Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer, 50-Sheet Paper
✅ PROS
- Compact footprint (about 12.5 inch " wide) fits on a bookshelf or dorm desk without dominating the space
- Wireless setup via Canon PRINT app works reliably with both iOS and Android — no USB cable required
- 50-sheet rear tray handles mixed media up to legal size, including envelopes and photo paper
❌ CONS
- No automatic document feeder — every multi-page scan or copy is a manual, one-page-at-a-time affair
- Ink cartridges are small; expect roughly 180 black pages before swapping, which adds up in cost per page
- Print speeds are modest — around 8 ppm for black-and-white, so don't plan to print a 50-page report in a hurry
The Verdict
Let’s be direct: most sub-$100 printers are disposable disappointments. The Canon PIXMA TR160 isn’t trying to be your office workhorse — it’s trying to be the printer you actually use when you need one, and for the most part, it pulls that off. With a 4.2-star average across 210 ratings, it’s clearly doing something right. Here’s the real breakdown.
What You Actually Get
The box contains the TR160, a single black ink cartridge (setup size, so it’s partially full), and a power cord. That’s it. No USB cable — this is a wireless-only machine, which is either liberating or limiting depending on your setup. The printer measures roughly 12.5 x 7.3 x 5 inches and weighs about 4.4 pounds, making it genuinely portable if you need to move it between rooms.
The headline feature is the 50-sheet rear paper tray, which is a significant upgrade over the 20-sheet trays on older budget Canons. It handles letter, legal, and 4x6 photo paper, plus envelopes. As shown in the product image, the tray folds flush against the back when not in use, keeping the footprint tidy.
Performance and Real-World Use
Setup through the Canon PRINT app is straightforward — download, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’re printing in about five minutes. AirPrint works seamlessly for iPhone users, and Android users can print via the app or Google Cloud Print alternatives.
Print quality is surprisingly solid for the price point. Text documents come out crisp and dark, and color photos are acceptable for casual use — not gallery quality, but fine for school projects or family snapshots. Black-and-white print speed hovers around 8 pages per minute, which is adequate but not impressive.
The TR160 also scans and copies, but here’s the catch: there’s no flatbed scanner. Instead, it uses a sheet-fed design where you feed documents through the rear tray one at a time. This is fine for single-page receipts or contracts but becomes tedious for anything longer.
What Buyers Consistently Praise
Scrolling through the customer feedback, a few themes emerge. “The small size is perfect for my apartment,” one reviewer notes, “I actually keep it on a shelf in my closet and pull it out when I need it.” Another echoes the sentiment: “Does what I need it to do without taking up my whole desk.”
Users also frequently mention the reliable wireless connection — a common pain point for budget printers. “Connected to my iPhone and Mac without any drama,” one verified purchase reports. “That alone makes it worth it compared to my old HP.”
Where It Falls Short
The ink situation is the biggest long-term cost concern. The TR160 uses the PG-275 black cartridge and PG-275XL high-yield black cartridge, plus the CL-275 color cartridge. The standard black cartridges are small — expect around 180 pages from the standard and roughly 400 from the XL. If you print regularly, the cost per page is noticeably higher than a laser printer or a larger tank-based inkjet.
No ADF, as mentioned, is a genuine limitation for home offices that scan multi-page documents. And if you’re a student who needs to print a 40-page essay the night before it’s due, the 8 ppm speed will test your patience.
Who Should Buy This
This printer is ideal for:
- Students in dorms or apartments who need occasional printing for assignments
- Remote workers who print a few pages a week and need a compact home option
- Travelers or small-home dwellers who prioritize footprint over speed
Skip it if you print more than 100 pages monthly, need frequent scanning of multi-page documents, or want the lowest possible cost per page.
FAQ
Q: Can I print without Wi-Fi? A: Yes, you can connect directly via Wi-Fi Direct to your phone or computer without a router. It’s a bit slower to set up, but it works in hotel rooms or other places without internet.
Q: Does it work with Chromebooks? A: Yes, Google Cloud Print support means Chromebook users can print without installing drivers. Setup through the Canon PRINT app is the easiest route.
Q: What’s the real cost per page? A: Using the high-yield black cartridge (PG-275XL), you’re looking at roughly 4-5 cents per black page. Color pages run higher, around 10-12 cents. That’s average for a budget inkjet.
The Verdict
Rating: 4.2/5
Buy it if you need an affordable, genuinely compact printer for light-to-moderate use and value wireless reliability over speed.
Skip it if your printing volume is high, you need multi-page scanning, or you want the lowest long-term ink costs — look at an ink-tank model instead.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 isn’t a game-changer. It’s a solid, honest, no-frills printer that does exactly what it promises: prints, scans, and copies reasonably well in a small package. For the right user, that’s more than enough.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.