Looking for recommendations for a wireless printer

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hey all,

Oni no Husband and I are finding we need a wireless printer, now that we each have our own laptops that could be anywhere in the house.

So here are our requirements in no particular order:

  1. For home (not business) use
  2. Wireless (wi-fi preferred, I think some of them use bluetooth?)
  3. It would be nice if it operated as a scanner, too
  4. Fairly inexpensive (including inks, hahahaha)
  5. Reliable brand

Suggestions?

2

Linksys makes a wireless printserver device (I have the WPSM54G) that allows you to use your normal desktop printer wirelessly. It also supports multifunction printers for scanning, etc. Works well.

3

Missed the edit window…the solution above would be ideal if you already have a multifunction printer and want to enable wireless use.

Sorry, can’t help with a printer designed as wireless.

4

I know you wanted something thjat scanned but if all you need is basic B&W printing then the Brother 2170W is a heck of a printer. I’ve had one for over a year now and it hasn’t failed me yet. The toner cartridge lasts forever. I still haven’t had to change it out yet even after printing tons of resumes and letting my son print out all his school reports on it.

5

Since the OP is really looking for informed opinions, let’s move this from GQ to IMHO.

samclem. Moderator, General Questions

6

I would look for one that has individual color cartridges so you can change out just the color that is empty. Something like an HP6500. I’m not recommending that specifically but you get the idea.

7

I agree with the recommendation to go with a laser printer, rather than an inkjet printer. If you want a multi-function device, take a look at the Brother MFC-7840W. It goes for about $300, but is available at Staples for $270.

8

Epson Workforce 610. Very fast, and hard to kill

9

Seconding this. I’ve had the Brother 2170W for about a year also, and I love it. You can get it for under $100 if you look around for the best deal. (Got mine at OfficeMax for $99)

10

The printer I just bought does that. It’s also wireless and has a scanner. The model is the Epson Stylus NX515 and I got it for about 100 bucks.

The reviews are mostly good but some complaints are that it’s loud (doesn’t matter to me) and is an ink hog. I haven’t used it enough to see how quickly it really depletes the ink, but so far so good otherwise.

11

We have the Canon MP560 wireless all-in-one (printer, copier, scanner). We’re very happy with it. We have it set to operate wirelessly from either our Mac laptop, Windows desktop, and Windows laptop (for work). Wireless (wi-fi) setup was easy peasy lemon squeezy. It has five separate ink cartridges. Currently on sale on Amazon for about $85, which you really can’t beat. Laserjets are nice but I prefer the option for color without having to pay for a color laser, which are very expensive.

The antenna on the unit isn’t as good as on a laptop, so it’s a good idea to keep it fairly close (within about 25 feet or so) to your wireless router.

12

My Epson Wokforce 610 has been fantastic for the last 4 months. We scan pictures right to the laptop, faxed wirelessly, everything. I can’t say enough good things about it.

13

Do these built-in wireless units scan wirelessly as well, or do they just print that way?

14

Thank you all!

I picked up an Epson Workforce 610 for only $109 at PC Connection. (The cheapest I found it elsewhere was $129.) It should be shipped on Monday.

It looks like the sale there is only through today, so you might want to pick one up if you’ve been lurking in this thread!