For years, my creative workflow had a frustrating bottleneck. As a freelance designer and amateur photographer, I could craft intricate digital designs and capture high-resolution images, but bringing them to life in physical form was always a compromise. Standard A4 printers just couldn’t do justice to a sweeping landscape photo or a detailed architectural mock-up. The alternative was a trip to the local print shop, a process that involved time, recurring costs, and a loss of creative control. I longed for the ability to produce gallery-worthy A3+ prints on demand, to see my work in its intended scale, fresh off the press in my own studio. The problem was that printers capable of this were often bulky, prohibitively expensive, and geared towards commercial operations, not a home office. This is the exact predicament that leads many creatives to search for a solution like the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer.
What to Consider Before Buying an A3+ Inkjet Printer
An A3+ Inkjet Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking large-format creative potential. For photographers, artists, designers, and small business owners, it bridges the gap between digital creation and tangible, impactful results. The main benefit is the ability to produce high-quality prints, posters, and documents up to 13×19 inches (A3+) in-house, offering immediate feedback, total control over paper types and colour profiles, and significant long-term savings compared to professional printing services. It’s about taking ownership of the entire creative process, from concept to final, impressive print.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of A4 printing. This includes photography enthusiasts wanting to create exhibition-quality prints, graphic designers needing to proof client work at scale, or small businesses creating their own marketing materials. However, it might not be suitable for those who primarily print text documents or require multifunctionality like scanning and copying. If your needs are centered around office administration and you rarely venture beyond an A4 letter, a more compact all-in-one device would be a more practical and cost-effective choice.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: An A3+ printer is, by necessity, significantly wider than its A4 counterpart. The Canon PIXMA iX6850 measures 58.4 cm in width, requiring a substantial amount of desk or table space. Always measure your intended location before purchasing to avoid any unwelcome surprises and ensure you have enough clearance for paper feeding and output.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the maximum print size. Key performance metrics include print resolution (measured in DPI), which directly impacts photo quality; the iX6850 boasts an impressive 9600 x 2400 DPI. Also consider print speed (IPM) for both monochrome and colour, and the paper tray capacity, which determines how often you’ll need to reload it during larger jobs.
- Ink System & Running Costs: The type of ink system is a major factor in both quality and long-term cost. The iX6850 uses a 5-cartridge single ink system. This is superior to tri-colour cartridges as you only need to replace the specific colour that has run out, reducing waste. Investigate the availability of XL or XXL cartridges and the viability of using third-party inks, which can dramatically lower your cost per page.
- Ease of Use & Connectivity: In a modern home or office, wireless connectivity is non-negotiable. Look for Wi-Fi and Ethernet options, as well as support for mobile printing protocols like Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print. A straightforward setup process and intuitive software are essential for a frustration-free experience, allowing you to focus on creating, not troubleshooting.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.
While the Canon PIXMA iX6850 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:
First Impressions: Sleek, Substantial, and Surprisingly Simple
Unboxing the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer reveals a device that means business. Its glossy black finish and low profile give it a sleek, professional look, but its significant width is an immediate reminder of its A3+ capabilities. Weighing in at 8.1 kg, it feels solid and well-constructed, with none of the flimsy plastic feel that plagues some budget printers. The design is minimalist, featuring only a power and a Wi-Fi button, as all other operations are handled via your computer or mobile device.
What truly impressed us, and a sentiment echoed in countless user testimonials, was the sheer simplicity of the setup. We had it out of the box, powered on, the five individual ink cartridges clicked into the print head, and connected to our office Wi-Fi network in under 15 minutes. The process was guided and intuitive, requiring no technical expertise. It connected seamlessly with our Windows laptop, MacBook, and an Android smartphone, all ready to print without a single hiccup. This immediate accessibility is a huge win, letting you get straight to the creative work it was built for.
What We Like
- Exceptional A3+ photo and document print quality
- Effortless and rapid wireless and network setup
- Cost-effective 5-cartridge single ink system
- Excellent value for a dedicated A3+ printer
- Handles a variety of paper types and weights, including heavy cardstock
Limitations
- Lacks automatic duplex (2-sided) printing
- No scanner or copier functionality (print-only)
- Can be thirsty with ink, especially with frequent cleaning cycles
A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA iX6850’s Performance
A printer’s true worth is proven not on the spec sheet, but in the quality of its output and the ease of its daily operation. We put the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer through its paces over several weeks, testing it with everything from dense text documents to high-resolution, gallery-bound photographs. Our findings reveal a printer that punches well above its weight, particularly for its target audience of creatives and small business users.
The Heart of the Matter: A3+ Photo and Document Quality
This is where the Canon PIXMA iX6850 truly excels and justifies its existence. We started by printing a complex A4 business report filled with charts and small text. Using the standard quality setting, the pigment black ink delivered razor-sharp, laser-quality text that was crisp and easy to read, with no smudging. The colour charts were vibrant and accurately reproduced without any bleeding. The speed was more than adequate for a small office, clocking in close to the advertised 14.5 ipm for mono and 10.4 ipm for colour.
But the real test was A3+ photo printing. We selected a detailed landscape photograph with a challenging mix of deep shadows, bright highlights, and subtle colour gradients. Using Canon’s own Pro Luster photo paper, the result was nothing short of stunning. The 9600 x 2400 DPI resolution, combined with Canon’s FINE technology and the 5-ink system (which includes both a pigment black for text and a dye black for photo richness), produced an image with incredible depth and detail. Colours were rich and faithful to the original file, not oversaturated. We found the level of detail comparable to prints from professional labs, a conclusion shared by many users who state the quality is indistinguishable from printers costing twice as much. One user noted its ability to handle heavy 350 g/m² photo cardstock, which we confirmed in our own tests, making it a versatile choice for artists wanting to print on fine art media. For any visual creative, this level of output quality is a game-changer.
Connectivity and Day-to-Day Usability
The iX6850 is built for a modern, multi-device environment. The primary wireless connection was robust and stable throughout our testing, with no dropped signals. This allowed us to place the printer in a convenient location rather than being tethered to a single computer. For offices with more demanding network needs, the inclusion of an Ethernet port is a welcome feature, providing a rock-solid wired connection. Mobile printing is a breeze. We sent prints directly from an iPhone using AirPrint and from an Android tablet via the Canon PRINT app, and both worked flawlessly. This flexibility is invaluable for quick prints without needing to fire up a laptop.
It’s important to understand the iX6850’s philosophy: it is a specialist, not a generalist. It prints, and it does so exceptionally well. There is no scanner, no copier, and no automatic document feeder. This singular focus is what allows it to achieve such high quality at its price point. The most notable omission for some will be automatic duplex printing. While you can manually print on both sides, it’s a hands-on process. For photographers and artists, this is rarely a concern, but for those printing long reports, it’s a trade-off to consider. We see this not as a flaw, but as a deliberate design choice to excel in its core mission: producing beautiful, large-format prints.
The Ink Equation: Cost, Consumption, and Cartridges
Ink cost is the great unspoken anxiety of inkjet printer ownership. The Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer tackles this with its individual ink system. When the cyan runs out, you only replace the cyan cartridge, a far more economical system than combined colour cartridges where one depleted colour forces you to discard the whole unit. Canon offers optional XL and even an XXL pigment black cartridge, which they claim can reduce the cost per page by up to 30% and print up to 1000 monochrome pages, respectively. In our testing, the starter cartridges provided gave us a decent number of initial prints, but we’d recommend purchasing a set of XL cartridges from the outset.
We did observe that the printer performs periodic automatic print head cleaning cycles, particularly when first turned on. While this is crucial for maintaining print quality and preventing clogs, it does consume a small amount of ink. This is a common trait among high-resolution photo printers. However, a significant point raised by a large number of long-term users is the printer’s excellent compatibility with high-quality third-party inks. Many report using compatible cartridges for a fraction of the price of the originals with no discernible drop in quality and no damage to the printer. While we always recommend using official manufacturer supplies for best results and warranty protection, the widespread success with third-party options makes the long-term running costs of the iX6850 potentially very low, further enhancing its incredible value. The ability to produce stunning A3+ photos for mere pennies per print is a compelling proposition. If you are interested in this cost-effective printing solution, you can find the best price for the Canon PIXMA iX6850 here.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience with the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer is strongly reflected in the broader user community. The most consistent praise revolves around two key areas: the incredibly simple setup and the outstanding print quality. One user perfectly summarized this, saying, “I had it out of the box, connected to Wi-Fi, and printing within about 10 minutes… photos or posters come out looking like they’ve been done at a print shop.” Another, an illustrator, called it a “real joy” for being able to print their digital drawings with “truly surprising” quality.
However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, providing a balanced real-world picture. The most common criticism, which we also noted, is the ink consumption. One user lamented that the colour cartridges can feel like they empty quickly, making running costs a concern if only using standard, original cartridges. There are also isolated but important reports of technical issues. A handful of users have encountered the “B200” error, which often indicates a print head failure, sometimes occurring just outside the warranty period. While these cases appear to be the minority, they serve as a reminder that like any piece of electronics, failures can happen.
How Does the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Compare to the Alternatives?
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer occupies a specific niche. To understand if it’s right for you, it’s helpful to compare it against other popular models with different strengths.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-2810 represents a completely different approach to printing. Its primary selling point is its integrated ink tank system, which you fill from bottles, dramatically lowering the cost per page. It’s an A4 all-in-one, meaning it also includes scanning and copying functions. Someone should choose the EcoTank if their priority is high-volume, low-cost A4 document printing for a busy home or home office. However, it cannot print in A3 and its photo quality, while good for an office printer, does not match the specialized, high-resolution output of the iX6850.
2. Epson WorkForce WF-2930DWF Wireless Inkjet Printer
The Epson WorkForce WF-2930DWF is another A4 all-in-one, but it’s geared more towards a small business environment. It uses traditional cartridges but adds business-centric features like an automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning and copying, and fax capabilities. This is the printer for someone who needs a versatile office hub to handle a variety of administrative tasks. It competes with the iX6850 on office document quality but again, it lacks the A3+ size and the specialized photo printing capabilities that make the Canon a creative tool.
3. Canon PIXMA TS205 Inkjet Printer
The Canon PIXMA TS205 sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. This is an ultra-budget, bare-bones A4 printer. It offers basic printing functionality and nothing more—it doesn’t even have Wi-Fi, relying solely on a USB connection. A user would choose the TS205 if they have an extremely tight budget and only need to print a handful of documents very occasionally. The comparison to the iX6850 is one of scale and purpose; the TS205 is for infrequent, basic needs, whereas the iX6850 is a powerful, specialized tool for high-quality, large-format creative output.
The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer is an outstanding choice for a specific, and often underserved, user. If you are a photographer, artist, designer, student, or small business owner who needs to produce high-quality A3 or A3+ prints without investing in a commercial-grade machine, this printer offers phenomenal value.
It masterfully sacrifices all-in-one features like scanning and duplexing to pour all its resources into its core strength: producing stunning, vibrant, and detailed large-format prints. The easy wireless setup, flexible connectivity, and cost-effective single ink system make it a joy to use. While the ink consumption can be a concern, the proven compatibility with affordable third-party inks makes this a manageable issue for most. It is, simply put, a gateway to professional-level printing for the creative individual. For its intended purpose, it is one of the best options on the market.
If you’ve decided the Canon PIXMA iX6850 Wireless Printer is the right fit for your creative projects, you can check its current price and purchase it here.