PIXMA G7020 MegaTank All-in-One Printer

The Real Story: Ink Savings That Actually Matter

Here's the thing about the Canon PIXMA G7020: it's not the fanciest printer, and it's definitely not the prettiest. But if you're a family that actually prints things, this machine will save you real money.

Reviewers consistently praise the ink economy. You get massive tanks of ink included, and the cost per page is incredibly low compared to those expensive cartridges you're probably buying now. If you're printing homework, permission slips, school projects, or documents regularly, the savings add up fast. Like, hundreds of dollars fast.

The printer itself is solid for what it does. Document printing is reliable and quick enough for daily use. You also get scanning, copying, and faxing built in, which makes it genuinely versatile for a home office or busy family who needs to handle different tasks.

Now, let's be honest about the tradeoffs. This printer is big. It needs real desk space, and if you're tight on room, that's going to be annoying. Photo printing is slow, so if you're printing lots of pictures, this isn't your machine. The ink refilling process takes some getting used to and can be messy at first, but reviewers say once you do it a few times, it becomes routine.

The software is a bit clunky, but it works. Mobile printing is convenient for quick jobs from your phone. Wi-Fi and USB connectivity give you options.

At $280, this is an incredibly smart buy for families who print regularly. Yes, it's bulkier and slower at photos than some alternatives. But the ink savings alone make it worth the space and the minor learning curve. You're not going to be frustrated by expensive cartridge replacements every month. That's huge.

If you print a few times a week or more, this printer pays for itself. That's real value for real families.

The Math Works. Everything Else Doesn't.

Canon's MegaTank strategy is economically sound. Once you absorb the $280 upfront cost, the per-page economics are unbeatable. For offices printing 50+ pages daily, this calculus makes sense. The included ink supply is substantial, and refilling costs are negligible compared to traditional cartridge printing.

But here's the problem: you're buying a printer that optimizes for cost-per-page while ignoring everything else that makes a printer tolerable to own.

The 13 ppm print speed is genuinely slow. For context, mid-range laser printers hit 30+ ppm. If you're printing 100 pages a day, you're watching this machine work for 8 minutes straight. Photo printing is even worse, which matters because most home users occasionally need to print photos. This printer forces you to choose between speed and savings, and it's not subtle about which one it prioritizes.

The ergonomics are frustrating. The large footprint is inevitable given the tank system, but the ink refilling process feels like it was designed by someone who's never actually had to do it. Reviews consistently note the learning curve and mess factor. This isn't a quick task. It's a chore.

Software is clunky and dated. Mobile printing works, but the overall experience feels like it's from 2018. The ADF and fax features are nice for a multifunction device, but they don't elevate an otherwise utilitarian machine.

Here's the real issue from a value perspective: yes, it's cheap at $280. But you're not just buying a printer, you're buying a lifestyle choice. You're committing to slow printing in exchange for low ink costs. That trade-off makes sense for specific use cases (high-volume document offices, cost-conscious schools) but it's a terrible choice for anyone who values their time or has occasional printing needs.

The business case is clear: if you print more than 500 pages monthly, the tank system pays for itself. Below that, you're just buying a slow, bulky printer to save money you won't actually save. And even if you do print that much, you're still stuck with slow performance and messy refills.

This is a specialist tool masquerading as a general-purpose printer. Know what you're buying.