Comparison Summary
Canon PIXMA TS6520 leads because it combines documented Apple AirPrint support with automatic two-sided printing, scanning, copying and borderless output in a compact home-oriented design. Brother Work Smart MFC-J1360DW is the better choice for recurring multi-page scanning or copying because it adds an ADF, a 150-sheet tray and dual-band wireless connectivity. HP Smart Tank 5100 is the running-cost specialist for frequent color printing, but its duplexing is manual and its wireless specification is limited to 2.4 GHz.
For home-office volume, HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 offers the most capable paper handling in this group with a 225-sheet tray, ADF, automatic duplexing and rated speeds up to 20 ppm black and 10 ppm color. Confirm the exact C2VJ4A#B1H configuration and iPad support before purchase because the listing does not include the manufacturer suffix used in some OfficeJet documentation. Brother HL-L2405W is the clearest black-only alternative, with laser output, a 250-sheet tray and up to 30 ppm, but it cannot print color, scan or copy.
The remaining picks cover narrower needs. Canon MegaTank G3270 is a refillable-tank all-in-one for high-volume color but prints single-sided. Epson Expression Premium XP-6100 is the photo-oriented option with a five-color system and borderless photo support. Canon PIXMA TR7120 offers an ADF and automatic duplexing, although current availability should be checked because manufacturer information identifies the model as discontinued. Canon PIXMA TR160 is a portable full-page printer rather than an all-in-one, while Canon PIXMA TR4720 adds an ADF and fax but is slower and more basic than the leading choices.
Buying Guide
Sizing and Capacity
Printer size should match both the work surface and the workload. Compact all-in-ones such as the Canon PIXMA TS6520 are practical for everyday home documents, while the Brother MFC-J1360DW and HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 are better when an ADF and larger paper tray will be used regularly. The OfficeJet Pro’s 225-sheet tray and the Brother HL-L2405W’s 250-sheet tray reduce refilling for busy home offices.
Capacity also includes output type. A 50-sheet portable tray on the Canon PIXMA TR160 supports travel and occasional full-page documents, not a household’s daily batch printing. The 100-sheet trays on the HP Smart Tank 5100 and Canon PIXMA TR4720 are adequate for routine use but less convenient for sustained volume. For photos, check the supported paper dimensions: the Canon TS6520 handles borderless output from 4 x 6 inches through 8.5 x 11 inches, while the Epson XP-6100 supports borderless photos up to 8 x 10 inches.
Feature Tradeoffs
AirPrint is the decisive iPad feature because it can allow printing from iPadOS without installing a printer-specific driver. Canon documents it for the TS6520, Brother lists it for the MFC-J1360DW, HP lists it for the Smart Tank 5100, and the TR160 listing identifies Apple AirPrint. Wi-Fi alone does not establish driverless iPad printing; for other models, confirm the exact model’s AirPrint support before buying.
Automatic duplexing saves paper and reduces handling on the TS6520, MFC-J1360DW, OfficeJet Pro 8125, XP-6100, TR7120 and TR4720. The Smart Tank 5100 uses manual duplexing, while the MegaTank G3270 is listed as single-sided. An ADF matters mainly for multi-page scanning and copying, making the Brother MFC-J1360DW, HP OfficeJet Pro 8125, Canon TR7120 and Canon TR4720 more appropriate for forms, packets and office documents.
Consumables define the longer-term tradeoff. Cartridge models generally suit occasional use or buyers who want a lower-complexity entry point. Refillable tanks such as the HP Smart Tank 5100 and Canon MegaTank G3270 are more logical for recurring color volume. The Brother HL-L2405W’s monochrome laser design is the specialist choice for black text, not color photos or scanning.
Best For, Avoid If
| Profile |
Recommended Product |
Why It Fits |
Avoid If |
| Home users printing iPad documents, schoolwork and occasional photos |
Canon PIXMA TS6520 7179C002 |
It combines manufacturer-documented AirPrint, automatic duplex printing, scanning, copying and borderless output. |
You print frequent high-volume color pages and want a refillable tank rather than a cartridge system. |
| Hybrid workers or families scanning and copying multi-page documents |
Brother Work Smart MFC-J1360DW |
The 20-sheet ADF, automatic duplexing, 150-sheet tray and dual-band wireless are better suited to recurring document handling. |
You need black-only laser speed or the lowest-maintenance high-volume color system. |
| Households printing color regularly and trying to reduce cartridge replacement |
HP Smart Tank 5100 9B2D1A#B1H |
The refillable tank system is listed with up to three years of ink and HP documents AirPrint support. |
Automatic duplex printing, 5 GHz Wi-Fi or a larger paper tray is essential. |
| iPad users printing mostly black text, forms and reports |
Brother HL-L2405W |
The monochrome laser design, AirPrint support, up to 30 ppm output and 250-sheet tray fit text-heavy work. |
You need color photos, scanning, copying or faxing. |
| Students and mobile workers needing full-page printing away from a desk |
Canon PIXMA TR160 7069C002 |
The 4.5-pound portable design, 50-sheet tray, wireless direct mode and listed AirPrint support suit travel. |
You need an ADF, scanner, copier or a printer that handles frequent household batches. |
Key Specs to Compare
- Exact model and suffix: Confirm that the Amazon listing, manufacturer documentation and regional version identify the same model, especially for the HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 and Canon PIXMA TR7120.
- iPad connection: Look for Apple AirPrint rather than only Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a vendor app. AirPrint normally requires the iPad and printer to be reachable on the same local network.
- Duplex behavior: Distinguish automatic two-sided printing from manual page turning or single-sided output.
- Document handling: An ADF is more useful than a flatbed alone when scanning or copying multi-page material.
- Paper capacity: Compare the 50-sheet portable tray, 100-sheet home trays, 150-sheet Brother tray and 225- to 250-sheet office-oriented trays against expected volume.
- Output type: Choose inkjet for general color and photos, tank inkjet for recurring color volume, laser for black-only text, and portable inkjet for full-page output away from a desk.
- Consumables: Compare cartridge replacement, refillable bottles and toner access rather than treating the purchase price as the total cost.
Setup and Handling Considerations
For AirPrint, connect the printer and iPad to the same local network, then select the printer from the iPadOS print dialog. Guest networks, client isolation and some mesh or extender configurations can prevent the devices from discovering one another even when both show a Wi-Fi connection. The Canon TR160 is more flexible away from a router because its listing includes wireless direct mode.
Use the printer’s app when you need scanning, copying, device management or cloud connections rather than simple document printing. Brother’s MFC-J1360DW supports cloud-app connections and Brother Mobile Connect, while the HP models use HP’s app for mobile print and scan workflows. For multi-page work, place the stack in the ADF on models that include one; a flatbed remains better for books, photographs and delicate originals.
Maintenance and Longevity
Consumable design should match how often the printer will run. A cartridge inkjet such as the Canon TS6520 or TR4720 can make sense for occasional color printing, but buyers should plan around replacement cartridges and the possibility that infrequent use will make ink management more important. Refillable tanks reduce cartridge changes for frequent color work, but they require careful bottle handling and do not automatically provide duplexing or faster output.
The HP Smart Tank 5100 is listed with a one-year or 30,000-page limited hardware warranty, whichever comes first. The Canon TS6520 listing specifies a three-year manufacturer warranty, while most other selected listings specify one year. Warranty terms are model- and seller-dependent, so confirm the exact product page before purchase. Longevity also depends on choosing the right duty pattern: a 30-ppm monochrome laser is a better fit for recurring black documents than a compact photo inkjet.
Reliability Signals
The most useful reliability indicators here are documented compatibility, network options, paper handling and a clear consumable path—not popularity. Dual-band wireless on the Canon TS6520 and Brother MFC-J1360DW gives those models more flexibility across common home networks. The HP Smart Tank 5100 is specified for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, which may be entirely adequate but should be checked against the buyer’s network configuration.
Exact model identity matters when a listing uses a suffix that differs from manufacturer pages. The HP OfficeJet Pro 8125 listing identifies C2VJ4A#B1H, so buyers should verify AirPrint and regional specifications for that precise configuration. The Canon TR7120 deserves the same attention because manufacturer information identifies it as discontinued even though it appears in product listings. A clear warranty and readily identified replacement cartridges, bottles or toner are additional practical safeguards.
How to Compare Reviews
Read reviews for the exact ASIN and model suffix, then sort comments by the buyer’s intended task. For the Canon TS6520, look for AirPrint discovery, duplex behavior and photo output rather than general Wi-Fi complaints. For the Brother MFC-J1360DW and HP OfficeJet Pro 8125, focus on ADF feeding, multi-page scanning and paper-tray handling. For the HP Smart Tank 5100 and Canon MegaTank G3270, separate recurring color-printing experiences from occasional-use comments and confirm whether manual or single-sided printing is acceptable.
Specialist models need specialist comparisons. Reviews of the Brother HL-L2405W should be judged on black-text workflow and toner handling, not color capability. Reviews of the Canon TR160 should address travel size and full-page documents, not ADF performance. For the Epson XP-6100, photo quality and individual-cartridge behavior are more relevant than office-volume speed. Ignore comments that refer to a different suffix, bundle or printer generation.
Common Mistakes
- Treating any wireless printer as AirPrint-compatible. Verify Apple AirPrint for the exact model, not just Wi-Fi or a manufacturer app.
- Assuming a guest network will allow AirPrint discovery. Isolated networks may block local device communication.
- Calling a tank printer automatically cheaper for every buyer. Its advantage is strongest when color printing is frequent enough to use the included or refillable ink.
- Confusing automatic duplexing with manual two-sided printing. The HP Smart Tank 5100 requires manual page handling, and the Canon MegaTank G3270 is listed as single-sided.
- Buying an all-in-one without checking the ADF. A flatbed can handle single pages, but recurring multi-page scans and copies benefit from an ADF.
- Choosing the portable Canon TR160 when scanning or copying is required. It is a full-page portable printer, not an all-in-one.
- Comparing a monochrome laser with color inkjets on the wrong criteria. The Brother HL-L2405W is appropriate for black text and speed, not photos or color documents.
- Transferring specifications from a similar model suffix or assuming discontinued availability. Verify the exact model, warranty, paper behavior and consumables before checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a printer genuinely compatible with an iPad?
Exact-model Apple AirPrint support is the clearest indicator because it can enable printing from iPadOS without a printer-specific driver. Wi-Fi alone is not enough; check the manufacturer documentation or exact listing for AirPrint.
Do the iPad and printer have to use the same Wi-Fi network?
AirPrint normally requires both devices to be reachable on the same local network. Guest networks, client isolation and some extender configurations can block discovery even when both devices appear connected.
Should I choose an ink tank or a cartridge printer?
Choose a refillable tank such as the HP Smart Tank 5100 or Canon MegaTank G3270 when frequent color printing makes bottle-based replenishment worthwhile. A cartridge model is often simpler for occasional printing or a lower-complexity purchase.
When is an ADF worth paying for?
An ADF is worthwhile when you regularly scan or copy multi-page forms, packets or office documents. For occasional single-page scans, a flatbed all-in-one such as the Canon TS6520 can be sufficient.
Is a portable printer the same as a compact photo printer?
No. The Canon PIXMA TR160 is designed for portable full-page documents up to 8.5 x 11 inches. Small photo printers use dedicated smaller media and are not interchangeable with a portable document printer.
Final Recommendation
Canon PIXMA TS6520 7179C002 is the best overall printer for an iPad because it combines documented AirPrint support with automatic duplexing, borderless color output, scanning and copying in a home-friendly format. Choose Brother Work Smart MFC-J1360DW instead when multi-page scanning and copying are central, thanks to its ADF and larger document-handling features. For frequent color volume, the HP Smart Tank 5100 is the better alternative if manual duplexing and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi are acceptable.
