Canon PIXMA TR160 Review: a lightweight wireless printer for on-the-go professionals
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a compact, wireless inkjet printer designed for portability, delivering high-quality documents and borderless photos with easy mobile connectivity.
By Elvis Dicki
Updated October 21, 2026
The Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer is a compelling solution for professionals, students, and travelers who need reliable printing capabilities away from a traditional office. This inkjet printer prioritizes ultra-portability without sacrificing print quality, offering a versatile tool for creating documents, flyers, and even borderless photos up to letter size. It is engineered for those who value mobility and simplicity, providing a straightforward way to print from smartphones, tablets, and laptops via wireless connections or even directly without a network.
At its core, the PIXMA TR160 is designed to be a compact companion that fits into a bag or backpack, featuring a 50-sheet paper tray and a 1.44-inch OLED display for basic navigation. Its bottom line is clear: it delivers sharp, vibrant prints in a highly portable form factor, making it ideal for business travelers, mobile workers, or anyone with a dynamic, on-the-move lifestyle who needs occasional, high-quality hard copy output.
Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer
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Canon PIXMA TR160 at a Glance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Printer Type | Inkjet |
| Maximum Print Size | 8.5″ x 11″ (Letter) |
| Item Weight | 4.5 Pounds |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 12.7″ x 7.3″ x 2.6″ |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB, Wireless Direct |
| Display | 1.44″ Monochrome OLED |
| Paper Tray Capacity | 50 Sheets |
| Print Resolution | 4800 x 1200 DPI |
| Ink System | 5-Color Hybrid |
| Mobile Printing | Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, Mopria, Cloud |
Design and Build
The defining characteristic of the Canon PIXMA TR160 is its compact and lightweight form factor. Weighing 4.5 pounds and measuring 12.7 by 7.3 by 2.6 inches, it is designed to be easily transported. The manufacturer states it can fit into a bag or backpack with room to spare, a claim that aligns with its purpose as a portable device. The build, according to owner feedback, is noted for its quality construction, with one reviewer contrasting it favorably against what they described as “HP plastic junk.” The design is streamlined, with the integrated 50-sheet paper tray contributing to its all-in-one portability. The 1.44-inch monochrome OLED display is centrally located, providing a simple interface for checking ink levels, printer status, and navigating settings without adding bulk.
Performance and Features
Print Quality and Speed
The PIXMA TR160 utilizes a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System, which Canon states is responsible for producing sharp black text and vibrant, rich colors. It is capable of printing borderless photos and supports a variety of paper sizes including 4×6, 5×7, and up to letter size (8.5″x11″). The maximum print resolution is 4800 x 1200 DPI for both color and black-and-white output. In terms of speed, the manufacturer lists a maximum print speed of 9 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white documents and 5.5 ppm for color documents. It is a print-only device, with no scanning or copying functions listed.
Connectivity and Ports
Connectivity is a major strength of this printer. It supports wireless printing via the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service, allowing printing from compatible smartphones, tablets, and computers. It also supports cloud printing services. A notable feature is Wireless Direct Mode, which enables a compatible device to connect to the printer directly without needing a wireless router, enhancing its utility in mobile or ad-hoc situations. For wired connections, a USB port is listed under printer connectivity type. The printer’s compatibility extends to PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
Key Features
Beyond its core printing functions, the PIXMA TR160 includes several user-focused features. The ability to save up to five custom templates for instant access and printing directly from the printer’s display adds convenience for repetitive tasks. The 1.44-inch OLED display provides clear, albeit monochrome, feedback on ink levels and printer status. The printer is also listed as an Energy Star certified device, indicating energy efficiency. It’s important to note that automatic duplex (double-sided) printing is not supported; the specifications list “Duplex: Simplex.”
Setup, Support and Ownership
Setup is frequently described in buyer reviews as easy and straightforward, with one owner noting it worked on the first try. The manufacturer provides a one-year limited warranty. A critical aspect of ownership is that the battery for true cordless, portable operation is an optional accessory sold separately. This is a significant consideration for users who plan to use the printer away from a power outlet. The printer uses built-in inkjet cartridges as its consumables. While specific details on driver support or firmware update policies are not provided in the data, the ease of connection via standard mobile printing protocols suggests a low-maintenance setup process. For those interested in compact computing solutions that pair well with portable peripherals, our guides on mini PCs with Intel N100 processors and fanless mini PCs explore complementary tech gear.
What Owners Say
Owner feedback for the Canon PIXMA TR160 is overwhelmingly positive, with a rating distribution showing 73% of reviews at five stars. The predominant praise centers on its portability, ease of use, and print quality. Owners who travel for work or live in RVs specifically highlight its compact size and reliable wireless performance. The print quality for both documents and photos is frequently described as “great” or “excellent.” However, a common critique mentioned across several reviews concerns the ink cartridges, which are described as “TINY” and noted to run out “pretty fast.” Some users also mention that the printer can take a moment to initialize when turning on. The optional battery, when purchased, receives positive remarks for enabling true mobile printing. The overall sentiment is that it offers excellent value, particularly for its intended use case as a travel-friendly printer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptionally compact and lightweight for easy portability
- Produces high-quality prints for both text and photos
- Seamless wireless setup and multiple connectivity options, including Wireless Direct
- Intuitive OLED display for quick status checks
- Versatile compatibility with mobile devices and cloud services
- Easy initial setup and user-friendly interface
Cons
- Battery for cordless use is sold separately
- Ink cartridges have a relatively small capacity
- Monochrome OLED display limits visual feedback
- Limited to letter-size paper and does not support automatic duplexing
- No built-in scanning or copying functionality
- Can have a slow startup time when powering on
Who Should Buy It (and Who Should Skip It)
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is an ideal choice for business travelers, consultants, students, RV owners, and anyone whose work or lifestyle requires occasional high-quality printing away from a fixed desk. Its strengths are perfectly aligned with users who prioritize portability above all else and who primarily print from mobile devices. It’s also a good fit for home users with limited space who don’t need multifunction capabilities. For more stationary setups that might include a portable printer, consider pairing it with a compact workstation like those discussed in our review of the Geekom A6 mini PC.
This printer is not the right choice for high-volume home offices or small businesses that require frequent, large print jobs, due to the small ink cartridge capacity. Users who need automatic double-sided printing, scanning, copying, or larger legal-size paper support should also look elsewhere. Those who require an all-in-one device for a traditional home office setup will find its feature set too limited.
Final Verdict
The Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer successfully fulfills its primary mission: to provide a highly portable, wirelessly connected printing solution for on-the-go professionals and mobile users. It trades the bulk and often complex features of a desktop all-in-one for a streamlined, travel-ready design that doesn’t compromise on print quality. The combination of the 5-Color Hybrid Ink System and versatile wireless connectivity, including the useful Wireless Direct mode, makes it a practical tool for printing documents, sales materials, and photos from virtually anywhere.
Potential buyers must weigh its excellent portability and ease of use against its limitations, most notably the separately sold battery and the small ink cartridge capacity noted by owners. For the right user someone who values mobility and simplicity over high-volume output and multifunction features the PIXMA TR160 represents a focused and effective piece of tech gear. It stands as a specialized tool that excels within its defined scope, much like the specialized AI-focused mini PCs designed for specific computational tasks.
FAQs
Does the Canon PIXMA TR160 come with a battery?
No, the battery is an optional accessory sold separately. The printer itself is lightweight and portable but requires a power connection unless the optional battery pack is purchased and installed.
Can you print without a Wi-Fi network?
Yes, the PIXMA TR160 features a Wireless Direct Mode. This allows compatible smartphones, tablets, or laptops to connect directly to the printer’s own wireless signal, enabling printing without a Wi-Fi router or internet connection.
What is the largest paper size it can print?
The maximum print media size listed is 8.5 by 11 inches, which is standard US Letter size. It can also print on legal size paper (8.5″x14″), as well as various photo paper sizes like 4×6 and 5×7 inches, including square and borderless formats.
Does it print, scan, and copy?
No, the Canon PIXMA TR160 is a print-only device. The manufacturer specifications list “Additional Printer Functions: Print Only.” It does not have built-in scanning or copying capabilities.
About the author
Elvis Dicki writes reviews and buying guides for CyberSecLabs.