In our increasingly digital world, the need for a physical document can feel like a sudden, jarring throwback. One moment you’re managing everything on-screen, the next you’re scrambling to print a concert ticket, a shipping label for a return, or your child’s last-minute homework assignment. I’ve been there countless times, staring at a PDF on my phone, wondering how to get it onto paper without a trip to the local library. The promise of a simple, affordable home printer is alluring, but the reality is often a tangled mess of driver installations, cryptic error messages, and expensive ink cartridges that seem to run dry after printing a dozen pages. The frustration of needing a single, crucial print and being blocked by technology is a modern-day headache we’ve all experienced. This is precisely the void the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer aims to fill: a straightforward, wireless solution for the modern home’s occasional but essential printing needs.
- WIRELESS PRINTER: Enjoy crisp prints & photos (with up to 100 years of album life) direct from your phone - ideal photo & document printer
- PHOTO PRINTING: Enjoy vivid, long-lasting photos from this photo printer with Canon FINE ink cartridges & ChromaLife100 Ink - ideal for creative projects
What to Consider Before Buying an All-in-One Inkjet Printer
An All-in-One Inkjet Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for consolidating your home office needs into a single, compact footprint. It solves the problem of clutter by combining a printer, scanner, and copier, saving you both space and money. For families, it means printing school projects and scanning artwork. for remote workers, it’s about handling contracts and reports without leaving the house. The main benefits are convenience, versatility, and, in the case of models like the MG3650S, affordability. It brings a level of self-sufficiency to your household, eliminating reliance on external printing services for everyday tasks.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing intermittent but varied document needs: the student who needs to print essays, the family that needs to copy IDs and print photos, or the small home business owner who handles occasional paperwork. It’s a perfect fit for low-to-moderate print volumes. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who run a high-volume business from home or professional photographers who demand exhibition-grade print quality. These users would be better served by a laser printer for monochrome volume or a dedicated professional photo printer with a more advanced ink system, respectively.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Printers can be deceptively bulky. Before you buy, measure the intended space on your desk or shelf. Consider not just the printer’s footprint (D x W x H), but also the clearance needed for the paper trays, scanner lid, and cable connections. The Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer is relatively compact at 44.9 cm wide and 30.4 cm deep, but you’ll still need room for the paper output tray to extend.
- Capacity/Performance: This covers print speed, resolution, and paper handling. For home use, speeds of 5-10 pages per minute (PPM) are generally acceptable. Resolution, measured in DPI (dots per inch), is crucial for quality; a 4800 x 1200 DPI like this Canon offers is excellent for sharp text and vibrant photos. Also, check the paper tray capacity—a 100-sheet tray is standard for home models and avoids constant refilling.
- Build Quality & Durability: Budget-friendly printers are typically made of plastic. While you can’t expect a metal chassis, look for sturdy construction in key areas like the scanner lid hinge and paper trays. The feel of the buttons and the smoothness of the paper path can give you an idea of its long-term durability.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: How simple is the setup? Is the wireless connection stable? Replacing ink cartridges should be a straightforward process. A feature like automatic duplex (two-sided) printing saves paper and effort. Long-term maintenance often involves running cleaning cycles through the software and being mindful of using the printer periodically to prevent ink nozzles from clogging.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer stands out in several areas, particularly for its feature set at a budget price point. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer is an excellent choice for many, 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:
- Wide range of features
- More for you in it! original HP 2-pack ink cartridges
- CANON INK: Value Pack includes black & colour inks & 50 sheets of Glossy Photo Paper - genuine Canon Ink provides consistent quality prints 100% of the time
First Impressions: Compact, Simple, and Ready for Action
Unboxing the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer, the first thing we noticed was its compact and lightweight design. Weighing just 5.4 kilograms, it was easy to lift and position on our home office desk without any strain. The all-black plastic chassis has a clean, minimalist aesthetic that doesn’t draw undue attention. It’s a no-frills design; there’s no fancy LCD screen, just a simple control panel with physical buttons and status LEDs for power, Wi-Fi, and error alerts. Inside the box, we found the printer itself, a power cord, setup documentation, and two starter FINE cartridges—one black (PG-540) and one colour (CL-541). Canon also includes a small pack of starter photo paper, a nice touch that encourages you to test its photo capabilities right away. Removing the protective orange tape and plastic guards was simple, and installing the ink cartridges was a breeze. They click into place with a satisfying firmness, leaving no doubt they’re seated correctly. The overall impression is one of function over form; it feels built to a price point, but it’s tidy, self-contained, and perfectly suited for a home environment where space is at a premium.
What We Like
- Excellent print quality for documents and photos at this price point (4800×1200 dpi).
- Automatic duplex printing is a huge paper-saving feature rarely found on budget models.
- Seamless mobile printing via the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint (iOS), and Mopria (Android).
- All-in-one functionality (print, scan, copy) in a very compact and space-saving design.
Drawbacks
- The initial Wi-Fi setup can be notoriously difficult and frustrating.
- High ongoing cost of replacement ink cartridges can negate the low initial purchase price.
- Build quality feels lightweight and the operational noise level is quite high.
- Lacks a display screen, making troubleshooting and status checks reliant on the app or computer.
A Deep Dive into the Canon PIXMA MG3650S’s Real-World Performance
A printer’s value isn’t determined by its spec sheet, but by how it performs day-to-day. Does it connect easily? Is the quality consistent? Does it become a seamless part of your workflow or a source of constant frustration? We put the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer through its paces, from the initial setup to complex photo printing, to see if its performance lives up to its promise.
Installation and the Wireless Conundrum
Let’s address the elephant in the room first: the setup. This is, without a doubt, the most polarizing aspect of the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer. While a wired USB setup is plug-and-play simple, the wireless connection is a significant hurdle that stumped us initially, a sentiment echoed by a large number of users. The included paper instructions are minimal, pushing you towards the Canon PRINT app on your smartphone. We followed the app’s instructions meticulously, but the printer repeatedly failed to connect to our Wi-Fi network. After nearly an hour of resets and retries, we discovered the issue: the printer only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands. If you have a modern router that primarily uses a 5 GHz band or combines them under a single network name, the printer can struggle to establish a connection. This is a technical limitation that feels dated. We eventually found success by temporarily disabling our router’s 5 GHz band, allowing the printer to connect to the 2.4 GHz network. Another user reported success only after using Canon’s specific IJ Network Tool on a Mac. Our advice is to be patient and prepared for some troubleshooting. Once it is connected, however, it remains stable. But the initial experience is a significant flaw in an otherwise user-friendly product.
Day-to-Day Performance: Printing, Scanning, and Copying
Once we cleared the setup hurdle, the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer began to shine. For its core task—printing—the quality is genuinely impressive for a budget device. Using Canon’s FINE cartridge system, black text on plain paper is crisp, sharp, and easily legible, even at smaller font sizes. It’s more than adequate for school reports, official letters, and everyday documents. Where it truly surprised us was in photo printing. On glossy photo paper, colours were vibrant and well-saturated, with good detail reproduction thanks to the high 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution. While it won’t replace a professional photo printer, it’s fantastic for printing holiday snaps or family portraits for framing. The automatic duplexing feature is a standout, effortlessly printing on both sides of a page without manual intervention, saving paper and adding a professional touch to documents. Speeds are modest, as expected, but perfectly acceptable for home use. Copying is a simple one-button affair, and the flatbed scanner produces clear, accurate digital copies of documents and photos. The one minor annoyance we noted, which other users also mentioned, is the noise. The printer is quite loud during operation, with a series of mechanical whirs and clunks that are very noticeable in a quiet room.
Ink Economy and Long-Term Costs
The business model for budget inkjet printers is often likened to “razors and blades”—the initial hardware is cheap, but the consumables are where the real cost lies. The Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer fits this model perfectly. The upfront cost is temptingly low, but the standard PG-540 (black) and CL-541 (colour) cartridges have a relatively low page yield. For users who print more than a few pages a week, the cost of ink can quickly surpass the cost of the printer itself. We highly recommend opting for the high-yield XL cartridges, which offer a much better cost-per-page and reduce the frequency of replacements. This printer is explicitly designed for casual, low-volume users. As one user aptly noted, it’s for “wenigdrucker” (infrequent printers). If you print very rarely (less than once a month), you risk the ink in the printhead nozzles drying out and causing clogs. If you print frequently, the ink costs become prohibitive. It exists in a sweet spot for those who need reliable printing a few times a month. If you anticipate higher usage, the upfront investment in a printer with an ink tank system, while more expensive, would be more economical in the long run. When purchasing, it’s wise to check online for bundles that include XL ink cartridges to maximize value from the start.
Connectivity and Smart Features
The modern appeal of the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer lies in its mobile connectivity. Once connected to your network, it becomes an incredibly convenient tool. Using AirPrint from an iPhone or iPad is seamless—the printer simply appears as an option in the print menu of any app, with no extra software needed. The experience is similar for Android users with Mopria support. The Canon PRINT app unlocks further functionality, allowing you to print directly from cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, or even from your Instagram feed. You can also use the app to initiate scans from the printer directly to your smartphone, check ink levels, and perform maintenance tasks. This app-centric control is both a strength and a weakness. It provides powerful features, but the complete lack of an onboard display screen means you are entirely reliant on the app or a connected computer to diagnose any issues. An orange alarm light on the printer might flash, but you’ll have no idea why until you consult the software. This is a clear cost-saving measure, but one that sacrifices some user-friendliness for those less comfortable with app-based interfaces.
What Other Users Are Saying
After our extensive testing, we delved into the experiences of other users to see how our findings compared. The consensus is broadly positive but qualified. Many owners are thrilled with the value proposition, with one user stating it is “unbeatable for the price” and another praising the “superb print quality.” Many, like us, were impressed by its performance once it was up and running. A Spanish-speaking user was excited to finally print a backlog of items, noting it “works like a charm” and produces excellent scans.
However, negative feedback almost universally centers on two key areas: setup and reliability. One detailed account described a “two-day struggle” to connect the printer to Wi-Fi, trying multiple operating systems before finally succeeding with a specific Mac utility. This confirms our own difficult experience. The second major concern is long-term reliability and quality control. We saw several troubling reports, including one from a user whose printer began “printing crooked lines” after just two weeks of perfect operation. Another received a unit that was clearly not new, with protective tapes missing and ink already inside. These instances, while not universal, suggest some inconsistency in manufacturing or fulfillment that potential buyers should be aware of.
How Does the Canon PIXMA MG3650S Compare to the Alternatives?
The Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer occupies the competitive budget end of the market. While it offers great value, your specific needs might be better met by a slightly different model. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.
1. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 A3 Wi-Fi Inkjet Printer
- Suitable for printing glossy and long-lasting photos up to A3 size thanks to the 6-colour ink system (black, cyan, cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow)
- Interfaces: Ethernet, WiFi and WiFi Direct - Wireless printing from anywhere, mobile printing functions, USB, photos independent of PC thanks to the 4.3" touch screen and USB or SD memory card reader
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is in a different league, aimed squarely at photo enthusiasts and creative professionals. Its standout feature is the ability to print in A3 size, which is a massive advantage for posters, large photos, and portfolio work. It uses a six-colour Claria Photo HD ink system, delivering superior colour accuracy and smoother gradations than the Canon’s two-cartridge system. While it also offers scanning and copying, its primary focus is on high-quality photo output. You should choose the Epson if your main priority is printing photos, especially in larger formats, and you have a bigger budget for both the printer and its ink.
2. Canon PIXMA TS6350 Wireless Photo Printer
- Canon PIXMA TS6350 Inkjet 4800 x 1200 DPI A4 Wi-Fi
- 4549292150582
The Canon PIXMA TS6350 can be seen as the MG3650S’s more sophisticated sibling. It represents a significant step up in features and running costs. The key difference is its five-individual-ink system. This means you only replace the specific colour that runs out, which is far more economical than the single tri-colour cartridge of the MG3650S. It also boasts a clear OLED display, making setup and operation much more intuitive. The TS6350 is the better choice for users who print more frequently, especially in colour, as the long-term ink savings and enhanced usability will justify the higher initial purchase price.
3. Canon TS705
- TS705
The Canon TS705 takes a different approach by focusing on one function: printing. As a dedicated printer, it lacks the scanner and copier found in the MG3650S. This makes it an ideal choice for users who already own a separate scanner or simply have no need for one. Like the TS6350, it benefits from a more efficient five-individual-ink system, making it more economical for regular printing. Its compact, single-function design might also appeal to those with extremely limited desk space. If you need a high-quality, efficient machine for printing only, the TS705 is a compelling alternative.
Final Verdict: A Budget Champion with a Major Caveat
The Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer is a compelling product that gets so much right for its incredibly low price. It delivers print quality that punches well above its weight class, and the inclusion of automatic two-sided printing is a fantastic, practical feature for any home user. Its all-in-one functionality and compact size make it an ideal hub for a small home office or family’s varied needs. However, its excellence is marred by a significant, undeniable flaw: a frustrating and dated wireless setup process that will test the patience of even tech-savvy users.
We recommend this printer, but with a strong condition. If you are on a strict budget, print infrequently, and are prepared to potentially wrestle with the Wi-Fi connection (or are happy to use a USB cable), this printer offers phenomenal value. The print quality and features are simply unmatched at this price point. For anyone who prioritizes a seamless, out-of-the-box experience or who prints regularly, investing a little more in a model like the Canon PIXMA TS6350 would be a wiser long-term decision.
If you’ve decided the Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer is the right fit for your needs and budget, you can check its current price and availability here.
Last update on 2025-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API