“Air printer” usually means a printer that supports Apple AirPrint, not a special type of printer. For a document-heavy home office that needs color and scanning, RTINGS’ September 2026 guide names the Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw its leading tested AirPrint pick. For regular color printing with refillable ink, consider the Epson EcoTank ET-2980; for mostly occasional black-and-white documents, compare a monochrome laser such as the Brother HL-L2460DW. The right choice depends on print volume, document workflow, and the exact model’s AirPrint support.
What AirPrint means for a home printer
AirPrint is Apple’s driverless printing feature. Apple says supported printers can print from Apple devices without installing additional drivers or software. Wireless connectivity alone does not guarantee AirPrint compatibility, so check Apple’s compatibility information for the exact printer model and regional version before buying.
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For setup, connect the printer to Wi-Fi, connect the iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro to the same Wi-Fi network, then choose the printer from the print dialogue in the app you are using. Apple’s About AirPrint page explains compatibility and setup.
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Which AirPrint printer fits your household?
| Use case | Model to investigate | Why it may fit | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document-heavy home office with color and scanning | Canon Color imageCLASS MF665Cdw | RTINGS names it its best tested AirPrint printer. It is a color laser all-in-one with Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, duplex-capable ADF scanning, and duplex printing. | Laser output is less suited to photos than a suitable inkjet. Compare the initial price and the toner cost for your exact model. |
| Regular color printing with refillable ink | Epson EcoTank ET-2980 | Refillable-tank all-in-one; RTINGS says its ink bottles can serve thousands of pages. | It has no automatic document feeder, and inkjet heads can clog if the printer sits unused for long periods. |
| Occasional black-and-white documents | Brother HL-L2460DW | Monochrome laser printer with automatic duplex printing; toner does not dry out like ink. | It cannot print color and has no scanner or copier. |
| Low initial cost for a color all-in-one | Canon PIXMA MG3620 | Wi-Fi and AirPrint, print/scan/copy functions, and automatic duplex printing. | No ADF; cartridges run out quickly and recurring costs are high. Replacing a tri-color cartridge can waste color ink that remains. |
| Portable printing | HP OfficeJet 250 | Compact portable all-in-one with AirPrint and Wi-Fi/USB connectivity. | Output is slow and cartridges run out quickly. Consider battery needs and expected print volume. |
| Wireless refillable-tank alternative | Canon PIXMA G3270 | TechRadar describes Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and refillable ink tanks. | No automatic two-sided printing. Verify the exact regional model designation and AirPrint compatibility. |
These are models to investigate, not a guarantee that every regional variant is currently available or AirPrint-listed. RTINGS describes its recommendations as based on its own standardized testing and purchases products for testing; its findings are not tests performed for this article. See its 2026 AirPrint printer guide for its methods and model details.
#1 Best Overall
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
How to compare printers before you buy
Match the printer to how often you print
Frequent output makes high-yield toner or refillable ink more relevant. If a printer may sit unused for weeks or months, a laser model is worth considering: the cited review warns that inkjet nozzles can clog during long periods of inactivity. For occasional text-only printing, a monochrome laser avoids paying for color capability you do not use.
Choose for the pages you actually print
Laser printers are generally a practical fit for documents, while suitable inkjet models are better suited to photographs. RTINGS reports that the MF665Cdw produces weaker, flatter, grainier photos than inkjets, so a document-focused recommendation should not be mistaken for a photo-printing recommendation.
Rank #2
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Compare total ownership cost, not just the purchase price
Include the printer’s purchase price, the correct replacement toner or ink, expected supply yield, and your likely print volume. TechRadar notes that cartridges can cost more over time, while refillable tanks can lower ongoing ink costs. Actual expenses depend on the model, supplies, and use; a generic cost-per-page figure would not settle the comparison. Its wireless printer guide discusses the trade-off.
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Check scanning and paper-handling needs
Decide whether you need print-only or print/scan/copy/fax functions. A flatbed is useful for books, cards, or single pages; an automatic document feeder (ADF) is more convenient for multipage paperwork. If you scan both sides of documents, confirm that duplex scanning is supported: the MF665Cdw has an ADF with duplex scanning, while the ET-2980 has no ADF. Also check whether automatic duplex printing is important; it is not the same as duplex scanning.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Envy 6155 is perfect for homes printing everyday high-quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 10 ppm black, 7 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out, and you save up to 50% on ink. After 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
Rank #4
- Efficient Everyday Printing: It can print great looking borderless photos and even supports various paper types & sizes, from 3.5” x 3.5” Square up to legal size paper.
- Print Connectivity: Whether that is a smartphone, tablet or computer. Have peace of mind and connect with AirPrintFootnote4, Mopria Print ServiceFootnote5, Wi-FiFootnote7, or Ethernet.
- Big Performance with Compact Design: With a 350 SHEET plain paper capacity the PIXMA TS702 is ready to take on large print jobs.
- Wireless Single-Function: Print only featuring Auto 2-Sided (Duplex) Printing.
- Sharp Text: The hybrid ink system combines dye ink for rich colors and black pigment ink.
Rank #3
- AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE FOR HOME AND HOME OFFICE: Print, copy, and scan on one compact wireless printer designed for everyday home office printing, schoolwork, documents, and reports. Produce beautiful prints for results that stand out.
- EASY TO USE WITH CLOUD APP CONNECTIONS: Print from and scan to popular Cloud apps(2), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the simple-to-use 1.8” color display on your printer.
- FULL-SIZE FEATURES IN A COMPACT DESIGN: This printer includes automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a 20-sheet single-sided Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)(3), and a 150-sheet paper tray(3). Engineered to print at fast speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 9 ppm in color(4).
- MULTIPLE CONNECTION OPTIONS: Connect your way. Interface with your printer on your wireless network or via USB.
- MOBILE PRINTING MADE EASY: Go mobile with the Brother Mobile Connect app(5) that delivers easy onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from your mobile device. Monitor your ink usage with Page Gauge to help ensure you don’t run out(6).
Set up AirPrint on your home Wi-Fi
- Check compatibility: Look up the printer’s exact model in Apple’s AirPrint compatibility and setup guidance. Do not infer support from the brand name or Wi-Fi capability alone.
- Connect the printer: Follow the printer’s own instructions to join it to your Wi-Fi network.
- Connect your Apple device: Make sure it is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.
- Print from an app: Open the app’s print dialogue, select the printer, review available options, and send the job. AirPrint does not require installing a separate printer driver or software for a supported printer.
Sources and testing context
- Apple Support, About AirPrint, accessed October 7, 2026: compatibility and setup guidance.
- RTINGS, The 5 Best AirPrint Printers of 2026, updated September 10, 2026: model recommendations and its test findings. RTINGS says it has tested over 170 printers since 2020; that is its stated testing history, not a market statistic.
- TechRadar, Best wireless printer of 2026, published July 28, 2026: wireless printer and ink-tank comparison guidance.
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