This article explains how you can add a printer to your home network. A typical home network consists of a wifi router to which all the users on the network connect.
We explain the type of printers which can be used on a home network along with a list of common FAQ, pros and cons and product recommendation.
On a home network, you can add a Wireless, network or a USB printer.
How to add a wireless printer to Home network
A wireless printer would be easy to setup on your network. The steps are detailed below.
Step 1 – Wireless printer configuration
The wireless printer is configured with the SSID of yoour home network. The SSID , is the wireless network name , which is configured on the wireless router.
The credentials to connect to the wireless network should be also be configured along with the SSID on the wireless printer.
The Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function is a good choice for a wireless printer for your home.
The printer supports wireless and mobile device printing. More details of the device can be viewed on Amazon here – Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function
Step 2 – Configure the IP address
The IP address can be configured as static or DHCP. When configured as a DHCP address, it is bound to change at random intervals. Due to this, a static IP address is configured for the wireless printer.
Step 3 – Configure the Computers
The computers which need to print has to be setup and installed with the printer drivers. In addition, the IP address of the printer also needs to be configured and setup on the printer configuration on the computer.
Once the configuration is complete, you would be able to print on the network.
How to add a network printer to Home network
Network printer configuration
The network printer has a network card inbuilt. The printer is connected to the wireless router using an ethernet cable.
The IP address and computer configuration is the same as in the case of a wireless printer. This is explained in above steps 2 and 3.
The network printer is plug n play and be connected to the wireless router using an ethernet cable.
The Brother Monochrome Laser Printer is a great choice for a network printer at home.
More details of the printer can be found on Amazon here – Brother Monochrome Laser Printer
How to add USB printer to Home network
USB printer configuration
USB printers do not have wireless card or network card. The USB printer has to be converted to a network printer to connect to the wireless router. A USB print server is a device, which converts the USB port on the printer to a network port.
The StarTech.com 10/100Mbps Ethernet to USB 2.0 Network Print Server is a good choice for a USB print server. The device would make your USB printer a network printer.
More details of the device can be found on Amazon here – StarTech.com 10/100Mbps Ethernet to USB 2.0 Network Print Server
Once connected on the network, the IP address and computer configuration is the same as in the case of a wireless printer. This is explained in above step 2 and step 3.
Wireless Printer vs Network Printer vs USB printer
Price
Wireless and network printers would be more expensive when compared with a USB printer. If pricing is a constraint, the a USB printer would the best choice.
Setup and Configuration
Network printers are the easiest to configure, since they do not need any additional Wifi configuration to be setup or need additional devices like a USB print server.
It should also be observed that, a Wireless printer configuration is also not difficult. It can be done using the web interface or mobile app.
Product Recommendation
Setup up your home with multiple intrenet connection with a dual wan router TRENDnet AC3000 Tri-Band Wireless Gigabit Dual-WAN VPN SMB Router
Setup a gaming network for your home with a gaming router TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router(Archer AX6000) -802.11ax Wireless 8-Stream Gaming Router
Setup a mesh network at home with a mesh router Mesh router for 5000 sqft home – NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK852)