility should be checked with Canon’s website before attempting to use in other models.
What is the ink cost for this printer?: The PIXMA TS202 utilizes PG-243/CL-244 and PGI 246/CLI 246 ink cartridges. Using XL cartridges significantly lowers the cost per page, making it a budget-friendly option for regular printing.
What is the printing speed?: The TS202 prints at approximately 7.7 pages per minute for black and white documents and 4 pages per minute for color photos.
What is the warranty period?: The Canon PIXMA TS202 comes with a standard one-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
How do I set up the wireless connection?: Please note that this model requires a USB connection; it does not offer wireless capabilities. A USB cable is not included, so ensure you have one available.
Product Specifications
| Ink Type | Dye-Based & Pigment-Based |
| DPI Resolution | 4800 x 1200 Dots Per Inch |
| Print Technology | Inkjet |
| Print Speed (Black) | 7.7 ppm |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
| Page Yield (Black) | 180 pages (Std.), 600 pages (XL) |
| Page Yield (Color) | 180 pages (Std.), 600 pages (XL) |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Dimensions | 8.5″D x 16.8″W x 4.9″H |
| Duty Cycle | Not specified |
| Print Speed (Color) | 4 ppm |
| Weight | 6.4 Pounds |
Ratings
| Print Quality | 4.2 |
| Value | 4.0 |
| Connectivity | 2.5 |
| Technical Specifications | 3.8 |
| Usability | 4.5 |
Recommendation
The Canon PIXMA TS202 is an excellent choice for home users and students who prioritize affordability and a compact design. Its ease of use and XL ink cartridge compatibility make it a budget-friendly option for occasional printing needs.
Small businesses looking for a basic, reliable printer for everyday document printing will find the TS202 to be a worthwhile investment. While it lacks advanced features, its simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it a practical solution for simple printing tasks.
Conclusion
The Canon PIXMA TS202 successfully addresses the need for an accessible and budget-friendly printing solution. While its lack of wireless connectivity might be a drawback for some, its compact size, ease of use, and cost-effective XL cartridge options make it a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable printer for everyday tasks.
Ultimately, the TS202 offers solid value for its price point. Its simplicity, combined with acceptable print quality and the ability to lower long-term running costs with XL cartridges, positions it as a worthwhile investment for users with basic printing requirements and limited space.
