Canon PIXMA MX860 Inkjet All-in-One Printer Review

The Canon PIXMA MX860 is one of those rare inkjet MFPs with all the fixings we’ve come to expect from today’s top models. It prints at 5.6 images/minute (ipm) in color and 8.4 ipm in black, based on the ISO/IEC 24734 standard. The PIXMA MX860 also copies, scans, faxes, and connects to a network via Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Other key features include a 2.5” LCD screen, automatic double-sided printing, 35 page auto document feeder (ADF), and PC-free photo printing via memory card and PictBridge. A couple experts have tested the PIXMA MX860 for themselves, and they consider it a strong addition to your home or small office for several reasons.

 

When it comes to feel and design, Printer Comparison thinks of the PIXMA MX860 as essentially a bigger version of the PIXMA MX330. Setup is straightforward and actual print speed for documents seems to match the spec sheet, although the review considers those numbers too slow for serious office use. That said, text quality is pretty good, and photo quality is “surprisingly good.” Extras such as the fax machine, ADF and memory card reader work well, and printer noise is minimal. Overall, the review recommends the PIXMA MX860 for home office users and small businesses with fewer than 5 employees.

 

Just as he did for the PIXMA MX330, Peter Piazza of About.com gives the PIXMA MX860 an excellent 4.5 stars out of 5 for its network connectivity, 4 in 1 functionality, auto-duplexing, and high print quality. He does note that print speeds can be slow, especially over a network, and ink costs can add up with 5 different cartridges to replace. But despite the downsides and the fact that MSRP is nearly twice the price of the PIXMA MX330, Piazza concludes that the overall value and feature set of the PIXMA MX860 is well worth a prominent spot in your home or small office.