It can be useful to have a printed copy of important documents, receipts, or tickets. Wireless printers are available in a variety of styles, from specialized ones to more versatile models that can handle daily printing tasks. These devices allow you to print from your smartphone.
All-in-one printers are a favorite of ours. They can print, copy, scan, and fax all from the same device. Canon Maxify GX2020 was one of our top choices. It is a multi-function inkjet that uses tanks instead of expensive cartridges. A set of ink tanks can last an average user for up to two full years. This is a great incentive to click on “add to cart”. But if that still doesn’t convince you, consider this: refilling four tanks only costs $50.
The best wireless printers for home and home office
These are the best wireless printing devices that work with Windows PCs and Macs as well as smartphones and tablets. Apple users will want to select a wireless printing device that supports AirPrint. Windows, ChromeOS and Android users should look for a printer with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless printing capabilities.
Best wireless all-in one inkjet Printer: Canon Maxify GX2020
Printer Type Key Functions:: All-in-one inkjet | Key Functions: Print, copy, scan, Fax | Color: Yes | Paper Tray Capacity: Up to 250 sheets in front, up to 100 sheets in the rearPrint Speed | Print Speed: Black: 15ppm, color: 10ppm | Print Resolution: 600 x 1280 dpi
Wirelessly, the GX2020 printer supports dual band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5.GHz), AirPrint and Mopria. Bluetooth printing is also supported. The touchscreen LCD makes it easy to use the printer, and allows for quick access to features and functions. A 35-sheet ADF is also included in the GX2020. It is an all-in one device that can handle printing, photocopying and scanning. A set of ink pigment bottles can fill the printer tanks to produce up to 3,000 black pages or 3,000 color pages.
The printer is able to produce documents with text that are similar to laser-quality. It also produces prints of digital images that are comparable to photo lab quality (when using premium photo paper). The GX2020 is capable of handling any media size between 3.5 x 8.5 inch and 5 – 14 inches in length and width.
It’s a printer we love because it is very easy to maintain and can handle a range of functions. The scanner has a resolution of up to 2,400 x 1,200 dpi. Fax resolution is 300 x 200 dpi. The resolution of the printing and photocopying is 600 x 1200 dpi, and the print speed can reach 15ppm for black or 10ppm for color. This printer is ideal for busy families, as it’s versatile and can print from both mobile devices and computers. The printer can be used with Windows PCs or Macs, iOS, and Android devices.
Pros:
- Documents are printed in high-quality, full-color.
- Printing digital photos is a breeze with this printer.
- The printer’s all-in one capabilities provide a great deal of versatility.
- The 2.7 inch LCD touchscreen makes it easy to navigate.
Cons:
- The GX2020 cannot print two-sided (full duplex).
What is the best wireless inkjet for home use?: Canon Maxify GX5020
Printer TypeKey Functions: Inkjet | Key Functions: Prints (single-function) | Color: Yes | Paper Tray Capacity: 250 sheets | Print Speed: 24ppm (black), 15.5ppm (color) | Print Resolution600 x 1,200 pixels
Canon Maxify GX5020 is a great choice for a home with fewer than 10 people. Ink tanks are used instead of ink cartridges. Full ink tanks will generate up to 6,000 B&W pages or 14,000 full-color pages, so the ongoing cost of operation is very low.
The front paper tray can hold 250 sheets of paper, while the rear paper trays have a capacity of 100 sheets. The printer is capable of printing on both sides, and it uses pigment ink to produce prints that are similar to laser printers. Print speeds can also reach 24ppm. The GX5020 is compatible with Apple AirPrint via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the Canon Print App. It also supports Mopria Print Service. A wide variety of media and sizes are supported by the printer, including regular papers, envelopes and labels.
Pros:
- The cost of printing a page is less that $0.02.
- The GX5020 can print in various sizes up to 8.5 by 47 inches.
- It is a great printer for everyday use, but can also create amazing prints from digital images (when using photo paper).
- The cost of ink is very low when compared with printers using traditional cartridges. The cost of a full set of ink bottles that are not genuine is as low as $34.
Cons:
- There is no touchscreen in full color.
- This is just a printer, not an all-in-one device.
Best wireless monochrome laser printer: Brother MFCL2750DW
Printer Type: All-in-one monochrome laser | Key Functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax | Color: No | Paper Tray Capacity: 250-sheets | Print Speed: Up to 36 ppm | Print Resolution: 1,200 x 1,200 dpi
The biggest benefits of a monochrome laser printer are the sharp output and fast print speed. The drawback is that these printers can’t generate any color content.
We love this Brother MFCL2750DW monochrome laser printer because it’s affordable. It also offers all of the key features you’d want from this type of printer, including two-sided printing capabilities, a fast print and photocopying speed, a high yield toner cartridge (that’s affordable to replace) and a 50-sheet auto document feeder. You also get wireless printing capabilities and a 2.7-inch color touchscreen (from which you can control all aspects of the printer’s functionality).
Each Brother Genuine TN770 super high-yield toner cartridge ($121 on Amazon) will generate up to 4,500 pages. Lower cost “compatible” toner cartridges are available.
Pros:
- This printer’s print speed is up to 36 ppm.
- Scanner resolution is up to 19,200 x 1,299 dpi.
- The printer comes with a toner cartridge with a 700 page print yield.
Cons:
- The printer does not use cutting-edge technology, but is well suited to a home or home office with basic monochrome printing needs.
Best budget wireless, cartridge-based inkjet printer: Canon Pixma MG3620
Printer Type: Inkjet | Key Functions: Print, Copy, Scan | Color: Yes | Paper Tray Capacity: 100-sheets | Print Speed: Up to 9.9 ppm (black), 5.7 ppm (color) | Print Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (black), up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi (color)
For less than $60, you can purchase this no-frills, all-in-one Canon Pixma MG3620 inkjet printer. Unlike the latest and greatest inkjet printers currently available, this one relies on traditional ink cartridges, so over time, it has a higher cost to operate than ink tank-based printers.
Due to its rather slow print speed, this printer is best suited to someone with minimal printing needs. On the plus side, the printer offers an impressively high print resolution (4,800 x 1,200 dpi) and has automatic two-sided printing capabilities. The flatbed scanner offers a resolution of 2,400 x 1,200 dpi.
If you don’t like a printer with a solid black housing, the Canon Pixma MG3620 also comes in solid white or red. To function, the MG3620 relies on two traditional ink cartridges –- a pigment-based black and a dye-based tri-color cartridge. On Amazon, you can purchase the Canon 240XL black cartridge (300 page yield) for $24 and the Canon 241XL tri-color cartridge (400 page yield) for $33.
Pros:
- It’s an affordable printer to purchase and ideal for someone with minimal printing needs.
- Color print resolution is up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi, which is high for a printer at this low price point.
- The Canon Pixma MG3620 offers wireless printing.
Cons:
- Print speed is rather slow.
- There’s no touchscreen to control the printer.
- There’s no auto document feeder.
Best wireless color laser printer for a home: HP Color LaserJet Pro M283fdw
Printer Type: Color laser | Key Functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax | Color: Yes | Paper Tray Capacity: 250-sheets (main), 100-sheets (rear) | Print Speed: Up to 22 ppm | Print Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi
While the cost of full-color laser printers has dropped in recent years, these printers are still extremely expensive to maintain. Color laser printers require multiple toner cartridges, and the replacement cost of these cartridges is expensive. While a color laser printer is great for producing sharp, full-color, text-based documents and reproducing charts and graphics, for example, this type of printer is not suitable for creating prints from digital images (using photo paper).
The print speed of the M283fdw is rather quick at 22 ppm. It also supports a wide range of paper and media sizes, starting as small as 4 x 6 inches and going up to 8.5 x 14 inch paper. Using the HP Smart app, wireless printing from a smartphone or tablet is simple. However, it’s also possible to handle wireless printing without a special app from a Windows PC or Mac. The color touchscreen makes it easy to access and control each of the printer’s features and functions.
As an all-in-one printer, the M283fdw includes a 50-sheet capacity auto document feeder. The biggest drawback to this printer is the replacement cost of the four required toner cartridges (black, cyan, yellow and magenta). The HP 206X black high yield (3,150 page) cartridge costs $105, while the three HP 206X color toner cartridges (2,450 pages) are priced at $111 each. This makes the printer well suited for a home office, but cost prohibitive for most households.
Pros:
- The printer generates sharp, full-color text and basic charts or graphs.
- You get decent print speed, with a nice assortment of printing options, including automatic two-sided printing.
- Using the touchscreen, the printer’s mobile app, or the printer’s computer driver makes it easy to print wirelessly from almost any computer or mobile device.
Cons:
- The replacement toner cartridges are expensive.
- The 600 x 600 dpi print resolution could be better.
Best wireless home photo printer: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500
Printer Type: Inkjet | Key Functions: Printer, Scanner, Photocopier | Color: Yes | Paper Tray Capacity: 100-sheets (main), 20-sheets (secondary), 50-sheets (rear) | Print Speed: Up to 16 ppm (black), 12 ppm (color) | Print Resolution: 5,760 x 1,440 dpi
This wireless photo printer is a tad on the expensive side, but what you get is a high-resolution printer that’s able to generate professional-quality prints. While you can use the printer to create B&W documents, where this printer shines is when it generates full-color content, especially prints from digital images at up to 5,760 x 1,440 dpi resolution. Maximum print size is 13 x 19 inches. And with its wireless capabilities, documents or photo prints can be created directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
The ET-8500 utilizes a full-color, 4.2-inch touchscreen display, which makes it easy to use the printer and access all of its features and functions. While this printer lacks an auto document feeder (ADF), it does have an integrated 4,800 dpi flatbed scanner that can be used for scanning and photocopying.
First and foremost, this is a high-end photo printer that’s suitable for a semi-pro photographer looking to create high-quality prints from their digital images. The printer supports a wide range of photo papers and other media.
Pros:
- Creates professional-quality photo prints.
- Ink tanks will save you a fortune over time, compared to ink cartridges.
- One full set of tanks will generate up to 6,200 color pages.
- Create a 4 x 6 inch photo print in less than 15 seconds.
- The printer uses 6-color Claria ET with photography dye inks to produce extremely detailed photographic prints.
Cons:
- The paper tray capacity is very low.
Define your printing needs
It’s important to determine your printing needs, so you can narrow down the type of printer that will serve you the best. If you only need monochrome (B&W) prints and want speed, a laser printer is a great option. If you want to print in full-color, an inkjet printer that uses pigment inks will generate print quality that’s almost as good as a laser printer, plus you can create photo prints.
There are also dedicated wireless photo printers for creating lab-quality prints from your digital images at home, and costly color laser printers – all of which offer wireless connectivity. For a full-color inkjet printer, plan on spending between $60 to $400. Price is determined by print speed, print quality, paper tray capacity and what other features are offered. When pricing a printer, focus on the cost of the printer itself, as well as the cost of replacement ink.