Best Products > Computer Components 33 33 people found this article helpful The Best Wireless Printer Adapters of 2024 Give your old printer wireless printing capabilities By Rajat Sharma Rajat Sharma Writer Kurukshetra Unversity Rajat Sharma is a tech writer whose writing has appeared on sites like I Love Free Software andBeebom and he's written for, ZEE Media Enterprises Limited and The Times Group. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 9, 2024 Fact checked by Yoona Wagener Fact checked by Yoona Wagener Bowling Green State University Yoona Wagener is a tech editor and writer. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Computer Components Printers Monitors Keyboards Mice Cards CPU USB/USB-C Storage Laptop Bags & Backpacks Wireless printer adapters offer a simple and cost-effective way of upgrading wired printers to connect to Wi-Fi and receive print jobs wirelessly. We researched some of the top products from well-known manufacturers to help you find the right one. Here are the best wireless printer adapters currently available. in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Best Overall IOGEAR Universal Ethernet to Wi-Fi N Adapter Amazon View On Walmart $50 View On B&H Photo Video $50 View On Newegg.com $50 Pro Lightweight and compact Can be powered by a USB port Cons Runs a little hot Doesn't work with mesh networks IOGEAR's GWU637 Ethernet to Wi-Fi Universal Wireless Adapter creates a network bridge, allowing devices connected to a Wi-Fi network to communicate with the printer. Pairing the GWU637 with your existing Wi-Fi network is as easy as pressing the dedicated WPS buttons on the adapter and router. It has dual antennas and can reach wireless transfer speeds of up to 300Mbps, which should be fast enough for any routine print job. You also get support for wireless encryption protocols like WEP and WPA, features that help secure the data you transmit, and a one-year warranty with this device. Connectors/Ports: Ethernet (RJ-45), MicroUSB (for power) | Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 802.11bgn | Compatibility: Microsoft Windows, macOS Best for Remote Printing StarTech 1 Port USB Wireless Print Server Amazon View On Amazon $71 View On Walmart $81 View On Startech.com Pros WPS button for quick wireless pairing Helpful status indicator LEDs Cons Installation needs some effort Slow printing speeds With StarTech's PM1115UW USB Wireless Print Server, you can connect any USB printer to a Wi-Fi network and share it with multiple devices simultaneously. It works well with both relatively modern and older wireless standards and devices. The PM1115UW also features an Ethernet port as a backup for wired connectivity if a Wi-Fi network isn't available. After connecting the PM1115UW to your printer (via a USB cable) and powering it on, you need to hook it up to a router using an Ethernet cable, but once you complete this step, you won't need to connect to your printer with a wired connection. Connectors/Ports: Ethernet (RJ-45), USB-A, DC (for power) | Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 802.11bgn | Compatibility: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux Widest Compatibility X-MEDIA USB Print Server Amazon View On Amazon $50 Pros Upgradable firmware Support for Windows, macOS, and Linux Cons Setup utility is Windows-only Pre-assigned IP address may cause some issues The X-MEDIA XM-PS110U USB Print Server is compatible with over 320 USB printers from several manufacturers, including popular brands such as HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Brother, Xerox, Sharp, Ricoh, and Panasonic. A 5-volt external adapter powers it, and it has a high-speed microprocessor that handles print jobs quickly and efficiently. You also get support for all major network protocols and can manage most settings from a web browser. Other notable features of the X-MEDIA XM-PS110U are the built-in POST (Power On Self Test) to ensure the device runs appropriately, multiple status indicator lights, and a compact yet lightweight design. Connectors/Ports: Ethernet (RJ-45), USB-A, DC (for power) | Wireless Spec: N/A | Compatibility: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux Philippe TURPIN / Getty Images What to Look for in a Wireless Printer Adapter Before getting a wireless network adapter, knowing which port your printer uses for connectivity is essential. While some adapters are compatible with printers that use an Ethernet port, others work great with USB printers. Printer adapters usually also support multiple operating systems and only need basic network settings updates to get up and running. Primary Connector Type Knowing how to connect to your legacy printer is the first step in choosing a wireless printer adapter. Some adapters use an Ethernet port for connectivity and only work with printers with an Ethernet port. Other adapters come with a USB Type-A port and are only compatible with USB port printers. Power Source Requirements Even though wireless printer adapters are relatively small devices, they need an external power source. You can power some by the USB port (if available) of the printer they're meant to be connected with, while others need a power supply outlet. Determine which adapter best suits your needs based on your printer's location or port availability. Platform & OS Support Since most wireless printer adapters use standard network protocols, they're usually compatible with all major operating systems (OS). You should check if their accompanying software (e.g., installation utilities) is available for your preferred OS. Also, the web-based management interfaces of these adapters may not work with modern browsers such as Firefox and Google Chrome. The Best USB Wi-Fi Adapters of 2024 FAQ How does a wireless printer adapter work? The primary purpose of a wireless printer adapter is to add wireless functionality to a printer that doesn't have any, whether it's connected to a network or it's a standalone device. In the case of a network printer (that connects to multiple computers), the adapter establishes a network bridge that allows Wi-Fi connectivity to the printer. A standalone printer must connect to the adapter via its USB port. The adapter also connects to the router using Ethernet, making it possible for other devices on the network to find and communicate with this printer wirelessly. How do I set up a wireless printer adapter? Wireless printer adapters have detailed instruction guides (either printed or electronic) to help you configure them. And even though there are differences, the steps for setting up most adapters remain essentially the same. They may involve changing the device’s IP address once you’ve successfully connected all the hardware. How do I find a wireless printer adapter that's compatible with my printer? The first thing to know is the primary connection type for your printer. Network-compatible printers usually connect using an Ethernet cable, while standalone printers use a USB cable for connectivity. In addition, you should cross-reference the model of your printer against the models listed in the wireless printer adapter’s compatibility list. This list should be available on the adapter’s official website, as well as listings on third-party retailers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit