Canon MAXIFY MB2120 Review – Is It Worth It?
Our in-depth review of the Canon MAXIFY MB2120 wireless printer. Learn about print quality, ink costs, features & performance. Perfect for home offices & small businesses.
Introduction
For home-based entrepreneurs and small business owners, the printing landscape can be a frustrating maze of high ink costs, slow speeds, and unreliable performance. Often, the very tools designed to help us succeed become a burden, disrupting workflow and eating into profits. The Canon MAXIFY MB2120 aims to cut through this complexity, offering a solution specifically tailored for the needs of the modern, distributed workforce – delivering crisp, color-rich documents and photos with efficiency and affordability.
Overview
The Canon MAXIFY MB2120 is a compact all-in-one inkjet printer designed for small offices and home-based businesses with 1-4 users. It’s more than just a printer; it’s a versatile workstation, combining printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities into a single, space-saving device. Its core design revolves around Canon’s MAXIFY ink tank system, promising significantly lower running costs compared to traditional cartridge-based printers. The integrated Wi-Fi and mobile printing capabilities streamline your workflow, while its robust design is built to handle the demands of a busy home office. It is an excellent choice for those who prioritize cost-effective color printing and ease of use.
Features
High-Yield Ink Tank System: The MAXIFY MB2120 utilizes a revolutionary ink tank system, replacing costly cartridges with refillable tanks. This design drastically reduces ink costs per page, making it a particularly attractive option for those who frequently print documents and photos. Expect significantly lower long-term operating expenses compared to traditional cartridge-based printers.
Dual Resistant High Density (DRHD) Ink: Canon’s DRHD ink isn’t just about vibrant colors – it’s also about durability. This innovative ink is smudge-resistant and highlighter-resistant, ensuring your important documents maintain their professional appearance and legibility even after repeated handling. Say goodbye to frustrating smudges and faded text.
Wireless Smart Connectivity & Mobile Printing: Seamlessly integrate the MAXIFY MB2120 into your digital workflow with built-in Wi-Fi and compatibility with the Canon PRINT app. Print directly from your smartphone or tablet, scan documents, and even share print jobs with colleagues – all from the convenience of your mobile device. Cloud service integration adds another layer of flexibility.
Automatic Duplex Printing: Save paper and reduce your environmental impact with the automatic duplex printing feature. This allows you to print on both sides of the paper automatically, cutting your paper consumption in half and saving you both money and resources. It’s a surprisingly simple feature with a significant impact.
Quick First Print & Robust Duty Cycle: The MB2120 boasts a remarkably fast first printout time of just 6 seconds, minimizing wait times and boosting productivity. Combined with a generous 20,000 page duty cycle, this printer is built to handle consistently high volumes without compromising performance or reliability.
Benefits
Reduced Printing Costs: The ink tank system slashes your ink expenses, saving you money over the printer’s lifespan. This is a tangible benefit for any budget-conscious business or home user.
Time-Saving Wireless Convenience: Print and scan effortlessly from your mobile devices and computers, streamlining your workflow and boosting productivity. No more tethering to a computer – your printer is always accessible.
Professional-Looking Documents: The DRHD ink ensures your prints are sharp, vibrant, and resistant to smudging and highlighting, projecting a professional image.
Environmentally Friendly Operation: Automatic duplex printing minimizes paper waste, contributing to a more sustainable office environment.
Enhanced Productivity: The quick first print and high page yield enable you to tackle large print jobs with speed and efficiency, keeping you on schedule.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices: The MAXIFY MB2120 is ideally suited for the home-based business owner needing a reliable, cost-effective all-in-one solution.
Ideal for Small Businesses: With its high-yield ink tanks and robust printing capabilities, this printer is an excellent choice for small businesses with moderate to high printing volume.
Great for Students & Frequent Document Printing: Students or anyone who prints frequently can appreciate the low running costs and reliable performance of this printer.
Useful for Photo Printing Enthusiasts: While not a dedicated photo printer, the MAXIFY MB2120 delivers surprisingly good photo quality, making it a viable option for occasional photo prints.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional ink efficiency and low running costs
- High-quality color printing with DRHD ink
- User-friendly wireless connectivity and mobile printing
- Automatic duplex printing for paper savings
- Fast print speeds and quick first printout time
- Robust build quality and high duty cycle
Cons
- Initial purchase price may be higher than cartridge-based printers
- Print resolution not as high as dedicated photo printers
- Footprint is slightly larger than some compact printers
FAQs
What is the estimated ink cost per page?: Thanks to the ink tank system, the MAXIFY MB2120 offers significantly lower ink costs per page compared to cartridge-based printers. Expect to pay a fraction of the cost per page, especially when printing color documents and photos.
What is the maximum printing speed?: The printer reaches speeds of up to 19.0 ipm for black and white documents and 13.0 ipm for color prints. The quick first print time of 6 seconds further enhances productivity.
How easy is the wireless setup?: The wireless setup is straightforward, utilizing the Canon PRINT app for easy connection to your Wi-Fi network. The app guides you through the process step-by-step.
What types of ink cartridges are compatible?: The MAXIFY MB2120 uses Canon’s ink tank refills, not traditional cartridges. Ensure you are purchasing genuine Canon refills for optimal performance and reliability.
What is the warranty coverage?: The printer comes with a standard manufacturer’s warranty, backed by 100% U.S.-based customer service and support for peace of mind.
Product Specifications
| Print Technology | Inkjet |
| DPI Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Ink Type | Ink Tank (Refillable) |
| Page Yield | 6000 pages (Black), 5000 pages (Color) |
| Print Speed | 19.0 ipm (B&W), 13.0 ipm (Color) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 18.1″D x 18.3″W x 10.3″H |
| Weight | 23.2 Pounds |
| Duty Cycle | 20,000 pages |
| Warranty Type | Full |
Ratings
| Technical Specs | 4.4 |
| Print Quality | 4.6 |
| Connectivity & Features | 4.5 |
| Cost-Effectiveness | 4.7 |
| Usability | 4.3 |
Recommendation
The Canon MAXIFY MB2120 is an excellent choice for small businesses and home offices seeking a cost-effective and versatile all-in-one printer. Its high-yield ink tank system and wireless capabilities make it a productivity powerhouse, while its compact design ensures it fits seamlessly into any workspace.
If you frequently print documents and photos, especially in color, and are tired of the recurring cost of ink cartridges, the MAXIFY MB2120 is a smart investment. Its combination of affordability, reliability, and ease of use makes it a standout option in the crowded printer market.
Conclusion
The Canon MAXIFY MB2120 isn’t just a printer; it’s a complete printing solution designed for the modern user. Its innovative ink tank system significantly reduces long-term costs, while its wireless capabilities and automatic duplex printing enhance productivity and sustainability. This printer delivers a compelling combination of performance, value, and convenience, making it a worthwhile investment for any home or small office.
