Should You Buy the Pixma Tr7020 Tr7020A in 2026? A Deep Dive

Introduction — Why I Bought the TR7020(A) and What I Wanted

I've been using the Canon Pixma TR7020 (and its close sibling the TR7020A) for the past six months in a small home office and around the house. I bought it because I wanted a compact all‑in‑one that could handle occasional photo prints, the odd multi‑page duplexed report, and scanning for receipts and school projects without taking up too much desk space. After living with it through everyday tasks and a couple of small printing crunches, I wanted to write down what I learned so you can decide whether this printer still makes sense in 2026.

Unboxing and Setup — My First Impressions

Out of the box, the unit looked like a modern compact inkjet: low profile, matte plastics, and a small tilting control panel. I set it up on a narrow shelf next to my router so Wi‑Fi would be strong. The physical setup took me about 15–20 minutes — unbox, remove packing tape, insert the four individual ink cartridges, load paper, and plug in. The on‑screen prompts are simple, and the Canon mobile app walked me through registering the printer to my Wi‑Fi network.

What I found was that the initial setup is forgiving: there are no fiddly parts, and the app-based wireless setup worked reliably for both iPhone and an Android tablet. However, I did have to update firmware through the app right away; I noticed the printer offered a firmware patch during the first week of use.

Daily Use: Printing, Scanning, Copying

I've used this printer for three main things: black text printing and multi‑page documents, casual photo prints (4x6 and 5x7 at home), and scanning receipts and pages. In my experience, printing a twenty‑page double‑sided report was painless — the automatic duplexing worked consistently, and the pages came out straight with no jams. I appreciated the small footprint; it fits on a narrow shelf and the paper output doesn't require much clearance.

For scanning, I use the flatbed most of the time and occasionally used the scanner to copy a single document. Scans are crisp enough for OCR apps and email attachments. One small annoyance: the lid doesn't lift very high, so scanning thicker books is awkward. For single receipts and letters it's fine.

Print Quality: Documents and Photos

In my tests, black text came out sharp and dark — I had no complaints for office documents, school worksheets, or letterhead templates. Color documents and charts were vivid without being oversaturated. For photos, I was pleasantly surprised for everyday prints: 4x6 family snapshots printed on glossy photo paper looked very good from the kitchen table, with pleasing skin tones and decent shadow detail.

That said, if you're a photographer or demand gallery‑grade prints, this isn't the printer for you. I noticed some banding in very dark gradients and less resolution in fine details compared to dedicated photo printers. What I appreciated was how the printer handled color photos printed alongside text — it maintained good color balance without smearing onto the text.

Speed and Noise — Real‑World Observations

Speed is "good enough" for everyday use. A single black text page prints almost instantly from my laptop; a small color photo took longer but wasn't frustrating. For a batch job of twenty pages, expect a short wait while the printer warms up and processes the job — it isn't a high‑speed office workhorse, but it's consistent.

Noise levels are moderate. When printing text, the machine is noticeable but not loud; when printing photos or mixing colors, the head movements are more pronounced. I prefer it on the shelf across the room rather than on my desk, because the noise is still present and can be distracting during long print runs.

Connectivity and Mobile Printing

Wi‑Fi and mobile printing are where the TR7020 series shines for casual users. AirPrint and Mopria worked for me without extra drivers, and the Canon app allowed direct printing from my phone, basic editing, and cloud scanning. I used the mobile scan feature multiple times to email a scanned receipt and found the app's compression and cropping helpful.

One thing that bothered me on rare occasions was a short Wi‑Fi drop when my router performed an automatic restart — the printer didn't always reconnect instantl…

Ink, Running Costs, and Consumables

In my experience, ink cost is the TR7020's biggest downside. Individual color cartridges mean you only replace the color that runs out, which I appreciated, but the cost per replacement cartridge is not cheap. I was careful to use draft mode for internal documents and reserve photo mode for special prints. After several months of low-to-medium use (a few dozen pages per month plus occasional photo batches), I replaced one color cartridge and the black cartridge once.

Canon offers higher‑yield cartridges and, in some markets, subscription ink services. If you print frequently, I would seriously consider a service plan or looking at an ink‑tank printer. For my usage pattern (occasional photos and light office printing), the TR7020's consumable cost was manageable but not economical compared to ink‑tank systems.

Build Quality and Design Details

The plastics feel reasonably sturdy for the price point. The paper tray capacity is modest — I found myself refilling the main tray more often than I would like when printing longer documents. I liked the compact design and the fact that the front‑loading paper tray keeps things tidy. The control interface is a small color touchscreen that responds well but has limited real estate for advanced settings; a full keyboard or larger display would have been nicer for complex scanning workflows.

How the TR7020 and TR7020A Compare — What I Found

I had the opportunity to test both the TR7020 and the TR7020A variants side by side for a couple of weeks. My conclusion: they are essentially the same printer in core hardware and output quality. In my hands, any differences were firmware/packaging related rather than performance related. The TR7020A is often sold in different retail bundles or regional configurations, but in daily use I couldn't justify one over the other based on printing or scanning alone.

Pros & Cons — My Honest List

• Pros
  • Compact footprint — easy to fit on a shelf or small desk.
  • Good document text quality — crisp and dark blacks for office work.
  • Surprisingly good casual photo prints for 4x6 and 5x7 sizes.
  • Automatic duplexing makes double‑sided printing painless.
  • Individual color cartridges reduce waste when only one color runs out.
  • Solid mobile printing support (AirPrint, Mopria, Canon app).
• Cons
  • Ink replacement is pricey compared with ink‑tank printers; long‑term running cost is high.
  • Small paper tray — frequent refills if you print in batches.
  • Control panel touchscreen is small; advanced tasks require the app or a computer.
  • Not as fast as office laser printers for large black text jobs.
  • Occasional Wi‑Fi reconnection quirks after router resets.
  • Not suitable for professional photo or graphics work where absolute color accuracy matters.

Buying Guide — Who Should Buy the TR7020/TR7020A in 2026?

When I think about recommending this printer, I break buyers into a few profiles based on how I used the machine and what frustrated me.

Buy this if...

• You're a home user or small household that prints moderately — letters, school pages, occasional photos.
• You need an all‑in‑one that doesn't take up much space and can sit on a shelf.
• You value reliable duplexing and solid document quality more than the lowest possible cost per page.
• You want easy mobile printing and straightforward setup without installing drivers on every device.

Don't buy this if...

• You print hundreds of pages every month — ink‑tank or laser printers will be far cheaper to run.
• You're a professional photographer who demands archival‑quality color accuracy.
• You need a large paper capacity or a heavy‑duty multi‑user office printer.
• You want an advanced scanner (high ADF capacity or book scanning) — this unit is basic in that area.

What to check before you buy

• Compare current cartridge prices and whether Canon offers a subscription plan in your region — that'll change the cost equation.
• Check the retailer bundle: sometimes the TR7020A is offered with extra cartridges or warranty, which can be the deciding factor.
• Look at real‑world reviews for firmware and app updates — my experience included one firmware update and an app refresh that improved stability.
• Measure the space where you plan to put the printer and make sure the paper output path clears the shelf edge.

Alternatives I Considered (and Why I Didn't Pick Them)

Before settling on the TR7020, I looked at an ink‑tank model and a small monochrome laser. The ink‑tank models have unbeatable running costs and were tempting given my long‑term concerns about cartridges. I didn't choose one because I still value decent color photos occasionally and the TR7020 gives better casual photo quality without being bulky. The monochrome laser would have been better for heavy black‑and‑white document printing, but I wanted color and scanning features in a single compact device.

Real‑World Tips From My Months of Use

• Use draft mode for internal documents — it saves enough ink to make a real difference.
• Keep one spare black cartridge on hand if you print occasionally; printers often stop abruptly when a cartridge is low.
• Place the printer within a few meters of your primary Wi‑Fi access point; I noticed fewer drops that way.
• If you print photos, buy a small pack of Canon (or equivalent quality) glossy photo paper for the best results — the printer responds well to good paper.
• Run the automatic nozzle check and head alignment after extended inactivity to avoid faint streaks in color prints.

Conclusion — My Final Take

After six months of daily and weekend use, I can say the Pixma TR7020 (and the TR7020A variant) are solid choices for a compact home all‑in‑one in 2026 — provided your priorities match what this printer delivers. I liked how it fit into a small space, the reliable duplexing, and the surprisingly pleasant casual photo prints. What I found disappointing (and what might push you to a different model) is the long‑term ink cost and the limited paper capacity.

In my experience, if your printing is light to moderate and you appreciate good mobile functionality and compact design, the TR7020 will serve you well. If you print a lot, or if absolute photo fidelity is important, look toward ink‑tank models or a dedicated photo printer instead. The TR7020A didn't change my mind much — it's essentially the same machine with small retail differences — so your choice between them can safely be driven by price and the package offered at the time of purchase.

Ultimately, I kept the TR7020 because it fits my mixed needs: occasional photos, everyday documents, and a small footprint. It isn't perfect, but it does what I ask of it without drama — with the caveat that you should plan for cartridge replacements and consider subscription ink or a different class of printer if your usage is heavier than mine.