Canon PIXMA TR7120 vs Epson EcoTank ET-2900: Choose by Ink and Scan Workflow
The Canon PIXMA TR7120 uses listed replacement cartridges and adds a 35-sheet ADF, making it the clearer fit for scanning stacks of single-sided pages. The Epson EcoTank ET-2900 uses keyed bottles to refill built-in tanks and relies on its flatbed scanner. Choose based on these work routines; no total ink-cost or performance winner is established.
Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-01
Source checked 2026-10-01 21:03 UTC
Products compared
Product A · ASIN B0FMB4JBJ8
Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002)
Last observed offer
$99.00 List Price: $172.99
Per listed package.
Offer eligibility must be confirmed on Amazon.
Checked 2026-10-19 19:07 UTC. Price and availability may change.
Product B · ASIN B0GSSBQGX7
Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201)
Last observed offer
$239.99
Per listed package.
Offer eligibility must be confirmed on Amazon.
Checked 2026-10-19 16:24 UTC. Price and availability may change.
Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.
The buying question
Would you rather replace ink cartridges or refill ink tanks, and do you need an automatic feeder for stacks of single-sided pages?
Canon's cartridge replenishment and 35-sheet ADF favor buyers who want a feeder for multi-page scanning; Epson's bottle-refilled tanks and flatbed-only scan path suit buyers who prefer tank refills and usually scan one original at a time. These are documented workflows, not cost or speed measurements.
Quick verdict
Choose Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002) if
- You want a feeder for batches of up to 35 plain-paper originals; Canon says double-sided originals still cannot be scanned automatically through the ADF.
- Replacing Canon ink cartridges is a better match for your replenishment routine.
Choose Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201) if
- You prefer refilling built-in ink tanks from keyed bottles rather than replacing cartridges.
- A flatbed scan workflow fits the originals you usually handle, without an ADF.
When the recommendation changes
- How often you scan multi-page single-sided originals changes the value of TR7120's ADF.
- Whether you prefer cartridge replacement or bottle refills changes which ink task fits; this comparison does not calculate lifetime ink cost.
The differences that matter
Ink Refill Workflow
Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002)
Canon lists PG-295 black and CL-286 color ink cartridges as TR7120 replacement supplies; its product page describes a two-cartridge hybrid ink system.[1]
Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201)
Epson describes the exact ET-2900 (C11CL63201) as using built-in ink tanks refilled from uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles.[3]
What this changes: Choose by the replenishment task you prefer: replace Canon's listed cartridges, or keep Epson ink bottles available and refill built-in tanks. This describes handling only; it does not establish total ink cost, savings, refill frequency or a payback point.[1, 3]
Multi Page Scan Workflow
What this changes: For stacks of single-sided pages, Canon's feeder takes up to 35 plain sheets; ET-2900 uses its flatbed path and has no ADF per Epson's series guide. Canon's feeder still requires manual handling for two-sided originals.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Best for your routine
You scan stacks of single-sided plain-paper documents and want an automatic feeder.
Best fit: Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Canon documents a 35-sheet ADF for plain paper; Epson's ET-2900 is documented with a flatbed scanner and no ADF in the applicable series guide.
You prefer replenishing ink by refilling built-in tanks from bottles.
Best fit: Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Epson documents keyed EcoFit bottles and built-in tanks on the exact ET-2900; this does not predict ink costs or refill frequency.
Value and trade-offs
One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.
Compare live checkout prices after deciding whether the ADF or bottle-refill workflow matters to you; this comparison does not establish that either system costs less to own.
No purchase-timing recommendation is supported by this workflow-focused comparison or its current-only price context.
Limitations
- No hands-on print, scan-speed, image-quality, reliability or ink-cost testing was performed; no performance winner is claimed.
- Canon's stated ADF capacity is 35 plain-paper sheets and 5 legal-size sheets; double-sided originals are not automatically scanned through it.
- Epson documents the ET-2900-series flatbed path and specifies ADF only for ET-4900/L5390 in the shared guide; verify current model support if configuration changes.
- No total ink-cost, cartridge-versus-bottle savings, refill frequency or break-even estimate is calculated.
Questions shoppers ask
Can the TR7120 automatically scan both sides of a double-sided original using its ADF?
Canon's TR7120 support page lists the TR7100-series online manual. That manual says double-sided originals cannot be scanned automatically with the ADF, so those originals need additional handling.
Methodology and sources
We verified TR7120's listed cartridges and ADF capacity/instructions against Epson's C11CL63201 product page and the user guide covering ET-2900 series. We compare documented workflows only and infer neither ink economics nor scan performance. Canon's exact TR7120 support page was also checked to establish that Canon links its TR7100-series online manual for this model.
We checked the manufacturers' published ink replenishment and scanning instructions. Pickoryx did not conduct hands-on printing or scanning tests.
View 5 sources
- 1.Shop Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Multi-Function Home PrinterCanon U.S.A. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Exact TR7120 page: two-cartridge hybrid ink; scanner/ADF specs and compatible PG-295/CL-286 cartridges.: Canon's exact TR7120 product page describes a two-cartridge hybrid ink system and lists PG-295/CL-286 replacement cartridges. It identifies a flatbed plus 35-sheet ADF for plain paper (5 legal sheets).
- 2.Loading Documents in the ADF (Auto Document Feeder)Canon Inc. · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- TR7100 series ADF loading steps 1-5; note on duplex originals.: Canon's TR7100-series manual loads originals face up into the ADF and says double-sided originals cannot be scanned automatically with the ADF. Canon identifies TR7120 within the TR7100 series.
- 3.EcoTank ET-2900 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer – BlackEpson America, Inc. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Exact Model C11CL63201 product page: keyed EcoFit bottle refill and high-resolution flatbed scanner.: Epson's exact C11CL63201 black ET-2900 page describes built-in tanks refilled from uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles and a high-resolution flatbed scanner. Marketing savings/yield claims are excluded.
- 4.Introduction to the Manuals — ET-2900 Series User's GuideSeiko Epson Corporation · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Shared User's Guide intro lines 24-33: ET-2900 covered; ADF is a feature only for ET-4900/L5390 series.: Epson's guide covers ET-2900 series and explicitly limits ADF to ET-4900/L5390. Combined with its exact ET-2900 product page's flatbed scanner spec, this supports the ET-2900 scan-path distinction.
- 5.Canon Support for PIXMA TR7120Canon U.S.A., Inc. · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 21:03 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Support page product heading identifies PIXMA TR7120 (line 621); Manuals section lists “TR7100 series (PDF) Online Manual” (lines 1067–1074).: The official U.S. support page for PIXMA TR7120 links the TR7100-series online manual, establishing that its ADF guidance applies to the assigned TR7120.