Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer Review: The Budget Champion for Basic Home Needs?

It’s a scenario we’ve all faced. A last-minute email arrives with an important document that needs to be signed and scanned. A child announces at 9 PM that their school project, complete with printed images, is due tomorrow. Or perhaps you’ve finally decided to organize years of digital photos into a physical album. In these moments, the absence of a simple, reliable home printer transforms from a minor inconvenience into a major source of stress. The frantic search for a local print shop, the cost per page, and the sheer hassle of it all underscore a modern truth: despite our digital world, the need for a physical copy hasn’t disappeared. It’s this everyday demand for a straightforward, affordable solution that brings us to the world of all-in-one home printers, a space where functionality and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

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

An All-In-One Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for streamlining home admin, creative projects, and academic work. It consolidates the functions of a printer, scanner, and copier into a single, compact device, saving valuable desk space and money. The main benefit is convenience. Instead of needing three separate machines or relying on external services, you have a central hub for managing all your document needs, from printing travel tickets and scanning receipts for expenses to photocopying official IDs and printing family photos. This integration is crucial for maintaining an efficient home office or supporting a family’s diverse needs without cluttering the living space.

The ideal customer for a basic model like this is someone facing the occasional-to-regular need for printing and scanning. This includes students printing essays, families managing school forms and homework, or home users who need to handle administrative paperwork. It’s for those who prioritize simplicity and a low initial purchase price over high-speed performance or advanced features like wireless connectivity and automatic duplexing. Conversely, this type of printer might not be suitable for those running a high-volume home business, professional photographers requiring gallery-quality photo prints, or users in a busy office who need rapid printing and robust networking capabilities. These users should consider laser printers for monochrome volume or higher-end photo inkjet printers for superior image quality.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure your intended space carefully. While many all-in-one printers are designed to be compact, you must account for the paper trays (both input and output) being extended, as well as clearance for lifting the scanner lid. The Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer is notably lightweight and has a small footprint, but its paper input is from the top-rear, which requires extra vertical space behind it.
• Capacity/Performance: Look at print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm) or images per minute (ipm), for both mono and colour. A 60-sheet input tray, as found on this model, is fine for home use but would be a constant source of frustration in a busier environment. Also, consider the print resolution (dpi), which dictates the sharpness and detail of your prints, and the scanner resolution for digital copies.
• Materials & Durability: Entry-level printers are typically constructed from plastic to keep costs down. While perfectly adequate for home use, the build can feel less robust than more expensive office-grade machines. Pay attention to the sturdiness of the paper trays and scanner lid hinges, as these are the most frequently used physical parts and a common point of failure.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A simple button layout and straightforward software are key for a frustration-free experience. Consider the cost and availability of replacement ink cartridges, as this is the primary long-term expense. Some printers use a two-cartridge system (one black, one tri-colour), while others have individual ink tanks, which can be more economical if you use one colour more than others.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer stands out in several areas, particularly for users seeking simplicity and affordability. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer is an excellent choice for its target audience, 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: Unboxing a No-Nonsense Home Essential

Unboxing the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer is an exercise in simplicity. The packaging is utilitarian, focused on protecting the device rather than dazzling with premium presentation. Inside the box, we found the printer itself, a power cable, a starter set of cartridges (one PG-545 Black and one CL-546 Colour), and a setup CD-ROM. The first thing we noticed, and this is a crucial point echoed in countless user experiences, is the absence of a USB Type-B cable. This is a common cost-cutting measure in the budget printer market, but it’s an immediate hurdle for anyone who doesn’t have a spare one lying around. It’s a frustrating omission that turns a “plug-and-play” expectation into a “plug-and-wait-for-another-delivery” reality.

The printer itself is compact and impressively light, weighing just 3.5kg. Its matte black plastic finish is basic but practical, resisting fingerprints better than glossy alternatives. The design is minimalist, with a small control panel on the top left featuring just a few essential buttons: power, stop/cancel, and one-touch copy for both black and colour. There’s no LCD screen, only simple LED status lights. This isn’t a machine designed to be a centrepiece; it’s designed to sit unobtrusively on a desk and get the job done, a philosophy that extends to its entire feature set.

A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer’s Performance

Beyond the initial setup, a printer’s true value is revealed in its day-to-day performance. We put the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer through its paces, testing its core functions to see if its budget price tag comes with unbearable compromises. We evaluated everything from the setup process and print quality to its scanning capabilities and overall running costs to deliver a comprehensive verdict on who this machine is truly for.

Unboxing and Initial Setup: A Tale of Missing Cables and Simplicity

As mentioned, the setup journey begins with a potential roadblock: the missing USB cable. Assuming you have one, the rest of the process is relatively straightforward, albeit a bit old-fashioned. The inclusion of a CD-ROM for drivers feels like a throwback in an era of ultrabooks without optical drives. Thankfully, as many users have noted, the necessary drivers and software are easily downloadable from Canon’s official website. We found this to be the superior method, ensuring we had the most up-to-date software. The installation process itself is guided and clear. Once the software is running, it prompts you to connect the printer and install the two ink cartridges—the PG-545 (black) and CL-546 (colour). The cartridge bay is easily accessible by lifting the main scanner unit, and the cartridges click into place securely. The printer then runs a short initialisation and print head alignment process, which prints a test sheet that you then place on the scanner to be calibrated. For us, the entire software and hardware setup, minus the time spent finding a cable, took about 15 minutes. While some users reported difficulties, we found that by following the on-screen instructions from the downloaded software precisely, the installation was painless on a Windows system. Linux users have also reported success installing it via CUPS, highlighting its versatility.

Core Functionality: Print, Scan, and Copy Performance Examined

For a device in this price bracket, performance expectations must be realistic. The Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer is not built for speed, but for deliberate, occasional use. Canon rates its speed at 8 images per minute (ipm) for monochrome and 4 ipm for colour. In our real-world tests, printing a 5-page text-heavy document took just under a minute, which aligns closely with the official specs. It’s certainly not fast, but for printing a concert ticket or a few pages of homework, it’s perfectly adequate. The printer is noticeably noisy during operation, with a series of mechanical whirs and clunks as it prepares to print and feeds the paper. This is a common characteristic of budget inkjet printers, and while it’s not disruptive in a busy environment, it’s certainly audible in a quiet room. The copy function is brilliantly simple. Placing a document on the flatbed scanner and pressing either the “Black” or “Colour” button initiates a direct copy without needing to touch the computer. This is a fantastic feature for quick, one-off jobs. The scanner itself, with a resolution of up to 600 x 1200 dpi, is more than capable for everyday tasks like digitizing documents, receipts, and old photos for archiving. The scans are clear, and colour reproduction is respectable for a device of this class.

Print Quality and Ink Economy: The Real Cost of Ownership

Herein lies the classic budget printer dilemma: a low upfront cost often leads to higher long-term running costs. The print quality, thanks to Canon’s FINE cartridge technology, is surprisingly good for standard documents. Black text is crisp and sharp, with minimal bleeding even on standard copy paper. Colour graphics on plain paper are decent, suitable for school reports or internal presentations. However, this model reveals its limitations with photo printing. One user review highlighted a significant issue: an inability to print high-quality A4 images, being restricted to smaller, postcard-sized photos. Our tests confirmed this limitation within the standard software settings. While you can print an A4 photo, achieving the highest “photo quality” settings is often tied to specific photo paper sizes. This is a crucial drawback for anyone hoping to use this as an all-purpose photo printer.

The biggest concern for any potential buyer should be the ink. The included starter cartridges are not fully filled and are designed to get you up and running. Users frequently report that they last for a disappointingly small number of pages, with one user claiming they lasted “half a page.” While that’s likely an exaggeration born of frustration, the sentiment is valid: be prepared to buy new cartridges soon after purchase. The standard PG-545 and CL-546 cartridges have a relatively low page yield. For more cost-effective printing, it is essential to opt for the high-yield XL versions (PG-545XL and CL-546XL), which offer a much better cost-per-page ratio. If you’re weighing your options, the potential savings offered by a more efficient printer could be worth the higher initial price. You can see the current pricing for the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer and its compatible XL inks here.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing feedback from a wide range of users paints a very consistent picture of the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer. The most common point of frustration, mentioned in reviews from nearly every country, is the lack of an included USB cable. One user bluntly stated, “NO trae cable USB, hay que comprarlo aparte” (It does not bring a USB cable, you have to buy it separately), a sentiment echoed by another who called the omission “super pratique” (super practical) with heavy sarcasm. On the positive side, many users praise its value proposition. One Italian review noted it’s perfect “per uso domestico, senza eccessive pretese e con il giusto prezzo” (for home use, without excessive demands and with the right price). Another user found it “Parfait pour impression, numérisation et copie de documents. Simple d’utilisation” (Perfect for printing, scanning and copying documents. Simple to use).

However, negative experiences often centre on ink consumption and reliability. Multiple reviews mentioned the short life of the included cartridges, and one user reported a catastrophic failure with printing double-sided documents manually, claiming it would skip pages and create a jumbled mess, calling it “the worst purchase I have ever made.” This contrasts with others who find it perfectly functional for their simple needs. Ultimately, the user experience seems to hinge entirely on expectations: those seeking a cheap, simple machine for occasional tasks are generally satisfied, while those hoping for more performance or features are left disappointed.

How Does the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer Compare to the Alternatives?

In the crowded world of home printers, the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer competes on price and simplicity. But for those with a slightly larger budget or different needs, several compelling alternatives exist. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular models.

1. Canon PIXMA TS5350 Wifi Multifunction Printer

As a step-up model within Canon’s own PIXMA line, the TS5350 is the logical next choice for users who like the Canon ecosystem but need more modern features. The most significant advantage is its Wi-Fi connectivity. This untethers the printer from a single computer, allowing for easy printing from laptops, smartphones, and tablets anywhere in the home. It also boasts a 1.44-inch OLED display for easier navigation, automatic duplex (two-sided) printing to save paper, and slightly faster print speeds. While it costs more upfront, the convenience of wireless printing and the efficiency of duplexing make it a much better choice for a busy family or a multi-user household where the simplicity of the MG2550S would become a bottleneck.

2. HP Envy 6120e All-in-One Printer

The HP Envy series represents a different philosophy, focusing heavily on smart features and mobile integration. The Envy 6120e offers robust wireless and mobile printing through the HP Smart app, which is often praised for its user-friendly interface. It also features a sleeker, more modern design that may fit better into a contemporary home aesthetic. A key differentiator for many HP printers is their eligibility for the HP Instant Ink subscription service, which can be a cost-effective solution for users with consistent printing volumes. If you frequently print from your phone, value a seamless app experience, and are open to an ink subscription model, the HP Envy 6120e is a strong contender that offers a more connected experience than the purely wired Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer.

3. HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer

This alternative is in a different league entirely and serves a different purpose. The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 is a wide-format printer, meaning it can handle paper sizes up to A3. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses, designers, architects, or anyone needing to print larger documents like spreadsheets, posters, or architectural drawings. It’s a much larger, more robust machine with features geared for productivity, including an automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning, dual paper trays, and much faster print speeds. Comparing it to the MG2550S is less about which is better and more about which job it’s for. If your needs stop at A4 documents, the 7740 is complete overkill. If you have any aspiration to print in a larger format, it’s the clear choice.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer Right for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer is clear: it is a master of its specific niche. This is not a printer for a power user, a busy home office, or a creative professional. It is, however, an outstanding choice for the user who needs a basic, reliable machine for infrequent printing, scanning, and copying, and whose primary purchasing driver is the lowest possible upfront cost. Its performance is modest, its feature list is sparse, and its reliance on a wired connection is dated. Yet, it does exactly what it promises: it prints clear text, makes decent copies, and scans documents effectively.

The biggest caveats are the missing USB cable—a frustrating but easily solved problem—and the long-term cost of ink if you don’t opt for the XL cartridges. If you can live with these limitations and your printing needs are limited to a few documents a week, then this printer offers exceptional value. It’s the perfect backup machine or a primary device for students, seniors, or anyone who values absolute simplicity over advanced features.

If you’ve decided the Canon PIXMA MG2550S All-in-One Printer is the right fit for your no-frills printing needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.