Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer Review: The Ultra-Budget Contender Under Scrutiny

There I was, staring at a screen confirming my online purchase, followed by an email with a return label that needed to be printed. My heart sank. In an increasingly paperless world, I had long since abandoned the bulky, temperamental printer of my student days. Yet, here was the stark reality: sometimes, you just need a physical piece of paper. Whether it’s a concert ticket, a shipping label, a child’s homework assignment, or a crucial form that needs a real signature, the need for a simple home printer hasn’t vanished. The problem is that the market is flooded with complex, expensive machines boasting features I’d never use, often tied to costly ink subscriptions. The search for a straightforward, affordable device that just prints, scans, and copies without fuss can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. This is the precise void the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer aims to fill—but does it succeed, or are the compromises too great?

What to Consider Before Buying a Budget All-In-One Printer

An All-In-One Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for consolidating essential home office tasks into a single, space-saving footprint. It elegantly solves the problem of needing a separate printer for documents, a scanner for digitising photos or receipts, and a photocopier for quick duplicates. For home users, students, or anyone in a compact living space, the benefits are immediate: reduced clutter, lower initial investment compared to buying three separate devices, and simplified operation from a central hub. It brings a surprising amount of convenience to everyday life, turning tasks that would otherwise require a trip to a print shop into a simple job you can handle in your own home.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the occasional, but urgent, need for printing and scanning. Think of the student who needs to submit a term paper, the online shopper who frequently processes returns, or the family that needs to print booking confirmations and school projects. It’s for the person on a strict budget who values function over frills. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who run a home business with high-volume printing needs, professional photographers requiring gallery-quality photo prints, or users who demand the convenience of wireless and mobile printing from various devices. For them, a laser printer (for text volume) or a more advanced inkjet with Wi-Fi and superior photo capabilities would be a more appropriate, albeit more expensive, investment.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Connectivity & Compatibility: This is arguably the most critical factor for a modern device. Does it have Wi-Fi? Can you print from your phone or tablet? The Canon PIXMA MG2551S is a USB-only device, meaning it must be physically tethered to a PC or laptop. This is a deal-breaker for anyone wanting to print from a smartphone or who has a modern laptop (like a Chromebook) that may have compatibility issues or lack the necessary ports.
• Total Cost of Ownership: The sticker price is only the beginning of the story. You must investigate the cost and page yield of replacement ink cartridges. Many budget printers are sold at a low price because the manufacturer makes its profit on expensive, proprietary ink. Always compare the price of standard and high-yield (XL) cartridges to understand the long-term running costs.
• Included Accessories: Never assume everything you need is in the box. As we discovered, and as many users report, budget printers sometimes omit essential components to keep the initial price down. The most common omission is the USB cable needed to connect the printer to your computer, leading to frustration and an unexpected extra purchase.
• Functionality vs. Features: Understand the difference between core functions (print, scan, copy) and convenience features. This printer handles the core three, but lacks automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, an automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning, or borderless photo printing. Be realistic about what you need versus what would be nice to have.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer presents a very specific, budget-focused value proposition. You can explore its detailed specifications and see if its limitations fit your needs here.

While the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer is an excellent choice for a specific user, 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 the Canon PIXMA MG2551S

Upon its arrival, the first thing that struck us about the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer was its compact and lightweight nature. Weighing a mere 3.5 kilograms and with a minimal footprint, it’s clearly designed for tight spaces like a student dorm room or a small home office desk. Lifting it out of the box, the construction is, as expected for the price, predominantly plastic. It doesn’t feel premium, but it feels adequately put together for its intended purpose of occasional use. The design is simple and unassuming in a matte black finish, with a straightforward control panel consisting of just a few buttons and indicator lights.

Inside the box, we found the printer unit itself, a power cord, a set of starter FINE cartridges (one black, one colour), a setup CD-ROM for Windows, and a collection of manuals. However, our eyes immediately scanned for one crucial component, and its absence was glaring. The first thing we noticed, a point vehemently echoed by a chorus of user reviews, is that the printer **does not come with a USB-B cable**. This is not a standard USB cable most people have lying around. It’s an immediate roadblock to using the printer and represents a hidden cost and an inconvenient trip to the store before you can even begin the setup process. This omission feels like a significant oversight in an otherwise straightforward package.

A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA MG2551S’s Day-to-Day Performance

A printer’s true value is revealed not on the spec sheet, but in the day-to-day experience of using it. We put the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer through its paces, from the initial setup hurdles to printing text documents, colour graphics, and testing its scanning and copying capabilities. This is a machine of profound compromises, where every feature must be weighed against its rock-bottom price point.

The Setup Saga: A Tale of Wires and Drivers

Let’s be unequivocally clear: the setup process for this printer is its single greatest weakness. The moment of excitement from unboxing a new device quickly soured into frustration upon realising the essential USB-B cable was missing. For a product aimed at budget-conscious, perhaps less tech-savvy users, this is a baffling decision. It forces an immediate, unplanned purchase. We had to source our own cable before we could proceed, a sentiment shared by countless users who felt misled, with one stating, “I can’t use the printer because I didn’t get a USB cable to connect the printer to the computer.”

Once we had the necessary cable, the next step was installing the drivers. The included CD-ROM is a relic of a bygone era; most modern laptops, especially the thin-and-light models this printer would likely be paired with, lack an optical drive. This sent us to Canon’s website to download the software. While we found the drivers without too much trouble, we noted some user reports of difficulty, particularly if they were trying to install it on an unsupported operating system. It’s crucial to highlight that this printer is not compatible with Chromebooks, a frustration one user captured perfectly: “So frustrated it’s not compatible with Chrome book and they don’t state any of this.” The setup is not plug-and-play; it requires a specific cable, a trip to the manufacturer’s website, and careful verification of your computer’s compatibility. It’s a process that is far from the seamless, app-driven setup of its modern, wireless counterparts.

Print Quality and Speed: Managing Expectations

Once the setup hurdles were cleared, we finally got to printing. For standard black-and-white text documents—the primary use for a machine like this—the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer performs admirably. Using the standard PG-545 black ink cartridge, text was crisp, sharp, and perfectly legible. At a rated speed of 8 pages per minute (ppm), it’s certainly not fast, but for printing a few pages of a report or a return label, the speed is perfectly acceptable. It delivers on the most fundamental promise of a printer: producing clean, readable text documents.

When it comes to colour, the results are more mixed. For documents with simple charts, graphs, or coloured headings, the CL-546 colour cartridge produces decent, if slightly muted, output. The colours lack the vibrancy and saturation you’d find on more expensive models. As one user aptly put it, the colour quality is “a little bit washed out.” It’s good enough for school projects or internal reports, but not for materials where colour accuracy is paramount. Photo printing is where the printer’s budget nature is most apparent. While it can technically print on photo paper, the results are average at best. We also confirmed user complaints about its pickiness with paper types; it struggled to recognise A4 glossy photo paper in our tests, and prints often had an unavoidable white border on one edge. This is not a photo printer; it is a document printer that can, in a pinch, produce a colour image.

Scanning and Copying: The All-in-One Promise

The “All-in-One” moniker rests on the device’s ability to scan and copy, and here, the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer delivers a competent, if basic, experience. The flatbed scanner provides a resolution of up to 600 x 1200 dpi, which is more than sufficient for digitising important documents, receipts, or old family photos for archival purposes. The scanning process is initiated via the software on your connected computer. It’s a straightforward process: lift the lid, place the document, and click ‘Scan’. The resulting digital files are clear and accurate reproductions of the original.

The standalone copying function is perhaps its most convenient feature. Without even turning on your computer, you can place a document on the scanner glass and press either the ‘Black’ or ‘Colour’ button to make a quick copy. The speed is slow, rated at just 1.6 images per minute for black and white, so it’s not suitable for bulk jobs. However, for making a single copy of an ID, a utility bill, or a form, it works perfectly. One user praised this specifically, noting it “can handle colour and black and white photocopies without having to mess about scanning saving and printing.” This simple, PC-free functionality adds significant practical value to a very inexpensive machine.

Long-Term Costs and Reliability Concerns

The low upfront cost of the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer hides the classic inkjet printer business model: the real cost is in the ink. The included “starter” cartridges have a very low page yield. Once they run out, you’ll need to purchase standard PG-545 (Black) and CL-546 (Colour) cartridges, or their high-yield XL counterparts. For someone who prints only a dozen pages a month, the cost is manageable. However, if your printing volume increases, you’ll quickly find that the cost of a few sets of replacement cartridges can exceed the original price of the printer itself. This is the crucial trade-off: you save money now but potentially pay more per page in the long run compared to a more expensive printer with a tank-based system.

Furthermore, an alarming number of user reviews raise serious questions about quality control and long-term reliability. We saw numerous reports of printers arriving damaged, visibly dirty, or simply dead on arrival (“Poor product Usb port doesnt work at all”). Others mentioned critical failures after just a few weeks or months of use, such as paper feeder malfunctions (“The paper feeder didn’t work”). While our test unit performed without mechanical failure during our evaluation period, the sheer volume of these complaints suggests a higher-than-average risk of receiving a faulty unit. The lightweight plastic construction, while great for portability, may not stand up to much wear and tear over time.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our own extensive testing, we dug into a wide array of user feedback to see how our experience compared to others. The sentiment is sharply divided and paints a very clear picture of who this printer is for—and who should avoid it. On the positive side, users who understood the product’s limitations were often quite satisfied. One owner, who needed a simple solution for printing return labels, called it a “Great little printer for an absolute bargain price,” adding that “it’s still canon brand!” Another praised its simplicity and affordability, stating, “Really pleased with this printer, it’s super compact, affordable and does the job!” These users valued the low price above all else and had modest expectations that the printer met.

However, the negative feedback is overwhelming and centers on a few key, recurring issues. The most prominent complaint, by a huge margin, is the missing USB cable. User after user expressed frustration and disbelief: “I havent got the USB wire along with the product. Is this normal ?”, “This product cam with no wires,” and “required USB type B cable is not provided! DO NOT BUY!” Beyond this, reports of poor quality control are common, with customers receiving units that were dirty, damaged, or simply non-functional right out of the box. One person noted, “The printer stopped working after 3 weeks,” highlighting concerns about its longevity. The lack of Wi-Fi and incompatibility with certain devices like Chromebooks also drew significant criticism from those who expected more modern connectivity.

How Does the Canon PIXMA MG2551S Compare to the Alternatives?

The Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer exists at the extreme budget end of the market. To understand its value, it’s essential to see what you get by spending a little—or a lot—more.

1. Epson Expression Home XP-2200 3-in-1 Printer Scanner Copier

The Epson XP-2200 represents the most logical step up from the Canon PIXMA. For a modest increase in price, it solves the Canon’s single biggest flaw: connectivity. The XP-2200 features Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, allowing you to print wirelessly from laptops, tablets, and smartphones using Epson’s Smart Panel app. This single feature dramatically increases its convenience and usability in a modern, multi-device household. It uses individual ink cartridges, which can be more economical as you only need to replace the colour that runs out. If your budget can stretch slightly and you cannot tolerate being physically tethered to your printer, the Epson is a far more versatile choice.

2. HP Smart Tank 7007 All-in-One Printer with Ink

The HP Smart Tank 7007 is in a different league entirely, focusing on long-term value over a low initial price. It’s an ink tank printer, which means it uses refillable reservoirs instead of disposable cartridges. While the upfront cost is significantly higher than the Canon’s, it includes up to three years’ worth of ink in the box, resulting in an exceptionally low cost per page. This model is for users who print regularly and are tired of the constant expense and waste of ink cartridges. It also includes modern features like reliable Wi-Fi and automatic two-sided printing, making it a powerful workhorse for a busy home or small office.

3. HP ENVY Inspire 7920e Wireless All-in-One Printer

The HP ENVY Inspire 7920e targets the user who needs more productivity-oriented features. Its standout addition is a 35-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), which allows for effortless multi-page scanning and copying—a game-changer if you frequently work with multi-page documents. It boasts robust wireless capabilities and is often paired with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service, which automatically ships you new cartridges before you run out. This printer is ideal for a home office environment where scanning stacks of paper is a regular task and the convenience of an ink subscription is appealing.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer is clear and heavily qualified. This printer is designed for one person and one person only: the user on the absolute tightest of budgets who prints very infrequently and is willing to tolerate significant compromises. If you need a machine for the sole purpose of printing a shipping label, a concert ticket, or a ten-page essay once a month, and every single pound matters, this printer will get the job done for an almost unbelievably low initial cost.

However, you must go into this purchase with your eyes wide open. You must be prepared to buy a USB-B cable separately. You must accept that you can never print from your phone or tablet. You must understand that the long-term ink costs can be high if your usage increases. And you must be aware of the reported quality control issues. For anyone who values convenience, wireless capability, or a hassle-free setup, we strongly recommend spending a little more on an alternative like the Epson XP-2200. The Canon PIXMA MG2551S isn’t a bad printer; it’s a stark example of getting exactly what you pay for.

If you’ve decided the Canon PIXMA MG2551S All-in-One Printer is the right fit for your specific, limited needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.