MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 Review: Three Months with Canon's Home Office Printer

After years of battling temperamental inkjet printers, I decided to try Canon's tank-based system. For the past three months, the MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 has handled everything from my work documents to my daughter's school projects. Here's my honest take on whether it's worth your money.

My Real-World Testing Setup

As someone working from home three days weekly and printing 80-100 pages on average, I needed something reliable. My previous printer—a budget HP inkjet—demanded new cartridges almost monthly, an expense and inconvenience I was desperate to eliminate.

The MegaTank System: Genuine Long-Term Savings?

The GX2020's headline feature is its refillable ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges. Canon claims yields of 6,000 black pages and 14,000 colour pages from the included ink.

My three-month test results:

• Approximately 950 pages printed

• Ink tanks still showing above 85% capacity

• Projected to last 18+ months before requiring refills

I calculated a saving of roughly £120 compared to what I'd have spent on replacement cartridges for my old printer during this same period. While the £399 initial cost is substantial, my projected annual savings of £480 mean the printer should pay for itself within 10 months.

Daily Performance That Matters

Specifications don't tell the whole story, so I tested with actual documents:

• Speed: Consistently hit 24 pages per minute for text documents (slightly below Canon's advertised 26 ppm)

• First page out: 7 seconds from hitting print

• Text quality: Excellent clarity even with 6pt font

• Photo quality: Good for occasional use but not for professional purposes

• Duplex printing: Automatic, with minimal speed reduction (21 ppm)

Connectivity Without the Headaches

Unlike my previous printer with its frustrating wireless disconnections, the GX2020 has been remarkably stable:

• Setup completed in under 10 minutes

• Connected reliably to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks

• Canon PRINT app worked seamlessly with mobile devices

• Zero connectivity issues during my testing period

Practical Advantages and Limitations

What I've Appreciated

• Dual paper trays: The 250 + 100 sheet capacity means less frequent refilling

• Running costs: Approximately 0.5p per black page, 1.6p for colour

• Build quality: Solid construction with durable components

• Noise level: Pleasantly quiet at 49dB during printing

• No more ink anxiety: Printing freely without worrying about depleting expensive cartridges

Where It Falls Short

• Footprint: At 40.8 × 46.8 × 28.4 cm, it's noticeably larger than my previous printer

• Upfront investment: The £399 price tag requires initial commitment

• Scan quality: Functional but not exceptional—fine for documents but not for archival-quality photos

Is It Right for Your Needs?

Perfect for you if:

• You print consistently each week (30+ pages)

• You're tired of replacing cartridges or paying for ink subscriptions

• You need reliable wireless connectivity

• Print speed matters in your workflow

Consider alternatives if:

• You print only occasionally (monthly or less)

• Professional photo quality is your priority

• You have very limited desk space

• Your budget can't accommodate the upfront cost

Real-Life Example: The School Project Crisis

Last month, my daughter announced at 9pm that she needed 30 colour pages for school the next morning. With my previous printer, this would have triggered panic about ink levels and possibly a late-night shop run. With the GX2020, I simply printed everything without concern—a small but meaningful improvement to family life.

Three-Month Verdict

The Canon MegaTank MAXIFY GX2020 represents a significant shift in how I approach home printing. The feeling of printing freely without constantly monitoring ink levels or budgeting for replacements has been genuinely liberating.

While not perfect—the scan quality could be better and the upfront cost is substantial—it's solved the most frustrating aspects of home printing. For busy households or home offices, it eliminates one of technology's most persistent irritations.