Canon PIXMA TR8620a vs MG3620: Best Printer for Your Needs in 2025

Choosing the right printer for your home or small office can be quite the challenge, especially with so many options available in Canon's popular PIXMA range. Two models that often find themselves in the comparison spotlight are the TR8620a and the MG3620. While both carry the trusted Canon brand, they serve different needs and come at different price points.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about these two printers to help you make an informed decision in 2025. We'll compare their features, print quality, connectivity options, running costs, and much more to determine which printer offers better value for your specific requirements.

Design and Build Quality

Canon PIXMA TR8620a

The TR8620a features a sleek, modern design that wouldn't look out of place in a professional office environment. Despite being packed with features, Canon has managed to keep the footprint relatively compact (40.3 x 31.9 x 19.5 cm), making it suitable for smaller workspaces.

The standout design feature is undoubtedly the 4.3-inch colour touchscreen display, which makes navigating menus and setting up print jobs incredibly intuitive. The printer feels solidly built with quality materials that suggest durability for years of use.

Canon PIXMA MG3620

The MG3620 takes a more utilitarian approach to design, focusing on simplicity and compactness (44.9 x 30.4 x 15.2 cm). It's noticeably smaller than the TR8620a, making it ideal for tight spaces such as student accommodation or small home setups.

Instead of a touchscreen, the MG3620 uses simple LED indicators and physical buttons. While this makes it less intuitive to operate, it also means fewer components that could potentially fail over time.

Print Quality and Performance

Canon PIXMA TR8620a

The TR8620a uses Canon's advanced 5-individual ink system (CMYK plus Photo Black), resulting in exceptional photo quality with rich colours and fine detail. Text documents are crisp and professional-looking, with clear, defined letters even at smaller font sizes.

With print speeds of 15 ppm for black and white and 10 ppm for colour, the TR8620a is significantly faster than its counterpart. This printer excels at handling a variety of paper types and sizes, from standard A4 to photo paper, envelopes, and even card stock.

Canon PIXMA MG3620

The MG3620 uses a simpler 2-cartridge system (one black, one tri-colour), which while more economical to replace, doesn't quite match the colour accuracy and vibrancy of the TR8620a. That said, print quality is still quite good for everyday documents and occasional photos.

With speeds of 9.9 ppm for black and white and 5.7 ppm for colour, the MG3620 is noticeably slower than the TR8620a. This may not matter for occasional printing but could become frustrating in busier environments.

Connectivity and Smart Features

Canon PIXMA TR8620a

The TR8620a shines when it comes to connectivity options. It offers:

• Wi-Fi with auto-connect

• Ethernet for wired network connections

• USB connection to computers

• Bluetooth connectivity

• SD card slot for direct photo printing

• Support for AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, and Canon PRINT app

The printer also works with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for convenient hands-free operation.

Canon PIXMA MG3620

The MG3620 offers a more modest but still practical range of connectivity options:

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• USB connection to computers

• Support for AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Canon PRINT app

While lacking the advanced connectivity features of the TR8620a, the MG3620 still provides the essential wireless capabilities most home users need.

Special Features

Canon PIXMA TR8620a

The TR8620a comes with several productivity-boosting features:

• 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for scanning/copying multiple pages

• Automatic duplex (two-sided) printing

• Fax functionality with 100 speed dials

• Optical character recognition (OCR) for converting scanned documents to editable text

• Direct printing from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox

Canon PIXMA MG3620

The MG3620 offers a more basic feature set:

• Automatic duplex printing (a notable inclusion at this price point)

• Borderless photo printing

• Basic document management software

Running Costs and Value

Canon PIXMA TR8620a

The TR8620a uses the PGI-680 and CLI-681 ink cartridges, which are available in standard and XL capacities. The 5-cartridge system means you only replace the specific colour that runs out.

• Average cost per page (black): About 3.2p

• Average cost per page (colour): About 9.8p

While the initial purchase price is higher, the TR8620a offers excellent value for those who print regularly, especially for businesses that can benefit from the productivity features.

Canon PIXMA MG3620

The MG3620 uses the PG-545 and CL-546 cartridges (or XL versions):

• Average cost per page (black): About 4p

• Average cost per page (colour): About 10.5p

While the printer itself is significantly cheaper, the higher cost per page means that for high-volume users, the total cost of ownership could eventually exceed that of the TR8620a.

Who Should Buy Each Printer?

Choose the Canon PIXMA TR8620a if:

• You run a home office or small business

• You need fax functionality

• You frequently scan or copy multi-page documents

• You print a moderate to high volume of documents

• Photo quality is important to you

• You value a touchscreen interface and advanced connectivity

• You need to print from various devices and cloud services

Choose the Canon PIXMA MG3620 if:

• You're on a tight budget

• You print occasionally rather than daily

• You have limited space

• You primarily print text documents with occasional photos

• You want a simpler printer with fewer components that could fail

• You don't need features like fax or an ADF

Environmental Considerations

Both printers are ENERGY STAR certified, indicating they meet certain energy efficiency standards. The TR8620a offers individual ink tanks which can reduce waste compared to the MG3620's combined colour cartridge system where you must replace the entire colour cartridge even if only one colour runs low.

Canon offers a recycling programme for used ink cartridges for both models, which helps reduce environmental impact.

2025 Market Position

As of 2025, the TR8620a remains Canon's mid-range office-oriented all-in-one, while newer models have been introduced at higher price points. This has positioned the TR8620a as an excellent value proposition for small businesses and home offices.

The MG3620, despite being an older model, continues to sell well due to its reliability, simplicity, and affordable price point. Canon has maintained firmware updates for both models, ensuring compatibility with the latest operating systems and security standards.

Expert Opinions

According to recent reviews from leading tech publications, the TR8620a is considered one of the best values in the all-in-one printer market in 2025, particularly for its combination of office features and photo printing capabilities.

The MG3620 continues to be recommended as a budget choice for casual users who don't need advanced features but want reliable performance from a trusted brand.

Conclusion: Which Printer Should You Buy?

The decision between the Canon PIXMA TR8620a and MG3620 ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget.

The TR8620a is the clear winner for those who need a feature-rich, office-capable printer with excellent print quality and don't mind paying more upfront for better productivity and potentially lower per-page costs over time.

The MG3620 represents excellent value for casual users who print occasionally and don't need advanced features like fax, an ADF, or a touchscreen interface.

Both printers carry Canon's reputation for reliability and quality, so whichever you choose, you're investing in a printer from one of the most respected brands in the industry.