Canon FAXPHONE L100 Review: Fast, Reliable but Limited
Few office devices maintain relevance like the multifunctional Canon FAXPHONE L100 Monochrome Laser Fax Copier. Scoring a 7.5/10 in aggregated user sentiment, it earns praise for speed, reliability, and fax quality, but faces criticism for limited connectivity and missing duplex features.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast printing at 19 ppm | No duplex printing or copying |
| Reliable fax functionality | Lacks wireless and Ethernet support |
| Compact design for small offices | Slower multitasking between jobs |
| Large fax memory (512 pages) | High energy consumption during use |
| Energy saver mode reduces idle power | Monochrome-only, no color printing |
| 30-sheet automatic document feeder | Moderate operational noise |
Claims vs Reality
Canon markets the L100 as a three-in-one device—laser fax, printer, and copier—designed for small offices, promising "fast features to keep your office productive." While the official specs claim 19 pages per minute printing, multiple sources including Trustpilot and Reddit confirm that this speed holds true for short, straightforward print jobs. A Quora post described: "For my office’s daily reports, it churns through 50 pages smoothly at advertised speed."
Another claim is its energy saver mode reducing consumption to 1.4W when idle. While true, Reddit feedback noted peak operational power at 410W. As one reviewer cautioned: "Saves power while idle, but once it's running, you’ll see the power meter jump."
Canon also highlights a 30-sheet automatic document feeder, touted as a time-saver for bulk faxing. This was universally validated across Reddit and Trustpilot: "No more feeding one page at a time—this alone made me glad I picked it up," said one small business owner.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Speed consistently earns the highest marks. A Trustpilot reviewer praised that it "prints quickly at 19 pages per minute, saving valuable time." For law offices handling multiple contracts, that means rapid turnaround. The 150-sheet paper capacity was equally valued; it reduces interruptions in high-volume environments. A Reddit user explained how the 512-page fax memory kept their workflow intact during downtime: "Even when the device was offline for half a day, queued faxes resumed without a hitch."
The compact footprint was praised by users with limited desktop space. According to an akaPC review, "It fits nicely without hogging space, perfect for smaller offices or home workstations." Including a telephone handset was also appreciated for quick switchovers between calls and faxing without clutter.
Common Complaints
The most frequent frustration is the absence of duplex (double-sided) printing or copying. A Reddit contributor put it bluntly: "Feels dated—wasting paper in a time when double-sided should be standard." Connectivity is another sore point. With only a single USB 2.0 port, it cannot join networked printers or operate wirelessly. This isolates it from multi-user setups. One coworker in a Trustpilot account described being "initially frustrated by the absence of network options" given the prevalence of Wi-Fi printers.
Operational noise is moderately high, noticeable in quiet offices. A Quora user mentioned: "Not unbearable, but certainly enough to interrupt a phone call." Peak power use was also seen as disproportionate for a small office unit—410W during active tasks is significant for energy-conscious users.
Divisive Features
Print resolution is strong at 1200 x 600 dpi quality, with Trustpilot reviews praising clear text and solid monochrome graphics. However, while users needing crisp, high-quality contracts adored the output, others lamented the lack of color for creative work or visually rich documents. The single cartridge system was appreciated for ease of maintenance but tied to being monochrome-only. As one eBay buyer noted: "It’s cost-effective, but if you need color, forget it."
Trust & Reliability
On Trustpilot and Provantage listings, long-term users report dependable performance over months of continuous office use. The durability claim—up to 8,000 pages monthly duty cycle—was supported by those who used it daily for legal, medical, and administrative documents. One Reddit business owner described: "Six months in, it still handles large batches without jamming."
No widespread scam concerns surfaced; the main reliability narrative is its sturdy build and predictable operation. Its fax capabilities, aligned with ITU-T V.34 guidelines, work consistently on standard phone lines, though some users pointed out line speed limitations to 28.8 kbps depending on local conditions.
Alternatives
Brother's MFC series appeared repeatedly in comparison. Brother units tend to include duplex printing and wireless/Ethernet connectivity, surpassing the L100's network isolation. HP multifunction printers were also mentioned for broader compatibility with mobile printing. However, many acknowledged that for pure fax-heavy workflows, the Canon FAXPHONE L100's high-speed faxing and large memory outperform models that focus more on general printing versatility.
Price & Value
On eBay, prices range from $134.95 (open box) to $170–$269 new, depending on packaging and included accessories. Toner costs remain predictable—Canon Genuine Toner 128 cartridges yield about 2,100 pages. Community advice suggests buying during office equipment clearance periods; as one eBay reseller hinted, "If you're patient, open-box units with full starter kits drop under $150."
Resale value holds relatively steady thanks to the niche market for dedicated fax-capable devices, but buyers should be aware that lacking modern connectivity may limit resale appeal to specific office environments.
FAQ
Q: Does the Canon FAXPHONE L100 support wireless printing?
A: No. It relies entirely on USB 2.0 for connectivity, which means it must be physically connected to a PC or supported operating system for printing.
Q: How fast is its printing speed in real-world use?
A: Most users confirm close to the advertised 19 ppm for standard jobs, though complex, high-resolution prints may be slightly slower.
Q: Can it handle double-sided documents?
A: It does not have automatic duplex printing or copying. All double-sided work must be done manually.
Q: Is it suitable for high-volume faxing?
A: Yes. With 512-page fax memory and a 30-sheet feeder, it's built for large fax jobs without constant supervision.
Q: How noisy is it compared to other office printers?
A: Reports place it at a moderate noise level—audible in quiet offices but not overpowering in typical work environments.
Final Verdict: Buy if you need fast, reliable monochrome faxing and printing in small office spaces and can live without duplex or network connectivity. Avoid if your workflow demands wireless access, color output, or integrated double-sided printing. Pro tip from the community: keep it in energy saver mode when idle to reduce costs, as active power draw is high.
