Wireless printers and MFPs (multifunction printers) 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.
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 $50 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, a technology that has the potential to greatly simplify wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi Direct-enabled computers and printers can easily connect with each other without requiring a wireless access point. HP has come up with its own equivalent, which it calls Wireless Direct.
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 one works 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.
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