Printers in the test: Stiftung Warentest compares 16 multifunction devices

multifunction devices
The test winner does without expensive cartridges: Stiftung Warentest compares 16 printers

03/22/2022, 06:18 am

2 min reading time

Nowadays, a printer usually means multifunction devices that print, scan and copy. But which model is suitable for whom? And what is there to consider when buying? Stiftung Warentest compared 16 multifunction devices and found four candidates among the new models that are better than the previous test winners.

In terms of price, the test devices range between 80 and 650 euros – and one thing can be said: if you buy cheap, you may buy twice. Because the Canon Pixma TS3450 is priced at the lower end, but unfortunately also in terms of performance. With the rating “sufficient” (4.1), the inexpensive multifunction device brings up the rear in the current comparison. The testers criticized the print result, the accuracy of copies, high ink costs and the versatility. However, according to the judgement, the device is suitable as a scanner.

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Bottle printers conquer the test field

The focus of the test: operating costs. The podium consists exclusively of so-called bottle printers, i.e. devices that do not use expensive cartridges and can be refilled with larger refill packs instead. Therefore, the best cartridge printer in the test only came in 6th place HP Officejet Pro 9022 for 335 euros with the overall grade “good” (2.5). The print result, versatility and environmental properties are all right here, but given the cost of ink and the performance of the scanner, it’s only enough for a “satisfactory” rating.

Test winner is the Canon Maxify GX6050 for 480 euros. He is “good” (1.8). According to Stiftung Warentest, the higher costs compared to the cartridge winner are put into perspective after 2600 color pages, because the Canon relies on the said bottle system, so it can be refilled very cheaply. According to the product test, the Maxify GX6050 is “the first device for a long time” that can print, scan and copy well at the same time. Because fact: In all categories, the test winner gets a “good”.

Fax function quite rare

If you absolutely need a fax – because that is by no means included with every device – you should get one Canon Pixma G7050 watch for 465 euros. It was rated “good” (2.5) in issue 4/2021 and is also in fifth place in the current test, with the partial ratings being mostly “satisfactory” and in direct comparison with the test winner in every discipline expect worse results.

Warentest chooses the price-performance winner Canon Pixma G650 for 250 euros. The device achieves the overall grade “good” (2.2) and achieves satisfactory to good results in all categories. In addition, the device is also a bottle printer with very cheap ink. In a direct comparison with the test winner, the G650 delivers poorer copy performance. It is also less versatile than other models. Its speed is also criticized: The device takes 16 seconds per page of text – and is thus 14 seconds behind the fastest printers in the test field.

Attention with HP printers with “e” at the end

Stiftung Warentest dedicates a special note to HP printers with the suffix “e”: These are printers that can optionally be registered for the cloud-based printing system “HP+”. The manufacturer promises better protection against attackers, more updates, an additional year of warranty and the availability of the printer over the Internet. But if you activate “HP+”, the printer no longer accepts ink from third-party manufacturers and requires a permanent connection to the Internet. One problem: The decision for “HP+” is final, so it cannot be undone if you don’t like it.

You can find the full test for a fee at test.de.

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