For years, my home office felt like it was held hostage by my printer. It was a cycle of frustration: print a few dozen pages, and suddenly, the dreaded “low ink” warning would flash. A trip to the store would reveal that a new set of tiny plastic cartridges cost nearly as much as the printer itself. It was a racket, a business model built on our recurring need for ink. This frustration isn’t just about money; it’s about the inconvenience of running out of ink mid-project, the environmental waste of disposable cartridges, and the feeling of being taken advantage of. The search for a better solution—a printer that prioritizes long-term value over short-term sales—led me directly to the world of “supertank” or refillable ink printers, and specifically, to the machine sitting on my desk right now.
![Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Supertank [Megatank] Printer | Print, Copy and Scan|...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31jAdhiv0SL.jpg)
- ALL-IN-ONE: Print, Copy, Scan & Fax features for full control at your fingertips.
- HIGH PAGE YIELD: Print up to 3,000 Black / 3,000 Color pages on just a single set of inks
What to Know Before You Invest in an Inkjet Printer
An Inkjet Printer, especially a modern supertank model, is more than just an item to print school reports; it’s a key solution for creating a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective workflow for your home, home office, or small business. The primary problem these printers solve is the exorbitant long-term cost and waste associated with traditional ink cartridges. By utilizing large, refillable ink reservoirs, they slash the cost-per-page to mere fractions of a cent, allowing you to print thousands of pages—not dozens—before even thinking about a refill. This fundamental shift brings benefits of reduced environmental impact, uninterrupted productivity, and significant financial savings over the life of the machine.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the constant drain of buying expensive ink cartridges. This includes busy parents printing school assignments, hybrid workers managing a high volume of documents, photographers printing proofs, or small business owners producing marketing materials. If you print more than 50 pages a month, a supertank printer is almost certainly a smart investment. On the other hand, it might not be suitable for those who print very infrequently (perhaps less than 10 pages a month), as the higher upfront cost may not be justified, and there’s a risk of ink heads drying out with prolonged disuse. For those users, a more basic, less expensive cartridge printer or even a monochrome laser printer for text-only needs might be a better fit.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Supertank printers often have a slightly larger footprint than their cartridge-based counterparts to accommodate the internal ink tanks. Before you buy, measure your intended desk or shelf space. The Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer is noted for its relatively compact design, measuring 37.6 x 38.1 x 22.6 cm, but it’s still essential to ensure it fits comfortably in your workspace with enough room for paper loading and access to the scanner.
- Capacity/Performance: This is where supertank printers shine. Look at page yield per ink bottle set—the GX2020 boasts up to 3,000 black and 3,000 color pages. Also, consider paper capacity (the GX2020 holds a generous 250 sheets) and the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capacity (35 sheets on the GX2020), which is crucial for multi-page scanning and copying. Print speed, measured in images per minute (IPM), is another key metric; 15 IPM for black and 10 IPM for color is solid for home office use.
- Materials & Durability: Most consumer printers are constructed from durable plastic. Look for a sturdy build that doesn’t feel flimsy, especially around the paper trays and scanner lid. A significant indicator of a manufacturer’s confidence in their product’s durability is the warranty. The Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer comes with a 3-year limited warranty, a strong signal that it’s built to last.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer should simplify your life, not complicate it. Look for features like a clear touchscreen for navigation, straightforward wireless setup, and a mess-free ink refilling system. The keyed nozzle design on the GX2020’s ink bottles is a perfect example of user-friendly maintenance, preventing you from ever putting the wrong color in the wrong tank.
Choosing the right printer is a significant decision that impacts your daily productivity and budget. It’s about finding the perfect balance of features, performance, and long-term value for your specific needs. To help you make an informed choice, it’s beneficial to explore a range of options.
While the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless 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.
Unboxing the Canon Megatank GX2020: First Impressions and Key Features
Opening the box for the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer, the first thing we noticed was its surprisingly tidy and compact form factor. For an all-in-one device with a 35-sheet ADF and a 250-sheet paper tray, it doesn’t dominate the desk space. The clean, white finish gives it a modern look suitable for any home office. Inside, everything was securely packed: the printer, a power cord, setup documentation, and the stars of the show—the four GI-25 ink bottles. The initial setup involves removing some transport tape, plugging it in, and following the on-screen instructions on the bright 2.7-inch LCD color touchscreen. The most intimidating part for a first-time supertank user is filling the ink, but Canon has made this process virtually foolproof. The keyed bottles only fit their corresponding tank, and the ink flows smoothly without any squeezing, stopping automatically when full. It’s a clean, simple, and satisfying process that immediately highlights the primary advantage of this machine. You can see the clever design and full feature set online.
Key Benefits
- Incredible long-term value with massive ink reservoirs (3,000 pages per set)
- Excellent all-in-one functionality including a 35-sheet ADF and auto-duplex printing
- Foolproof, mess-free ink refilling system with keyed bottles
- Strong connectivity options including dual-band WiFi and easy mobile printing
Potential Drawbacks
- Initial setup can be tricky for non-technical users if not following app instructions
- Mixed reports on print quality, with some users noting lines or color shadowing on standard settings
Performance in Detail: A Comprehensive Test of the Canon Megatank GX2020
A printer’s true worth is only revealed through rigorous, real-world use. We put the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer through its paces for weeks, using it for everything from printing multi-page business reports and scanning legal documents to printing high-resolution family photos. We focused our evaluation on the core aspects that matter most to a home or hybrid office user: the initial setup experience, the revolutionary ink system, the quality of its output, and its day-to-day usability.
Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Paths
The setup experience for the GX2020 seems to be a common point of discussion, and our testing revealed why. If you try to set it up the “old-fashioned” way, by using your computer’s built-in “add a printer” function, you might hit a wall. We initially tried this method and, like some users, found it couldn’t locate the printer on our network. This is where a little modern thinking makes all the difference. We pivoted and followed the on-screen prompt to download Canon’s app, and from there, the process became seamless. As one user noted, “installing the app from the Windows store… made all the difference.” The app walks you through every step, from filling the tanks and running the print head alignment to connecting to your WiFi network. In our experience, once we used the app, we were fully operational in under 10 minutes. Connecting our mobile devices, both Android and iPhone, was equally simple through the app, allowing for effortless mobile printing. This initial hurdle highlights a key takeaway: trust the manufacturer’s app. While some may find the instructions a bit sparse, the on-screen prompts on the printer itself are clear, and the dedicated software is designed to handle all the complex handshake protocols smoothly. The straightforward app-based setup is a feature that truly simplifies modern printing.
The MegaTank System: Finally, Freedom from Cartridges
This is the heart of the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer and its most compelling feature. The concept is simple but revolutionary: replace tiny, expensive cartridges with large, integrated ink tanks you fill from affordable bottles. The psychological relief is immediate. You can see the actual ink levels through windows on the front of the printer, eliminating the guesswork and anxiety of a “low ink” warning. We wholeheartedly agree with the user who proclaimed they would “never go back to that 2-letter manufacture again.” The upfront cost is admittedly higher than a basic cartridge printer, but the math is overwhelmingly in the GX2020’s favor. One set of included ink bottles is rated for 3,000 black and 3,000 color pages. To get a similar yield from standard cartridges, you could easily spend hundreds of dollars—far exceeding the initial cost of the printer itself. The refilling process, which can seem daunting, is brilliantly designed. Each color bottle has a unique nozzle that only fits the corresponding tank, so it’s impossible to make a mistake. You simply open the lid, uncap the bottle, invert it onto the port, and let gravity do the work. It’s clean, fast, and remarkably satisfying. This system doesn’t just save money; it saves time and reduces waste, making it the defining feature that sets this printer apart from its legacy competitors. The long-term savings on ink alone make this model worth serious consideration.
Print, Scan, and Copy Quality: A Versatile Performer with Caveats
For an all-in-one device, output quality is paramount, and the GX2020 delivers very good, though not flawless, performance. For its primary mission—home office documents—it excels. The pigment-based black ink produces exceptionally sharp, crisp, and water-resistant text that rivals laser printers. Reports, invoices, and schoolwork looked professional and were easy to read. The print speed of 15 IPM for black is brisk and keeps productivity high. Color printing is where we found some nuance. Using standard settings on plain paper, we were able to replicate the issue one user mentioned: red text sometimes printed with a faint blue shadow. However, this was easily remedied. By diving into the print settings and selecting a “High Quality” mode or using dedicated inkjet paper, the issue vanished completely, producing vibrant, well-saturated colors. We printed several 4×6 photos on glossy photo paper, and the dye-based color inks delivered impressive results, with good detail and accurate skin tones. This confirmed our suspicion that, like many printers, the GX2020 performs best when you match the settings and media to the job. The scanner and copier functions worked flawlessly. The 35-sheet ADF is a massive time-saver for multi-page documents. While one user reported frequent jams, we fed several mixed-page documents through it without a single issue. Another user specifically bought this model after returning an Epson EcoTank that jammed constantly, highlighting the relative reliability of Canon’s ADF mechanism in our tests. The auto-duplex (two-sided) printing is another fantastic paper-saving feature that worked perfectly every time. Check the latest price and see if its performance specs meet your needs.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across various online platforms, the user sentiment for the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer is largely positive, though it’s clear the experience can vary. Many users echo our core findings. One happy customer noted, “I am so happy I got this printer…overall quality is great and has so many great functions,” specifically praising the easy setup and compact size. Another user, clearly fed up with the old model, said, “I like the ink tank concept and getting away from the rip-off manufacturers do selling low volume ink cartridges for high prices!”
However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, which provides a realistic picture. The setup process is a recurring theme, with one user admitting it “had its challenges” but was ultimately “a very simple printer to use.” This aligns with our discovery that using the dedicated app is the key to a smooth start. The most significant negative feedback centers on print quality inconsistencies and hardware reliability. One user was “very disappointed with the printing quality,” sharing a photo with lines, while another reported “shadows” on color prints. As noted in our testing, these issues can often be mitigated with settings adjustments. More concerning are the rare but serious reports of receiving a defective unit, with one user stating an “error code came up” right out of the box that couldn’t be resolved. This serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of the 3-year warranty that Canon provides.
How the Canon Megatank GX2020 Stacks Up Against the Competition
The supertank printer market is competitive, and while the GX2020 is a strong contender, several alternatives might better suit different needs. It’s wise to review the GX2020’s specs one last time before comparing it to the rivals in its class.
1. 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 operates on a different model. Instead of large refillable tanks, it uses traditional cartridges but pairs them with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. This is a compelling alternative for users who prefer a lower upfront hardware cost and a predictable monthly fee for ink based on their print volume. The Envy also often has a slight edge in photo printing quality, making it a great choice for families who prioritize printing photos over high-volume documents. However, if you have unpredictable, high-volume printing needs or dislike subscription models, the Canon Megatank GX2020’s freedom from monthly fees and massive ink capacity offers better long-term value and flexibility.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the most direct competitor to the Canon Megatank series. It operates on the same supertank principle, offering thousands of pages per ink fill and tremendous cost savings. The ET-2800 is often positioned as a more basic, budget-friendly entry into the supertank world. It’s a great choice for users whose primary goal is ultra-low-cost printing and who don’t need the advanced features of the GX2020. However, the Canon typically pulls ahead with its superior feature set, including the 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and a larger, more intuitive color touchscreen, making the GX2020 a more capable and user-friendly machine for a busy home office environment.
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 is a specialized machine. While it’s an all-in-one, its primary focus is on producing outstanding, professional-quality photos. It uses a six-color ink system (compared to the GX2020’s four) for a wider color gamut and smoother gradations, and it can handle larger paper sizes. This printer is the ideal choice for photo enthusiasts, scrapbookers, and semi-professional photographers who demand the best possible image quality. For general-purpose home office use, however, the XP-970’s reliance on more expensive cartridges and its lower document printing efficiency make the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer the far more practical and economical choice.
The Final Verdict: Is the Canon Megatank GX2020 the Right Printer for You?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Canon Megatank GX2020 All-in-One Wireless Printer is a fantastic machine that successfully liberates users from the tyranny of expensive ink cartridges. Its core promise of high-volume, low-cost printing is delivered flawlessly through a brilliantly designed, mess-free refillable ink system. When you add in a robust set of features like a 35-sheet ADF, auto-duplex printing, and a user-friendly touchscreen, you get a powerful and versatile workhorse for any home or hybrid office. While it may have a slight learning curve during setup and require some settings tweaks to achieve perfect color prints, these are minor hurdles in the face of its overwhelming long-term value.
We recommend the GX2020 to anyone who prints regularly and is tired of the endless cycle of buying ink. It’s for the parent, the student, the remote worker, and the small business owner who values efficiency, economy, and reliability. It may not be the cheapest printer on the shelf, but as one user insightfully put it, it “feels like the last printer I’ll ever buy.” If you’re ready to make a smart investment in your productivity and say goodbye to ink anxiety for good, you should check the latest price and availability of the Canon Megatank GX2020 today.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API