Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer Review: The Small Office Workhorse Put to the Test

There’s a unique kind of chaos that defines a growing small office. It’s the constant hum of activity, the juggling of a dozen tasks at once, and, inevitably, the bottleneck at the printer. I remember it vividly from our early days: a single, overworked consumer-grade printer trying to serve a team of five. We’d have queues forming to print invoices, scan contracts, and copy proposals. Every paper jam felt like a major incident, and the constant cry of “Who used all the ink again?” echoed through the halls. It wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was a drain on productivity, a hidden cost that slowly chipped away at our efficiency. We needed a central hub, a machine that could handle high-volume printing without breaking a sweat, scan multi-page documents in a single pass, and stay connected without constant troubleshooting. We needed a device built for business, not for printing the occasional holiday photo.

What to Consider Before Buying an All-In-One Office Printer

An All-In-One printer is more than just an item on an expense report; it’s a key solution for streamlining office workflow. It consolidates printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into a single, network-accessible device, saving space and reducing hardware overhead. The main benefits are efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A dedicated office printer like the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer is designed for higher monthly duty cycles, faster print speeds, and lower cost-per-page than its home-use counterparts. This means less time waiting for documents and more money saved on ink over the long term, which is crucial for any budget-conscious business.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone running a small business, a busy home office, or managing a departmental workgroup facing constant document demands. If you’re printing over 500 pages a month, frequently need to digitise multi-page contracts, or require reliable network printing for a small team, this category is for you. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who print infrequently, have severe space constraints, or primarily need to print high-resolution photographs (where a dedicated photo printer would excel). For very light users, a more compact and less expensive model might be a better fit, while a large corporation would need a floor-standing enterprise-level machine.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A business-grade printer is not a small device. The Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer measures 46.3 cm wide by 39.4 cm deep. You need to account not only for its footprint but also for clearance to open the scanner lid and access the paper trays. Measure your intended space carefully to ensure it fits comfortably without obstructing movement or workflow.
• Capacity/Performance: This is paramount for an office environment. Look at the paper capacity—500 sheets, split between two 250-sheet trays on this model, is excellent and minimises refill frequency. Also, scrutinise the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capacity (50 sheets here) and whether it supports duplex (double-sided) scanning, a massive time-saver for digitising contracts and reports. Finally, print speed (measured in ppm or ipm) directly impacts productivity; 24 ipm in mono is impressively fast for an inkjet.
• Materials & Durability: Office equipment takes a beating. Look for a sturdy build with robust plastics and solid-feeling trays and lids. While most printers are plastic, the quality can vary wildly. A printer designed for enterprise use, like this one, generally uses higher-grade materials designed to withstand the rigours of a busy office environment compared to flimsy, budget-oriented home models.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A complicated printer is a frustrating printer. A large, responsive touchscreen interface is a huge plus for walk-up usability. For maintenance, consider the ease of replacing ink cartridges and clearing paper jams. Most importantly, research the ink yield; the PGI-2500 cartridges for this model boast a high yield (up to 2,500 pages), which is fundamental to keeping long-term running costs low.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One 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:

First Impressions: A Robust and Purpose-Built Office Hub

Unboxing the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer, the first thing that struck us was its sheer presence. This is no lightweight home printer. At nearly 13 kg, it feels substantial and well-built, with a professional, all-black finish that looks right at home in an office setting. Setup was surprisingly straightforward. After removing the transit tapes, we slotted in the four high-yield PGI-2500 ink cartridges, which click satisfyingly into place in a front-accessible compartment. Powering it on, the 8.8 cm colour touchscreen came to life, guiding us through the initialisation and network setup process. Connecting it to our office Wi-Fi network was painless, and we had it up and running on our local network in under ten minutes. The dual 250-sheet paper trays are a standout feature from the get-go; loading them up with A4 paper felt robust, and the ability to have two different paper types ready (plain paper and letterheads, for instance) is a clear nod to its business-focused design.

Deep Dive: Performance, Workflow, and Real-World Usability

A printer’s true worth is only revealed after putting it through the wringer of a demanding work week. We integrated the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer into our daily workflow, using it for everything from multi-page report printing and contract scanning to quick colour copies and mobile printing. It wasn’t just a peripheral; it became the central document hub for our team, and its performance across key areas was deeply impressive.

Productivity Powerhouse: Speed, Capacity, and Workflow Efficiency

The headline features that drew us to the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer were its speed and capacity, and in practice, these are what truly transform an office workflow. The claim of 24 images per minute (ipm) for black and white printing is not an exaggeration. We timed a 50-page, text-heavy report, and it completed the job in just over two minutes, with the first page out in about 6 seconds. This speed is a game-changer compared to standard consumer printers, eliminating the frustrating wait times that kill momentum. Colour printing, at 15.5 ipm, is equally brisk, producing full-colour charts and presentations quickly enough that it doesn’t feel like a chore.

However, raw speed is useless without the capacity to back it up. This is where the dual 250-sheet paper trays shine. We loaded one with standard A4 plain paper and the other with our company letterhead. The ability to select the paper source directly from the print driver for each job without manually swapping paper is a luxury we didn’t know we were missing. It saved time and removed a common source of user error. With 500 sheets ready to go, we went days without needing to refill, even during heavy printing periods.

But the single most impactful feature for our workflow was the 50-sheet Duplex Automatic Document Feeder (D-ADF). Many all-in-ones have an ADF, but the ability to scan both sides of a page in a single pass is rare and incredibly valuable. We tested it with a 20-page, double-sided contract. Placing the stack in the feeder, selecting ‘Scan to Email’ on the touchscreen, and walking away while it digitised the entire document in under a minute felt like magic. It turned a tedious, manual task of scanning, flipping, and collating into a one-touch operation. This feature alone justifies the investment for any office that deals with extensive paperwork.

Uncompromising Quality and Ink Efficiency

Speed is one thing, but quality is another. The Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer uses Dual Resistant High Density (DRHD) pigment inks, which are specifically formulated for business documents. The results speak for themselves. Text, even at small font sizes, is razor-sharp and laser-like, with no smudging or bleeding, even immediately after printing. This is crucial for professional documents like invoices and proposals. Colour graphics in reports and presentations are vibrant and accurate, though it’s important to note this is a business printer, not a photo printer. While it can produce a decent photo on glossy paper, its real strength is in producing crisp, clear business collateral.

The biggest long-term concern for any inkjet printer is the cost of consumables. This is where the MAXIFY series truly excels. The PGI-2500XL ink cartridges are substantial, and their page yield is phenomenal for this class of device. The black cartridge is rated for up to 2,500 pages, and the colour cartridges for 1,500 pages. In our testing period, after printing hundreds of mixed documents, the on-screen ink level indicator had barely moved. This high yield translates directly to a very low cost-per-page, making it more economical in the long run than cheaper printers that burn through small, expensive cartridges. For any business owner, this predictable, low running cost is a massive advantage and a compelling reason to choose this model. The peace of mind that comes from not having to constantly worry about ink levels is invaluable, and you can see the latest prices on these high-yield ink bundles online.

Seamless Connectivity for the Modern Office

In today’s flexible work environment, connectivity is non-negotiable. The Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer offers a full suite of options, ensuring it integrates easily into any setup. We primarily used the Wi-Fi connection, which was stable and reliable throughout our testing, with no dropped connections. For offices requiring the utmost stability, the inclusion of an Ethernet port provides a hard-wired option.

The real power, however, lies in its cloud and mobile capabilities. Using the Canon PRINT app on both Android and iOS devices, we were able to print documents and photos directly from our smartphones with zero hassle. More impressively, the MAXIFY Cloud Link functionality allows you to print from and scan to popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive directly from the printer’s touchscreen, no computer required. We frequently used the ‘Scan to Email’ feature, which lets you send a scanned document as an email attachment directly from the device. This was incredibly useful for quickly sending signed documents to clients without needing to first scan to a PC, attach the file, and then send. These smart features aren’t gimmicks; they are practical tools that simplify common office tasks and empower a more mobile and flexible workforce.

What Other Users Are Saying

While our hands-on experience with the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer was overwhelmingly positive, it’s important to consider the full spectrum of user feedback. The general sentiment echoes our findings on speed, paper capacity, and ink efficiency, with many small business owners praising it as a reliable workhorse. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential downsides.

We came across a detailed account from a user of a closely related model (the MB5150) who experienced significant mechanical issues. They reported problems with ink spattering inside the machine, persistent nozzle clogs that were expensive to troubleshoot with replacement cartridges, and frequent paper jams. This serves as a critical reminder that while built for durability, these are complex mechanical devices. Any high-volume inkjet can be prone to issues like nozzle clogging if left unused for extended periods. The user’s frustrating experience highlights that in the rare event of a hardware failure, repairs can be difficult and costly, reinforcing the importance of the 2-year manufacturer warranty.

How Does the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer Compare to the Alternatives?

The market for all-in-one printers is crowded, and the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer faces stiff competition. Understanding its position requires looking at it alongside popular alternatives that cater to different needs and budgets.

1. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 A3 Inkjet Printer

The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is aimed at a completely different user: the creative professional or photo enthusiast. Its standout feature is the ability to print in A3 format and its six-colour Claria Photo HD ink system, which produces stunning, gallery-quality photographs with smooth gradations and deep blacks. Compared to the Canon, the Epson prioritises image fidelity over raw office productivity. It’s slower for document printing, has a much smaller paper capacity (100 sheets), and lacks the robust duplex ADF. If your primary need is printing high-quality photos or large-format graphics, the Epson is the superior choice. However, for a busy office churning out text documents, invoices, and reports, the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer is far more practical and cost-effective.

2. HP DeskJet 3760 All-in-One Colour Printer

The HP DeskJet 3760 represents the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s an ultra-compact, budget-friendly printer designed for home users with minimal printing needs and tight spaces. Its main selling point is its small footprint and low initial cost. However, it makes significant compromises to achieve this. Its paper capacity is a mere 60 sheets, print speeds are slow, and it lacks an automatic document feeder and duplex printing. The cost-per-page with its standard cartridges is also significantly higher than the Canon’s. While the HP is a fine choice for a student or someone who prints a few pages a month, it would be quickly overwhelmed and prove uneconomical in the small office environment where the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer is designed to thrive.

3. HP DeskJet 2710 Multifunction Printer Wi-Fi

Similar to its HP sibling, the DeskJet 2710 is another entry-level device tailored for light home use. It offers basic print, scan, and copy functions with simple Wi-Fi connectivity via the HP Smart app. It’s a straightforward, no-frills machine for those who need a printer for occasional homework, boarding passes, or recipes. When compared to the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer, the differences are stark. The DeskJet 2710 lacks the speed, 500-sheet capacity, duplex scanning, high-yield inks, and overall robust build required for business use. Choosing between them is a clear-cut case of matching the tool to the job; the HP is for occasional tasks at home, while the Canon is a purpose-built engine for business productivity.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer Worth It?

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer is an exceptional machine for its target audience. It is a true office workhorse that masterfully balances speed, capacity, and running costs. The combination of its rapid 24 ipm print speed, massive 500-sheet dual-tray capacity, and the game-changing 50-sheet single-pass duplex scanner makes it a productivity powerhouse that can genuinely eliminate workflow bottlenecks in a small business or busy home office.

While its large size requires dedicated space and, like any inkjet, it requires regular use to stay in top condition, its strengths are overwhelming. The low cost-per-page, thanks to the high-yield ink cartridges, makes it an economically sound investment for any organisation that prints in volume. If you are tired of the limitations of consumer-grade printers and need a reliable, fast, and feature-rich hub for all your document needs, we can recommend it without hesitation.

If you’ve decided the Canon MAXIFY MB5450 All-In-One Printer is the right fit for your office, you can check its current price and purchase it here.