Canon or HP: 4 All-in-One Printers From $35 to $350-Which One Fits Your Desk?

Shopping for a wireless all-in-one printer and scanner can feel like a toss-up: the cheapest option may be all a small desk needs, while a busy office might require faxing, an automatic document feeder, and higher scan detail. The four printers here-three Canon PIXMA models and one HP Smart Tank-range from $35.20 to $350, so the real decision is how much document handling you actually need.

Quick take

If you only need wireless printing and scanning around the house, the Canon PIXMA TS3722 covers the essentials at the lowest listed price. If you want Bluetooth and a copier as well, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a adds those for a modest step up. For heavier document workflows, the HP Smart Tank 7603 combines print, copy, scan, fax, and an automatic document feeder. And if scanning detail matters most, the Canon PIXMA MX922 offers the deepest color depth and the highest scanner resolution in this group.

Decision matrix

• If your main tasks are ordinary document printing and scanning at home, start with the Canon PIXMA TS3722.
• If you want Bluetooth convenience plus copying without jumping to the top prices, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a fits.
• If you need fax and an automatic document feeder for a busy workspace, choose the HP Smart Tank 7603.
• If scan quality is the priority and price is secondary, the Canon PIXMA MX922's 2400x4800 DPI scanner and 48-bit color depth are the draw.

Canon PIXMA MX922

The MX922 is the most expensive printer in this group, and the reason is scanning power. Its 2400x4800 DPI scanner and 48-bit color depth make it a strong option here for digitizing photos, documents, or artwork. The wireless connection and copier/scanner features round out the package. The trade-off is the price: it sits near the top of this lineup, so it makes sense mainly when the extra scanning detail is something you will actually use on a regular basis around your workspace.

Canon PIXMA TS3722

The TS3722 suits a small home office or student desk. At the lowest listed price, it gives you wireless printing and scanning, plus the flexibility to print on photo paper, envelopes, borderless photos, and banners. Its hybrid ink system uses pigment black for crisp text and dye-based colors for vivid images. The limitation is its 16-bit color depth, which is fine for everyday chores but not as deep as the MX922's 48-bit output. For school handouts, forms, and casual photos, this model covers the basics.

Canon PIXMA TS6420a

The TS6420a adds Bluetooth to the usual wireless connection, along with scanner and copier functions. That makes it easy to print straight from a phone or tablet without joining a Wi-Fi network. The black model also keeps the price noticeably below the pricier options. The catch is its listed black print speed of 4 ppm, which is modest if you regularly print long documents. For mixed home use with occasional longer print jobs, it offers a middle ground between the least expensive model and the higher-priced machines.

HP Smart Tank 7603

The HP Smart Tank 7603 is the only printer in this group with fax and an automatic document feeder, so it suits a busy home office where multi-page scanning and faxing are regular tasks. It also handles the standard print, copy, and scan duties, all over wireless. The downside is the price: it sits at the top of the range alongside the MX922. Choose it when you need the full office feature set rather than a simple home printer, and when those fax and ADF functions are part of your weekly routine.

Final recommendation by use case

• Everyday home printing and scanning when price matters most: Canon PIXMA TS3722.
• Low-cost copying with Bluetooth convenience: Canon PIXMA TS6420a.
• A shared office that faxes and scans multi-page documents: HP Smart Tank 7603.
• Maximum color depth and scan resolution, price not the deciding factor: Canon PIXMA MX922.