Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer Review: The Home Office Workhorse with a Hidden Flaw

There’s a specific kind of dread that sets in when you hear the whirring, clicking, and then sudden, ominous silence of a printer that refuses to print. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. You have a critical report due, shipping labels to print, or your child’s homework that needs to be handed in, and your technology fails you. The scramble to find a local print shop or beg a neighbour is a frustrating, time-consuming dance. In today’s world of remote work and bustling home life, a dependable all-in-one printer isn’t a luxury; it’s the command centre of a modern household. It needs to scan invoices, copy documents, and print everything from essays to family photos, all without a fuss. The search for a device that packs in features without breaking the bank is what led us to test the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer, a machine that promises a lot for a surprisingly modest price point.

What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer

An inkjet printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the digital and physical worlds. For home offices, students, and families, it provides the immediate ability to produce high-quality documents, vibrant colour photos, and essential copies without leaving the house. The main benefits lie in their versatility and affordability. Unlike their laser counterparts, modern inkjets excel at producing detailed, high-resolution photo prints while still handling crisp text documents effectively. They solve the problem of reliance on third-party services, giving you control over your urgent printing needs and unleashing creative possibilities, from custom labels to photo albums.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a consistent, but not necessarily industrial-level, need for printing, scanning, and copying. This includes small business owners, freelancers, students, and busy families. They value convenience, wireless connectivity from multiple devices, and features that save time and resources, like automatic document feeders. Conversely, this type of printer might not be suitable for those who print thousands of monochrome pages per month, where a laser printer would be more cost-effective. It’s also not for the user who only needs to print a single page once a month, as inkjet cartridges can dry out if used too infrequently. For them, a local library or print service might be a better option.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Home office space is often at a premium. Before buying, measure your intended spot. The Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer has a footprint of 43.5 x 29.5 cm, which is compact, but you must also account for the space needed to open the paper trays and scanner lid. Ensure there’s enough clearance and ventilation around the unit.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the print speed. Consider the paper tray capacity (100 sheets here is standard for home use) and, critically, the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capacity. The 20-sheet ADF on this model is a significant productivity booster for scanning or copying multi-page documents, a feature often missing on entry-level printers. Also, check for features like automatic duplexing (2-sided printing), which saves paper and time.
• Materials & Durability: Most printers in this price category are constructed from plastic. The key is the quality of that plastic and the feel of moving parts like trays and lids. While we found the body of the TR4750i to be reasonably solid, some components feel a bit lightweight, a common trade-off for affordability. Look for a sturdy paper path, as this is where most mechanical issues arise.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Setup complexity and ongoing maintenance are huge factors. How easy is it to connect to Wi-Fi? Is the companion app intuitive? For maintenance, consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges (PG-575 Black, CL-576 Colour for this model). Ink subscription services, like Canon’s PIXMA Print Plan, can offer convenience but require careful evaluation of your printing habits to ensure they are cost-effective.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer stands out in several areas, particularly with its feature set for the price. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.

While the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 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:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Compact Powerhouse with a Few Quirks

Pulling the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer from its box, our first thought was how remarkably compact it is for a machine that includes an Automatic Document Feeder. It’s dense, weighing a solid 5.8 kg, which gives it a feeling of stability on the desk. The design is functional and understated, a matte black box that will blend into any office environment. Setup is guided primarily through the small monochrome LCD screen and the Canon PRINT app. Inside the box, we found the printer itself, a power cord, and a set of starter PG-575 and CL-576 ink cartridges. However, we immediately noted the absence of a USB cable for a wired connection, a common omission these days that pushes users toward wireless setup.

One early quirk we observed, and one echoed by several users, is the potential for setup confusion. The on-screen instructions can be slightly cryptic, and success often hinges on downloading the correct app and following the steps precisely. We also noted user reports of missing UK plugs in some instances, a frustrating packaging error that, while likely rare, is worth being aware of. Despite these initial hurdles, once the ink was installed and the printer was powered on, its potential as a versatile home office tool was clear.

Deep Dive: A Feature-Rich Printer Tested in the Real World

On paper, the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer is a champion in its price class. It boasts features like an ADF and auto-duplexing that are often reserved for more expensive models. But specifications only tell half the story. We put this printer through its paces, from initial setup to demanding print jobs, to see if its real-world performance lives up to its promise.

Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences

The setup process for a modern wireless printer should be seamless, and for some, it is. The primary method involves using the Canon PRINT app on your smartphone, which guides you through connecting the printer to your Wi-Fi network. For us, this process was relatively smooth. The app found the printer, we entered our Wi-Fi password on our phone, and within about 15 minutes, we were ready to print wirelessly from our laptop and mobile devices. The integration with Apple AirPrint and Mopria for Android worked instantly, requiring no extra drivers on our phones.

However, this smooth experience is not universal. We took note of a significant number of user reports detailing major setup frustrations. A common stumbling block, which we were able to replicate, occurs if you have older Canon printer drivers on your computer. The new printer can fail to connect until all old software is completely uninstalled, a step not clearly mentioned in the quick-start guide. Furthermore, some users found the instructions on the printer’s small LCD screen to be confusing, especially when it came to manually entering Wi-Fi passwords. As one user noted, “you have to guess some steps like it’s not enough to turn your wifi on, you need to connect it to the printer and it doesn’t tell you.” This highlights a clear divide: if the app-based setup works for you, it’s a breeze. If it fails, you may be in for a frustrating afternoon of troubleshooting.

Everyday Performance: Printing, Scanning, and Copying

Once connected, we moved on to the core functions. For standard document printing, the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer performs reliably. The text is sharp and clear, perfectly suitable for reports, homework, and professional correspondence. The quoted print speeds of 8.8 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white and 4.4 ppm for colour are modest, but they felt accurate in our testing. It’s not a speed demon, but as one user aptly put it, it’s “not the fastest printer in the world or is it the slowest.” For a typical home office workload, the pace is perfectly acceptable.

Where this printer really begins to shine is with its productivity features. The automatic duplexing worked flawlessly, effortlessly printing on both sides of the paper and cutting our paper consumption in half for multi-page documents. The 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder is the true star. We loaded a 15-page document and scanned it to a single PDF file with one command from our PC. This is a game-changing feature for anyone who regularly needs to digitize invoices, contracts, or old records. The flatbed scanner also produced detailed, colour-accurate scans of photos and IDs. Colour photo printing on 4×6 photo paper was also impressive for a non-specialist printer, producing vibrant, borderless prints with its 4800 x 1200 DPI resolution.

The Paper Jam Problem: A Mechanical Achilles’ Heel?

This is where our review must take a serious turn. While our initial tests were successful, after about 50 pages, we began to encounter the single most cited issue with this machine: paper jams. And not just simple jams that are easily cleared. We experienced the exact problem described by multiple frustrated users. The printer would feed a sheet of paper, begin printing, and then, instead of ejecting it, would pull it back in and attempt to print on it again, causing a crumpled, ink-smeared mess. Other times, the paper would simply get stuck on the infeed, triggering a “Paper Jammed” error even when no paper was visibly trapped.

We followed all the troubleshooting steps—checking the rear access panel, ensuring the paper was loaded correctly, and even trying different brands and weights of paper. The problem was intermittent but persistent. One user stated they returned their first unit thinking it was faulty, only to have the exact same issue with the replacement. Another lamented, “I try to print and… Paper jam. Every. Single. Time. It doesn’t print, it destroys paper sheet.” This appears to be a significant mechanical or sensor-related flaw in some units. It’s a critical failure because it renders all the printer’s excellent features completely useless. It’s a gamble; you might get a perfectly functioning unit, but the prevalence of this specific complaint is a major red flag that cannot be ignored.

What Other Users Are Saying

User feedback on the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer is deeply polarized, painting a picture of a product that is either a fantastic bargain or a frustrating failure, with little middle ground. On the positive side, many users are thrilled with the value proposition. One happy customer wrote, “The canon printer TR4750i is great value for money, it gives you the ability to print on both sides of the paper, it scans… I honestly can’t believe you can buy this for less than 100 pounds.” Others praise the easy setup, stating, “The set up was super easy, and printing is very straightforward also. Very happy with this printer.” These reviews focus on the successful execution of its impressive feature list.

On the other hand, the negative reviews are consistent and severe, centering almost exclusively on the paper jam issue. A user who tried everything summarized their experience: “A couple of months in, multiple problems and resets. No won’t print without blurred doubling. Tried every piece of advice… Can’t fix it. Useless.” This mechanical flaw seems to be the dividing line. If your unit doesn’t suffer from it, you’re likely to be very satisfied. If it does, the printer quickly becomes an expensive paperweight. This stark contrast in experiences suggests potential quality control issues that buyers should be aware of.

How Does the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we compared the Canon PIXMA TR4750i to three popular alternatives in the home all-in-one printer market. Each has its own unique strengths that might make it a better fit for your specific needs.

1. Epson Expression Premium XP-6105 Printer

The Epson Expression Premium XP-6105 is a strong competitor, particularly for those who prioritize photo quality. It uses a five-colour individual ink system, which allows for more nuanced and vibrant photo prints compared to the Canon’s two-cartridge system. This also means you only need to replace the specific colour that runs out, which can be more economical. Like the Canon, it features automatic duplex printing and wireless connectivity. However, it lacks an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), making it less suitable for users who need to scan or copy multi-page documents frequently. If your primary use is printing high-quality photos and standard documents, and you don’t need an ADF, the Epson is an excellent choice.

2. HP DeskJet 3760 All-in-One Printer

The HP DeskJet 3760’s main selling point is its incredibly compact design. Marketed as one of the world’s smallest all-in-one printers, it’s ideal for users with very limited space, like a dorm room or a small apartment desk. To achieve this small footprint, it sacrifices some features. It lacks a traditional flatbed scanner, instead using a sheet-feed “Scan Hub” system, and it does not have automatic duplex printing or an ADF. It’s a much more basic machine, but it covers the essentials of printing, copying, and scanning in a tiny package. It’s also heavily integrated with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. If space is your absolute top priority, the HP DeskJet 3760 is worth considering.

3. Canon PIXMA MG3650S All-in-One Printer

For those who like the Canon ecosystem but want a more straightforward, budget-friendly option, the PIXMA MG3650S is a solid alternative. It’s a step-down from the TR4750i, but it retains core features like automatic duplex printing and excellent wireless connectivity via the same Canon PRINT app. The primary features it gives up are the Automatic Document Feeder and the fax capability. If your scanning needs are limited to single pages on the flatbed and you have no use for an ADF, the MG3650S offers similar print quality and wireless convenience for a potentially lower price, making it a great basic home printer.

Our Final Verdict: A High-Risk, High-Reward Purchase

After extensive testing and analysis of user feedback, our verdict on the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer is one of cautious recommendation. This printer represents a phenomenal value proposition, packing an ADF, auto-duplexing, and robust wireless features into a price point where they are rarely seen. When it works, it works beautifully, serving as a powerful and efficient hub for a busy home or small office. The print quality is solid for documents and surprisingly good for photos.

However, the significant and recurring reports of catastrophic paper jams are impossible to overlook. It appears to be a lottery: you may receive a flawless unit that serves you well for years, or you could receive one plagued by a fundamental mechanical flaw that makes it unusable. For this reason, we recommend it primarily to tech-savvy users who are comfortable with potential troubleshooting and are buying from a retailer with a robust and easy return policy. If you get a good one, you’ve secured one of the best bargains in the printer market. If not, be prepared to send it back.

If you’ve weighed the risks and decided the feature set of the Canon PIXMA TR4750i 3-in-1 Wireless Printer is the right fit for your needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.