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Canon PIXMA TR160 Review: A Portable Printer for Documents and Photos

The Canon PIXMA TR160 offers portable Letter-size and photo printing, but its optional battery, slow output, modest tray, and low ink yields limit its appeal for office use.

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The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a portable, print-only inkjet that handles full-size Letter and Legal pages as well as photos. Its compact body, Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, and optional battery make it useful when printing away from a desk matters more than speed. The trade-offs are substantial for regular office work: it prints one side at a time, holds only 50 sheets, has no scanner, and independent testing found low cartridge yields.

Is the Canon PIXMA TR160 worth it?

It makes sense for occasional printing in a small workspace or while traveling, especially if you need full-size documents and want the option of glossy photo prints. It is a less convincing choice for a busy office, high-volume printing, or anyone who needs to scan and copy. RTINGS found sharp documents and detailed photos, but also described output as slow and flagged low ink yields and possible clogging if the printer sits unused.

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The TR160 is nearly identical to the earlier TR150, according to RTINGS; the review identifies Wi-Fi 5 support and enhanced wireless security as the newer model’s differences. If you are comparing portable printers, weigh scanning, battery operation, wired connectivity, paper capacity, size and running costs alongside print quality. RTINGS identifies the Epson WorkForce WF-110 as a similarly performing portable competitor and the HP OfficeJet 250 as an option with scanning and stronger document performance; it describes the Canon as the more photo-oriented choice in that comparison.

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What can the TR160 print, and how fast?

Canon’s U.S. specifications list Letter (8.5 × 11 inches), Legal (8.5 × 14 inches), envelopes and several photo sizes, including borderless prints up to 8.5 × 11 inches. The rear tray holds up to 50 sheets of plain paper. Canon lists compatible Canon photo media, including Photo Paper Plus Glossy II. Digital Camera World notes that the printer has no internal paper cassette, so travelers need to carry paper separately.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Canon PIXMA TR160 Color Wireless Portable Printer
  • LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE - Connect and print on the go with the PIXMA TR160. This lightweight portable printer can fit into a bag or backpack with room to spare.
  • HIGH-QUALITY PRINTING ON THE GO - Print documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11” that showcase sharp black text and vibrant details with rich color thanks to a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System, including square and borderless prints.
  • SIMPLE & EASY CONNECTIVITY - Printing is only an app away when using the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint4, or Mopria Print Service5 with your compatible device(s) or the cloud.
  • WIRELESS DIRECT MODE - Connect your compatible device to the printer even without a wireless router.
  • 1.44” OLED DISPLAY - Easily check ink levels, printer status, and other settings with the 1.44” Monochrome OLED.

For Letter documents, Canon lists manufacturer test speeds of 9.0 images per minute (ipm) in black and 5.5 ipm in color under its ESAT specification. Canon also lists approximately 53 seconds for a borderless 4 × 6-inch photo on PP-201 paper. These are test specifications, not a guarantee of the time any particular job will take; RTINGS characterizes real-world output as slow, particularly for office use.

How does it connect, and can it print without Wi-Fi?

The TR160 supports Hi-Speed USB and dual-band Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Canon lists Apple AirPrint, Canon PRINT and Mopria, as well as wireless direct connection. USB provides a wired printing option, while wireless direct connection lets a compatible device connect to the printer without relying on a Wi-Fi router.

Rank #2
Sale
Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Duplex Printing, White – Home Printer with Copier/Scanner, Auto Document Feeder, Compact Design, Intuitive Control Panel
  • 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
  • Seamless Multi-Page Handling - Tackle multi-page documents with ease using the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick scanning and copying

Does the Canon TR160 come with a battery?

Canon says the LK-72 battery is optional, not part of the standard U.S. configuration. Without it, the printer needs an AC outlet. Canon’s March 28, 2025 launch announcement estimated approximately 330 pages per charge when a fully charged new battery printed ISO/IEC 24712 color test files continuously on Letter plain paper in Standard mode over USB, with Wi-Fi off. Treat that as a manufacturer estimate under those specific conditions, not a general expectation for mixed or wireless use.

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Canon gave launch-era estimated retail prices of $249.99 for the printer and $99.99 for the optional battery in the same 2025 announcement. Those figures are not current price quotes; verify today’s price and bundle contents with the seller. Canon lists the printer at about 2.1 kg (4.5 lb) without the optional battery, so portability still means carrying the printer and paper.

Rank #3
HP OfficeJet 200 Inkjet Mobile Printer | Wireless
  • "BUSINESS PRINTING—VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE - Use your laptop, tablet, or smartphone to print on the go, without having to connect to a network"
  • "EASY PORTABLE PRINTING WHEREVER YOU NEED IT - Print business documents anytime, anywhere, with a compact, portable printer that fits into your car, backpack, or briefcase. Battery included (estimated value $119)."
  • HP APP - Print and scan right from your smartphone with the easiest-to-use print app
  • "EASY SETUP AND PRINTING FROM MOBILE DEVICES - HP Auto Wireless Connect allows for easy setup right out of the box so you can print from your laptop or mobile devices wirelessly, with or without a router."
  • "POWER UP, FAST - Charge within 90 minutes while the printer is turned off, with HP Fast Charge; simply plug in your AC power source at home, in the car, or in the office"

What ink does the TR160 use, and what are the running-cost trade-offs?

The printer uses two ink tanks: PGI-35 pigment black and CLI-36 dye color. RTINGS’ page-yield assessment describes cartridges lasting about 200 pages, but actual yield varies with the content printed and usage. Expect to replace ink more often if you print frequently; the cartridge figure is an independent assessment, not a guaranteed yield for every user.

Canon lists ChromaLife100 print longevity of up to 100 years in an album, 30 years behind glass, or 20 years without glass. These are Canon’s stated longevity figures, not independent lifetime test results.

Rank #4
Canon PIXMA TS9520 All in one Wireless Printer Home or Office| Scanner | Copier | Mobile Printing with AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, Black, Works with Alexa, One Size
  • The PIXMA TS9520 has a 5 Color Individual Ink System, that means it's ready for sharp black text and great looking photos. It can even support various paper types and sizes, from 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches to 11 inches x 17 inches
  • You can print from all your favorite devices, whether that is a smartphone, tablet or computer. With AirPrint , Mopria Print Service, Wi Fi, and Ethernet the PIXMA TS9520 has you covered
  • With 11 inches x 17 inches paper support, booklet layout copy, oversized scanning and Auto Document Feeder for multi page documents, the PIXMA TS9520 is extremely versatile and ready to handle many different needs
  • For numbers listed in product description see “specification sheet” in technical specification section below
  • Scanner Type Flatbed & ADF (Auto Document Feeder). Max. Document Size Flatbed 8.5 x 11.7 (Letter/A4), ADF 8.5 x 14.0 (Legal)

How good are its photo prints?

Photo output is one of the TR160’s clearer strengths. RTINGS reports detailed photos, and Digital Camera World positions it as an unusually capable portable option because it accepts full A4/Letter-size paper. Reviewer Matthew Richards wrote, “I was pleasantly surprised by the richness and detail in dark shadowy areas of glossy photo prints, and by the lifelike color rendition.” The praise is specific to glossy photo output; it does not change the printer’s modest document speed or make it an all-in-one.

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Who should choose a different printer?

  • You need scanning or copying: The TR160 prints only. Consider an all-in-one such as the HP OfficeJet 250 if scanning is essential.
  • You print many pages for work: Its independent review reports slow output and low page yields, while Canon lists a 50-sheet tray and simplex printing only in its U.S. specifications.
  • You leave printers unused for long periods: RTINGS warns that ink may clog when the printer sits idle, making it a less suitable fit for very intermittent use.
  • You want a self-contained travel kit: The printer does not store paper in an internal cassette, and the battery is an optional accessory in the standard U.S. configuration.

For occasional full-size printing where portability and photo quality matter more than throughput, the TR160 is a capable niche choice. For scanning, sustained office output, or lower-maintenance high-volume use, its limitations are likely to outweigh its compact size.

Best Value
Canon LK-72 Battery Pack, Compatibile to The Canon PIXMA TR160, TR150 Mobile Printer
  • The LK-72 is an optional battery pack kit designed for the PIXMA TR160, TR150 Wireless Portable Printer.
  • With the LK-72 Battery Pack, take your PIXMA TR160, TR150 Wireless Portable Printer on the go and print up to 330 sheets on a full charge1.
  • The LK-72 battery is light and compact so you can take it with you for mobile printing convenience without the need for an AC power outlet. Easily attach and detach the battery with no tools or additional attachments required.
  • This genuine Canon battery pack provides peak performance that is specifically designed for compatible Canon printers.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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