Our take
Canon's imageCLASS MF242dw is a monochrome laser MFP for buyers who want automatic two-sided printing and wireless access without a document feeder. Canon's model-specific materials rate it at up to 28 pages per minute on Letter and document copying plus color scanning from the platen. Its standard paper path holds 250 sheets in the drawer and one sheet in the manual feed, with about 100 sheets of output. The exact sources do not establish fax or a recommended monthly volume, and this review leaves both unresolved.
A small office that wants wireless monochrome printing, copying, and platen scanning with automatic two-sided output..
It is not for offices that need a fax, automatic document feeder, batch duplex scanning, color printing, or a documented high monthly workload range.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Canon specifies automatic duplex and up to 28 ppm Letter output for the MF242dw.
- Built-in wireless and Wi-Fi Direct support a flexible connection choice for compatible devices.
- The platen scans in color and supports copy and scan work without adding an ADF.
- A 250-sheet drawer gives the compact MFP a practical standard paper reserve.
What to weigh up
- The exact model has no ADF, so multi-page originals must be handled on the platen one at a time.
- Fax capability is not established because Canon family materials conflict with model-specific sources.
- No recommended monthly volume is saved, so workload fit cannot be inferred from the speed rating.
The key details
| Model covered | MF242dw |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Print, copy, scan |
| Print output | Monochrome; up to 28 ppm Letter |
| Two-sided printing | Automatic duplex |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 4, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
A print, copy, and scan machine without fax
Canon's model-specific announcement and guide establish monochrome printing, copying, and scanning for the MF242dw. They do not establish fax, and a broader family support table has conflicting fields, so this review leaves fax unknown rather than borrowing a feature from another suffix. The workflow is therefore best understood as a compact mono MFP for output and document capture, not an assumed phone-line device. Buyers with a fax requirement should select a model whose exact manual and official specification list the function clearly.
A platen-only scan workflow
The MF242dw uses a platen and does not include an ADF. It can scan in color, but a multi-page packet must be placed and retrieved one item at a time. That is manageable for occasional receipts, pages, or book sections; it is slower when staff regularly process stacks of forms. The user guide distinguishes the MF242dw from the related MF244dw configuration that adds an ADF. Check the full suffix on a seller's item so a family feature does not become an unsupported claim about this exact model.
Automatic duplex for print output
Canon documents standard automatic duplex printing. The printer turns the sheet for a second side, which can reduce manual handling for policies, letters, and everyday two-sided pages. That feature is separate from duplex scanning: a platen-only design does not feed both sides of a document automatically. Canon rates the MF242dw at up to 28 ppm Letter, but the speed figure is a maximum under manufacturer conditions rather than a guarantee for a specific job. Choose this model for output duplex, not for fast batch capture.
Wireless is the clear connection feature
Canon identifies built-in wireless networking and Wi-Fi Direct for this model. That can suit a home office or small team without placing the printer next to a single computer. The saved packet does not establish an Ethernet port, so a wired-network requirement remains unknown; do not assume that a sibling model's connection list applies. Confirm the buyer's router, mobile devices, driver support, and network policy before selecting a wireless route. Wi-Fi Direct is a separate local capability and does not establish all the features of a managed office network.
Paper capacity and workload evidence
Canon's family user guide records a 250-sheet drawer, a one-sheet manual feed, and approximately 100 sheets of output for this configuration. The exact saved source packet does not provide a recommended monthly volume, so no page-per-month threshold is assigned. The 28 ppm rating and tray capacity do not substitute for a recommendation, and a maximum duty-cycle claim would not answer the same question. If the expected use is sustained or shared, seek a comparable manufacturer workload figure before treating this MFP as an office-volume match.
Keep regional and suffix details exact
The candidate history includes a historical ASIN, but the packet did not verify that it refers to this exact MF242dw. The tagged link therefore searches by the full Canon model name. Canon's general support table also mixes family-level fields, which is why this review relies on the model-specific 28 ppm material and manual for output and scanning, and keeps fax unknown. Before buying a specific unit, verify the label, included supplies, return terms, condition of the platen, Wi-Fi setup, and availability of service or toner in the buyer's region.
What else to compare
The Brother MFC-9320CW adds fax and a 35-sheet ADF with wireless, but it uses manual duplex and monochrome-only copying. The Ricoh SP C250SF also includes fax and a feeder but is discontinued and color.
Before you buy
Does the MF242dw have an automatic document feeder?
No. Canon's model-specific guide shows platen scanning for the MF242dw; the related MF244dw is the feeder-equipped variant.
Can it print automatically on both sides?
Yes. Canon documents automatic duplex printing for the MF242dw, separate from its platen-only scan workflow.
Does the exact MF242dw include fax?
Fax is not established in the saved model-specific evidence, and conflicting family data is not used to assert that it does.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Canon imageCLASS MF242dw product support page ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- Canon MF242dw product support page and exact model resources ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- Canon product announcement, model-specific print/copy/scan, wireless, and 28 ppm details ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- Canon family user guide, pp. 418–421, feed capacity, MF244dw ADF distinction, scanner, and MF242dw speed ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- Search this model on Amazon · Tagged exact-model Amazon search; historical ASIN association is unverified ↗Paid link · We may earn a commission. — checked October 4, 2026.
The decision
Choose the MF242dw when wireless mono printing, copy, platen scanning, and automatic duplex cover the work. If an ADF, fax, or monthly recommendation is necessary, its saved exact-model facts leave those needs unresolved.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.