The 10 Ideal Wi-fi Printers of 2015

The 10 Ideal Wi-fi Printers of 2015-Wireless printers and multifunction printers (MFPs) have become commonplace in both homes and small offices, and many larger businesses are adopting them as well. Wi-Fi connectivity gives you more flexibility in where you put your printer, and gives you one fewer unsightly cable to worry about or trip over.

Although wireless printers have been available for about a decade, it's only in the past several years that they've come into their own. Most home printers have Wi-Fi capability, many of them eschewing wired networking for it, though some have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Many business inkjets also come with Wi-Fi enabled, and we're seeing more lasers with either standard or optional Wi-Fi as well. (Optional Wi-Fi can cost anywhere between $40 and $300, so be sure to factor that into the price.)

Newer Wi-Fi printers offer mobile printing support. You can print from an iPhone —or an iPad—via Apple's AirPrint to compatible printers, and many printer manufacturers and third parties offer apps for printing from iOS, Android, and other devices. Many directly support printing from cloud-based services.

A small, but quickly growing, number of printers employ Wi-Fi Direct (or its equivalent), a technology that has the potential to greatly simplify wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi Direct-enabled computers and printers can easily connect with each other over a direct, peer-to-peer connection without requiring a wireless access point. A newer and even more direct wireless printing method is near field communication (NFC), in which one has only to touch a compatible mobile device to an NFC-enabled printer for printing to commence.

One thing that's held people back from buying Wi-Fi printers is the perception that they may take a hit in speed. That's occasionally true—a lot depends on the specifics of your Wi-Fi vs. wired networks—but any time lost in data transfer is usually minimal compared with the total print time, particularly if the printer is well positioned with respect to your router. If speed is a concern, pick a Wi-Fi printer that also comes with Ethernet, just in case. (All printers will at least offer USB 2.0 connectivity.)

But which model is best for you or your business? We cut through the clutter to give you the 10 best wireless printers on the market today. And once you've made your choice, we even show you how to connect your PC and devices to it. For more tips on choosing the right printer, check out our buying guide, as well as our overall top printer picks.

HP Officejet Pro X576dw MFP

The HP Officejet Pro X576dw MFP matches or beats more expensive lasers on nearly every key aspect, from speed to MFP features to running cost. The bonus: Edge-to-edge printing.

Brother MFC-J5720DW

The Brother MFC-J5720DW inkjet multifunction printer delivers decent speed and output quality. More importantly, it offers a low running cost and has the ability to print at up to 11 by 17 inches.

Brother MFC-J6920DW

The Brother MFC-J6920 inkjet MFP delivers fast speed and excellent paper handling for micro and small offices that need to print and scan at up to tabloid size (11 by 17 inches). 

Canon imageClass MF6160dw

The Canon imageClass MF6160dw monochrome laser MFP offers fast printing, high-quality output, a full set of MFP basics, and the ability to both print and scan both sides of a page.  Read the full review ››

Canon Pixma iP8720 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer

Aimed at the moderately serious photo enthusiast, the Canon Pixma iP8720 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer offers a low initial price and the ability to print at up to 13 by 19 inches.

Dell 1355cnw Multifunction Color Printer

Whether you need a shared MFP in a micro, small, or home office or a personal MFP in any size office, the Dell 1355cnw Multifunction Color Printer is a prime candidate.

Epson WorkForce WF-3640

Epson's WorkForce WF-3640 is capable at paper handling and comes with a long list of features that makes it our Editors' Choice for moderate-use micro office MFPs.

Epson WorkForce WF-7110

The Epson WorkForce WF-7110 inkjet printer offers fast speed, a low price, and excellent paper handing for dealing with standard paper sizes up to 13 by 19 inches, and even larger.

HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter

Whether you need a shared inkjet printer for a micro office, a personal printer for any size office, or a dual home and home and home-office printer, the HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter can be a good fit.

HP Officejet Pro 8620 e-All-in-One

The HP Officejet Pro 8620 e-All-in-One delivers almost any feature you could want in an inkjet multifunction printer for a micro, small, or busy home office.