In today’s world, a dependable home printer is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. From printing urgent school assignments and work-from-home reports to scanning important documents and even making the occasional photo print, the need for a versatile machine is undeniable. I remember the frustration of scrambling to find a print shop late at night for a critical document, a scenario that pushed me to find a permanent solution for our home office. The challenge, however, is navigating a market flooded with options. You need a device that can print, copy, scan, and maybe even fax, all without occupying half your desk or draining your wallet. The search often leads to compact, all-in-one models that promise the world on a budget. But can they truly deliver on that promise without significant compromises? This is the central question we aimed to answer when we brought the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer into our testing environment.
- PRINT, COPY, SCAN, FAX: the PIXMA TR4720 is a true 4-in-1 printer
- SIMPLE INITIAL SETUP through the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app
What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
An inkjet printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bringing digital creations and documents into the physical world with vibrant color and detail. For families, students, and home office professionals, it serves as a central hub for productivity and creativity. The main benefit lies in their versatility—excelling at printing everything from crisp text documents to high-resolution photos on glossy paper. They solve the immediate problem of needing physical copies of tickets, forms, and photos, and with all-in-one functionality, they also tackle the need for digitizing documents, making copies, and sending faxes, consolidating multiple office machines into one compact unit.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a moderate and varied printing workload. This includes students printing essays, families printing photos and homework, or a small business owner who needs to scan receipts and print invoices. They value color quality and versatility over raw printing speed. However, an inkjet might not be suitable for those who print hundreds of black-and-white pages weekly. In that high-volume scenario, a monochrome laser printer would be far more cost-effective in the long run due to lower per-page costs. Similarly, professional photographers might seek a dedicated, wide-format photo printer with more ink cartridges for superior color accuracy, rather than a general-purpose all-in-one.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Printers, even “compact” ones, can have a surprising footprint. Consider not just the device’s dimensions (29.7 x 43.7 x 19.1 cm for this Canon model) but also the clearance needed for paper trays, scanner lids, and maintenance access. As we and other users discovered, the front paper tray on the TR4720 must be left open to hold paper, effectively increasing its depth on your desk.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond the initial price to the long-term performance. Key metrics include print speed (measured in pages per minute, or ppm/ipm), the capacity of the paper tray (the TR4720 holds 100 sheets), and the presence of an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning. These features dictate the printer’s efficiency for your specific workflow.
- Materials & Durability: Most budget inkjet printers are constructed from plastic. While this keeps costs down, the build quality can vary. We noted the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer has a somewhat “cheapish” feel, which is common in this price bracket. Pay attention to the sturdiness of trays, hinges, and access doors, as these are the most frequently used parts.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer’s daily usability is paramount. This includes the setup process, the intuitiveness of the onboard controls and companion app, and the cost and process of replacing ink. The hidden cost of ownership—ink cartridges—is the single most important long-term maintenance factor to consider with any inkjet printer.
Thinking through these factors will ensure you choose a printer that not only fits your budget today but also serves your needs efficiently and affordably for years to come.
While the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Print, Copy, Scan: The PIXMA TS3720 is a true colour printer scanner copier all in one that is compact, versatile and easy-to-use with a 60 sheet rear tray that reduces the need to refill paper as...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
First Impressions: Unboxing and Feature Overview
Upon unboxing the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer, we were met with a fairly standard package: the printer itself, a power cord, a phone line cable for the fax, and two starter ink cartridges (one black, one color). The unit is compact and lightweight, true to its home-use design, with a matte black finish that resists fingerprints. The initial setup process is guided almost entirely by the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, which you download to your smartphone. This app-centric approach is becoming common and is generally user-friendly for those comfortable with mobile devices. Following the on-screen instructions, we connected the printer to our Wi-Fi network and installed the ink cartridges without any physical hitches. The process was straightforward, a sentiment shared by several users who noted that if you “follow all the instructions,” the setup “worked out perfectly.” However, it was during this initial interaction that we first encountered what would become our biggest usability gripe: the 2-line LCD display. More on that later, but suffice it to say, our first impression was of a machine that packs a lot of features for its price point, but with some very noticeable design compromises. To see its full feature set and user reviews is to understand the balance it attempts to strike between capability and cost.
What We Like
- Versatile 4-in-1 functionality (Print, Copy, Scan, Fax) in a compact design.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and auto duplex printing are excellent features for this price.
- Strong mobile connectivity options including the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, and MOPRIA.
- Affordable initial purchase price makes it accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
What We Didn’t Like
- Extremely high cost of replacement ink cartridges, often exceeding the printer’s price.
- The non-backlit LCD screen is nearly impossible to read without an external light source.
A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA TR4720’s Real-World Performance
A printer’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its value, we put the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer through its paces in a real home office environment, tackling everything from multi-page reports and color presentations to photo prints and scanning old documents. Our extended testing revealed a machine of distinct contrasts: impressively feature-rich for its class, yet hampered by fundamental design flaws and a punishing long-term running cost.
Setup and Wireless Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences
Getting a new piece of tech up and running can be the first major hurdle, and with modern wireless printers, this often comes down to the software. Canon pushes users towards its mobile app for setup, and for us, the experience was smooth. The app successfully found the printer, guided us through connecting to our Wi-Fi network, and completed the initial ink alignment process. Within about 20 minutes, we were printing wirelessly from our laptops and smartphones. The support for Apple AirPrint is a huge plus, allowing for seamless printing from iPhones and iPads without any extra apps. We found this mobile-first approach to be convenient and effective, confirming reports from users who found it “okay to install” by simply following the manual.
However, the user experience is not universally positive. A significant number of reports highlight major connectivity issues, with computers failing to recognize the printer even when on the same network. One user expressed frustration that their computer “won’t even recognize the printer” half the time. This suggests that while the hardware is capable, the software and drivers can be finicky depending on your operating system, network configuration, or other variables. Our advice is to be prepared for some potential troubleshooting. While our setup was flawless, the volume of complaints indicates a clear pattern of inconsistency in the user experience, which is a definite risk for less tech-savvy individuals.
Print Quality, Speed, and Core Features in Practice
For a budget all-in-one, the feature set is the main attraction. The inclusion of an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a game-changer for anyone who needs to scan or copy multi-page documents. We tested it with a 15-page contract, and it fed the pages through smoothly, a task that would have been tedious on a flatbed-only scanner. Likewise, the automatic duplex (two-sided) printing worked flawlessly on letter-sized paper, genuinely helping to cut down on paper consumption. These are features often found on more expensive office-oriented machines, and their inclusion here is a major win for productivity and a feature that really sets it apart at this price point.
When it comes to the primary function—printing—the results are adequate but not spectacular. For black-and-white text documents, the output is sharp and perfectly suitable for school or office work. The print speed, rated at 8.8 images per minute (ipm), feels sluggish. A 10-page document took just over a minute, which is acceptable for light use but would become a bottleneck in a busier environment. Color printing is where we found more significant compromises. While colors are reasonably saturated for charts and presentations, photo prints lack the vibrancy and detail of more photo-centric printers. One user noted that the “print quality is not that great when it comes to colour prints,” an assessment we share. It’s fine for a casual snapshot, but it won’t be replacing a dedicated photo printing service.
The Elephant in the Room: Ink Costs and a Critical Design Flaw
This is arguably the most critical section of this review, as it addresses the two biggest problems with the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer. First, the cost of ownership. This printer operates on the classic “razor-and-blades” model. The initial hardware is very affordable, but the proprietary ink cartridges are incredibly expensive. We were shocked to find, as many users have, that a set of replacement XL cartridges can cost nearly as much as, or even more than, the printer itself. This business model feels particularly punishing when combined with the “starter” cartridges included in the box. We, and many frustrated users, found these cartridges have a very low yield. One user reported getting only “about 60 pages before the ink ran out.” This is a common and deeply frustrating experience that turns a great initial value proposition into a long-term money pit.
The second major issue is a baffling design choice: the 2-line monochrome LCD display has no backlight. It features black text on a dark grey background, rendering it virtually unreadable in anything but direct, bright light. During our testing, we genuinely had to use a flashlight from our phone to navigate the menus for maintenance tasks like head cleaning or checking ink levels. This isn’t a minor inconvenience; it’s a fundamental failure in usability design. As one user perfectly summarized, “I have NEVER seen such poor design. I have to keep a flashlight beside the printer.” This single flaw makes interacting with the printer’s onboard functions a constant struggle and is a massive point of frustration that potential buyers must be aware of before they check the latest price and availability.
What Other Users Are Saying
Diving into feedback from other owners of the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer reveals a deeply polarized experience that mirrors our own findings. On the positive side, many users praise the printer for its value and functionality when it works as intended. One satisfied customer stated, “It’s perfect for my small office at home and printing my assignments. I love it!” Another highlighted its compatibility, noting, “It’s an excellent printer that works nicely with Chromebooks. I enjoy the automatic double-sided printing.” These comments reflect the experience of users who have a smooth setup and primarily need the device for basic, infrequent tasks where the feature set shines.
However, the negative feedback is substantial and centers on the same critical issues we identified. The most common and vehement complaints revolve around the exorbitant cost of ink. As one user put it, “once the ink finishes, you realize the ink is very expensive to the point you can get two of this printers with that money.” This sentiment is echoed repeatedly. The other major source of frustration is the unreadable, non-backlit display screen, which is a universal pain point. Complaints about slow performance, noisy operation, and unreliable connectivity are also frequent, painting a picture of a product that, for many, becomes a “piece of crap you will ever own if you want to test your patience.”
How Does the Canon PIXMA TR4720 Compare to the Alternatives?
The Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer exists in a competitive market. While it offers a low barrier to entry with its price, it’s crucial to see how it stacks up against other popular models, especially those with a different approach to ink costs.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
- Package dimensions: 101 h x 173 l x 207 w (in inches)
- Great quality product
The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 represents the opposite end of the spectrum. Its upfront cost is significantly higher than the Canon’s, but it’s a “Supertank” printer. This means it uses large, refillable ink tanks instead of cartridges, and it comes with enough ink in the box to print thousands of pages. The per-page printing cost is fractions of a cent, making it vastly more economical in the long run for anyone who prints regularly. Furthermore, its 6-color ink system delivers far superior photo quality. This printer is the ideal choice for serious hobbyist photographers or high-volume home users who are willing to invest more initially to save a fortune on ink later.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 colour (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 is a more direct competitor to the Canon in terms of features, offering printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, along with an ADF. Like its more expensive sibling, the ET-8500, it is a Supertank printer, providing an exceptional long-term value proposition on ink costs. While its 4-color system doesn’t match the ET-8500’s photo prowess, its print quality is comparable or slightly better than the Canon PIXMA TR4720 for general documents and graphics. This is the perfect alternative for a home office user who was attracted to the Canon’s features but is rightly concerned about the long-term expense of cartridges.
3. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless Photo Printer
- Epson printing system is specifically designed to be used with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
- Brilliant, borderless photos up to 11" x 17" — 6-colour Claria Photo HD Inks deliver smooth gradations and amazing skin tones
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 occupies a middle ground. It’s a cartridge-based printer like the Canon, but it’s specifically designed for high-quality photo printing. It uses a 6-color Claria Photo HD ink set for superior photo output and can print borderless photos up to 11×17 inches. While it has scan and copy functions, it lacks the ADF and fax capabilities of the TR4720, marking it as less of an “all-in-one” office machine and more of a photo-centric creative tool. Someone who prioritizes printing beautiful, frame-worthy photos over office document features would be much better served by the XP-970.
Our Final Verdict on the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
After extensive testing, our verdict on the Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer is a conditional recommendation. This printer is a paradox: it offers a fantastic suite of productivity features like an ADF and auto-duplexing at an incredibly low initial price, making it seem like an unbeatable bargain. For the user who prints only a handful of pages per month and desperately needs a scanner and copier on a tight budget, it can serve its purpose. However, this recommendation comes with two massive warnings: the cripplingly high cost of replacement ink will quickly erase any initial savings for even moderate users, and the non-backlit screen is a constant source of frustration that makes the printer genuinely difficult to use.
Ultimately, this is a product for the very infrequent user. If you anticipate printing more than 20-30 pages a month, we strongly urge you to consider an Epson EcoTank model instead. The higher upfront cost will pay for itself very quickly. But if your budget is absolute and your printing needs are minimal, the Canon TR4720 can get the job done—just be prepared for its significant long-term costs and design flaws. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and it still fits your specific niche, you can find the best deal on the Canon PIXMA TR4720 here.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API