
Finding the best wireless printer for your home can be overwhelming. Whether you're working from home, need to print school assignments, or just want to print family photos, you want a printer that’s both convenient and reliable. But what separates wireless printers from their non-wireless counterparts, and why should you make the switch?
The biggest difference is flexibility. Non-wireless printers require a direct connection to a computer, usually via USB or Ethernet cables, which can limit where you can place the device.
Wireless printers, on the other hand, offer the freedom to print from virtually anywhere in your home using Wi-Fi without the hassle of cables. This not only reduces clutter but also allows multiple devices—laptops, smartphones, or tablets—to print seamlessly without needing to swap connections.
With nearly 40 years of experience in the printer industry, we’ve reviewed the latest all-in-one models to help you pick the best one for your home.
In this guide, we’ll break down five of the best wireless printers in 2024, each offering something unique—whether it’s budget-friendliness, speed, or eco-friendly features. Let’s dive in!
1. Brother HLL2480DW (Monochrome Laser)
Basic Specifications:
- Print Speed: Up to 36 pages per minute (ppm)
- Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 2,500 pages
- Monthly Duty Cycle: 35,000 pages
- Base Model Dimensions: 16.1” x 15.7” x 10.7”
- Base Model Weight: 22.2 lbs
- Cost: Around $239 at Brother or Amazon
Why We Picked It
The Brother HLL2480DW is a standout for home offices that prioritize high-speed black-and-white printing. With a print speed of up to 36 pages per minute and a high-yield toner cartridge, it’s designed to keep up with heavy workloads while maintaining a low cost per print.
Its wireless connectivity makes it a convenient choice for homes with multiple users, allowing for seamless printing from laptops, phones, and tablets. Plus, you can also connect with Ethernet or locally to a single computer using USB 2.0.
The Brother HLL2480DW also makes it easy to print from any mobile device with mobile printing services like AirPrint, Brother’s Mobile Connect app, or through Wi-Fi Direct.
Pros:
- Fast Printing: Prints up to 36 pages per minute.
- Connects to cloud services such as SharePoint Online, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
Con:
- Limited Color Handling: Only supports black-and-white printing, making it unsuitable for color projects.
Defining Feature:
Fast print speeds for heavy black-and-white printing tasks.
2. Canon PIXMA TS8820 (Color Inkjet)
Basic Specifications:
- Print Speed: Up to 10 images per minute (ipm) in color and 15 ipm in black-and-white
- Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Not Available
- Base Model Dimensions (WxDxH): 14.7” x 13.6” x 5.6”
- Base Model Weight: 14.5 pounds
- Cost: Starting at around $219 at Canon and Amazon
Why We Picked It
The Canon PIXMA TS8820 is perfect for households looking for an everyday printer capable of vibrant color prints without breaking the bank. Its 6-color hybrid ink system helps create both vivid colors for photos and clear and sharp text for documents. With a high print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, this printer is perfect for producing high-quality documents and photos. It even has a built-in SD card slot to easily transfer your camera photos to your printer.
Featuring a 4.3" touchscreen, it's incredibly user-friendly and convenient to use. It offers wireless printing from your mobile device and compatibility with mobile apps like AirPrint, Mopria, and Canon’s PRINT App. Additionally, it supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for seamless integration into your smart home setup.
Pros:
- High-Quality Prints: With a print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, it's ideal for photos
- Memory Card Slot: Built-in SD memory card slot makes transferring phots from your camera easier
Con:
- Slower print speed makes it less ideal for high-volume printing
Defining Feature:
Versatile for both high-quality photos and everyday documents
3. Xerox VersaLink C625 (Color Laser)
Basic Specifications:
- Print Speed: Up to 52 pages per minute (ppm) in color and black-and-white
- Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 20,000 pages per month
- Base Model Dimensions (WxDxH): 18.9” x 20.9” x 24.4”
- Base Model Weight: 86 pounds
- Cost: Starting at around $3,199 at Xerox
Why We Picked It
The Xerox VersaLink C625 is a professional-grade printer suited for home offices that require high-volume, high-quality color printing. This machine is capable of printing up to 52 pages per minute, and it ensures rapid output, even for the most demanding print jobs.
Its extensive connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, NFC, and optional Wi-Fi, offer flexibility for various setups. Plus, Xerox offers a plethora of printer apps in its Xerox App Gallery that help boost productivity and improve workflows.
While it’s more of an investment, its durability and speed make it worth it for businesses or serious home office setups.
Pros:
- High Print Speed: Prints up to 52 pages per minute, perfect for large print jobs.
- Advanced Connectivity: Offers Ethernet, USB, NFC, and optional Wi-Fi, giving versatile connection options.
Con:
- Price: At around $3,199, it’s on the higher end and may be overkill for a standard home office.
Defining Feature:
Fast print speed of 52 pages per minute, ideal for heavy-duty printing needs.
4. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e (Inkjet)
Basic Specifications:
- Print Speed: Up to 18 ppm in color and 22 ppm in black-and-white
- Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 1,500 pages per month
- Base Model Dimensions (WxDxH): 17.2” x 15.6” x 12.5”
- Base Model Weight: 20.5 pounds
- Cost: Starting at around $219 at HP and Amazon
Why We Picked It
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e excels in producing crisp, clear documents, making it a strong contender for home offices needing high-quality output.
What sets it apart is its auto-duplex scanning, which allows for fast, two-sided document handling. It's perfect for homes that need to print and scan documents regularly.
The OfficeJet Pro 9125e features reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues. With the easy-to-use HP print app, you can scan, copy, or fax right from your smartphone.
Additionally, HP’s sustainable efforts, such as using recycled plastic and the HP Planet Partners program for cartridge recycling, make this a green choice.
Pros:
- Fast Scanning: Equipped with auto-duplex scanning, saving time on document handling.
- High-Quality Prints: Produces sharp, professional-quality documents.
Con:
- Complex Setup: Initial setup can be time-consuming for non-tech-savvy users.
Defining Feature:
Auto-duplex scanning for fast, efficient document management.
5. Brother MFC-J1170DW (Budget-Friendly Option)
Basic Specifications:
- Print Speed: Up to 16.5 ppm in color and 17 ppm in black-and-white
- Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 1,000 pages per month
- Base Model Dimensions (WxDxH): 15.7” x 13.5” x 6.8”
- Base Model Weight: 17.9 pounds
- Cost: Starting at around $139 at Brother and Amazon
Why We Picked It
For those looking for an affordable yet reliable all-in-one printer, the Brother MFC-J1170DW is a top choice. It strikes the perfect balance between price and functionality, making it a great option for home offices that need basic printing, scanning, and copying capabilities.
With its built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support, the MFC-J1170DW offers solid wireless connectivity without breaking the bank. It also features a user-friendly 2.7” touchscreen from which you can access popular cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
Measuring 13.5"D x 15.7" W x 6.8"H and weighing only around 16 lbs., its compact size also ensures it won’t take up too much space.
Pros:
- Competitive Price: Offers great value for the price, making it ideal for budget-conscious home users.
- Touchscreen Interface: Easy-to-use 2.7” touchscreen interface with Wi-Fi and NFC support.
Con:
- Slow Print Speed: Prints only up to 17 ppm for black and white and 16.5 ppm for color so it’s not suitable for a high print volume environment.
Defining Feature: Excellent value for an affordable all-in-one printer with multifunction capabilities.
Which Wireless Printer is Right For You?
Each of these printers offers something unique to meet the varied needs of home users.
- If you're after fast, reliable black-and-white prints, the Brother HLL2480DW is a great choice.
- If you need high-quality color prints and photos, the Canon PIXMA TS8820 is a perfect option for your home office setup.
- The Xerox VersaLink C625 is great for those with demanding print loads, while the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e excels at document handling.
- For budget-conscious users, the Brother MFC-J1170DW offers essential features without breaking the bank.
Choosing the Right Wireless Printer for Your Needs
When deciding on a wireless printer for home use, consider more than just the brand and model. Think about the type of printer to get. Remember that inkjet is great for high-quality color prints and photos, and laser is ideal for fast, cost-efficient black-and-white text documents. Read our blog on the differences between inkjet and laser printers to learn more.
Also, factor in the cost of consumables, like ink or toner cartridges, as ongoing expenses can quickly add up. Opt for models with high-yield cartridges or refillable tanks for better long-term savings.
Ultimately, finding the right wireless printer for home use comes down to balancing convenience, cost, and reliability. Whether you’re printing essays for school, invoices for your side hustle, or just the occasional boarding pass, today’s wireless printers make it simple to connect and print without the clutter of cords.
If you feel like you're constantly fighting with paper jams, running out of ink, or waiting forever for a print job to finish, it may be a sign that your printer isn’t keeping up anymore. Before investing in yet another small printer, it might be worth asking: Is it time to upgrade to something better suited for my needs?
Check out our blog on 5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Printer to see if your current machine is costing you more time (and money) than it should.