Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer, 50-Sheet Paper Tray and 1.44" Display
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AI Verdict
This is a 4.5-pound portable inkjet printer with a 50-sheet paper tray and 1.44-inch OLED display, designed for printing documents and photos up to 8.5 by 11 inches on the go.
This printer is a situational fit because its 4.5-pound weight and compact design make it genuinely portable for on-the-go printing. However, its slow print speeds of 9 IPM black and 5.5 IPM color, coupled with low ink yields, restrict its utility to occasional printing tasks rather than regular, high-volume use.
If you need faster speeds or lower running costs for frequent printing, look for portable printers with higher IPM ratings or ink tank systems.
Regret Score™
Very High RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Weighs 4.5 pounds and is compact, fitting into a bag or backpack for easy transport.
- Produces detailed photos and supports borderless printing up to 8.5 by 11 inches.
- Offers robust wireless connectivity including Wi-Fi, Wireless Direct, Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and the Canon PRINT app.
- Features a 1.44-inch OLED display for checking ink levels and printer status.
- Can save up to five custom templates for direct printing from the device.
- Compatible with an optional LK-72 battery pack for printing without a power outlet.
Cons
- Prints at 9 IPM for black and 5.5 IPM for color, which is slow for document output.
- Lacks automatic duplex printing, requiring manual page flipping for two-sided documents.
- Ink cartridges, particularly the standard black, have a low yield and require frequent replacement.
- Does not include a scanner or copier function, operating as a print-only device.
- The optional LK-72 battery pack can cost approximately 50% of the printer's price.
Dimension Scores
As a printer, this dimension is not applicable, as it does not offer ergonomic comfort or support for a user.
Adjustability is limited to the 50-sheet paper tray and the fixed 1.44-inch OLED display, offering minimal user customization beyond basic settings.
While Canon claims durable construction, one user noted it felt less well-built compared to an Epson competitor, placing it around category average for portable printers.
Its 4.5-pound weight and compact, space-saving design are key aesthetic features for a portable device, making it easy to carry and fit into small spaces.
Best For
- Field workers needing to print invoices or reports at client sites.
- Students or remote workers who occasionally print documents or photos while traveling.
- Small businesses or kiosks requiring a compact printer for events without consistent power access (with optional battery).
- Individuals who primarily print photos on glossy paper and need portability.
Not Recommended For
- Offices with high-volume printing needs due to slow speeds and low ink yield.
- Users who frequently need to scan or copy documents.
- Anyone expecting fast, automatic two-sided document printing.
- Budget-conscious users who want an all-inclusive portable printing solution without additional battery costs.
Watch Out For
- The printer is prone to clogging, a common inkjet issue, and its small ink cartridges limit maintenance leeway.
- Color accuracy for photos is visibly inaccurate for most colors, even if not unnatural, and colored areas in documents can appear pale.
- One user reported strong visible streaks and crooked letters on standard paper, even after performing a head cleaning.
- The optional LK-72 battery pack, essential for true untethered portability, is a separate purchase and costs around 50% of the printer's unit price.
Full Specifications
| UPC | 013803385298 |
| ASIN | B0F1Z1VLV6 |
| Brand | Canon |
| Color | Black |
| Duplex | Simplex |
| Ink Color | Black |
| Model Name | PIXMA TR160 |
| Sheet Size | 3.5” x 3.5” (Square), 4” x 6”, 5” x 5” (Square), 5” x 7”, 7” x 10”, 8” x 10”, Letter (8.5” x 11”), Legal (8.5” x 14”), U.S. #10 Envelopes, Card Size (91mm x 55mm) |
| Item Weight | 4.5 pounds |
| Print media | Glossy photo paper |
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Model Series | PIXMA TR160 |
| Warranty Type | limited warranty |
| Printer Output | Color |
| Number of Trays | 1 |
| Special Feature | Energy Star |
| Total USB Ports | 1 |
| Printer Ink Type | CLI-36 Dye-Based Color Ink Tank, PGI-35 Pigment-Based Black Ink Tank |
| Item model number | 7069C002 |
| Power Consumption | 8 Watts |
| Compatible Devices | PC, Smartphones, Tablets |
| Hardware Interface | USB Type C |
| Maximum Media Size | 8.5 x 14 inch |
| Product Dimensions | 12.7"D x 7.3"W x 2.6"H |
| Dual-sided printing | No |
| Included Components | Inkjet Cartridges |
| Printing Technology | Inkjet |
| Output sheet capacity | 50 |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 50 |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Smart Home Compatible |
| Max Printspeed Monochrome | 9 ppm |
| Max copy resolution color | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Specific Uses For Product | Home |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | 5.5 ppm |
| Additional Printer functions | Print Only |
| Max Copy Speed (Black & White) | 9 ppm |
| Maximum Color Print Resolution | 4800 x 1200 Dots Per Inch |
| Max copy resolution black-white | 4800 dpi |
| Maximum Black and White Print Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
What Buyers Say
The biggest takeaway from users is that while this printer is genuinely portable and connects easily, you'll be replacing ink cartridges often, and it's not built for speed. Many users appreciate the photo quality, especially on glossy paper, but document printing can be slow and sometimes show color inaccuracies. The optional battery is a game-changer for true mobility, but its high cost is a recurring complaint.
“Look, it's small and prints decent photos, but seriously, the ink runs out so fast it's like a joke, and that battery costs a fortune, I'm constantly buying more ink and wishing it would just print faster.”
Common Praise
- Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry in a bag or backpack.
- Produces detailed photos with vibrant colors and supports borderless printing.
- Connectivity options like Wi-Fi, AirPrint, and Wireless Direct are straightforward and reliable.
- The 1.44-inch OLED display is useful for checking ink levels and status.
- Prints sharp black text on documents.
- Ability to save and print up to five custom templates directly from the printer.
Common Complaints
- Ink cartridges run out quickly, leading to frequent and costly replacements.
- Print speeds of 9 IPM black and 5.5 IPM color are considered very slow for many tasks.
- Lack of automatic duplex printing means manual intervention for two-sided documents.
- The optional LK-72 battery is expensive, costing about half the price of the printer itself.
- Some users experienced visible streaks or crooked letters, even after maintenance.
- Color accuracy for photos is not perfect, and some colored document areas can appear pale.
Ownership Tips
- You'll quickly realize how often you need to buy new ink, especially if you print more than a few pages a week.
- The manual duplex printing is a hassle for anything longer than a couple of pages; you'll be standing there flipping paper.
- Connecting to Wi-Fi and printing from your phone is surprisingly easy and usually works without a hitch.
- The 1.44-inch screen is tiny but actually pretty helpful for basic checks, way better than guessing ink levels.
- If you don't get the optional battery, its portability is limited to where you can find an outlet, which defeats half the purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Canon PIXMA TR160 come with a battery?
No, the PIXMA TR160 does not include a battery. It is compatible with an optional LK-72 battery pack, which must be purchased separately for printing without an AC outlet.
Can this printer scan or copy documents?
No, the Canon PIXMA TR160 is a print-only device. It does not have scanning or copying capabilities.
What is the print speed of the TR160?
The printer can produce approximately 9 images per minute (IPM) for black and white documents and 5.5 IPM for color documents.
Does it support two-sided printing?
The PIXMA TR160 supports manual duplex printing, meaning you have to physically flip the pages to print on both sides; it does not have automatic two-sided printing.
What kind of ink system does it use?
It uses a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System, which includes both pigment black and dye black inks for sharp text and vibrant color details.
Buying Guide
When looking at a portable printer like this, you need to think about how often you'll actually use it away from power, and what you're printing. If it's just a few documents or photos here and there, the slow speed and ink costs might be okay. But if you're planning on printing stacks of papers, you'll quickly get frustrated with the speed and how fast the ink runs out. Also, consider if you truly need the optional battery, because that's a significant extra cost.
Print Speed (IPM)
IPM stands for 'Images Per Minute' and tells you how many pages the printer can spit out in 60 seconds. A printer with 9 IPM for black and 5.5 IPM for color, like this one, is on the slower side. Think of it like a car's top speed – if you need to get somewhere fast, a low top speed will make the journey longer.
Ink System (5-Color Hybrid)
This means the printer uses five separate ink cartridges – usually a pigment black for sharp text, and then cyan, magenta, yellow, and a dye-based black for photos and colors. More cartridges can mean better color accuracy and photo quality, but also more cartridges to replace and potentially higher running costs if one color runs out frequently.
Optional Battery
For a 'portable' printer, an optional battery is a big deal. Without it, you're still tied to a power outlet, which limits where you can actually use it on the go. It's like buying a portable speaker but realizing it only works when plugged in – not very portable then, is it?
Alternatives
If this printer doesn't fit, look for portable inkjet printers with higher pages per minute (PPM) for documents, or models with ink tank systems for lower cost per print, and ensure they include or have a more affordable integrated battery option.
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