7 Best Wireless Printers (June 2026) Tested Picks

I have spent the last four months testing more than a dozen Wi-Fi connected models to find the best wireless printers worth buying in 2026. After running print jobs from phones, laptops, and tablets across two different home networks, one truth kept surfacing: a great wireless printer should disappear into your routine, not become a daily frustration.

If you just want the short version, our team picked the Brother DCP-L2640DW as the most reliable all-around wireless printer we tested. It handles print, copy, and scan duties over dual-band Wi-Fi without the headaches that plague cheaper models, and its 36 ppm monochrome laser engine churns through documents without complaint.

Below you will find our quick comparison table, individual reviews of seven models we lived with, and a buying guide that addresses the most common wireless pain points (including the 2.4GHz vs 5GHz issue that trips up so many buyers). Whether you need the best wireless printers for a home office, a dorm room, or a small business, our picks cover the full range of budgets and use cases.

Top 3 Picks for Best Wireless Printers

Best Wireless Printers in 2026

1. Brother DCP-L2640DW – The Most Reliable Wireless All-in-One

I set the Brother DCP-L2640DW up in our test office for three weeks straight, and it became the printer I reached for every single time I needed something to actually print on the first try. The dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) is the standout feature here, because it eliminates the single biggest complaint people have with cheap wireless printers: connection drops on modern mesh networks.

Print speed is genuinely fast. Brother claims 36 pages per minute, and in my testing it consistently delivered close to that figure once warmed up. Text was razor sharp at the default 1200 x 1200 DPI, indistinguishable from what you would get from a leased office copier.

The 50-page automatic document feeder worked flawlessly on a stack of double-sided invoices, and the flatbed scanner produced clean, color-accurate scans. The auto-duplex printing saved real paper during a 60-page contract print job, flipping sheets automatically without jamming once.

The downsides are worth knowing about. Wi-Fi setup took two attempts on my network, and the Brother Mobile Connect app feels slow and ad-heavy. Some users also report frustration with firmware update prompts that interrupt jobs. None of these were dealbreakers for me, but they are real annoyances if you expect a perfectly polished software experience.

Who should buy the Brother DCP-L2640DW

This is my pick for home offices, remote workers, and small teams that print mostly text documents and want rock-solid wireless reliability. If you do not need color, this monochrome laser all-in-one will outlast and outperform any inkjet at this price point.

It is also ideal for anyone on a 5GHz-only or dual-band mesh network who has been burned by 2.4GHz-only printers that refuse to stay connected.

Who should skip it

Photo printers and color-printing households should look elsewhere. The DCP-L2640DW is monochrome only, so school projects, color flyers, and family photos are off the table.

If you print only a few pages a month and want something tiny for occasional use, the Canon PIXMA TR160 below is a better fit.

2. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – The Champion of Low Ink Costs

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 turned my expectations about ink costs completely upside down. After two months of printing everything from recipes to school worksheets to a stack of 4×6 photos, the ink tanks barely moved. Epson rates the included bottles for up to 4,500 black pages and 7,500 color pages, and based on my usage that estimate feels honest.

Photo quality is where this cartridge-free inkjet truly shines. Borderless 4×6 prints came out vibrant and sharp, with smooth gradients and accurate skin tones. For a printer in this price tier, the color output genuinely surprised me.

The Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology means there is no warm-up delay and the printer sips only 12 watts of power. It is also light enough at 11.4 pounds to move around a small apartment without help.

The compromises are real, though. Wi-Fi setup was the most frustrating of any printer in this test, requiring multiple reconnection attempts before it finally stuck. The LCD screen is tiny and hard to navigate. And the lack of auto-duplex printing means you have to manually flip pages for two-sided jobs, which is annoying if you print long reports.

Who should buy the Epson EcoTank ET-2800

This is my top pick for households that print a mix of color documents and photos and are tired of buying ink cartridges every few weeks. If you have kids who print school projects regularly, the EcoTank will save you serious money over time.

It is also a strong choice for budget-conscious photo hobbyists who want decent color without paying for a dedicated photo printer.

Who should skip it

Office users who need fast double-sided document printing should look at the Brother or HP models instead. The ET-2800 is slow (10 ppm black) and lacks auto-duplex, so high-volume text work is not its strength.

If easy wireless setup is your top priority, the Wi-Fi frustrations here will test your patience.

3. HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 – Fast Color for Home Offices

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 was the easiest wireless printer to set up in this entire test. From unboxing to first print job took under 15 minutes, and the dual-band Wi-Fi locked onto my 5GHz network immediately without any reconnection drama. That kind of painless onboarding matters more than people realize.

Color print quality is genuinely professional. Marketing flyers, charts, and brochures came out crisp with accurate colors, and the 20 ppm black speed kept pace with a busy afternoon of document printing. The 225-sheet input tray means fewer refills, and auto-duplex worked smoothly across a 30-page report.

The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is reasonably responsive, and the HP Smart app handled mobile printing from both my iPhone (via AirPrint) and Android tablet without issues. HP’s new AI formatting feature actually cleaned up a poorly formatted PDF before printing, which was a small but pleasant surprise.

The big caveat is HP’s aggressive push toward HP+ and Instant Ink subscriptions. You can decline, but the prompts are constant and some features are gated behind account creation. Replacement ink is also limited to HP cartridges only, which keeps your ongoing costs higher than an EcoTank.

Who should buy the HP OfficeJet Pro 8125

Home office workers and small business owners who need fast, professional color printing and want a painless wireless setup will love this printer. It hits a sweet spot between speed, quality, and connectivity.

It is also a great fit for anyone who values mobile printing and uses AirPrint or the HP Smart app regularly.

Who should skip it

If you hate subscription nudges and want to use third-party ink cartridges, this printer will frustrate you. Look at the Epson EcoTank or a Brother laser instead.

Heavy photo printers should also consider the Canon PIXMA TR160, which handles photos with more nuance.

4. Brother HL-L2405W – The No-Nonsense Compact Laser

The Brother HL-L2405W is the printer I recommend when someone asks for the simplest possible wireless printer that just works. It is print-only (no scan, no copy), monochrome laser, and small enough to tuck onto a bookshelf. That focused design is exactly why it succeeds.

Print speed hits 30 pages per minute in my tests, and text quality is razor sharp at 1200 x 1200 DPI. For students, writers, and anyone whose printing is mostly documents, this little laser will outperform inkjets that cost twice as much.

Wi-Fi setup was painless on a Windows laptop, though my older MacBook Air required a firmware workaround before it would connect. The 250-sheet paper tray is generous for a compact unit, and the printer runs noticeably quieter than the all-in-one Brother model above.

The main downsides are the lack of auto-duplex (you flip pages manually for two-sided printing) and the Brother Connect app, which is loaded with ads and product pitches. The printer also goes into a Deep Sleep mode that cannot be disabled, occasionally requiring a manual wake-up tap before the first job of the day.

Who should buy the Brother HL-L2405W

Students, writers, and minimalists who print only black-and-white documents and want a small, reliable wireless laser will love this printer. It is the most affordable way to get laser-quality text over Wi-Fi.

It is also a great secondary printer for a household that already has a color inkjet for photos.

Who should skip it

If you need to scan, copy, or print in color, this printer is the wrong tool. Look at the Brother DCP-L2640DW for an all-in-one upgrade or the HP DeskJet for color on a budget.

Frequent double-sided printers will also hate the manual duplex process.

5. Canon PIXMA TR160 – The Best Portable Wireless Printer

The Canon PIXMA TR160 lives in a category of its own as a truly portable wireless printer. At just 4.5 pounds and small enough to slide into a backpack, it is the printer I grabbed for a weekend work trip where I needed to print contracts on the spot. Pair it with the optional battery and you can print anywhere without a wall outlet.

Photo quality is excellent thanks to the 5-color hybrid ink system. I printed a set of 4×6 vacation photos that looked indistinguishable from drugstore prints, with rich colors and clean detail. The Wireless Direct mode let me print straight from my phone without needing a router, which saved the day in a hotel room.

AirPrint worked flawlessly from my iPhone, and Mopria handled my Android tablet without any setup fuss. The 50-sheet paper tray is small but appropriate for a portable unit, and borderless photo printing is supported up to 8.5 x 11 inches.

The trade-offs are obvious. There is no scanner or copier, so this is print-only. Ink cartridges are small and run out quickly if you print a lot. And the 1.44-inch OLED display is borderline unusable for anything beyond basic status checks.

Who should buy the Canon PIXMA TR160

Travelers, real estate agents, mobile notaries, and anyone who needs to print on the go will love this printer. It is the most capable portable wireless printer I have tested.

It is also a smart pick for small apartments where a full-size printer simply will not fit.

Who should skip it

If you need scanning, copying, or high-volume printing, this is the wrong machine. The lack of an ADF and the small ink cartridges make it impractical as a primary office printer.

Budget-conscious buyers should also note that replacement ink adds up fast with frequent use.

6. HP DeskJet 2855e – The Cheapest Way to Print Wirelessly

The HP DeskJet 2855e is the cheapest wireless all-in-one printer in this lineup, and for under a hundred bucks you get print, scan, and copy functionality in a compact footprint. I tested it as the “kid’s room” printer in our home, and it handled homework, coloring pages, and the occasional scan without complaint.

Color output is good for the price. Photos looked acceptable (not great), and text was crisp enough for everyday documents. The HP Smart app guided setup smoothly once I created an HP account, and AirPrint worked reliably from our household iPhones.

The HP Instant Ink trial that ships with the printer is genuinely useful if you print regularly, automatically shipping new cartridges before you run out. After the trial, the subscription cost is reasonable for low-volume users.

Now the warnings. This printer is 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, which means it will not connect to 5GHz-only networks or some modern mesh setups that hide the 2.4GHz band. Setup requires an HP+ account, which some users find intrusive. The 60-sheet paper tray needs frequent refilling, and print speeds are slow at 7.5 ppm black.

Who should buy the HP DeskJet 2855e

Budget shoppers, students, and light home users who want a cheap wireless all-in-one and do not mind HP’s account requirements will find real value here. It is the most affordable entry point into wireless printing.

The Instant Ink subscription is also a good fit for people who print consistently but in low volumes.

Who should skip it

If your network is 5GHz-only or uses a mesh system that complicates 2.4GHz device pairing, this printer will fight you. Spend a bit more on a dual-band model like the Brother or HP OfficeJet Pro.

Office users and high-volume printers will also outgrow the small paper tray and slow speeds quickly.

7. HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 – The Premium Office Workhorse

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 is the most capable wireless printer in this roundup, and it shows in every detail. From the moment I unboxed it, the 4.3-inch color touchscreen and phone-like interface made setup and daily operation feel closer to using a tablet than a printer. Dual-band Wi-Fi connected instantly, and HP’s automatic connection issue detection actually flagged a weak signal spot in my office before I even noticed a problem.

Speed is impressive. I timed 25 pages per minute black and 20 ppm color, both of which matched HP’s claims closely. The single-pass 2-sided automatic document feeder scanned a 40-page double-sided contract in one pass without flipping, which saved real time on a deadline.

The dual 250-sheet paper trays (500 total) mean you can keep plain paper in one tray and photo or specialty paper in the other, swapping media without reloading. Auto-duplex printing and scanning worked flawlessly across every test, and HP Wolf Pro Security added peace of mind for a networked office environment.

The drawbacks are mostly about ongoing cost and size. Replacement HP 936 ink cartridges are expensive, and HP pushes the Instant Ink subscription hard. The printer is also large and heavy at 26 pounds, so plan your desk space accordingly. The plastic paper trays feel a bit flimsy for a premium machine.

Who should buy the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135

Small businesses, busy home offices, and work teams that need fast color printing, scanning, and copying will get their money’s worth here. This is the closest thing in this roundup to a true office workhorse.

It is also the best pick for anyone who prints on multiple paper types regularly thanks to the dual trays.

Who should skip it

Light users and budget shoppers are overbuying here. If you print only occasionally, the HP DeskJet 2855e or Canon PIXMA TR160 will serve you better for a fraction of the cost.

Anyone who wants to avoid HP’s ink ecosystem entirely should look at the Epson EcoTank or a Brother laser.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Wireless Printer?

Choosing the best wireless printer comes down to five core decisions: ink technology, Wi-Fi band compatibility, print speed, paper handling, and ongoing cost per page. Get these right and your printer will fade into the background of your workflow. Get them wrong and you will be troubleshooting connection drops and buying ink every three weeks.

Wi-Fi band compatibility: the silent killer

The single biggest pain point I see in user reviews and forum discussions is Wi-Fi band mismatch. Most budget printers (including the HP DeskJet 2855e) only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, while many modern routers and mesh systems default to or hide the 5GHz band. Before you buy, confirm your router broadcasts a visible 2.4GHz network, or pick a dual-band printer like the Brother DCP-L2640DW, HP OfficeJet Pro 8125, or HP OfficeJet Pro 9135.

If your printer keeps disconnecting, the band issue is almost always the culprit. Dual-band printers eliminate this problem entirely.

Laser vs inkjet vs EcoTank: pick your ink strategy

Laser printers (like both Brother models in this roundup) win on cost per page, text sharpness, and longevity. Toner does not dry out, so they are perfect for occasional printers who might go weeks between jobs. Monochrome lasers are especially cheap to run.

Traditional inkjets (HP DeskJet, HP OfficeJet Pro, Canon PIXMA) offer color and photo printing but cost more per page and can clog if unused for long stretches. Cartridge replacement adds up.

EcoTank and supertank designs (Epson EcoTank ET-2800) replace cartridges with refillable bottles, slashing cost per page dramatically. The trade-off is a higher upfront price and slower print speeds.

Print speed: match it to your volume

For occasional home use (under 50 pages a week), any printer in this roundup will feel fine. For home offices printing 100-plus pages a week, look for 20 ppm or faster. The Brother DCP-L2640DW (36 ppm) and HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 (25 ppm) are the speed leaders here.

Photo printing is always slower than document printing, regardless of claimed speeds.

Paper handling and automatic document feeder

If you scan or copy regularly, an automatic document feeder (ADF) is non-negotiable. Single-pass 2-sided ADF (only on the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 here) scans both sides of a page in one pass, which is a huge time-saver. Paper tray capacity matters too: 60 sheets (HP DeskJet) means constant refills, while 250 to 500 sheets (Brother, HP OfficeJet Pro) lets you print for weeks without thinking about paper.

Auto-duplex printing

Auto-duplex (automatic two-sided printing) saves paper and is a feature I now consider essential. The Brother DCP-L2640DW, HP OfficeJet Pro 8125, and HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 all offer it. The budget and portable models here require manual flipping, which gets old fast.

Mobile printing and AirPrint

Every printer in this roundup supports mobile printing, but the experience varies. Apple AirPrint support is universal across these models and works without extra apps on iPhone and iPad. Android users get Mopria on most models. The HP Smart app and Brother Mobile Connect app add features but also add ads and account requirements, which some users find intrusive.

If mobile printing is your priority, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 and Canon PIXMA TR160 offered the smoothest experience in my testing.

Total cost of ownership beyond the sticker price

The cheapest printer is rarely the cheapest to own. A $70 inkjet can cost more in ink over a year than a $200 laser or EcoTank. Before you buy, estimate your monthly page volume and multiply by the cost per page for that model. EcoTank printers win on cost per page long-term, while lasers win on reliability and text quality. Traditional inkjets are best only when you need occasional color at a low upfront price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

After four months of testing, the Brother DCP-L2640DW remains our top pick among the best wireless printers for 2026 because it nails the fundamentals: reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, fast monochrome laser printing, and a no-drama all-in-one experience. Pair it with the HP DeskJet 2855e for budget color, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 for low ink costs, or the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135 for a full office workhorse, and you have a wireless printer lineup that covers every realistic use case.

Pick the model that matches how you actually print, double-check your Wi-Fi band compatibility, and your printer will finally do what it is supposed to do: work, quietly, every time you hit print.