Setting up your home printer no longer requires untangling cables and reading lengthy manuals. Technology has advanced to provide us with smarter printer options that are not only fast and wireless, but also portable enough to take anywhere.
One such smart and compact option is the Canon PIXMA TR150 inkjet printer. With easy setup, you can print documents and photos in minutes, whether you’re using a computer or a smartphone. We’ve rounded up our selection of the best small printers in our guide.
We are promised a portable printer with easy connectivity, so we tested the Canon PIXMA TR150 to see how it works for personal and business use. Is it time to say goodbye to clumsy printers that take up too much space in our homes and offices?
Canon PIXMA TR150 Key Features
- Dimensions: L12.7 x W7.3 x H2.6 inches (closed); L12.7 x W12.1 x H9.7 inches (paper installed)
- Weight: 4.5 lbs/5.1 lbs with LK-72 battery
- Print technology: Jet
- Screen: 1.44″ OLED display
- Page Format: Up to A4
- Pages per minute: up to 9.0 pages per minute (black and white); up to 5.5 ppm (colour)
- Print resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
- Connection: Wi-Fi, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, USB Type-C (computer only), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Two-sided printing: Not
- Scanner: Not
(Image credit: Canon)
Canon PIXMA TR150: setup
The Canon PIXMA TR150 folds down to just a little more than an A4 sheet to fit even the smallest home storage systems. We installed it on top of a shelving unit in our home office, but it could even be stored in a desk drawer if you want to keep your workspace uncluttered.
At first glance, and after having used a significantly larger home printer before, the Canon PIXMA TR150 looks more like a game console than a printer, which is a bonus if you’re looking for a clean, minimalist look.
You’ll notice that the printer’s power cable is located on the right side instead of on the back like most home printers. Although the cable connected to the printer is not bulky, it should still be considered for cable routing or for purely aesthetic purposes.
The ink was already installed in our test unit, but when you first set up yours, lift the cartridge cover to install the print head, and then two ink cartridges – one for color printing and one for black only.
Depending on the device you are using, whether it is a computer, tablet or smartphone, you have several options for connecting to the printer. If you are using a computer, you can download the driver software from the Canon website or use the supplied CD. After that, connect the printer directly to USB or use one of the Wi-Fi settings in the menu, depending on your Internet settings.
For Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, you can find the printer if it is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your printer. For more features, download the free Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, but you can also print without it. Considering how capricious some printers can be, setting up the Canon PIXMA TR150 was a breath of fresh air.
The printer also comes with a rechargeable battery (you can buy it without a battery) that can be charged via USB, making it convenient for personal and business travel. The only downside is that you cannot charge the battery separately and it must be connected to the printer unit.
(Image credit: Future)
How does the Canon PIXMA TR150 printer work?
Once you have everything connected, you can print files directly from a folder on your computer or through the smart device app. The printer receives the print request almost instantly and displays the progress as well as the ink level on the screen, which is handy.
While this is great for saving space, there are some trade-offs. Unlike larger printers, the front paper flap is small and does not hold the paper back as it exits. You must have it on a flat surface and with enough space for the printed paper or the paper will fall off.
The paper tray also seems flimsy. We have found that sometimes if the paper has been inserted incorrectly, the printer does not notify you and you end up with slightly skewed printouts as a result. Not a big deal, but if you want to use it for photo printing, it’s ink and one wasted sheet.
Print quality was generally good. Documents had crisp, crisp text with deep black ink, while color photos on the Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II were more than adequate for a printer that wasn’t designed to compete with professional photo labs.
If you want to customize your print settings, such as choosing to print borderless or bordered, or changing the paper size, you can perform most basic functions from an application or directly from a file on your computer. But if you’re using photo paper and want accurate colors, you may need more sophisticated software that has options for calibrating your prints.
One issue we noticed when printing from a smartphone was that the printer required the app to be open before the end of printing. On two occasions, opening another application while Canon’s print application was running in the background caused the printer to eject paper without completing the job – not great if you’re multitasking using a single device.
(Image credit: Future)
Design features Canon PIXMA TR150
The sleek design of the Canon PIXMA TR150 is only available in black, but given its small size, it’s unlikely to be a prominent feature in your home or office. Its monochrome OLED display is just as small and blends in with the dark appearance of the printer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a touch screen and doesn’t tilt up.
We placed the printer in an easily accessible location in our home office due to the fact that there was a power outlet nearby. But, if you don’t print daily, you might find it more convenient not to display it at all and keep it in your desk drawer so it doesn’t get dusty. You can hide it even in the smallest workspace.
Even if you don’t have to travel far, the printer’s portability can come in handy around the house. Do you want to work on some documents or projects in front of the TV or at the kitchen table? Take your printer with you. No free outlet? Attach the battery and you’re done.
Canon PIXMA TR150: our verdict
While the printer lacks duplex printing and scanning capabilities, which would make it a great all-rounder, the ability to easily slip it into a bag and travel without any cables is attractive. The same thing happens if you have limited space or don’t want to clutter up your home or office, but you still have to type from time to time.
There are cheaper models of Canon inkjet printers, but none of them are as compact or portable as the Canon PIXMA TR150, which is its main selling point. If you’re looking to save space and might need to print on the go, this is worth it. But if you want a more reliable printer for personal or business use with extra features like scanning, you might be better off with a more versatile model.
About this review and reviewer
Anete is a freelance writer and reviewer for products in the tech industry, from photography software to homewares for the modern lifestyle. As a self-taught photographer, she is always on the lookout for smart home and business devices that are easy to use and require no genius to figure out. In her free time, Anete creates art projects and looks for ways to make her home smarter and more organized.
