Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw Review: A print-only laser to evaluate carefully as remaining stock

Review basis: This is a research-based editorial review of manufacturer documentation and published product specifications, not a hands-on test. Ratings reflect documented features and buying tradeoffs; performance claims are attributed to their sources.

The Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw is a focused black-and-white office printer for documents, forms and correspondence. It offers automatic duplex printing and a useful paper-handling layout without a scanner above the print engine. Canon currently marks the model discontinued, so this review is particularly relevant to existing owners and shoppers comparing remaining stock or a secondhand unit.

The manufacturer specifies up to 42 pages per minute on Letter paper and a first-page time of approximately 4.9 seconds under stated conditions. Those figures describe the print engine, not the duration of every real job. Complex files, connection delays and duplex settings can change how quickly a stack appears. For many offices, dependable access to the right paper is more valuable than a small difference in rated speed.

A practical print-only layout

The standard 250-sheet cassette is supplemented by a 100-sheet multipurpose tray. That allows ordinary paper to remain loaded while another supported medium is handled separately. An optional additional cassette can expand capacity, but its purchase only makes sense if the office prints enough to benefit or repeatedly switches between paper types.

Automatic two-sided printing reduces the effort of producing duplex documents. It also changes how paper moves through the machine, so use supported paper and settings rather than assuming every special stock belongs in the same workflow. A simple print-only model is attractive when scanning and copying are already handled elsewhere. It is a poor choice if those functions are expected from the same device.

USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi provide several connection options. Ethernet can be convenient for a fixed shared printer, while wireless placement avoids a network cable. The appropriate choice depends on the office layout and administration policy. A printer connected to a network should be configured deliberately, with supported software and access appropriate to the users who need it.

Evaluate the remaining-stock purchase

The printer uses Canon 070 toner, including a high-capacity option. Compare cartridge yield and replacement cost using the same basis across competing printers. The included starter cartridge's capacity is lower than that of a full high-yield replacement, so the first purchase price does not represent the complete cost of ownership.

Because the model is discontinued, confirm the seller's condition description, warranty arrangements and availability of consumables and service. A low price is less attractive if the machine has an unknown page count or requires immediate maintenance. Existing owners should use Canon's support information for current drivers and documentation rather than assuming a new operating system is automatically supported.

Our verdict is positive about the LBP246dw's focused office design but conditional about buying one now. It suits text-heavy work where monochrome printing is enough. Choose remaining stock only after the ownership details are clear, and compare a current model when a straightforward new-product support path is more important than a discount.

Sources and specifications

• Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw official product information