The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a print-only portable inkjet printer. As a replacement for the Canon PIXMA TR150, the TR160 is nearly identical to its predecessor, adding only Wi-Fi 5 support and enhanced wireless security. It uses the same 5-color ink system comprising a pigment black and a dye black ink. Connectivity options include USB and Wi-Fi, as well as support for Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. It has a 50-sheet input tray capacity and supports manual duplex printing. Like its predecessor, this model is compatible with the LK-72 battery pack, enabling you to operate the printer even when a power outlet isn't nearby.
Our Verdict
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is okay for home use, but it's not what it was designed for. It produces sharp documents and detailed photos, but since it's a print-only unit, you'll need a separate scanner if you want to scan anything. It features both wired and wireless connectivity, making it easy for every household member to access. Additionally, as a compact and portable model, it can be easily moved from one room to another without much trouble. You'll need to replace the ink cartridges frequently, as they don't yield many prints. However, the cartridges are relatively inexpensive, so you won't have to worry about high recurring costs.
Produces sharp documents with minimal artifacts.
Produces detailed photos.
Low recurring costs.
Wired and wireless connectivity.
Slow printing speed.
No scanner.
Requires frequent cartridge replacements due to low page yields.
Can clog if it's left unused.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is bad for office use. Although it produces sharp documents, it's very slow, churning out only seven black or three color document pages per minute. It also lacks a scanner and requires regular maintenance due to its ink cartridges running out quickly. That said, because this printer can run on battery, it can be a good option if you travel frequently for work or operate an outdoor kiosk with no nearby power outlet.
Produces sharp documents with minimal artifacts.
Wired and wireless connectivity.
Slow printing speed.
No scanner.
Requires frequent cartridge replacements due to low page yields.
Only supports manual duplex printing.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a poor choice for users seeking a low-maintenance printer that's ready to use even after long periods of inactivity. Like any inkjet printer, it's prone to clogging. Its cartridges are also relatively small, so you won't have much leeway to run maintenance tasks. On the bright side, you'll be able to replace the printheads if the clogging is too stubborn for regular maintenance. The standard black ink yield is disappointingly low, requiring frequent replacement. On a positive note, the printer offers solid connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, USB, and support for major printing protocols.
Wired and wireless connectivity.
Slow printing speed.
Requires frequent cartridge replacements due to low page yields.
Can clog if it's left unused.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is good for photo printing. It produces detailed photos and supports various paper sizes up to 8.5" x 11". Its color gamut is decent, struggling mainly with bright, saturated tones. As for its color accuracy, while most colors are visibly inaccurate, they aren't so off as to make printed pictures look bad or unnatural. Unfortunately, the ink cartridges run out quickly, so you'll need to replace them frequently.
Produces detailed photos.
Decent color gamut.
Low recurring costs.
Supports borderless printing.
Slow printing speed.
Requires frequent cartridge replacements due to low page yields.
Most colors are visibly inaccurate.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 has poor page yields. Its cartridges only last about 200 pages, so frequent replacements are likely if you print regularly. There are also no high-yield variants to help mitigate this issue.
Requires frequent cartridge replacements due to low page yields.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a print-only unit.
No scanner.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Jul 06, 2026: We've updated this review to Test Bench 1.4, which adds new usages and performance usages, as well as reorganizes several other tests throughout the review. You can read more about the changes in detail in the Changelog.
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Updated Dec 16, 2025:
We've updated text throughout the review after converting to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Dec 16, 2025: We've updated the review to Test Bench 1.3, which adds a number of test boxes including Risk of Clogging and Ease of Unclogging. We also updated the Usage and Performance boxes at the top of the review to better integrate the new aspects covered. See the changelog.
- Updated May 29, 2025: Review published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Canon PIXMA TR160 portable printer. There's no other variant. The LK-72 Battery Pack is optional; depending on the region and retailer, you may be able to get the printer and the battery as a bundle.
You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Printer Comparisons
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a good portable printer. While it isn't the best in document printing quality compared to models like the HP OfficeJet 250, it's among the better ones for photo printing, thanks to its color performance. Its cost per print is also quite good compared to the aforementioned OfficeJet 250 and its smaller sibling, the HP OfficeJet 200, especially for color printing. A competitor that performs very similarly is the Epson WorkForce WF-110, though it lacks wired USB connectivity and doesn't feel as well-built.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best portable printers, the best small printers, and the best inkjet printers.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 and the Epson WorkForce WF-110 are very similar overall. The Epson produces slightly higher quality documents, but it doesn't print quite as fast as the Canon and takes longer to initialize before getting the first page out. It also has a smaller input tray capacity than the Canon, which means you'll have to refill the tray more often. One thing to keep in mind is that the Epson doesn't support a wired USB connection even though it has a USB port (it's only for charging the built-in battery), so you can only connect to the printer wirelessly.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 and the HP OfficeJet 250 are both portable printers. Choosing between them depends on what you print; the HP produces higher-quality documents, while the Canon produces nicer photos. If you need a scanner, then the HP is the only choice since the Canon is a print-only unit. The HP also has a USB-A port, allowing you to print directly off a USB flash drive.
The Canon PIXMA TR160 is a newer version of the Canon PIXMA TR150. These two models are nearly identical; the only difference is that the newer TR160 has Wi-Fi 5 support and improved wireless security.
The HP OfficeJet 200 and the Canon PIXMA TR160 are very similar portable printers. The HP is better for document printing, as it produces higher quality documents and prints faster; however, the Canon is better for photo printing, as it has a wider color range and better accuracy. Feature-wise, the main difference is that the HP has a USB port that lets you print directly off a USB flash drive, which the Canon lacks. The Canon comes out on top if you're worried about recurring costs because it yields more prints, and its ink cartridges are slightly cheaper.
Test Results
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