Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw Review: A Compact Colour Laser MFP for Business. Discover the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw in our detailed review. Explore its 21ppm speed, 5″ colour touchscreen, cloud connectivity, and robust security features.

Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw Review: A Compact Colour Laser MFP for the Modern Office

In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficiency and reliability are paramount when choosing office equipment. The Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw arrives as a compact yet powerful A4 colour laser multifunction printer designed specifically for small to medium-sized workgroups seeking to streamline their document workflows . This 3-in-1 device combines print, copy, and scan functionality into a thoughtfully designed chassis that prioritizes user convenience without compromising on performance or security. Whether you are producing client-facing marketing materials, handling internal correspondence, or digitizing important records, the MF655Cdw is engineered to deliver professional results with remarkable ease of use.

Thoughtful Design and Build Quality

The Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw distinguishes itself through ergonomic design choices that make daily operation genuinely convenient. The printer features a tilting 12.7 cm (5-inch) colour touchscreen display mounted on an adjustable arm, allowing users to view and interact with the interface comfortably whether standing or sitting . This thoughtful attention to user experience extends to the front-loading multipurpose tray, which enables loading of envelopes or specialty media without needing to reach around the back of the device . With dimensions of 451 x 460 x 360 mm and a substantial weight of approximately 22.6 kg, the MF655Cdw feels reassuringly solid and built to withstand the demands of a shared office environment . Its compact footprint allows it to fit comfortably on a desktop, while the clean black and white aesthetic ensures it blends seamlessly into any professional setting .

Performance and Print Quality

When it comes to output, the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw delivers consistent, professional-grade results. Print speeds reach up to 21 pages per minute for both colour and monochrome documents on A4 paper, with first-print-out times of approximately 10.4 seconds for black and 10.5 seconds for colour . The printer utilizes colour laser beam printing technology with a maximum resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, ensuring that text appears razor-sharp and graphics maintain vibrant, accurate colours suitable for both internal and client-facing materials . Automatic duplex printing comes standard, allowing for effortless double-sided output that reduces paper consumption and lowers operating costs . In practical testing, the MF655Cdw produces crisp black text with excellent precision, while colour documents benefit from even application of cyan, magenta, and yellow toner without banding or streaking . Powered by dual-core 800MHz processors and 1GB of standard memory, the device handles complex print jobs and multitasking with ease .

Seamless Connectivity and Mobile Integration

The Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw is designed for the connected workplace, offering comprehensive connectivity options including USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and built-in dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) with Wireless Direct Connection support . This flexibility allows for easy placement anywhere in the office without the constraints of network cables. Mobile printing capabilities are exceptionally comprehensive, ensuring seamless integration with the devices your team already uses. For Android users, the MF655Cdw is Mopria certified, enabling native printing directly from Android smartphones and tablets without requiring any additional applications . This native support leverages the built-in print services framework of the Android platform, ensuring that printing documents, emails, and web pages is always just a few taps away. Additionally, users can download the Canon PRINT Business app, which unlocks even more functionality including remote device monitoring, scan-to-mobile, and cloud service integration . For iOS users, Apple AirPrint provides the same effortless experience, while support for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux ensures compatibility across diverse IT environments .

Cloud Connectivity and Workflow Automation

Out-of-the-box cloud connectivity is a standout feature of the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw. The printer integrates directly with popular cloud storage services including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, making it quick and easy to print documents from the cloud or scan directly to cloud folders without intermediary computer steps . This capability significantly streamlines document management for mobile workers and distributed teams. The Application Library feature further enhances productivity by enabling users to customize workflows and automate everyday tasks . With one-touch access to functions such as printing stored forms, scanning to email, and copying documents, the MF655Cdw reduces the steps required for repetitive operations and helps standardize document processes across the organization.

Copying and Scanning Capabilities

Beyond printing, the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw excels as a versatile document management hub. The integrated flatbed scanner is complemented by a 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) that significantly speeds up multi-page copying and scanning tasks . Scan speeds reach up to 27 images per minute for monochrome and 14 images per minute for colour documents at 300 dpi resolution . The scanner offers optical resolution up to 600 x 600 dpi, with enhanced resolution up to 9600 x 9600 dpi for detailed image work . Users can scan to a variety of destinations including email, network folders (SMB/FTP), USB memory keys, and cloud services, with support for multiple file formats including TIFF, JPEG, PDF, and searchable PDF . Copying functions are equally robust, with features including ID card copy for easily duplicating both sides of an identification card onto a single page, 2-in-1 and 4-in-1 copy modes, and the ability to make up to 999 copies with reduction/enlargement from 25% to 400% . It is worth noting that while the ADF supports double-sided copying, it does not offer single-pass dual scanning, meaning users need to manually flip documents for two-sided originals .

Paper Handling and Media Flexibility

The Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw offers versatile paper handling capabilities suitable for diverse office needs. Standard configuration includes a 250-sheet paper cassette and a 1-sheet manual feed slot, providing a total input capacity of 251 sheets . The output tray holds up to 100 sheets, keeping finished documents neatly organized . Media versatility is impressive, supporting a wide range of paper types including plain paper, recycled paper, heavy paper, thin paper, coated paper, labels, postcards, and envelopes . Supported media sizes range from A4, A5, B5, Legal, Letter, Executive, and various envelope formats including COM10, DL, C5, and Monarch . Paper weights from 60 to 163 g/m² are accommodated in the cassette, with the multi-purpose tray supporting up to 200 g/m² for coated stock . The ADF handles media weights from 50 to 105 g/m², ensuring compatibility with various document types for scanning and copying .

Security Features for Business Peace of Mind

In an era where data security is paramount, the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw comes equipped with robust protection features to safeguard sensitive information. Secure PIN printing functionality requires users to enter a PIN code at the device before jobs are released, preventing confidential documents from falling into wrong hands in shared office environments . Verify System at Startup checks system integrity during boot-up, protecting the device against hacking attempts and virus threats . Network security is comprehensive, with support for the latest TLS 1.3 encryption protocol, IP and MAC address filtering, IEEE802.1X authentication, and SNMPv3 for secure device management . Wireless security includes WEP, WPA-PSK, and WPA2-PSK encryption with TKIP/AES protocols . These enterprise-grade security features ensure that the MF655Cdw meets the stringent requirements of modern business environments while providing peace of mind for IT administrators.

Consumables and Total Cost of Ownership

The Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw utilizes the Canon 067 series toner cartridges, offering both standard and high-yield options to suit different printing volumes . Standard-yield cartridges provide approximately 1,350 pages for black and 1,250 pages for each colour (cyan, magenta, yellow), while high-yield (H) cartridges deliver up to 3,130 pages for black and 2,350 pages per colour . The recommended monthly print volume ranges from 250 to 2,500 pages, with a maximum duty cycle of 30,000 pages per month, indicating the device is built for consistent, reliable performance in active office environments . It is worth noting that the printer ships with starter cartridges—black yields approximately 1,350 pages, while colour cartridges yield approximately 680 pages each—so replacement timing will vary based on usage patterns .

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Canon has engineered the MF655Cdw with sustainability as a core consideration. The device consumes approximately 370W during active printing, dropping to just 11.0W in standby mode and an impressively low 0.8W in sleep mode . The Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC) rating of 0.19 kWh per week reflects its energy-efficient design, contributing to reduced utility costs and environmental footprint . Operating noise levels are moderate at 51 dB sound pressure during simplex printing and 50 dB during duplex operation, making it suitable for open office environments without causing disruption .

Real-World User Experiences

Feedback from actual users of the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw consistently highlights its excellent price-to-performance ratio, reliable print quality, and relatively fast scanning capabilities . One business user notes that after setting up remote access, the printer performs admirably for output across different devices . Another user emphasizes the “super price/performance ratio” as a key selling point . Several customers appreciate the straightforward Wi-Fi setup and the fact that no additional software installation is required for printing and scanning on Windows—drivers work seamlessly out of the box . Mobile printing from Android devices works exactly as expected, with direct PDF printing adding to the convenience . Some users note that the manual paper feeder can occasionally require adjustment, and a few have experienced Wi-Fi connectivity drops, though these reports are inconsistent across the user base . The substantial weight of over 22 kg is mentioned by multiple users as evidence of solid build quality, though it does make repositioning the device a two-person task . A common observation is that while the starter toners are adequate for initial setup, serious users will want to upgrade to high-yield cartridges promptly .

Conclusion

The Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw stands as a compelling choice for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a reliable, feature-rich colour laser multifunction printer. Its combination of fast 21ppm print speeds, intuitive 5-inch tilting touchscreen interface, and comprehensive mobile connectivity—including native Mopria support for Android devices—makes it exceptionally well-suited for modern, collaborative workspaces . With robust cloud integration, enterprise-grade security features, and versatile paper handling capabilities, this 3-in-1 device delivers exceptional value for organizations that demand professional results without unnecessary complexity . While it may not be the fastest colour laser on the market and lacks single-pass dual scanning, its thoughtful design, solid build quality, and consistent output make it a wise investment for any office seeking to streamline document workflows while maintaining tight control over operating costs . For businesses ready to enhance their productivity with a printer that simply works, day after day, the Canon i-SENSYS MF655Cdw deserves serious consideration.