Quick Picks: Best Wireless Printers 2026
Best Wireless for Home
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Plug-and-play setup with ultra-low ink costs
Best for Small Business
Brother MFC-L8905CDW
WiFi 6, NFC, enterprise-grade security
Best for Families
HP Envy Inspire 7255e
Easy mobile app, great for photos & homework
Best Wireless Laser
Brother HL-L2480DW
36 ppm speed, perfect for documents
Understanding Wireless Printer Connectivity in 2026
Modern wireless printers offer multiple ways to connect and print without cables. Here's what you need to know about each technology:
WiFi (Network Printing)
Connects your printer to your home/office WiFi network. Any device on the same network can print.
- Printer appears on all connected devices
- Works with computers, phones, tablets
- Requires a WiFi router
WiFi Direct
Creates a direct connection between device and printer without needing a router.
- Print when network is down
- Great for guest printing
- No router required
AirPrint (Apple)
Apple's wireless printing protocol for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. No drivers needed.
- Print directly from any Apple device
- Zero configuration required
- Automatically discovers printers
Bluetooth & NFC
Short-range wireless options for quick, direct printing from mobile devices.
- Bluetooth: Easy smartphone pairing
- NFC: Tap phone to printer
- Best for mobile-first users
WiFi 6: The New Standard for 2026
The latest printers feature WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with dual-band support. This provides faster connection speeds, better performance with multiple devices, and improved reliability. If you have a WiFi 6 router, look for WiFi 6 compatible printers to get the best experience.
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Wireless Features
- OK Dual-band WiFi
- OK WiFi Direct
- OK Apple AirPrint
- OK Epson Smart Panel App
- OK Voice assistant support
- OK Email print capability
Key Specs
- Print/Scan/Copy all-in-one
- 10.5 ppm black, 5 ppm color
- 4,500 black pages included ink
- 7,500 color pages included ink
- Automatic duplex printing
- 1.44" color LCD screen
Why It's Our Top Pick for Wireless Home Printing
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is the easiest wireless printer to set up that we've tested. The connection process is practically plug-and-play - the Epson Smart Panel app walks you through WiFi setup in minutes, and the printer automatically appears on all your devices.
Beyond easy connectivity, this printer delivers exceptional value with its refillable ink tank system. The included ink prints up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages - enough for years of typical home use. You'll almost forget you own a printer because you never need to buy cartridges.
AirPrint support means iPhone and iPad users can print instantly without installing apps. Android users get the same seamless experience through Mopria Print Service. Voice printing through Alexa and Google Assistant adds hands-free convenience.
Brother MFC-L8905CDW
Wireless Features
- OK WiFi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band
- OK Gigabit Ethernet
- OK WiFi Direct
- OK NFC tap-to-print
- OK Apple AirPrint
- OK Enterprise security features
Key Specs
- Print/Scan/Copy/Fax all-in-one
- 33 ppm color and black
- Color laser technology
- 80-sheet ADF (duplex)
- 7" touchscreen display
- 520-sheet paper capacity
Enterprise-Grade Wireless for Growing Businesses
The Brother MFC-L8905CDW is the most capable wireless printer we've tested. With WiFi 6 support, it handles multiple simultaneous print jobs from across your office without slowing down. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides wired backup for critical reliability.
NFC tap-to-print is a standout feature - employees can simply tap their phone to the printer to start a job. Combined with badge reader support for secure release printing, this is ideal for offices with security requirements.
At 33 pages per minute in both color and black, it keeps up with demanding workloads. The 520-sheet input capacity means less time refilling paper, and the 80-sheet duplex ADF handles bulk scanning and copying efficiently.
HP Envy Inspire 7255e
Wireless Features
- OK Dual-band WiFi
- OK Bluetooth 5.0
- OK Apple AirPrint
- OK HP Smart App
- OK HP+ cloud printing
- OK Alexa voice printing
Key Specs
- Print/Scan/Copy all-in-one
- 15 ppm black, 10 ppm color
- 2.7" color touchscreen
- 125-sheet paper tray
- 6 months free HP+ ink
- Photo tray for 4x6 prints
HP Smart App Highlights
The HP Smart App makes printing from anywhere effortless. Print photos from your phone's gallery, scan documents to cloud storage, and even access homework templates for kids. Parents can set up profiles for each family member to track usage.
The Family-Friendly Wireless Printer
The HP Envy Inspire 7255e is designed with families in mind. Bluetooth 5.0 makes initial setup incredibly simple - just open the HP Smart app on your phone and follow the prompts. Within minutes, everyone in the house can print.
The dedicated photo tray lets you print borderless 4x6 photos without swapping paper - perfect for printing memories from your phone. Print quality rivals professional photo labs for family snapshots and school projects.
HP+ enrollment includes 6 months of free Instant Ink, so you won't pay for ink during the trial period. The self-healing WiFi feature automatically reconnects if your network drops, eliminating frustrating connection issues.
Brother HL-L2480DW
Wireless Features
- OK Dual-band WiFi
- OK Gigabit Ethernet
- OK WiFi Direct
- OK Apple AirPrint
- OK Brother Mobile Connect
- OK Mopria certified
Key Specs
- Monochrome laser print only
- 36 ppm print speed
- Automatic duplex printing
- 250-sheet paper tray
- Up to 4,500-page toner
- Toner never dries out
Blazing Fast Wireless Document Printing
The Brother HL-L2480DW proves you don't need to sacrifice speed for wireless convenience. At 36 pages per minute, it's the fastest wireless printer in our guide - three times faster than most inkjet alternatives.
The dual-band WiFi ensures stable connections even in crowded wireless environments. If you need guaranteed reliability, the Gigabit Ethernet port provides a wired alternative. WiFi Direct lets guests print without accessing your main network.
For remote workers and home offices that print lots of documents, laser technology offers a key advantage: toner never dries out. Whether you print daily or monthly, you'll never waste money on clogged cartridges.
Wireless Printer Comparison 2026
| Printer | Price | WiFi Standard | AirPrint | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson ET-2850 | $249 | Dual-band | Yes | 10.5 ppm | Home use |
| Brother MFC-L8905CDW | $699 | WiFi 6 | Yes | 33 ppm | Small business |
| HP Envy 7255e | $189 | Dual-band | Yes | 15 ppm | Families |
| Brother HL-L2480DW | $179 | Dual-band | Yes | 36 ppm | Documents |
Wireless Printer Buying Guide 2026
WiFi Standards Explained
WiFi 6 (802.11ax): Latest standard with fastest speeds and best multi-device performance. Ideal for busy offices.
Dual-band WiFi: Supports both 2.4GHz (better range) and 5GHz (faster speed). Good for most homes.
Mobile Printing Essentials
- AirPrint: Required for easy iPhone/iPad/Mac printing
- Mopria: Android's universal print standard
- WiFi Direct: Print without network connection
Connection Troubleshooting Tips
- Place printer within 15 feet of router
- Use 5GHz band for faster, stable connection
- Keep printer firmware updated
- Enable WiFi Direct as backup option
Security Considerations
- Use WPA3 encryption when available
- Enable secure release printing for offices
- Create guest network for visitor printing
- Disable direct printing if not needed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best wireless printer for home use in 2026? v
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is the best wireless printer for home use in 2026. It offers seamless WiFi connectivity, AirPrint support, and extremely low running costs with refillable ink tanks. Setup is practically plug-and-play, and the included ink lasts for years of typical home use.
Do all wireless printers work with AirPrint? v
Most modern wireless printers support AirPrint, but not all. Look for printers specifically labeled as AirPrint compatible if you use Apple devices. All printers in our 2026 guide support AirPrint for seamless iPhone, iPad, and Mac printing without needing to install drivers.
What's the difference between WiFi and WiFi Direct printing? v
WiFi printing connects your printer to your home network router, allowing any device on that network to print. WiFi Direct creates a direct connection between your device and printer without needing a router - it's useful for guest printing or when your main network is down.
Why does my wireless printer keep disconnecting? v
Common causes include: 1) Distance from router - keep printer within 15 feet, 2) Interference from other devices - switch to 5GHz band, 3) Outdated firmware - check for updates, 4) Power saving mode - disable printer sleep mode. Printers with "self-healing WiFi" like HP models automatically reconnect.
Is WiFi 6 worth it for a printer? v
WiFi 6 is worth it for offices with many devices or heavy print volumes. It handles multiple simultaneous connections better than older standards. For home use with occasional printing, dual-band WiFi is sufficient. Only choose WiFi 6 if you have a WiFi 6 router to take advantage of the benefits.
Our Final Recommendation
For most homes in 2026, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is the best wireless printer. Its effortless setup, reliable dual-band WiFi, and incredibly low ink costs make it the smartest choice for families and home offices alike.
Small businesses should consider the Brother MFC-L8905CDW for its WiFi 6 speed and enterprise security features. For budget-conscious families who want photos and documents, the HP Envy Inspire 7255e delivers excellent value with 6 months of free ink.
View Epson ET-2850 on Amazon