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Multifunction printer reviews

They save on space, but ongoing ink costs mean an all-in-one can be a costly choice.

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01 .Introduction

multifunction printer reviews - ink cartridge

Test results for 18 multifunction printers priced from $79 to $599

Suited for the home office or photo enthusiast, these all-in-ones combine inkjet printing (including colour photo prints), copying and scanning functions (some have fax) into one device.

We’ve added 10 more multifunction printers (MFPs) to those surviving on retail shelves from the last roundup, testing the new models exactly the same way as the last batch. Once again, we looked closely at how much they cost to run and that cost is still, in many cases, shockingly high.

As with most technology, their sophistication and quality is improving with each generation and the purchase price is also well below what you would pay for separate units for these functions. Paying more up front may give you more features, not necessarily higher quality, but buying cheaply won't always guarantee you a lower cost in the long run.

Printing costs

Do you have to pay through the nozzle for new, original ink cartridges every time, or can you save yourself a bundle by buying non-genuine ink alternatives? See our review of inkjet refill alternatives.

Printer models tested

Brother DCP-6690CW
Brother MFC3360C
Brother MFC-6890CW
Canon MP990
Canon MX340
Canon MX870
Dell V313w
Dell V715w
Epson Stylus TX110
Epson Stylus Office TX610FW
Epson Stylus Photo TX810FW
Epson Stylus Office TX510FN
HP Officejet 4500 Desktop
HP Officejet Pro 8500
Lexmark Intuition S505
Lexmark Platinum Pro905
Lexmark Interact S605
Lexmark Impact S305

Our test looks at:

Print quality and speed
Copy performance
Scanning performance
Ease of use
Versatility
Energy use

06.Compare discontinued printers

These models may still be available in retail outlets or in the second-hand market.

Instructions

Comparison table list

By default ALL DISCONTINUED tested products are listed. You can select up to five items to view in a side by side comparison.
Additional columns can be viewed by using the Next/Previous buttons.

Using the filters

Use the filters to show only products that meet your specific requirements or which have the specific features you're interested in. Selecting filters automatically updates the Comparison table list.
The number shown in brackets represents the number of products that will be shown if you select that filter.
You can view additional filters by selecting the Show more filters button.

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Compare products

Table Allowing the user to select a number of products dependant on their filter options.
Items to compare	First Previous Last Next Showing columns 1 - 9 of 78
Select up to 5 items below. Then click the compare button Compare	Price ($)	Running cost / year ($)	Photo cost per page ($)	Text ink cost per page ($)	Cost per pack photo paper ($)	Black ink used	Cost per black ink cartridge ($)	Colour inks used	Cost per full complement of colour ($)	Standby energy costs ($)	Standby Watthours for 1 hour (Wh/h; W)	In use watthours for 1 hour (Wh/h; W)	Energy use when idle (Wh/h; W)	Overall score	Printing (50%)	Ease of use (30%)	Scanning (10%)	Copying (10%)	Print speed 50% (Mono)	Print speed 20% (Colour)	Print speed 20% (PDF)	Print Quality setting (mono, colour and PDF)	Print speed 10% (Photo)	Print Quality setting (Photo)	Print quality (Mono)	Print quality (Colour)	Print quality (Photo)	Scan speed score (Mono text)	Scan speed settings (Mono text)	Scan speed score (Colour magazine)	Scan speed settings (Colour magazine)	Scan speed score (Colour photo)	Scan speed settings (Colour photo)	Maximum scan setting possible	Scan quality score (Monochrome)	Scan quality score (Colour magazine)	Scan quality score (Colour photo)	Copy speed score (Magazine mono)	Copy speed settings (Magazine mono)	Copy speed score (Magazine colour)	Copy speed settings (Magazine colour)	Copy speed score (Colour photo)	Copy speed settings (Colour photo)	Copy quality score (Magazine mono)	Copy quality score (Magazine colour)	Copy quality score (Colour photo)	Functions available	Claimed PPM, Colour text and graphic	Print quality mode for claim at left, eg: Draft	Measured PPM, Colour text and graphic	Claimed PPM, monochrome text	Print quality mode for claim at left, eg: Draft1	Measured PPM, Monochrome text	Highest claimed optical scanning resolution color	Color depth (bits)	Claimed scan speed (sec, color)	Claimed scan speed (sec, mono)	Claimed copy speed ppm color	Claimed copy speed ppm mono	Fax without PC	Fax through PC	Paper trays	Paper capacity	Duplex	Fax	Prints from card	Types of memory card	Print heads on cartridge	Separate colour cartridges	LCD type (Colour, Tilt, Touch, Mono)	LCD size (W x H, cm)	Connections	Win7 compatible	Weight (kg)	Dimensions (H x W x D, cm)	Guarantees	Good points	Bad points	Brand

Canon PIXMA MP560	229	1341	1.69	0.09	29.99	CLI-521BK	25	PGI-520BK, CLI-521C, CLI-521M, CLI-521Y	95.91	2.31	0.4	26.7	4.6	66	58	73	75	72	50	39	33	High	52	None listed	68	73	76	60	300dpi	72	300dpi	85	600	600	75	75	80	72	Standard	89	Standard	76	Auto	65	70	60	Print, Copy, Scan, Direct Photo Printing	6.0ipm	fast	3.4	9.2ipm	fast	7	2400x4800	48in; 24out	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not applicable	Not applicable	2	300	Yes	No	Yes	CF, MS, SD, MMC, xD	No	Yes	C / Ti	4 x 3 x 5	USB,PB, BT (opt), WLAN	Yes	8.1	43 x 45 x 53.5	RTB at customers expense	• Touchscreen LCD. • Prints from memory card. • Has wireless capability. • Can auto-duplex.	• No USB cable supplied. • Had jamming and paper feed issues with our sample.	Canon
Canon PIXMA MP270	79	1540	1.73	0.19	29.99	PG-510	26	CL-511	30.95	1.37	0.3	13	2.6	64	57	70	75	73	49	33	28	High	52	None listed	68	73	75	65	300dpi	76	300dpi	80	600	600	75	75	80	68	na	83	na	83	na	65	70	70	Print, Copy, Scan, Direct Photo Printing	ns	na	2.8	8.4ipm	fast	6.9	1200x2400	48in; 24out	Not stated	Not stated	7.6cpm	2.6pm	Not applicable	Not applicable	1	100	No	No	No	Not supported	No	Yes	Not applicable	Not applicable	USB,PB	Yes	5.6	41.5 x 44.8 x 47.5	RTB at customers expense	• Equal least expensive MFP to buy.	• No USB cable supplied. • Have to feed paper through rear sheet feeder. • No LCD screen.	Canon
Kodak ESP 7	199	768	0.89	0.08	36.24	10 Black	14.99	10 Colour	24.99	2.77	0.2	20.4	6.6	65	54	78	76	69	39	33	35	Best	29	Best w/ Advanced dot placement	68	72	76	69	300dpi	77	300dpi	85	600	600	70	80	75	65	Normal	85	Normal	62	Best	70	60	75	Print, Copy, Scan, Direct Photo Printing	30	draft	2.8	32	draft	4.9	2400	48	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not applicable	Not applicable	1	100	Yes	No	Yes	CF, MS, SD, MMC, xD	No	No	C / Ti	5.9 x 4.5 x 7.4	USB,PB, BT (opt), E, WLAN	Yes	8.5	45 x 44.4 x 68.5	Return To Base	• Prints from memory card. • Has Ethernet connectivity. • Has wireless capability. • Can auto-duplex. • Equal-best scanning score. • Fastest scanning of colour photo. • Least expensive annual standby energy cost.	• Scanner hinges are fixed so difficult to close lid over books and magazines.	Kodak
Kodak ESP 3	149	755	0.82	0.09	36.24	10 Black	14.99	10 Colour	24.99	6.08	3.8	20.7	4.3	63	55	70	76	67	39	31	33	Best	74	Best	68	73	73	70	300dpi	78	300dpi	81	600	600	70	80	75	64	Auto	81	Auto	62	Auto	65	60	70	Print, Copy, Scan, Direct Photo Printing	29	draft	2.6	30	draft	4.9	600	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not applicable	Not applicable	1	100	No	No	Yes	CF, MS, SD, MMC, xD	No	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	USB, PB, BT (opt)	ns	5.9	41 x 42.2 x 73	Return To Base	• Equal-best scanning score. • Prints from memory card.	• No LCD screen. • No output tray. • Scanner hinges are fixed so difficult to close lid over books and magazines. • Pages are stacked in the wrong order by default, on top of incoming paper.	Kodak
Kodak ESP 5	79	734	0.81	0.08	36.24	10 Black	14.99	10 Colour	24.99	3.25	0.7	24	5.9	63	53	74	76	63	32	28	30	Best	74	Best	68	71	73	72	300dpi	80	300dpi	80	600	600	70	80	75	61	Normal	80	Normal	60	Best	60	60	60	Print, Copy, Scan, Direct Photo Printing	29	draft	2.3	30	draft	3.7	600	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not applicable	Not applicable	1	100	No	No	Yes	CF, MS, SD, MMC, xD	No	No	C / Ti	5.9 x 4.5 x 7.4	USB, PB, BT (opt)	ns	5.4	41 x 42.2 x 73	Return To Base	• Equal-best scanning score. • Prints from memory card. • Equal-fastest scanning of colour magazine. • Equal least expensive MFP to buy.	• Scanner hinges are fixed so difficult to close lid over books and magazines. • Pages are stacked in the wrong order by default, on top of incoming paper.	Kodak
Brother MFC-295CN	199	1095	1.25	0.1	23.95	LC38BK	26.95	LC38C, LC38M, LC38Y	53.82	2.99	0.7	23	4.9	62	50	74	71	71	28	33	27	Fine	31	Highest	68	70	76	67	300dpi	74	300dpi	63	1200	1200	75	75	75	57	Normal	83	Normal	88	Best	70	65	60	Print, Copy, Scan, Fax, Direct Photo Printing	27	fast	2.8	33	fast	2.9	1200x2400	36	Not stated	Not stated	20	22	Yes	Yes	1	100	No	Yes	Yes	MS, SD, xD	No	Yes	M	4.8 x 0.6 x 4.8	USB, E	Yes	7.8	41.3 x 48.7 x 83.5	Limited onsite	• Fax. • Prints from memory card. • Has Ethernet connectivity.	• Printing generally slow. • No PictBridge support.	Brother
HP Photosmart Premium C309a	399	1106	1.54	0.1	19	HP564xl Black	54.9	HP564xl PhotoBlack, HP564xl Cyan, HP564xl Magenta, HP564xl Yellow	131.8	3.66	0.4	29.9	8.6	71	65	79	73	73	62	57	51	Best	57	None listed	69	71	74	73	300dpi	80	300dpi	67	1200	4800	65	80	75	67	Normal	93	Normal	60	Best	75	75	70	Print, Copy, Scan, Fax, Direct Photo Printing	32	draft	5.1	33	draft	9.3	4800	48	Not stated	Not stated	32	33	Yes	Yes	2	145	Yes	Yes	Yes	CF, MS, SD, MMC, xD	Yes	Yes	C / Ti	4.8 x 3.6 x 6	USB,PB, BT, E, WLAN	Yes	10.4	49.8 x 46.4 x 61.8	Return To Base	• Equal-fastest scanning of colour magazine. • Has Bluetooth. • Fax. • Prints from memory card. • Has Ethernet connectivity. • Has wireless capability. • Can auto-duplex. • Stacked pages in correct order by default. • Equal-highest ease of use. • Has dedicated photo drawer. • Can auto-duplex.	• Scanner hinges are fixed so difficult to close lid over books and magazines.	HP
Canon PIXMA MX320	129	1520	1.77	0.17	29.99	PG-510	26	CL-511	30.95	2.11	0.8	13	3	63	54	71	73	68	41	33	27	High	52	None listed	67	71	74	56	300dpi	70	300dpi	79	600	600	75	75	85	69	na	83	Normal	52	High	65	70	70	Print, Copy, Scan, Fax, Direct Photo Printing	ns	na	2.8	7.5ipm	fast	5.3	1200x2400	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	2.2ipm	5.5ipm	Yes	Yes	1	100	No	Yes	No	Not supported	Yes	No	M	5.8 x 1.3 x 5.9	USB, PB, BT (opt)	Yes	8.6	48.5 x 45.8 x 54.1	RTB at customers expense	• Fax.	• No USB cable supplied. • Slowest scanning of monochrome text. • Rear paper feed.	Canon
HP Photosmart Plus B209	219	931	1.11	0.09	19	HP564xl Black	54.9	HP564xl Cyan, HP564xl Magenta, HP564xl Yellow	98.85	2.41	0.5	33.3	4.7	71	69	78	66	66	76	60	62	Best	59	None listed	66	69	74	61	300dpi	74	300dpi	40	1200	2400	65	80	75	53	Normal	88	Normal	63	Best	65	65	65	Print, Copy, Scan, Direct Photo Printing	28	draft	5.5	30	draft	12	1200	48	Not stated	Not stated	28	30	Not applicable	Not applicable	2	145	No	No	Yes	MS, SD, MMC, xD	Yes	Yes	C / T	7.3 x 3.5 x 8.1	USB, PB, WLAN	Yes	7.1	45.3 x 45 x 53.3	Return To Base	• Has wireless capability. • Prints from memory card. • Touchscreen LCD. • Has dedicated photo drawer. • Stacks pages in correct order by default.	• Scanner hinges are fixed so difficult to close lid over books and magazines.	HP
Compare	First Previous Last Next Showing columns 1 - 9 of 78

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Multifunction printer reviews

01 .Introduction