Canon imageCLASS MF273dw Review — Fast Monochrome MFP
In-depth review of the Canon imageCLASS MF273dw: 30 ppm, duplex, ADF, Wi‑Fi. Ideal for home offices and small businesses.
Introduction
The Canon imageCLASS MF273dw positions itself as a focused solution for users who need reliable black-and-white output without the complexity or expense of color systems. With a rated 30 pages per minute, automatic duplexing, and a built-in scanner and copier, it addresses the classic small-office headache: produce crisp, professional documents quickly while keeping operating costs manageable.
This compact monochrome laser multifunction printer is built for productivity — it reduces wait time with a fast first-page-out and keeps paper handling simple with a 150-sheet input and an Auto Document Feeder. For home offices, microbusinesses, and teams that prioritize dependable text quality and streamlined workflows over color printing, the MF273dw aims to reduce friction and improve day-to-day efficiency.
Overview
Design-forward but utilitarian, the MF273dw wears its function on its sleeve. The unit is solidly built yet compact (about 14.6″D x 15.4″W x 14.4″H), fitting easily on a credenza or small office desk. The control panel is straightforward and the monochrome exterior keeps it visually unobtrusive in professional settings. Canon’s engineering favors a small footprint without sacrificing the internal components needed for reliable laser printing and scanning.
Under the hood the MF273dw uses established laser printing technology with a 2400 x 600 dpi maximum black resolution. Connectivity covers common small-office scenarios: USB for direct connections, Wi‑Fi for networked printing, and Wi‑Fi Direct for quick mobile tasks. The presence of an Auto Document Feeder (ADF), automatic duplex printing, and a modest memory (256 MB) signals that Canon designed this model for users who want consistent, fast document workflows: invoices, contracts, reports and scanned archives.
Features
High-Speed Monochrome Printing (30 ppm): Rated at up to 30 pages per minute for letter-sized black-and-white output. Advantage: Fast throughput lowers queue times and keeps multi-page jobs moving. Benefit: Ideal for teams or power users who print reports, invoices, or handouts and need consistent delivery without delays.
Auto Duplex Printing and 150-Sheet Input: Automatic two-sided printing plus a 150-sheet standard input capacity and 150-sheet output. Advantage: Duplex cuts paper usage in half for double-sided documents, while larger input/output capacities reduce frequent refills. Benefit: Immediate savings on paper costs and fewer interruptions during busy print runs.
Integrated Scan, Copy, and ADF: Built-in flatbed scanner with sheetfed ADF and copy functions. Advantage: Single-device handling of multi-page originals and easy digital workflows. Benefit: Scan contracts, batch documents, and copy records without a separate scanner — saving space and time.
Robust Print Quality and Fast First-Page-Out: Up to 2400 x 600 dpi resolution and first print-out in approximately 5.3 seconds. Advantage: Crisp text and quick first-page responsiveness make small jobs appear instantaneous. Benefit: Professional-looking text for client-facing documents, plus less perceived wait time during short print tasks.
Flexible Connectivity (Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct, USB): Supports USB, Wi‑Fi, and Wi‑Fi Direct connectivity. Advantage: Connect laptops, mobile devices, and networked workstations with multiple options. Benefit: Mobile printing from phones or tablets and quick setup for temporary connections without a router.
Benefits
Lower Operating Cost and Toner Options
Uses Canon 071 toner with high-capacity options. The toner choices and Canon’s efficient laser engine make cost-per-page competitive for monochrome workflows, translating into long-term savings for high-volume users.
Improved Productivity and Reduced Wait Time
30 ppm speed and a ~5.3 second first-page-out mean less idle time for employees. Duplex and the ADF reduce manual handling for two-sided and multi-page jobs, accelerating document processing.
Space Efficiency and Consolidated Functions
Combines printing, scanning and copying into one compact unit with a small footprint, freeing up desk or office space otherwise occupied by separate devices.
Consistent, Professional Black-and-White Output
High dpi and laser toner consistency produce sharp text and fine detail for business documents, legal copies, and forms, raising the perceived professionalism of everyday print materials.
Energy and Environmental Considerations
Energy Star qualification and automatic duplexing contribute to lower power and paper use, supporting greener office practices without sacrificing performance.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices and Small Businesses
Handles daily printing needs like invoices, letters, and internal reports with fast throughput and a compact footprint suited to home office desks or small team spaces.
Efficient Document Center for Legal and Financial Workflows
The sharp monochrome output and ADF make it ideal for firms that scan, copy and archive contracts, receipts, and client files where black-and-white fidelity and duplexing are priorities.
Shared Office Printer for Departmental Use
With Wi‑Fi networking and a balanced paper capacity, the MF273dw works well as a shared device for a small department handling moderate print volumes.
Rapid Single-Function Replacement
For users migrating from standalone monochrome printers, this MFP provides extra capabilities (scan/copy) without a steep learning curve or large space requirements.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast monochrome print speeds (30 ppm) and quick first-page-out
- Automatic duplexing and ADF streamline two-sided and multi-page workflows
- High-quality black-and-white output (up to 2400 x 600 dpi)
- Compact footprint with combined print/scan/copy functions
- Multiple connectivity options including Wi‑Fi Direct
Cons
- Monochrome only — no color printing capability
- Mixed user reports on ease of setup and wireless reliability
- Toner yield and usage reports vary among users, potentially affecting cost predictability
- Limited memory (256 MB) could constrain very complex networked jobs
- Control panel navigation can feel non-intuitive to some users
FAQs
Does the MF273dw support duplex scanning and printing?
Yes. The unit supports automatic duplex (two-sided) printing and also offers a single-pass ADF for multi-page scanning and copying; however, duplex scanning may require manual re-feeding depending on the source document.
What toner cartridges does it use and what are the yields?
The MF273dw uses Canon 071 toner cartridges. It ships with a starter 700-page yield cartridge, and higher-capacity replacement toners are available to lower the cost per page for heavier users.
Can I print from my smartphone without a network?
Yes. The printer supports Wi‑Fi Direct, allowing mobile devices to connect and print without a router. Canon’s mobile apps also support direct printing for added convenience.
Is setup difficult for non-technical users?
Setup experiences are mixed among users — many find wireless setup straightforward, but others report challenges with network configurations or driver installations. Having Ethernet or USB as fallback simplifies initial connectivity.
How noisy is the printer during operation?
As a compact laser MFP, the MF273dw operates with a typical noise profile for its class: quiet during idle and moderate during high-speed printing. It’s suitable for most office environments but may be noticeable in very quiet home offices during heavy jobs.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Monochrome Laser Multifunction Printer (Print/Scan/Copy) |
| Print Speed (PPM) | Up to 30 pages per minute (Letter, B/W) |
| Resolution (DPI) | Up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct |
| Duplex | Automatic Duplex Printing |
| Supported Media Sizes | Min. 3″ x 5″ to Max. 8.5″ x 14″ (Legal) |
| Ink/Toner Type | Canon Toner 071 (Starter 700 yield included) |
| Dimensions | 14.6″ D x 15.4″ W x 14.4″ H |
| Weight | 24.7 pounds |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 150 sheets |
| ADF | Included (Sheetfed Scanner) |
| Memory | 256 MB |
| First Print Out Time | Approx. 5.3 seconds |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
Ratings
| Print-Scan-Copy Performance | 4.3 |
| Document Feeder Reliability | 4.1 |
| Connectivity & Smart Features | 3.6 |
| Print Speed & Output Quality | 4.2 |
| Ink / Toner Efficiency | 3.8 |
| Value for Money | 4.5 |
Recommendation
This Canon imageCLASS MF273dw is recommended for home-office users, solo entrepreneurs, and small teams who need dependable, high-speed black-and-white printing combined with scanning and copying in a compact package. Its strong print speed, duplex capabilities, and Canon toner ecosystem make it a cost-effective choice for high-volume text-based workflows.
For buyers who prioritize flawless wireless setup and advanced color work, consider evaluating network environment compatibility or looking at color-enabled alternatives. If your workflow is primarily monochrome documents, the MF273dw delivers a compelling mix of speed, quality, and overall value.
Conclusion
The Canon imageCLASS MF273dw is a focused, efficient monochrome laser MFP built to improve the everyday productivity of small offices and home workspaces. Its key strengths — a 30 ppm print engine, automatic duplexing, and integrated scanning with an ADF — are exactly the features most small-business users need to streamline document processing without the overhead of larger multifunction systems.
While some users may encounter mixed experiences with wireless setup and toner longevity, the unit’s performance, print quality and favorable value-for-money rating make it a strong choice for those whose primary requirement is reliable black-and-white printing. Over the long term, the MF273dw’s compact design, duplex savings, and Canon support network position it as a practical investment that balances speed, output quality, and operating cost.
