Canon imageCLASS D420 Toner Cartridges

Canon D420 Printer Review

The Canon imageCLASS D420 is fast for a home printer, getting the first page out in around 10 seconds and pushing monochrome projects at a maximum speed of 23 pages per minute. It has an all-in-one design that will allow users to print, scan and copy documents in one place. Despite a handful of attractive features, the device lacks a few necessary elements to compete with other small and home office multifunction units.

Positive attributes include a compact form of only 15x17x12 inches, a "Toner Save" mode that can reduce the amount of Canon D420 printer toner used for each page, and relatively low running costs. It also has a duplex unit for printing on both sides of paper. However, it lacks an automatic document feeder typically seen for handling large scan and copy jobs. The unit also is limited to only a USB connection and has minimal media handling that includes only a single 250-sheet cassette tray.

The device performed well in tests on output quality, printing a maximum resolution of 1200x600 dpi and creating duplicates with a resolution of 600x600 dpi using imageCLASS D420 toner. While projects will have enough quality to meet basic office standards, a low maximum monthly duty cycle of 7,500 pages really suits it more for home or very small office use. The machine also comes with only 8 MB of RAM.

The unit uses a single Canon D420 toner cartridge system that will keep running costs lower than color devices with multiple toners. The black imageCLASS D420 toner can yield around 2,000 pages, which should be more than enough for personal use. Compatible Canon D420 toner cartridges can be found from third-party vendors for more affordable prices compared to genuine brands.

The D420 is not a bad choice for low-volume homes, despite a few setbacks like very basic connectivity and no automatic document feeder. This monochrome laser printer isn't on par with some better models in its class, but it has the quality output and all-in-one design to benefit personal users with fairly basic needs.