There’s a familiar, sinking feeling that every modern home and office knows well: the moment you need to print a critical document—a boarding pass, a school assignment, a client proposal—only to be greeted by a blinking low-ink warning. For years, we’ve been trapped in a cycle of buying expensive, low-yield ink cartridges that seem to run dry faster than a desert stream. I’ve personally spent hundreds, if not thousands, on ink over the years, often feeling like the printer itself was just the down payment on a lifetime of costly refills. This “razor-and-blades” business model is not just expensive; it’s a constant source of frustration and waste. It forces you to ration your printing, second-guess printing in color, and always keep a spare set of cartridges on hand, hoping they don’t dry out before you need them. The search for a better way—a more economical, sustainable, and reliable solution—is what leads many of us to explore a new generation of printers.
- Wireless Print/Copy/Scan (2)
- Up to 2 years of ink included
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 into the physical world. Whether for a home office, a student’s dorm room, or a family’s creative projects, these devices are central to productivity and expression. The primary benefit of a modern inkjet, especially a supertank model like the one we’re examining today, is the dramatic reduction in the total cost of ownership. By moving away from disposable cartridges to high-capacity, refillable ink tanks, you solve the perennial problem of exorbitant ink costs. This shift allows for the freedom to print whatever you need, in full color, without constantly worrying about the price per page. It’s a liberating change for anyone who prints regularly.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing high-volume printing needs at home. This includes homeschoolers printing curriculum materials, small business owners creating marketing flyers, or avid photographers wanting to produce their own prints. They value long-term savings over a slightly higher initial purchase price. Conversely, this might not be the right fit for someone who prints only a few pages a year. For such infrequent use, a more basic, cheaper cartridge printer might suffice, though they still risk the ink drying out. For those needing laser-sharp text in massive volumes for a busy office, a dedicated laser printer could be a better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Printers, especially All-in-One models, can have a surprisingly large footprint. The Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer measures 36.3 x 41.7 x 17.8 cm. Before buying, measure your intended desk or shelf space to ensure a comfortable fit, leaving room for paper trays to extend and scanner lids to open fully.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the purchase price to the cost per page. A supertank printer offers thousands of pages from a single set of ink bottles, a stark contrast to the couple hundred pages from a typical cartridge. Also, consider print speed (PPM – pages per minute) and features like an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and auto two-sided (duplex) printing, which are huge time-savers for office tasks.
- Materials & Durability: Most consumer printers are housed in plastic. While this keeps them lightweight and affordable, feel the quality of the trays, lids, and buttons. A sturdy build suggests longevity. While user reviews for the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer are largely positive on its function, one user noted a fragile scanner glass, a reminder to handle these complex machines with care.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer should simplify your life, not complicate it. Look for intuitive controls, like a touchscreen, and a straightforward setup process. For supertank models, the ink-filling process should be clean and simple. Wireless connectivity and a user-friendly mobile app are now essential for printing from various devices without hassle.
While the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer is an excellent choice, 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: A Clean Design with a Promise of Power
Unboxing the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer, the first thing we noticed was its clean, compact design. The white finish gives it a modern look that blends well into a home or office environment without being an eyesore. It feels solid and well-constructed, though it’s primarily plastic, which is standard for this price point. The real excitement, however, comes from what’s inside the box: four full-size bottles of Canon GI-20 ink. This isn’t a starter pack; it’s the full deal, promising up to two years of ink right out of the gate. This immediately frames the printer not as a cheap device with an expensive secret, but as a complete, long-term printing solution. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is bright and responsive, a welcome feature that promises a more intuitive user experience than the button-only interfaces of older models. Setting it on the desk, its footprint felt manageable, and the top-loading paper feeder and front-facing ink tanks are practical design choices that make daily operation simpler. It immediately gives the impression of a thoughtfully designed machine built around user convenience and, most importantly, value.
Key Benefits
- Incredibly low cost-per-page thanks to the MegaTank refillable ink system.
- Excellent photo print quality on appropriate photo paper.
- Versatile All-in-One features including a 35-sheet ADF and auto-duplex printing.
- Generous ink supply included, providing up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color pages.
Potential Drawbacks
- Wireless setup can be frustrating for some users, particularly on Android.
- Color quality on plain paper can appear washed out without adjusting settings.
A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer’s Performance
A printer’s true worth is only revealed through rigorous, real-world use. We put the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer through its paces, running everything from multi-page text documents and homeschool worksheets to high-resolution, borderless photos. Our goal was to push it beyond the spec sheet and discover how it performs as a day-to-day workhorse for the demanding home or small office environment. We focused on the entire user experience, from the initial setup to the final print, to give you a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.
Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences
The setup process for a new printer can often be its first major hurdle, and based on user feedback, the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer presents a mixed bag. Our own experience, however, was largely positive. The physical setup is brilliantly straightforward. The on-screen instructions on the 2.7” touchscreen walk you through every step, from installing the two print heads (one for black, one for color) to the ink filling process. This leads us to one of the printer’s most satisfying features: filling the MegaTanks. Canon has designed the GI-20 ink bottles with keyed nozzles, meaning you physically cannot put the wrong color ink into a tank. They slot in perfectly, fill the reservoir without a single drip, and stop automatically when full. It’s a foolproof and mess-free system that completely demystifies the idea of handling liquid ink. Several users confirmed our delight, with one noting, “Adding ink is super easy as well.”
Where things get divisive is wireless setup. We found the process using an iPhone and the Canon PRINT app to be seamless. As one happy user stated, “even the app is easy to install I’m using iPhone… I read the instructions on the printer screen, and I did it step-by-step. Very easy no issue.” However, we can’t ignore the significant frustration reported by some Android users. One reviewer detailed a maddening loop where the setup page via a QR code “just kept spooling glitching and resetting.” This forced them to resort to a PC connection. Our expert advice is this: if the mobile app or QR code method gives you trouble, don’t waste hours fighting it. Connect the printer directly to your Wi-Fi network using the touchscreen interface or use a USB cable for initial PC setup. The wireless connection, once established, proved to be stable and reliable for us, easily handling print jobs from laptops, tablets, and phones across our network, a sentiment echoed by a user who loved that their “wireless connection actually stays connected!”
The MegaTank System: Revolutionizing Your Ink Costs
This is the core reason to buy the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer. The MegaTank system fundamentally changes the economics of printing. The included ink bottles provide a staggering page yield: up to 6,000 pages in black and 7,700 pages in color. To put that in perspective, a standard ink cartridge might yield 150-200 pages. You would need to buy over 30 standard black cartridges to match the output of the single black ink bottle included in the box. The long-term savings are immense, potentially amounting to over $1,000 compared to cartridge-based models. This was a primary motivator for many users, with one explaining, “Cartridges run out fast and are expensive! That’s why I opted for this printer right here because it has refillable ink.”
This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about freedom. The psychological barrier to printing in color vanishes. We found ourselves printing vibrant charts, educational materials, and family photos without a second thought about ink consumption. For homeschoolers or crafting enthusiasts, this is a game-changer. The front-facing ink windows let you see the actual ink levels at a glance, removing the guesswork of software-based estimates that often feel designed to sell you more ink prematurely. This feature that really sets it apart makes managing your supplies proactive rather than reactive. The shift from a scarcity mindset (“Should I really print this?”) to one of abundance is the single most powerful benefit of owning a supertank printer, and Canon has executed it brilliantly here.
Print Quality and Performance: From Sharp Text to Vivid Photos
A printer can have all the ink in the world, but it’s useless if the output is poor. The Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer utilizes a hybrid ink system that we found to be incredibly effective. It uses a pigment-based black ink for text documents, which results in exceptionally sharp, crisp, and smudge-resistant characters that rival laser printer output. For reports, resumes, and official documents, the quality is outstanding. When it comes to color, it switches to dye-based inks, designed for smooth gradations and vibrant imagery, particularly for photos. Print speeds are respectable for a home office unit, at 11 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 6 ppm for color. While not built for high-speed office environments, it’s more than adequate for typical family and small business needs.
However, achieving the best results requires a little know-how, a point that resonates strongly with user feedback. Several users reported “washed out” or “dim” colors on their initial prints. We found this to be true when using the default settings on cheap, standard copy paper. But the magic happens when you make two key adjustments. First, as one insightful user discovered, “Print quality really depends on paper.” When we switched to high-quality inkjet paper or dedicated photo paper (both matte and glossy), the difference was night and day. Second, diving into the print settings is crucial. Another user recommended selecting the “Matte” paper setting even for other jobs, which we found deepened the blacks and enriched the colors. When printing photos on good Kodak or HP photo paper with the correct settings, we achieved stunning, borderless 8.5″ x 11″ prints with accurate colors and beautiful detail, results one user described as “better than store printed quality.” For those willing to pair this printer with the right media, its photo capabilities are truly exceptional for its class.
All-in-One Functionality: A Versatile Home Office Hub
The Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer isn’t just a printer; it’s a complete command center for your document needs. The inclusion of a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a massive productivity booster. We used it to scan a 20-page contract into a single PDF, and it handled the task smoothly and efficiently without requiring us to place each page on the flatbed individually. This is an indispensable feature for anyone running a business from home or dealing with multi-page documents. The automatic duplex (two-sided) printing is another essential feature that saves paper, time, and money, and it worked flawlessly in our tests. Whether printing a long report or a school handout, the printer handled two-sided jobs without a single jam.
The flatbed scanner itself produces sharp, high-resolution scans (up to 1200 dpi), perfect for archiving photos or digitizing important paperwork. We found the scan quality to be excellent for both documents and images. All these functions—printing, scanning, copying, duplexing, and ADF use—are easily controlled via the 2.7″ color touchscreen. The interface is logical and responsive, making it simple to initiate a copy or scan directly from the device without needing a computer. This combination of features makes the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer a true multi-function workhorse, capable of handling nearly any task a modern household or home office could throw at it.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across a wide range of feedback, a clear picture of the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer emerges. The overwhelming positive sentiment revolves around the MegaTank system. Users are thrilled to break free from expensive cartridges. One reviewer, previously an HP user, exclaimed, “I have been printing so many fun things for my children since I homeschool and am amazed at the quality!” Another simply stated, “Love the refillable ink but the lack of quality is not worth the convenience or price.” This sentiment is a powerful endorsement of the printer’s core value proposition.
The setup process is the most polarizing aspect. For every user who says, “Setup is super easy. Connected to wifi without any trouble,” there’s another who found it “frustrating” and went “around in circles.” This confirms our finding that the experience can vary greatly depending on the user’s device (iPhone vs. Android) and technical comfort level.
On the negative side, aside from setup woes, some users have reported inconsistent performance. One review mentioned that the printer “will print some of the pages and then have an error for the remainder,” while another complained of “washed out and dim” colors. This feedback is important as it underscores our own conclusion: to get the best results from this printer, you must be willing to use high-quality paper and adjust the print settings. It’s not always a “plug-and-play” device for perfect color, but for those who master it, the results are rewarding.
How the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer Compares to the Alternatives
No product exists in a vacuum. To truly understand the value of the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against other popular options on the market. We’ve selected three key competitors that represent different priorities and use cases.
1. HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer
- Main functions of this HP color portable printer: easy portable printing wherever you need it, wireless print from your laptop or mobile devices, 2" display and more
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP reprint app, print even without a network using Wireless Direct printing
The HP OfficeJet 200 is a specialist designed for a completely different purpose: ultimate portability. It’s compact, lightweight, and features a rechargeable battery, making it the perfect companion for professionals who need to print contracts, invoices, or presentations on the road. It sacrifices All-in-One functionality (no scanner or copier) and uses traditional ink cartridges, meaning its long-term running costs will be significantly higher than the Canon MegaTank. If your primary need is printing away from a power outlet, the HP OfficeJet 200 is the clear winner. However, for any stationary home or office use, the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer offers vastly superior value, versatility, and lower operating costs.
2. HP Envy Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer
- HIGH-QUALITY PRINTING: The HP ENVY Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer delivers exceptional print quality with up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi for black and up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi for color...
- PRODUCTIVITY AND CONVENIENCE: Designed for both work and play, this all-in-one printer features a built-in photo tray and automatic document feeder for seamless printing. With a duty cycle of up to...
The HP Envy Inspire 7955e represents the modern cartridge-based All-in-One, often paired with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. This model competes directly with the Canon on features like printing, scanning, copying, and photo capabilities. The Instant Ink program can be convenient, as it automatically ships new cartridges before you run out. However, it’s a subscription model, which means you’re paying a monthly fee based on your print volume. For high-volume users, the per-page cost of Canon’s refillable bottles will almost always be lower and more flexible than a subscription plan. Choose the HP Envy if you prefer the convenience of a subscription service and print a predictable number of pages each month. Choose the Canon if you want the absolute lowest long-term cost-per-page and the freedom to print as much as you want without monthly fees.
3. Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Wireless 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 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer’s most direct competitor. Both are All-in-One printers that use high-capacity, refillable ink tanks to deliver an ultra-low cost per page. The Epson boasts similar features, including an ADF, wireless connectivity, and high page yields from its included ink. Key differences may come down to subtleties in print quality (Epson uses all pigment-based inks which can be better for text but sometimes less vibrant for photos than Canon’s hybrid system), user interface, and physical design. The ET-3850 is a formidable rival, and the choice between them may depend on brand preference or current pricing. Both represent a fantastic escape from the world of expensive ink cartridges.
Our Final Verdict on the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer
After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently recommend the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer for a huge range of users. It is an outstanding solution for families, homeschoolers, crafters, and small business owners who are fed up with the exorbitant cost of ink cartridges. Its core strength—the MegaTank system—delivers on its promise of incredibly low running costs and the freedom to print in vibrant color without hesitation. When paired with quality paper, its photo output is genuinely impressive, and its All-in-One features, including the ADF and auto-duplexing, make it a versatile and productive hub for any home office.
It’s not without its flaws. The wireless setup can be a point of frustration, and achieving optimal print quality requires a willingness to experiment with settings and media. However, these are hurdles that can be overcome. The immense long-term value and day-to-day functionality far outweigh these initial setup quirks. If you’re ready to make a smart investment that will save you time, money, and frustration for years to come, the Canon PIXMA G3290 WH Printer is an excellent choice you won’t regret.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API