Brother vs Canon: Printer Reliability Compared
Which printer brand is more reliable? Side-by-side comparison based on 2,144 real repair records from community repair events.
Data from openrepair.org (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 5,000 total printer records
Last updated: · Fix rates refresh when openrepair.org publishes new data, about once a year
The Bottom Line
Brother is significantly more repairable at 48.7% vs Canon's 35.9%. That 13-point gap means a Brother printer that breaks is much more likely to be fixed rather than scrapped. Brother printers tend to last longer before needing repair (7 years vs 5), suggesting better build quality or more invested owners. They break in different ways. Brother's most common issue is Electrical (10.4%), while Canon mostly comes in for Mechanical (8.2%).
If durability matters most:
Brother leads in both repairability and longevity, making it the stronger pick if you want a printer that lasts and can be fixed when it doesn't. Canon may still win on features or price for your specific use case.
Based on 2,144 real repair records from community repair events. Scroll down for the full data breakdown.
Detailed Comparison
Head-to-head reliability data for Brother vs Canon printers, based on 2,144 community repair records. Brother leads on fix rate (48.7% vs 35.9%).
| Metric | Brother | Canon |
|---|---|---|
| Fix Rate | 48.7% | 35.9% |
| ValueCost per reliability point | $5.68/pt | $12.53/pt |
| Top Failure | Electrical (10.4%) | Mechanical (8.2%) |
| Sample Size | 520 | 1,624 |
| Typical Age at Repair | 7 years | 5 years |
Price Comparison
Like-for-like pricing across product tiers. Prices are approximate, in CAD.
Premium
No premium printer from Canon
Value
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Common Failure Types
Brother
Canon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brother or Canon more reliable for printers?
Based on 2,144 repair records, Brother is more reliable with a 48.7% fix rate vs 35.9% for Canon.
What are the most common Brother vs Canon printer failures?
Brother's top issues are electrical and mechanical. Canon's top issues are mechanical and electrical.
Which printer brand lasts longer, Brother or Canon?
Brother devices tend to last longer. They're typically 7 years old when they come in for repair, against 5 for Canon.
Should I buy Brother or Canon if durability matters?
If durability is your priority, Brother edges ahead with a higher fix rate, meaning repairs are more likely to succeed when needed. The best choice still depends on your specific model and usage.