Most home inkjets actually use a mix of pigment and dye inks to balance sharp text with vibrant photos, so you can get better results than you probably expected. You’ll want a compact, reliable all‑in‑one that handles USB and Wi‑Fi, plus easy mobile app support and sensible ink costs. I’ll walk you through five models that hit those marks and what to watch for next – from portable trays to ADFs – so you can pick the right fit.
| Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Home Printer | Compact Everyday | Function: Print, scan, copy (All‑in‑One) | Connectivity: USB + wireless (Wi‑Fi, mobile app) | Print Technology: Inkjet (FINE hybrid ink system) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer with Display | On-the-Go Portable | Function: Print (portable printer) | Connectivity: Wireless (Wi‑Fi, app, Wireless Direct) | Print Technology: Inkjet (5‑color hybrid ink system) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer |
| Duplex Home Office | Function: Print, scan, copy (All‑in‑One) | Connectivity: Wireless (dual‑band Wi‑Fi) + mobile printing | Print Technology: Inkjet (2‑cartridge hybrid ink system) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer |
| Photo-Friendly Compact | Function: Print, scan, copy (All‑in‑One) | Connectivity: USB + dual‑band Wi‑Fi + mobile printing | Print Technology: Inkjet (FINE hybrid/liquid ink, 2 cartridges) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 8139e Wireless All-in-One Printer | Small Business Power | Function: Print, scan, copy, fax (All‑in‑One) | Connectivity: Wireless (dual‑band Wi‑Fi) + Ethernet + USB + mobile app | Print Technology: Inkjet (color inkjet, cartridge‑based) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Home Printer
Compact Everyday
View Latest PriceIf you need a compact, budget-friendly all-in-one that handles basic home printing, copying, and scanning with easy USB and wireless setup, the Canon PIXMA TS3720 is a solid pick-it’s built for users who want simple photo-capable color output (including borderless prints up to Legal size) without a lot of bulk or fuss. You’ll get a 60-sheet rear tray, flatbed scanner, and a 1.5″ segmented LCD for quick tasks. The two-cartridge FINE Hybrid system pairs pigment black for crisp text with dye color for photos. It’s lightweight, mobile-app compatible, and offers USB connectivity for straightforward home use.
- Function:Print, scan, copy (All‑in‑One)
- Connectivity:USB + wireless (Wi‑Fi, mobile app)
- Print Technology:Inkjet (FINE hybrid ink system)
- Mobile Printing Support:Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint/Mopria compatibility
- Paper Sizes Supported:Up to Legal (8.5″ x 14″), photos up to 8.5″ x 14″ / borderless up to smaller sizes
- Designed For Home Use:Home/office compact all‑in‑one
- Additional Feature:Compact footprint
- Additional Feature:1.5″ segmented LCD
- Additional Feature:60-sheet rear tray
Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer with Display
On-the-Go Portable
View Latest PriceFor on-the-go creators who need crisp documents and vibrant photos from a bag or backpack, the Canon PIXMA TR160 delivers portable, app-driven printing with low weight and a 50-sheet tray. You’ll print up to 8.5″ x 11″ and even borderless or square photos using its 5-Color Hybrid Ink System for sharp black text and vivid color details. A 1.44″ monochrome OLED shows ink levels, status, and settings. Connect via the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Cloud services, or Wireless Direct when there’s no router. It’s built for simple, reliable printing wherever you work or travel.
- Function:Print (portable printer)
- Connectivity:Wireless (Wi‑Fi, app, Wireless Direct)
- Print Technology:Inkjet (5‑color hybrid ink system)
- Mobile Printing Support:Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, Mopria, Wireless Direct
- Paper Sizes Supported:Up to Letter (8.5″ x 11″), supports square and borderless photo sizes
- Designed For Home Use:Portable/on‑the‑go home use
- Additional Feature:Wireless Direct mode
- Additional Feature:1.44″ monochrome OLED
- Additional Feature:Fits in backpack
Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer
Choose the Canon PIXMA TS6520 when you want a compact, budget-friendly all‑in‑one that handles everyday documents and photos with sharp text and vivid color. You’ll get print, scan, and copy in a small white chassis with a 1.42” monochrome OLED control for quick tasks. Its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system produces vivid photos and clear documents, including borderless prints up to 8.5” x 11”. Automatic duplex printing saves paper and speeds workflows. Dual-band Wi‑Fi and mobile support (Canon PRINT, AirPrint, Mopria) make setup and remote printing easy, offering excellent value for home users and hybrid workers.
- Function:Print, scan, copy (All‑in‑One)
- Connectivity:Wireless (dual‑band Wi‑Fi) + mobile printing
- Print Technology:Inkjet (2‑cartridge hybrid ink system)
- Mobile Printing Support:Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, Mopria
- Paper Sizes Supported:Up to Letter (8.5″ x 11″), borderless up to 8.5″ x 11″
- Designed For Home Use:Home/hybrid worker compact all‑in‑one
- Additional Feature:Automatic duplex printing
- Additional Feature:Dual-band Wi‑Fi
- Additional Feature:1.42″ monochrome OLED
Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer
Want a compact all‑in‑one that handles everyday home tasks without taking up much space? You’ll like the Canon PIXMA TS3720. It prints, copies, and scans from a flatbed scanner, fits on a small desk (17.2 x 12.9 x 5.8 in), and weighs about 10.9 lb. Expect ~7.7 ppm black and ~4 ppm color, up to 4800 x 1200 dpi with a Hybrid FINE ink system (pigment black, dye color) using two cartridges. It supports borderless photos to 5×7, legal paper, dual‑band Wi‑Fi, USB, mobile printing, a 60‑sheet tray, and a 1.5″ LCD for basic control.
- Function:Print, scan, copy (All‑in‑One)
- Connectivity:USB + dual‑band Wi‑Fi + mobile printing
- Print Technology:Inkjet (FINE hybrid/liquid ink, 2 cartridges)
- Mobile Printing Support:Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, Mopria
- Paper Sizes Supported:Up to Legal (8.5″ x 14″), supports 4″x6″, 5″x5″, 5″x7″, Letter, Legal
- Designed For Home Use:Home/office compact all‑in‑one
- Additional Feature:Borderless 5×7 photos
- Additional Feature:PosterArtist Online support
- Additional Feature:Dual-band Wi‑Fi
HP OfficeJet Pro 8139e Wireless All-in-One Printer
Small Business Power
View Latest PriceSuited to home-office users who need reliable all‑in‑one functionality, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8139e pairs fast black printing (up to 20 ppm) with automatic duplexing and a 225‑sheet tray so you can handle multi-page jobs without constant refills. You’ll get print, scan, copy, fax and an ADF, plus HP AI tools that tidy web pages and emails. Connect via dual‑band Wi‑Fi, Ethernet or USB, control from a 2.7‑inch touchscreen or the HP App, and rely on HP Wolf security. It uses chipped HP 923 cartridges, includes setup inks, offers one‑year warranty and a recycled‑plastic build.
- Function:Print, scan, copy, fax (All‑in‑One)
- Connectivity:Wireless (dual‑band Wi‑Fi) + Ethernet + USB + mobile app
- Print Technology:Inkjet (color inkjet, cartridge‑based)
- Mobile Printing Support:HP App (mobile printing/scanning/faxing), AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- Paper Sizes Supported:Up to Legal/various sizes (Letter, Legal, 11×14, etc.)
- Designed For Home Use:Home office (small business/home) all‑in‑one
- Additional Feature:Automatic document feeder (ADF)
- Additional Feature:225-sheet input capacity
- Additional Feature:HP AI formatting features
Factors to Consider When Choosing USB Inkjet Printers
When choosing a USB inkjet printer, you’ll want to check the available connectivity and ports to make sure it fits your setup. Consider print speed metrics, expected print quality, and how much paper the feed and tray can handle. Also factor in the ink type and long-term cartridge or refill costs so there are no surprises.
Connectivity And Ports
In choosing a USB inkjet printer, prioritize the ports and connectivity that match how you’ll actually print: a Hi‑Speed USB 2.0 (or USB 3.0) Type‑B port gives faster, more reliable cable transfers than legacy USB 1.1, while additional options like Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, or wireless direct let you switch to network printing for mobile or multi‑user access. Also check for a USB Type‑A or USB‑C host port so you can print from flash drives or tether phones directly. If you need direct-device printing, verify support for USB On‑The‑Go/host mode. Confirm cable and driver compatibility-some models use MTP/PTP or require specific drivers-so verify OS support for plug‑and‑play. Choose a printer whose ports match current devices and future needs.
Print Speed Metrics
Consider print speed as more than just the ppm number manufacturers advertise – it’s a mix of black and color ppm, mode (draft/normal/high-quality), first‑page‑out time, and real‑world factors like warm‑up, duplexing, and driver processing that determine how fast your jobs actually finish. You should compare black and color ppm separately, since black is often faster. Match modes when comparing models (use “normal” unless you always print draft). For short jobs, first‑page‑out time matters more than sustained ppm. Remember duplexing and complex files slow throughput, and drivers or USB transfers can add latency. Check whether reported speeds follow test standards (ISO/IEC) and note test conditions-paper size, media, resolution, and connection type-to make meaningful speed comparisons.
Print Quality Expectations
Start by matching the printer’s specs to the output you need: if you want photo‑quality images look for high maximum resolution (around or above 4800 x 1200 dpi), small droplet sizes, and multi‑nozzle heads, while for text you’ll benefit more from pigment black inks that give sharper, longer‑lasting results on plain paper. You should also check color and bit depth-higher bit depth yields smoother gradients and more accurate color for photos and graphics. Remember dye‑based color inks often render richer photos, while pigment black produces crisper text. Inspect droplet size and nozzle count to reduce banding and sharpen edges. Finally, expect print speeds to drop as you push resolution and quality settings; plan for slower throughput at the top quality levels.
Paper Handling Capacity
Many buyers overlook how tray size and media handling shape daily workflow, but you’ll want trays that match your routine-home users typically need 50–250 sheets, while small offices benefit from 200+ capacity to cut refills. Check both input and output tray capacities so long jobs don’t overflow; aim for models offering 50–100 sheet output stacks or more if you print often. Confirm supported media sizes and special feeds (rear or dedicated trays) so you can print legal pages, photos, square formats, or envelopes without constant manual feeding. Look for automatic duplexing to halve paper use and simplify two-sided jobs. Finally, multiple trays or a dedicated photo/media tray let you separate media types and boost usable capacity.
Ink Type And Costs
Because ink chemistry and cartridge design directly shape both print quality and ongoing costs, you should weigh them before buying a USB inkjet. Pigment-based inks give sharper, more water-resistant text; dye-based inks deliver richer photos, so pick based on whether you print documents or images. Check cartridge configurations: multi-cartridge systems let you replace only the empty color, lowering long-term expenses versus single tri-color cartridges. Calculate cost-per-page by dividing cartridge price by its rated yield to compare real running costs. Look into XL or subscription cartridges for lower per-page prices if your monthly volume is high. Third-party or refilled cartridges and continuous-ink systems cut costs but may void warranties or cause inconsistent color and head issues.
Mobile And App Support
When choosing a USB inkjet, pay close attention to mobile and app support since that’s how you’ll often print from phones or tablets; make sure the printer offers a dedicated mobile app plus standard protocols like AirPrint and Mopria so you can print without a computer. Also verify iOS and Android compatibility and whether the app supports cloud printing and photo-friendly formats like borderless or square prints. Prefer models with Wi‑Fi Direct or hotspot modes so you can print when no router’s available. Look for app features: remote scanning, ink-level monitoring, print queue control, and simple Wi‑Fi setup to streamline tasks. Finally, confirm the manufacturer provides firmware updates and avoids proprietary drivers that could break mobile workflows over time.
Size And Portability
If you’ve got limited desk or shelf space, check the printer’s footprint and height so it fits comfortably-you’ll find compact models around 13–18 inches wide and 5–9 inches tall, while all‑in‑ones can be considerably larger. Measure your available area and pick a unit that leaves clearance for opening lids and trays. Consider weight and handleability: under about 10 pounds is easier to lift or tuck into a bag; heavier printers are best left stationary. If you’ll move the printer often, choose simple paper trays and minimal protruding parts to reduce damage risk. Finally, verify power options-battery or portable power support matters if you won’t always have AC access-to make certain genuine portability.
Security And Firmware
Although printers are often treated as simple peripherals, you should treat their firmware and exposed services like any other networked device. Check that the model supports firmware updates over USB or a secured local network, since many vulnerabilities are fixed only via firmware revisions. Prefer vendors that provide signed firmware images and cryptographic integrity checks to prevent tampered installs. Disable or restrict unnecessary network-facing services (Telnet, FTP, HTTP) and any admin interfaces reachable via USB-hosted protocols to reduce attack surface. Use strong, unique administrator credentials, enable role-based access controls and audit logging where available, and restrict who can change settings or install firmware. Maintain an update policy: apply critical patches promptly and record firmware versions and change dates for response and compliance.
