Canon PIXMA TS6520 Review: Compact Wireless All-in-One with OLED Display
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a reliable wireless all-in-one inkjet printer that delivers crisp prints, easy scanning, and automatic duplex printing, ideal for home users and students.
By Elvis Dicki
Updated October 21, 2026
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is a versatile all-in-one device designed to meet the everyday printing, scanning, and copying needs of home offices, students, and families. It combines a compact footprint with essential features like automatic two-sided printing and wireless connectivity, striking a balance between functionality and simplicity. This printer offers a straightforward solution for those who need reliable performance for occasional documents and photos without the complexity or cost of higher-end models.
Geared towards light to moderate use, the PIXMA TS6520 provides crisp text and vibrant color output through its hybrid ink system, while its integrated flatbed scanner and intuitive controls make basic tasks hassle-free. With stable dual-band Wi-Fi and support for mobile printing apps, it fits seamlessly into a modern, connected home workspace, making it a solid choice for users prioritizing ease of use and value over high-volume capabilities or advanced scanning features like an automatic document feeder.
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless All-in-One Inkjet
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Canon PIXMA TS6520 at a Glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Printer Type | Color Inkjet |
| Functions | Print, Scan, Copy |
| Duplex Printing | Automatic |
| Maximum Media Size | Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz), USB |
| Display | 1.42″ Monochrome OLED |
| Control Method | Voice (via Amazon Alexa) |
| Included Ink | Starter Set (PG-295 Black & CL-286 Color) |
| Item Dimensions | 14.8″D x 14″W x 6.7″H |
Design and Build
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 features a clean, white design engineered for space efficiency. Its dimensions of 14.8 inches deep by 14 inches wide by 6.7 inches high allow it to fit comfortably on a desk, shelf, or countertop without dominating the area. The build prioritizes a user-friendly experience, with all core functions accessible from the front. The paper input tray and output extension are integrated, contributing to its streamlined look. A notable design element is the 1.42-inch monochrome OLED display positioned centrally on the control panel. This screen provides clear status updates, ink level monitoring, and menu navigation without requiring a connected computer, a feature that enhances its stand-alone usability. The overall construction feels solid for its class, aimed at enduring the occasional use typical in a home environment rather than rigorous daily office workloads.
Performance and Features
Print Quality and Speed
The printer utilizes a two-cartridge hybrid ink system, with a pigment-based black tank for text and a dye-based color tank for photos and graphics. This system is designed to deliver sharp black text suitable for documents and vibrant colors for photos and school projects. It supports borderless printing up to letter size, allowing for full-bleed photos and creative projects. The manufacturer lists a maximum copy speed for black and white documents. For typical home use involving a few pages at a time, such as recipes, forms, or homework, the speed is reported by users as adequate. It is not positioned as a high-speed device for large-volume jobs.
Connectivity and Software
A key strength of the PIXMA TS6520 is its wireless connectivity. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), which helps provide a stable connection and reduces interference in busy home networks. This enables printing from laptops, smartphones, and tablets from anywhere within the network range. The printer is compatible with popular mobile printing services, including the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service. It also features voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa. For a direct connection, a single USB port is available. Setup is described as straightforward, often involving a smartphone app to connect the printer to the network and install necessary drivers.
Key Functionalities
The automatic duplex printing feature is a significant time and paper saver, allowing for automatic two-sided printing of documents without manually flipping pages. The integrated flatbed scanner handles scanning and copying tasks. It’s important to note that the scanner is a flatbed type and does not include an automatic document feeder (ADF), meaning multi-page documents must be placed on the glass one page at a time for scanning or copying. The scanner can reduce and enlarge documents. The OLED display provides at-a-glance information on ink levels, printer status, and Wi-Fi connection, making routine checks and basic operations intuitive.
Setup, Support and Ownership
Getting the Canon PIXMA TS6520 up and running is reported to be a simple process. The package includes the printer, power cord, documentation, and a starter set of ink tanks. Users highlight that the wireless setup is quick, often connecting to the home network without issues using the companion app. The printer is supported by a three-year manufacturer’s warranty. Ongoing ownership involves purchasing replacement ink cartridges (PG-295 for black and CL-286 for color). As a two-cartridge system, replacing colors requires changing the entire multi-color tank rather than individual cyan, magenta, or yellow tanks, which is a factor in long-term cost considerations. The manufacturer provides software updates and driver support through its website. The compact design and low noise operation make it suitable for shared living spaces.
What Owners Say
Owner feedback for the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is overwhelmingly positive, contributing to its high rating. A significant majority of reviewers award it five stars, praising its ease of setup, reliable Wi-Fi connection that rarely drops, and the quality of prints for everyday documents. Users appreciate its value for money, particularly for light home use, such as printing recipes, forms, and school projects. Many note that it prints clear, clean copies and have experienced minimal paper jams. The mobile printing functionality via smartphone apps is frequently mentioned as a convenient highlight. Some four-star reviews acknowledge that printing speed is not its fastest attribute but is perfectly acceptable for low-volume tasks, and a few point out that it is not ideally suited for high-quality photo printing. A small percentage of critical reviews mention issues, but the prevailing sentiment is that it performs flawlessly for its intended purpose as a dependable home printer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable and offers strong value for home users
- Easy, hassle-free wireless setup and connectivity
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper and time
- Crisp text and vibrant color print quality for everyday needs
- Compact design fits easily into small workspaces
- Intuitive OLED display for status and ink monitoring
Cons
- Lacks an automatic document feeder for multi-page scans
- Best suited for light to moderate use, not high-volume printing
- Two-cartridge ink system may increase ongoing color ink costs
- Flatbed scanner can be slow for multi-page documents
- Printing speed is adequate but not fast for large jobs
- Photo print quality may not satisfy photography enthusiasts
Who Should Buy It (and Who Should Skip It)
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is an ideal choice for students, families, and home office workers who need a reliable, no-fuss printer for occasional use. Its strengths in wireless printing, automatic two-sided printing, and all-in-one functionality make it perfect for printing homework assignments, scanning important documents, copying forms, and creating simple photo projects. If your needs revolve around convenience, basic features, and a compact size, this printer delivers excellent value. For more insights on optimizing a home office setup, check out our guide to the best desk chairs.
Conversely, users who regularly scan or copy multi-page documents should skip this model due to the absence of an automatic document feeder. Small businesses or individuals with high-volume printing demands will find it underpowered. Those who require professional-grade photo printing or the absolute lowest cost per page for heavy color output might want to explore printers with individual ink tanks or different business-focused models. For users whose tech needs extend beyond printing, our reviews of the best AI smart home devices might be of interest.
Final Verdict
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer successfully fulfills its mission as a compact, user-friendly all-in-one for the home. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, instead focusing on core tasks like printing, scanning, and copying with commendable reliability and ease of use. The automatic duplex printing is a standout feature that adds efficiency, and the stable dual-band Wi-Fi ensures seamless printing from various devices. While it lacks an ADF and is not built for speed or high volumes, these are acceptable trade-offs given its target audience and price point.
For anyone seeking a straightforward, dependable printer for light to moderate home use, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is a compelling option. It balances essential features with a simple setup process and a compact design that won’t clutter your workspace. It represents a smart choice for students, remote workers, and families looking to handle everyday printing needs without complication or significant ongoing investment, making it a reliable staple in the category of home office electronics. You can explore more tech gear reviews in our dedicated Tech Gear section.
FAQs
Does the Canon PIXMA TS6520 have an automatic document feeder (ADF)?
No, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 does not include an automatic document feeder. It features a flatbed scanner. This means you must place each page individually on the scanner glass for multi-page scanning or copying, which can be less convenient for documents longer than a few pages.
Can I print from my iPhone or Android phone with this printer?
Yes, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 supports mobile printing. It is compatible with Apple AirPrint for iOS devices, the Canon PRINT App for both iOS and Android, and the Mopria Print Service for Android. This allows you to print documents and photos directly from your smartphone or tablet over your Wi-Fi network.
What kind of ink does it use, and are the cartridges expensive?
The printer uses a two-cartridge hybrid ink system: a PG-295 pigment-based black ink tank and a CL-286 dye-based color ink tank (which contains cyan, magenta, and yellow). The ongoing cost depends on print volume and retailer pricing. Because the color tank combines all three colors, you replace the entire unit even if only one color is low, which can affect long-term costs compared to individual cartridge systems.
Is the Canon PIXMA TS6520 good for printing photos?
The Canon PIXMA TS6520 can print borderless photos up to 8.5 x 11 inches and produces vibrant colors suitable for casual photo printing, such as school projects or family snapshots. However, it is not specialized for professional photo printing. Enthusiasts seeking gallery-quality prints with precise color accuracy and longevity should consider printers designed specifically for photography.
About the author
Elvis Dicki writes reviews and buying guides for CyberSecLabs.