Brother Work Smart 1360 Wireless Color Inkjet vs Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer,

Overview of the Brother Work Smart 1360 and Canon PIXMA TR160

The Brother Work Smart 1360 is priced at $109.98, making it about 50% cheaper than the Canon PIXMA TR160, which retails for $219.99. Despite the price difference, both printers cater to different user needs, with the Brother model focusing on versatility and productivity, while the Canon emphasizes portability and convenience.

The Brother Work Smart 1360 is an all-in-one printer that includes features like automatic duplex printing, a 150-sheet paper tray, and a 1.8” color display. In contrast, the Canon PIXMA TR160 is designed for users on the go, offering a lightweight and portable design, making it easy to carry and use in various locations.

Printing Capabilities

When it comes to printing capabilities, the Brother Work Smart 1360 excels with its multifunctional design. It can print, copy, and scan, making it ideal for home offices where diverse tasks are required. It delivers fast print speeds of up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 9 ppm in color. The Canon PIXMA TR160, however, also provides high-quality printing, especially for documents and photos, utilizing a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System. While it can print up to 8.5” x 11” documents, it lacks the multifunctional capabilities of the Brother printer.

Design and Portability

The Canon PIXMA TR160 is designed with portability in mind. Weighing less and featuring a compact design, it can easily fit into bags or backpacks, making it a better option for users who need to print on the go. The optional battery allows for convenient printing from nearly anywhere. In contrast, while the Brother Work Smart 1360 is compact, it is not as portable. It is intended for stationary use in home or home office settings, where its additional features can be fully utilized.

User Interface

The user interface of the Brother Work Smart 1360 is enhanced by its 1.8” color display, which allows for easy navigation through various functions, including printing from and scanning to popular cloud apps like Google Drive and Dropbox. The Canon PIXMA TR160 features a 1.44” monochrome OLED display, which provides basic functionality, such as checking ink levels and printer status, but lacks the full-color interaction that the Brother printer offers.

Connectivity Options

Connectivity is another area where the Brother Work Smart 1360 shines. It offers multiple connection options, including wireless network, USB, and compatibility with the Brother Mobile Connect app, allowing users to print from their mobile devices easily. The Canon PIXMA TR160 also supports wireless printing through the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service. However, it is primarily designed for direct connections, including Wireless Direct Mode, which allows printing without a router.

Print Quality

Both printers are capable of producing high-quality prints, but their approaches differ. The Brother Work Smart 1360 is known for producing vibrant color outputs and sharp black text, making it suitable for a variety of print jobs. The Canon PIXMA TR160, equipped with a 5-Color Hybrid Ink System, also delivers excellent-quality prints with rich color details, particularly for photos. Users may prefer the Brother printer for general office use and the Canon for specialized photo printing.

Cost of Ownership

The Brother Work Smart 1360 not only has a lower initial purchase price but also offers cost-effective printing with its ink usage monitoring feature, Page Gauge. This feature helps users track ink levels to avoid running out unexpectedly. Furthermore, the Brother printer includes a 2-month free Refresh EZ Print Subscription Trial that allows for ink delivery before running low. The Canon PIXMA TR160, while more expensive initially, might incur higher ongoing costs due to its ink system and lack of an equivalent subscription service.

Which should you buy?

Ultimately, the choice between the Brother Work Smart 1360 and the Canon PIXMA TR160 boils down to your specific needs. If you require a versatile, multifunctional printer for home or office use at a significantly lower price of $109.98, the Brother model is clearly the better choice. However, if you prioritize portability and plan to print while traveling, the Canon PIXMA TR160 may suit your requirements despite its higher price of $219.99.