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Canon PIXMA TR160 vs TS6520: Travel Printing or Desk Convenience?

Choose the TR160 for portable printing, accepting separate scanning and manual duplex. Choose the TS6520 for desk paperwork: it scans and copies, and automates supported two-sided printing.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-07

Source checked 2026-10-07 18:27 UTC

Products compared

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The buying question

Is carrying the printer worth giving up integrated scanning and automatic duplex?

Portable print-only use versus a desk-based document workflow.

Quick verdict

When to skip: You need an automatic document feeder for scanning stacks.
When the recommendation changes
  • Frequent two-sided documents make manual refeeding an unwelcome compromise.
  • Off-outlet printing requires budgeting for the TR160’s separately sold battery.

The differences that matter

Portable Print Only Or Integrated Document Capture

Canon PIXMA TR160

Portable, print-only; battery optional and sold separately.[1]

Canon PIXMA TS6520

Print, scan and copy with a flatbed; no automatic document feeder.[2]

What this changes: Choose around where the work happens: taking printouts on the road or handling physical originals at a desk.[1, 2]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Manual Or Automatic Duplex Workflow

Canon PIXMA TR160

Canon’s Windows driver uses manual duplex: reload sheets, then press OK.[3]

Canon PIXMA TS6520

Automatic duplex; the documented Windows procedure requires Letter or A4.[4, 5]

What this changes: For supported two-sided jobs, the TS6520 removes the mid-job paper-refeeding step. The TR160 suits buyers willing to do that step themselves.[3, 4]

Best fit: Canon PIXMA TS6520View Canon PIXMA TS6520 on AmazonPaid link

Best for your routine

Printing away from your usual desk

Best fit: Canon PIXMA TR160

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

The TR160 is the portable choice if separate scanning is acceptable; check the battery bundle before planning off-outlet use.

View Canon PIXMA TR160 on AmazonPaid link

Two-sided desk documents, even without scanning

Best fit: Canon PIXMA TS6520

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

The TS6520 avoids manually reloading sheets on supported duplex jobs. That can justify choosing it even if you already have a scanner.

View Canon PIXMA TS6520 on AmazonPaid link

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

Pay for the workflow you will use; compare the complete TR160 bundle if battery operation is required.

Insufficient verified price history for a buy-now or wait recommendation.

Limitations

  • This is a feature-fit comparison, not a print-quality, speed, ink-cost or reliability ranking; neither printer was hands-on tested.
  • Duplex instructions cited here concern Canon’s Windows driver. Check the exact operating system, app, paper size and media before purchase; do not assume identical controls across devices or that every supported paper type permits duplex.
  • Canon’s store pages contain ambiguous availability labels. This comparison does not establish current stock or discontinuation status.

Questions shoppers ask

Does automatic duplex mean automatic scanning of a stack?

No. The TS6520 has no automatic document feeder: place originals on its flatbed yourself. The TR160 is print-only.

Will automatic duplex work for every page size?

No. Canon’s cited TS6500-series Windows procedure limits automatic duplex to Letter and A4. Verify your intended paper and app workflow before relying on it.

Methodology and sources

Compared document functions and the manual steps involved in two-sided printing.

AI assisted source research and comparison drafting.

View 5 sources
  1. 1.PIXMA TR160 Portable Wireless PrinterCanon · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-07 18:22 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • SKU; product highlights; footnote 7: US SKU 7069C002; portable print-only configuration; optional battery sold separately.
  2. 2.PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Multi-Function Home PrinterCanon · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-07 18:24 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • SKU; product highlights; overview; Scan specifications: US SKU 7179C002; print/copy/scan, flatbed without ADF, automatic duplex.
  3. 3.TR160 series: Duplex PrintingCanon · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-07 18:24 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Windows Printer Driver; steps 2 and 6: Manual two-sided mode requires reloading the paper and pressing OK.
  4. 4.TS6500 series: Duplex PrintingCanon · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-07 18:23 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Windows Printer Driver; Automatic Duplex; Important: Automatic duplex avoids turning the sheet; this driver procedure limits automatic duplex to Letter or A4.
  5. 5.TS6500 series Online Manual: applicable modelsCanon · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-07 18:23 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Model list at top: Explicitly lists TS6520 within the manual family.

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