Canon MegaTank PIXMA G6020 Review: The Best Printer for Ink Savings

Have you ever stood in front of your printer, watching it flash that dreaded "low ink" warning just when you desperately need to print something important? Yeah, me too. Way too many times. That's exactly why I'm so excited to share my experience with the Canon MegaTank PIXMA G6020. This printer has literally changed my relationship with printing—and trust me, that's saying something!

Why I Finally Stopped Hating Printers

Let's be honest—most of us have a love-hate relationship with printers (heavy on the hate). They're like those high-maintenance friends who demand attention at the worst possible moments. But after struggling through countless inkjet printers that seemed designed to drain both my wallet and patience, the PIXMA G6020 feels like a breath of fresh air.

When the delivery guy dropped off my G6020, I was skeptical. Another printer that would probably disappoint me in a month? But as soon as I unboxed it, I could tell this one was different. It had some weight to it—not the flimsy plastic feel of cheaper models. And those ink tanks? You can actually see the ink levels through the transparent windows on the front. No more guessing games!

The Ink Situation: A Game-Changer

Remember those tiny, overpriced ink cartridges that seemed to evaporate overnight? The G6020 takes a completely different approach with its refillable MegaTank system. Instead of cartridges, you get bottles of ink that you pour directly into the printer's tanks.

Here's why this is revolutionary:

• One set of ink bottles equals about 30 traditional ink cartridge sets (not a typo!)

• You can print up to 6,000 black and white pages or 7,700 color pages before refilling

• The ink bottles are designed with special nozzles that prevent spills and messes

• You can actually see your ink levels at a glance through the front window

The first time I refilled the tanks, I was nervous about making a mess. But Canon has designed the bottles with keyed nozzles that only fit their corresponding tanks, making it virtually impossible to pour the wrong color into the wrong tank. Even I, famously clumsy, managed to refill without a single drop on my desk!

Setting It Up: Easier Than Assembling IKEA Furniture

I've set up plenty of printers in my time, and it's usually an exercise in frustration. The G6020 was surprisingly straightforward. The included quick-start guide walked me through the process step by step, and I had it connected to my Wi-Fi network in about 15 minutes.

The wireless setup is what really impressed me. I downloaded the Canon PRINT app on my phone, and it guided me through connecting the printer to my home network. Once that was done, I could print from my laptop, phone, and tablet without having to mess with drivers or cables. Even my technologically-challenged partner figured out how to print from their phone without asking for help—a minor miracle in our household!

Daily Use: The Little Printer That Could

For the last six months, the G6020 has handled everything I've thrown at it. From printing my daughter's last-minute school projects (always discovered at 10 PM the night before they're due) to handling work documents and the occasional family photo, it's been reliable in a way I didn't think printers could be.

What I love about everyday use:

• It wakes up quickly from sleep mode—no long warm-up times

• The dual paper trays mean I can keep regular paper in one tray and photo paper in the other

• Automatic duplex printing saves paper when printing long documents

• The print quality is crisp for text and surprisingly good for photos

One morning, I needed to print 30 copies of a handout for a presentation I was giving that afternoon. With my old printer, this would have been a stress-inducing ordeal that probably would've ended with a paper jam or low ink warning. The G6020 churned through all 30 copies without complaint, and I didn't even have to babysit it.

Not Just a Printer: Scanner and Copier Too

While the printing capabilities are what sold me initially, I've come to appreciate the scanning and copying functions almost as much. The flatbed scanner on top is perfect for digitizing old photos or important documents.

Last month, I needed to scan some old family recipes from my grandmother's handwritten recipe cards. The scanner captured every detail, including the little splashes of sauce that had accumulated over decades of use. Being able to preserve these treasures digitally—and then print fresh copies for my sister—meant more than I expected.

The Wi-Fi Features I Didn't Know I Needed

Remember when printing meant physically connecting your computer to your printer? The G6020's wireless capabilities make that seem like ancient history. I can print from anywhere in my house, and with cloud printing, I can even send documents to print when I'm not home.

This came in handy when I was running late for a meeting and needed my report printed before I arrived home. I sent it to the printer from my phone while still on the train, and it was waiting for me when I walked in the door. Small convenience, but it felt like living in the future!

The Not-So-Perfect Parts (Because No Relationship Is)

In the interest of keeping it real, the G6020 isn't perfect (though it's pretty close). The printer isn't the fastest on the market—if you're regularly printing hundreds of pages, you might want something speedier. And while the printer itself is economical with ink, the upfront cost is higher than budget models (though you recoup this quickly in ink savings).

The control panel is also fairly basic, with a small LCD screen rather than a fancy touchscreen. Honestly, though, since I control most functions through the app or my computer, this hasn't bothered me at all.

Is It Worth Your Money?

After six months of use, I can confidently say the Canon MegaTank PIXMA G6020 is worth every penny. If you:

• Print regularly enough to be annoyed by constant cartridge replacements

• Have kids who suddenly need things printed for school

• Work from home and rely on your printer

• Are tired of paying more for ink than you did for your printer

...then this printer will likely change your printing life as it did mine.

I calculated that based on my printing habits, the G6020 will pay for itself within a year just from ink savings alone. After that, it's basically like printing for free compared to what I was spending before.

Final Thoughts: A Printer I Actually Recommend to Friends

It's funny—I never thought I'd be the person enthusiastically recommending a printer at dinner parties (yes, this has happened, and yes, I realize how nerdy that makes me). But when you find a product that genuinely solves a persistent problem, it's hard not to share.

The Canon MegaTank PIXMA G6020 has transformed printing from a frustrating necessity to a simple, reliable part of my home office setup. And in a world where so many things seem designed to complicate our lives, finding technology that actually makes things easier feels worth celebrating.

Have you made the switch to a tank-based printer system? Or are you still fighting with cartridges? I'd love to hear about your experiences—we printer people need to stick together!