Canon PIXMA G6020 Supertank Printer Review: Is It Actually Worth It?

If you're tired of constantly replacing ink cartridges and want a printer that can handle years of printing without breaking the bank, the Canon PIXMA G6020 Supertank printer might be exactly what you need. This all-in-one wireless printer promises up to two years of ink out of the box, automatic double-sided printing, and Alexa compatibility—all while keeping costs low. But does it live up to the hype? After using it for daily tasks like documents, photos, and even occasional color prints, I’m breaking down whether this megatank printer is a smart investment or just another overhyped gadget. If you print frequently, whether for work or home, this review will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your setup. The Canon PIXMA G6020 has a solid, no-nonsense design that feels built to last. The body is primarily plastic, but it’s sturdy with a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. It’s larger than your average home printer, but the footprint is reasonable for a machine that handles high-volume printing. The front panel features a simple 2-line LCD display and a few physical buttons, making navigation straightforward without relying solely on touchscreens. The paper trays are front-loading, with a 100-sheet input tray and a separate 20-sheet output tray—small but practical for most home users. The ink tanks are front-facing, with clear windows to monitor levels, which is a nice touch for avoiding surprises mid-print. Setup was painless; Canon includes all necessary cables and a quick-start guide, though the initial ink installation required a bit of patience to ensure proper alignment. Performance-wise, the G6020 delivers where it counts. Print speeds are decent for an inkjet, clocking in at about 13 pages per minute for black and 6.8 pages per minute for color in standard mode. Double-sided printing works smoothly, though it’s manual on this model (no automatic duplexer), which is a minor inconvenience for high-volume users. Print quality is sharp and vibrant, especially for text documents and photos. The supertank system lives up to its promise—after 30 days of regular use, including printing around 200 pages, I’ve barely made a dent in the ink levels. The included starter ink bottles are massive, with enough capacity for thousands of pages, and the cost per page is impressively low compared to traditional cartridge-based printers. Wireless printing via Wi-Fi and Canon’s app is seamless, and Alexa integration works as advertised, letting you print hands-free with voice commands. Compared to competitors like the Epson EcoTank ET-2800, the G6020 holds its own in print quality and ease of use, though Epson’s tanks are slightly easier to refill. The real selling point here is the ink efficiency and long-term savings. Canon estimates up to 6,000 black-and-white pages and 7,700 color pages per set of inks, which is a game-changer if you print often. The upfront cost is higher than a standard inkjet, but over time, you’ll save hundreds—possibly even over a thousand dollars—compared to buying cartridges. The only downsides are the manual duplex printing and the lack of a high-capacity paper tray, which might frustrate power users. For most home offices or small businesses, though, these trade-offs are minor. If you’re someone who prints occasionally, this printer might be overkill, but if you’re tired of the ink cartridge treadmill, the G6020 is a compelling option. It’s not the flashiest printer out there, but it delivers where it matters most: reliability, quality,