The 4 Best Wireless Printer Adapters of 2023

Give your old printer wireless printing capabilities

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Wireless printer adapters offer a simple and cost-effective way of upgrading wired printers and connecting with them much more accessible. These small adapter devices allow older printers to join Wi-Fi/wired networks and receive print jobs from computers connected to a network.

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.

We researched some of the top products from well-known manufacturers like IOGEAR and StarTech to help you find the right one. Here are the best wireless printer adapters currently available.

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Best Overall

IOGEAR GWU637 Universal Ethernet to Wi-Fi N Adapter

IOGEAR Universal Ethernet to Wi-Fi N Adapter

Amazon

What We Like
  • Lightweight and compact

  • Can be powered by a USB port

What We Don't Like
  • Runs a little hot

  • Doesn't work with mesh networks

IOGEAR's GWU637 Ethernet to Wi-Fi Universal Wireless Adapter offers a simple yet reliable way to add wireless connectivity to almost any printer with an Ethernet port. It 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.

You can also configure the device manually by connecting it to a computer using an Ethernet cable, and the bundled instruction manual makes doing so a cakewalk. However, you may need to use Internet Explorer for manual configuration.

The IOGEAR GWU637 features 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 Budget

IOGEAR GPSU21 USB Printer Server

IOGEAR USB Printer Server

Amazon

What We Like
  • Auto-sensing Ethernet port for improved speeds

  • One-touch reset button

What We Don't Like
  • No support for multi-function printers

  • Some stability issues

If you have a USB printer that you'd like to share with one or more computers on a wired network, IOGEAR's GPSU21 USB Print Server can handle the job. This device is backed by a three-year warranty and comes with two primary ports: an Ethernet port that allows connection to a router via an Ethernet cable and a USB port for connecting to your printer.

Once you set up these connections and turn on the GPSU21, some setup is involved, though it's easy and well-documented (more so for Windows than macOS). You must install the companion software from the included CD and decide on basic network options. After that, you're ready to start printing. For added convenience, you can also configure most device settings via a web browser.

Connectors/Ports: Ethernet (RJ-45), USB-A, DC (for power) | Wireless Spec: N/A | Compatibility: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux

Best for Remote Printing

StarTech PM1115UW 1 Port USB Wireless Print Server

StarTech 1 Port USB Wireless Network Print Server

Amazon

What We Like
  • WPS button for quick wireless pairing

  • Helpful status indicator LEDs

What We Don't Like
  • 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. You only need to do this for the initial setup, which involves assigning the printer a static IP address so other devices can always find it. 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

Best Compatibility

X-MEDIA XM-PS110U USB Print Server

X-MEDIA XM-PS110U USB Print Server

Amazon

What We Like
  • Upgradable firmware

  • Support for Windows, macOS, and Linux

What We Don't Like
  • Setup utility is Windows-only

  • Pre-assigned IP address may cause some issues

If there's one thing that gives X-MEDIA's XM-PS110U USB Print Server an edge over competing products, it's extensive compatibility. The device 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.

It's powered by a 5-volt external adapter and features 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 properly, 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

What to Look for in a Wireless Printer Adapter

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. You should decide 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). That said, you still might want to 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.

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 is 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. On the other hand, 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 come with 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 settings such as 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 is available (often as a PDF document) on the adapter’s official website, as well as listing on third-party retailers.

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