22 10 - 23 July 2019
E
verybodyneeds to send a formal letter now and
then, and it’s nice to be able to print some of the
photos that would otherwisebe confined to our
phones.If you’re investing money and desk space on a
printer, though,it’s worth consideringa multifunction
model.This gives you the addedbenefitof a scannerin
a unit that’s barely larger than a standard printer, so
you can scan or photocopy documentsand photos, too.
Here we’ve reviewed seven multifunctionprinters,
with prices starting at £47.99.Thisthree-in-onedevice(printer, scanner and
copier)fromCanonisaimedatcreativehome
users.It can beoperatedwirelessly, soyou can
print fromany deviceinyourhome. However, it
doesn’t haveanSDcardslotorUSB portfor
getting photos fromolder devices thatlack
wirelessconnectivity, suchasdigitalcameras. A- 5cmcolourtouchscreen offersdirect control of
the printer, allowingyou toscanandprint
directly toandfromonline services, including
Facebook,GoogleDrive,OneDriveandDropbox.
The deviceismade fromsmart black plastic
andhas two paper trays,eachofwhich holds up
to 10 0 sheetsofplain paper. It usesCanon’s
five-ink system, which combinesthe usualcyan,
magenta andyellowwith two black cartridgesto
ensureyou get the bestresults whetheryou’re
printingonplain orphotographic paper.
Cartridgesare availableina range ofcapacities,
but the bestprice per page (usingXXL
cartridges) is8.6pfor a mixed black andcolour
print, while a black textpagecosts 2.8p.
It wasn’t the fastest printer inour test,but at
12.7pagesper minute(ppm) for black textand
3.9ppminour colourtest,it’s quick
enough. Printslookgreat, too.Onplain
paper, black textiscrisp anddark, while
graphicsare brightandpunchy. Crucially it
can print onbothsides ofthe paper
automatically (d uplexprinting),
althoughprintsare lighterinthis
mode becausethe printer tries
toreducesmudgingwhenthe
paperisfed backthrough for
the secondprint.
Canon’s scanning interface
has remainedthe samefor
a decadebut wethink it’s
the bestofthe bunch,so
we’re pleased tosee that
Canonhasn’t changed it
unnecessarily.Multifunction
inkjet printers
We’ve testedseven all-in-onedevicesthat combineprinting,
scanningandcopying,toseewhichoneis rightfor you
HOW WETESTED
It’s not the fastest device
we tested, but the TS6250
is quick enough across all
its functions. It’s also
smart to look at and easy
to use, whether from a PC,
mo bile device or its
ow n touchscreen.
Wi th great
results and
acceptable
running costs,
it’s an easy home
multifunction printer
to recommend.VERDICT
FEATURES★★★★★ PERFORMANCE★★★★★EASE OF USE★★★★★VALUE FOR MONEY★★★★ ★★★★★Wetestedeachmultifunction devicebyprintinga selection of
photos anddocuments– bothincolourandblack andwhite –
thencomparing themfor quality.Wealsomeasuredthe speed
atwhich the printersproduced their pagesandhowquickly
their scanning functions worked.
Finally,weanalysed eachprinter’s costs,working out the price
per page basedonthe costandlifespanofits ink cartridges.Canon Pixma TS6250|£114.36|Buy fromAmazon: bit.ly/cango479
Group Test
Wetestandcompare thelatestproducts
to
moWi