CISS printers: Canon PIXMA G-series vs. Epson L-series

Hey there,

I'm honestly feeling pretty stuck trying to decide which printer I should pull the trigger on. Canon just released some new CISS models, and since they're so new, I can't find much beyond basic reviews out there, but those borderless printing features are really starting to look tempting. On the other hand, everyone says the Epson L series is top-tier, but man, the fact that I can't do borderless printing with them is a huge sticking point for me. Does anyone here actually own one of these series and have some real-world feedback? Like, is this whole CISS setup actually worth the hype, or is it all just marketing fluff that looks good on paper but fails in practice?

Look, skipping a CISS is a massive mistake. When you're printing in bulk, the difference in cost per page is night and day. It’s even better if you go with cheaper, third-party ink...

If you're constantly printing heavy loads and relying on those tiny original cartridges that barely hold a few milliliters, you're basically asking to go broke... 🤷

Alex Flores49 said:Hey,

I'm stuck in this massive loop of indecision over which printer to pull the trigger on. Canon just dropped their new CISS models, so reviews are pretty thin on the ground right now, but I’m leaning toward them because of the borderless printing feature. On the other hand, the Epson L series gets glowing reviews, but honestly, the lack of borderless options is a total dealbreaker for me. Does anyone actually own one of these series and have some real-world feedback? And is this whole CISS setup actually worth the hype, or is it just clever marketing?

Maybe check with a local Best Buy or similar shop to see if they let you take a unit home for a weekend trial.

If you love it, keep it. If it's a dud, return it. No questions asked. From what I know, that kind of thing exists for professional inkjets using CISS systems for edible ink—you know, the ones used for printing on cookies and cakes.

I haven't a clue, but maybe there's a similar deal for these standard CISS printers too.

Either way, sounds like a smart move.

Hey everyone. I've got a quick question about the Epson L220.

Does anyone here actually own this thing? I'd love to hear what your experience has been like. I noticed there's an extended warranty option available, but I'm wondering what that actually covers. I've seen some fine print suggesting the print head isn't included—has anyone dealt with a dead print head before the standard 12-month warranty even kicks in?

Thanks in advance.

Joshua Adams5 said:Hey everyone. Quick question about the Epson L220.

Does anyone actually own this thing? What’s the real-world experience like? I saw there's an extended warranty option available, but what does that actually cover? Some fine print suggested the print head isn't included. Has anyone dealt with a dead print head before the standard 12 months were even up?

Thanks in advance.

Let's be real here—the L220 is basically just an Epson XP series with a CISS system slapped on it. Same print quality, same speed, same print head, same ink consumption. It's the exact same machine.

Over the last few weeks, we've had a front-row seat to a string of failures involving the Epson XP series.

Here's how they went down, in order:
One started leaking ink after finishing its programmed cycle.
Needed a reset second.
The second one had a paper tray jam. Only hit about 400 prints on the counter before it was headed for the landfill.
The third one was the same story—needed a reset, but the reset failed.
The fourth wouldn't recognize third-party cartridges. Straight to the trash. It works fine with permanent tanks, though.
Then there's the fifth new cat. This one managed to have a broken tray pin before it even left shipping. You can't find replacement parts for it anywhere, so it's also toast.

In every single one of these cases, the print head was perfectly fine once cleaned.

Bottom line: the L220's issue isn't the print head. The issue is that it's a printer made of paper held together by a decent print head. If you have zero patience or a short fuse, just stay away.