The best wireless printer – Chicago Tribune

2022-07-30 03:11:55 By : Ms. Helen Ren

Even wireless printers use ink, so it’s worth considering how much you’ll have to pay in ink costs for any model you get. (BestReviews)

Wireless printers are a must-have for any home office. With so many people working from home today, there’s never been a better time to invest in one. Even if you’re not working from home, choosing an office printer that can stand average wear and tear makes a huge difference.

The HP Deskjet All-In-One Wireless Printer offers an excellent balance of affordability and functionality that most buyers find perfect.

Depending on how you plan to use your printer, you may find home printers or office printers more suitable for your needs. You'll need to consider if you need a color printer or a monochromatic printer. If you plan to use it primarily for scanning and sending documents, a monochromatic printer works just fine. At the same time, those wanting to print photos or other color media should seek out a color printer.

The most common type of printer today is an all-in-one printer, which comes with a built-in copier and scanner, in addition to a printer. All-in-one printers are a more affordable way to access scanning and copying tasks, without having to buy multiple devices.

Most printers fall into one of two configurations: usually either inkjet or laser. While the two types are often priced similarly today, it used to be that laser printer quality was far superior to inkjet versions. However, inkjet and laser printers now offer similarly high-quality printing. Still, it’s worth noting that toner for laser printers tends to be much more expensive than buying ink.

Wireless printers can have varying connectivity options, so it’s good to ensure they are compatible with your devices. In most instances, wireless printers use Wi-Fi. However, you can also find wireless printers that give you the option of using Bluetooth or a wired USB connection.

A printer’s paper capacity refers to how many sheets of paper it can hold at a time. Even the most affordable printers offer a paper capacity of between 50 and 100 sheets. These are usually split between the loading tray and a document-feeding tray. Printers designed for office use can often hold several more sheets of paper, sometimes offering more than 500 sheets of paper capacity.

Dual-sided printing, sometimes called “auto-feed duplexing,” is a valuable feature not offered by every wireless printer. Those hoping to print large quantities of paper or packets can save time and paper by using dual-sided printing. Without dual-sided printing, users are forced to manually flip over and re-feed pages that they want to be double-sided.

Wireless printers often come with a range of other features that can be useful, such as the ability to print on multiple paper sizes, eco-friendly power-saving modes like Energy Star compliance and compatibility with SD cards and other storage devices. For offices, many also prefer a wireless printer that can be connected to a local network.

While you can find cheap wireless printers for as low as $50, it’s almost always worth spending a little more for the extra features. Mid-tier wireless printers can cost from $100-$200, and you can expect to spend $200 or more on high-end printers and those designed for office use.

A. Not exactly. The vast majority of wireless printers use Wi-Fi as the primary method of wireless connectivity. However, you can also find wireless printers that use other wireless methods of printing in addition to Wi-Fi.

A. Yes. Many wireless printers include the option to print using a USB-A cable, which can be plugged into computers or other devices with a compatible port.

HP DeskJet 4155e All-In-One Wireless Color Printer: available at HP and Amazon

Our take: This simple all-in-one printer offers mobile and wireless printing. It has everything the average household needs for file-sharing, copying and more.

What we like: This printer lets users print via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB, and it has a useful mobile fax feature for those who work from home. In addition to a printer, it also has a scanner and a copier. The purchase comes with a six-month subscription to HP's ink program.

What we dislike: This printer only holds 60 sheets of paper at a time.

Epson Expression Home XP-4100 Wireless Color Printer: available at Amazon

Our take: This is an affordable printer with wireless copying, scanning and dual-sided printing capabilities, and it's also compatible with Alexa for use with voice commands.

What we like: It can hold 100 sheets of paper at a time, and it includes simple Wi-Fi printing via computers, smartphones, tablets and other devices. This printer also includes an easy-to-use digital LCD interface and button pad, making it easy even for users who aren't tech-savvy.

What we dislike: Some buyers had issues with this unit's scanner.

Canon Maxify Wireless MegaTank Small Office All-In-One Printer: available at Amazon

Our take: This is an excellent option for use in office spaces, with over 500 sheets of paper, a high ink capacity and multiple network connectivity options.

What we like: This printer can print multiple paper sizes, including envelopes and larger banners. This printer also has many connectivity options including Wi-Fi, USB and Ethernet cables. It also lets users print from smartphones and tablets.

What we dislike: Those looking for a home printer found this too expensive and bulky.

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Peter McGuthrie is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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