Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer Review: The Ultimate On-the-Go Printing Solution?

There’s a specific, quiet panic that sets in when you’re miles from the office and realise you need a hard copy of a document, *right now*. I’ve been there. Sitting in a hotel lobby, frantically trying to find a business centre, only to discover their printer is perpetually “out of order.” Or trying to close a deal at a client’s site, when they ask for a physical copy of the revised contract you just finalised on your laptop. In these moments, the modern, paperless world suddenly feels very dependent on paper. The inability to produce a simple, professional-looking document on the spot can feel like a major roadblock, undermining your preparedness and professionalism. This is the precise problem that portable printers were designed to solve. They represent freedom: the freedom to conduct business, complete assignments, and capture memories on paper, wherever you happen to be.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Inkjet Printer

A portable inkjet printer is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for mobile professionals, field agents, students, and anyone who needs printing capabilities without being tethered to a desk. Its main benefit is empowerment, turning any location—a car, a coffee shop, a client’s office—into a functional workspace. Unlike their bulky, stationary counterparts, these devices are built for the rigours of travel, prioritising a compact footprint, low weight, and, crucially, battery-powered operation. They bridge the gap between digital convenience and the tangible necessity of physical documents, ensuring you’re always prepared.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the constant need to print while away from a traditional office. This includes sales professionals printing contracts, insurance agents issuing policies on-site, university students printing last-minute assignments in the library, or even families wanting to print photos while on holiday. However, it might not be suitable for those who need high-volume, low-cost printing for a busy home office, or for users who require scanning and copying functionalities. For those needs, a desktop All-in-One or an ink tank printer would be a far more economical and feature-rich alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The primary appeal is portability. Scrutinise the device’s weight and dimensions, especially with the battery attached. It needs to fit comfortably into a laptop bag or backpack without becoming a burden. The Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer, for instance, is designed with a sleek, rectangular form factor specifically to slide into a bag alongside a laptop.
• Capacity/Performance: Performance in a portable context means more than just speed. Consider the print speed (measured in images per minute, or ipm), but also the battery life—how many pages can it print on a single charge? Paper capacity is also key; a 50-sheet tray is quite generous for a mobile unit and means less frequent reloading during a busy day.
• Materials & Durability: A portable printer will inevitably face more bumps and scrapes than a desktop model. Look for a robust build quality with a sturdy casing. A textured or scratch-resistant finish is a significant plus, as it will keep the device looking professional even after extensive travel.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: In a mobile setting, setup needs to be fast and intuitive. Modern portable printers should offer seamless wireless connectivity to laptops and smartphones. Also, consider long-term maintenance. Infrequent use can lead to clogged print heads in any inkjet, so check how straightforward the device’s cleaning cycles and ink replacement processes are.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including those designed for different needs, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the PIXMA TR150: Sleek, Smart, and Ready to Roam

From the moment we opened the box, it was clear that Canon designed the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer with purpose. The packaging is compact and efficient, holding the printer, the essential LK-72 battery pack, a power cord, USB-C cable, the separate print head, and two starter ink cartridges (PGI-35 Black and CLI-36 Colour). Our first impression of the printer itself was overwhelmingly positive. It feels dense and solid, not hollow or flimsy. The matte black, subtly textured finish is both professional and practical, resisting fingerprints far better than glossy alternatives. Weighing just over 2kg without the battery and 3.4kg with it, it has enough heft to feel durable without being a burden in a travel bag.

What struck us most about the design is its clean, logical layout. All connections—the USB-C port and power input—are neatly tucked away on the left side. This is a brilliant, thoughtful touch for anyone who has struggled with cables sticking out at odd angles in a cramped workspace like a small café table or an airline tray table. The control panel is minimalist, featuring a handful of tactile buttons and a crisp 1.44-inch OLED screen that is bright and easy to read, providing clear status updates on ink levels, battery life, and Wi-Fi connection at a glance. It’s a device that looks and feels like a serious tool for professionals on the move.

Putting the PIXMA TR150 Through Its Paces: A Deep Dive into Performance

A portable printer can look the part, but its true value is revealed in the field. We spent weeks with the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer, using it in various scenarios—from a home office to a local coffee shop and even printing documents from the passenger seat of a car. Our deep dive focused on the key pillars of mobile printing: setup and connectivity, print quality, and the all-important battery life and portability that define its purpose.

Setup and Connectivity: From Box to First Print in Minutes

Canon has clearly invested in streamlining the setup experience, a critical factor when you might be setting up the device in a hotel room with limited time. The process was remarkably straightforward. As one user enthusiastically noted, the inclusion of a QR code in the setup guide is a masterstroke. We scanned it with our smartphone, and it immediately directed us to a web page with clear, step-by-step instructions and video guides. This modern approach is far superior to fumbling with a tiny printed manual.

The physical setup involves installing the print head and the two ink cartridges. While the process is simple, we did find, as another user reported, that the printed diagram for seating the print head could be slightly clearer. A moment of hesitation was quickly resolved by referencing the online video, and from there it was smooth sailing. Once the hardware was in place, connecting the printer to our Wi-Fi network was effortless using the OLED screen and buttons. The support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands is a fantastic, forward-thinking feature, ensuring a more stable and faster connection in crowded wireless environments. For true on-the-go use, the Wireless Direct feature is the star. This allowed us to create a direct peer-to-peer connection between our laptop and the printer without needing any external router, perfect for when you’re truly off the grid.

Uncompromising Print Quality on the Move

The single most important function of a printer is, of course, the quality of its output. This is where the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer truly shines and defies the expectations one might have for such a small device. The secret is Canon’s hybrid ink system. It uses a pigment-based black ink (PGI-35) and a dye-based colour cartridge (CLI-36). This isn’t just marketing jargon; it has a profound real-world impact. The pigment black produces incredibly crisp, sharp, and dark text that is virtually indistinguishable from a laser printer. We printed multi-page contracts and reports, and the text was consistently clean and smudge-resistant, projecting the utmost professionalism.

For colour printing, the dye-based inks deliver vibrant, rich results. We tested it with a variety of documents, from presentation slides with colourful charts and graphs to full A4 borderless photos on glossy paper. The 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution ensures that details are sharp and colour gradients are smooth without any noticeable banding. The results were impressive, echoing a user’s sentiment of “flawless” printing. While its print speeds of 9 pages per minute (ipm) for mono and 5.5 ipm for colour aren’t going to break any records, they are perfectly respectable for a mobile printer. We found it could produce a 10-page report in just over a minute, which is more than fast enough for any mobile use case. If you need stunning print quality away from the office, this portable powerhouse delivers exceptional results.

The Heart of Mobility: Battery Life and True Portability

A portable printer without a good battery is just a small printer. The included LK-72 battery pack is what transforms the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer into a truly mobile workstation. On a full charge, Canon claims up to 330 pages of printing. In our real-world testing with a mix of text documents and colour graphics, we consistently got well over 250 pages before needing a recharge, which is more than enough for even the most demanding day of mobile work. One user who prints over 100 pages daily described the printer as “resisting heroically,” a testament to its robust performance and durability under pressure.

The real game-changer, however, is the support for USB-C charging. The ability to recharge the printer from the same power bank or wall adapter used for a modern laptop or smartphone is an incredible convenience. It eliminates the need to carry a proprietary power brick, further reducing clutter in your travel bag. The printer’s physical design complements this electronic freedom. It’s small enough to slide into a backpack’s laptop sleeve, and the clever placement of all ports on one side makes it easy to use in tight spaces. It feels built for the road, ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

Smart Features and Long-Term Considerations

Beyond its core functions, the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer includes several smart features that enhance its usability. The ability to store up to five custom templates directly on the printer is a powerful tool for field workers who frequently print standardised forms, like invoices or service reports, allowing them to do so without even connecting a device. The OLED screen, while small, is invaluable for quickly checking status without having to open an app.

However, no product is without its long-term considerations. As a user review highlighted, inkjet technology, particularly in a portable device that may go unused for periods, carries a risk of the print head nozzles clogging. We did not experience this during our extensive testing period, but their report is a valid concern. To mitigate this, we recommend printing at least one colour test page per week to keep the ink flowing. Furthermore, the starter ink cartridges are, as is common practice, low-yield. If you plan on using the printer heavily from day one, it is wise to follow the advice of another user and order a set of full-yield PGI-35 and CLI-36 cartridges along with your initial purchase to avoid being caught without ink at a critical moment.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback for the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer is largely positive, aligning closely with our own findings. Many users express sheer delight with the product, with one stating, “All I can say is WOW.” The ease of setup via the QR code is a frequently praised feature that simplifies the initial experience. Its compact size is another major selling point, lauded by those who bought it for travel and even those who chose it for a space-saving home setup, with one happy customer noting it “fitted in a draw.” The “flawless” print quality is consistently highlighted as a key strength.

However, the feedback also provides a balanced perspective on potential long-term issues. The most significant concern raised involves the print head. One user detailed a frustrating experience where colours stopped printing after five months, requiring them to manually clean the print head to resolve the issue—a procedure that could potentially void the warranty. This serves as a critical reminder of the importance of regular use and maintenance for any inkjet printer. A lesser complaint mentioned that the print head installation instructions could be clearer, forcing them to consult an online video, a minor but noteworthy hurdle in an otherwise smooth setup process.

How Does the Canon PIXMA TR150 Compare to the Competition?

While the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer is a formidable contender, the market offers other options that may better suit different needs. Here’s a look at how it stacks up against its key alternatives.

1. HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer

The HP OfficeJet 200 is the most direct competitor to the Canon TR150, offering a very similar proposition of high-quality mobile printing. Both are compact, battery-powered, and offer excellent connectivity. The OfficeJet 200 often boasts slightly faster print speeds and uses a two-cartridge system (one black, one tri-colour) which can be simpler but may lead to wasted ink if one colour runs out before the others. The choice between the HP 200 and the Canon TR150 often comes down to brand preference, slight differences in print quality (Canon is often praised for photo quality), and the user interface of their respective mobile apps.

2. HP Smart Tank 7305 All-in-One Printer with 3 Years of Ink

This printer represents a completely different approach. The HP Smart Tank 7305 is not portable; it’s a full-featured desktop All-in-One designed for a stationary home or small office. Its primary advantage is its incredibly low running cost, thanks to its refillable ink tank system that includes enough ink in the box for up to three years of printing. It also offers scanning and copying, functionalities the TR150 lacks. A user should choose the HP Smart Tank if their priority is low cost-per-page and all-in-one features, and they have no need for portability.

3. HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer

This is the same excellent HP OfficeJet 200 mobile printer as listed above, solidifying its position as the main rival in the portable printing space. Its durable design and long-lasting battery make it a favourite among road warriors. When comparing it to the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer, potential buyers should look at current pricing, ink costs in their region, and specific features like Canon’s onboard template storage versus HP’s app ecosystem to determine which portable solution is the perfect fit for their mobile workflow.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Canon PIXMA TR150 the Right Portable Printer for You?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer is a superb machine that masterfully executes its core mission. It delivers exceptional-quality printing for both documents and photos in a compact, robust, and genuinely portable package. Its blend of versatile connectivity options, strong battery life, and the sheer convenience of USB-C charging makes it an invaluable tool for anyone who works, studies, or creates on the move. The print quality rivals that of much larger desktop machines, ensuring that you never have to compromise on professionalism, no matter where you are.

While the higher cost of cartridges compared to ink tank models and the inherent maintenance needs of an inkjet printer are valid considerations, they do not detract from its excellence as a mobile solution. For the business traveller finalising a contract, the field agent needing to issue a policy on-site, or the creative professional wanting to share their work in physical form, this printer is a game-changer. It is, without a doubt, a top-tier choice for achieving true printing freedom.

If you’ve decided the Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Colour Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.