Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall printer for Macs is the Canon Pixma TS8320.
- Most printers today support AirPrint and will work with your Mac straight away, provided both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- When choosing the best printers for Macs, consider your print volume and how fast you’ll want to complete the job, the printer type (inkjet or laser), its connectivity options, resolution, and compatibility.
- Multifunction printers for Macs will save you space, money, and provide a high level of convenience.
Mac computers offer a smooth and seamless user experience. Generally, they make your digital life much easier. Unlike their Windows counterparts, Macs have fewer hardware incompatibilities. With macOS, you can connect to most peripheral devices like printers, cameras, scanners, and more.
However, it’s not all sunshine for Mac users, as sometimes their computers’ hardware and operating system may prove incompatible with some printers. Nevertheless, there are those that will operate smoothly on Mac and, at the same time, match its speed, power, and performance.
To help you find the best printer for your Mac, we have reviewed several offers on the market and compiled a list of five suitable options for your needs and budget.
- Best Overall: Canon Pixma TS8320
- Best Budget Option: Brother MFC-J1205W
- Best Laser Printer: Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw
- Best Wireless Printer: HP DeskJet 2755e
- Best Photo Printer: Canon PIXMA PRO-200
Best Overall Printer: Canon Pixma TS8320
- 4.3” LCD touchscreen
- Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 or 5 GHz)
- Maximum print speed: 10 PPM
- 6 individual inks
- Compatible with AirPrint and Mopria Print
The Canon Pixma TS8320 is a perfect all-in-one printer for your everyday printing needs and our top contender for the #1 best overall Printer. This feature-rich, easy-to-use inkjet printer boasts duplex printing capabilities. It can print stunning photographs and crisp text documents without borders or margins.
Designed for printing different types of media, including CDs, DVDs, fingernail stickers, re-stickable photo papers, and magnetic photo papers, the Pixma TS8320 is one of the best letter-sized photo printers on the market.
It holds up to 200 sheets, split equally in its front and rear input trays. It also has an auto-expandable output tray and 1 multipurpose tray.
Key Specifications
- Functions: Print, Scan and Copy
- Connectivity: USB, Wireless PictBridge14, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Memory Card Slot
- Printing Type: Inkjet
- Maximum Speed: 15 PPM (monochrome), 10 PPM (color)
- Dimensions: 14.7 x 12.6 x 5.6 inches
- Best for: Office and home use
Besides the Wi-Fi and wired connectivity options, it comes with an SD card slot at the front panel, making it possible to print photos directly from your memory card. You can also print from your palm using the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, or Mopria Print service. For voice printing, use Alexa and Google Assistant.
The replaceable 6 ink tank system, which includes a photo blue ink cartridge to help increase photo details, gives the Canon Pixma TS8320 printer authority over its rivals. However, it lacks an ADF.
To set up this machine, just power it up and follow the prompts on your Mac. Navigate the settings menu using the large intuitive 4.3″ LCD touchscreen. Check out the Canon Pixma TS8320 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers excellent photo quality. | Lacks an automatic document feeder (ADF). |
| Features AirPrint technology. | Comes at a premium price. |
| Has a memory card slot. | |
| Supports duplex printing. | |
| Has flexible connectivity options. |
Best Budget Printer: Brother MFC-J1205W
- USB 2.0 interface and web-based printing
- Optional printing via AirPrint and/ or Email Print
- 150-sheet input tray
- Brother INKvestment Tank printers feature re-engineered ink cartridges that hold more ink
The Brother MFC-J1205W inkjet printer is a good fit for home users or people with small offices. It comes with INKvest tanks and a single 150-sheet tray.
With this model, you don’t have to worry about running out of ink unexpectedly, as it uses the Brother Page Gauge feature to monitor your ink usage and display real-time estimated remaining page count.
According to the manufacturer, based on a monthly printing output of 100 pages, the ink tanks can run for 1 year before needing to be refilled. Unlike other printers in its class, the Brother MFC-J1205W does not have a display.
Instead, it comes with a set of LED lights that indicate its current status. It also features physical buttons to control/ operate the printer. The Brother’s Mobile Connect app allows you to manage and customize your printing, scanning, and copying documents and photos from your mobile devices.
Key Specifications
- Functions: Print, Scan and Copy
- Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi
- Printing Type: Inkjet
- Maximum Speed: 16 PPM (monochrome), 9 PPM (color)
- Dimensions: 17.1 x 14.1 x 6.3 inches
- Best for: Small office and home users
The Brother MFC-J1205W printer also offers optional convenient printing via Mopria and AirPrint. It even supports voice command printing via Alexa. However, it’s slightly slow when it comes to color printing and lacks an automatic document feeder. Check out the Brother MFC-J1205W on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has low running costs. | Depends on manual feeding. |
| It’s reasonably priced. | Not suited for high-volume print jobs. |
| Produces high-quality photos and documents. |
Best Laser Printer for Mac: Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw
- 5" color touchscreen
- Maximum print speed: 22 PPM
- Supports mobile solutions for printing and scanning
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Are you looking for a laser printer for your small or medium-sized enterprise? The Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw produces incredibly sharp documents. It comes with duplex scanning capabilities. The cassette tray holds up to 250 sheets, and the bypass tray 50 sheets of paper.
The secure print feature converts scanned documents into searchable files and stores them for a short period of time (in short-term memory). Thanks to this feature, you don’t have to worry about unauthorized users accessing your files.
Key Specifications
- Functions: Print, Scan, fax, and Copy
- Connectivity: Wireless, Wi-Fi
- Printing Type: Laser
- Maximum Speed: 22 PPM (monochrome), 22 PPM (color)
- Dimensions: 16.6 x 17 x 16.6 inches
- Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses
To operate the Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw, use the 5-inch touchscreen display designed to make your scanning, copying, and printing much easier. Like most laserjets, it is a relatively fast printer for users anticipating to print approximately 2,500 copies per month.
It is AirPrint-enabled and works perfectly with Alexa. It also has other amazing features, like Canon PRINT Business and Mopria, that make it compatible with your iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Check out the Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to set up. | Handles low-volume printing jobs. |
| Offers fast printing. | The paper tray is not expandable. |
| Offers versatile mobile printing solutions. | |
| Comes with a 3-year warranty. |
Best Wireless Printer: HP DeskJet 2755e
- Print, copy, and scan functionality
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Fixes issues automatically
- Print speed: up to 7.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
The HP DeskJet 2755e is one of the best multifunction wireless printers on the market. It uses dynamic security to protect your experience by ensuring you only use authentic ink cartridges. This easy-to-install printer comes with 6 months of free ink and a 24-month extended warranty. Only those who sign up for HP+ are eligible for the free ink trial.
Besides the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth printing technology, it has a USB port but does not come with a cable. Therefore, if you opt to connect to the printer via a USB, you will have to purchase the cable separately.
The HP DeskJet 2755e is an AirPrint-enabled printer featuring Chrome OS and HP smart App. It updates its own software and fixes common issues automatically. It also restarts when necessary.
Key Specifications
- Functions: print, copy, scan
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth
- Printing Type: inkjet
- Maximum Speed: 5.5 PPM color, 7.5 PPM monochrome
- Dimension: 11.97 x 16.7 x 6.06 inches
- Best for: Home use
Unlike some printers in its class that require you to load one envelope at a time, the HP DeskJet 2755e can hold up to 5 envelopes at a time. However, its paper handling is relatively low. The input tray has a capacity of about 60 sheets, and the output tray holds 25 sheets of paper.
This printer does not support automatic duplex printing and requires users to create an account to use some of the features in the HP Smart app, including mobile printing, copying, and scanning. Check out the HP DeskJet 2755e on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports HP ePrint technology. | Can’t print double-sided automatically. |
| Comes with a 6-month instant free ink trial. | Requires an account to use premium features. |
| It is easy to use. |
Best Photo Printer for Macs: Canon PIXMA PRO-200
- Enhanced 8-color dye-based ink system
- Built-in 3-inch LCD display (PPL’s intuitive interface)
- Panorama printing up to a custom size of 13” x 39”
- Prints A3 photos in 90 seconds
If you’re looking for a photo printer that can support all kinds of media, the PIXMA PRO-200 would be a great choice. This AirPrint-compatible borderless printer gives you a chance to showcase your creative work. It supports a wide range of paper types and sizes up to A3+.
The PIXMA PRO-200 comes with eight dye-based ink cartridges, which are good for glossy color prints. It’s important to note that with the right paper choice, you will get much deeper rich colors than what you get with pigment printers. Use Canon’s Professional Print & Layout feature for easier professional photo printing.
Key Specifications
- Functions: print, copy, scan
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
- Printing Type: inkjet
- Maximum Speed: 1 PPM color, 1 PPM monochrome (for A3+ Printouts)
- Dimensions: 25.2 x 15 x 7.9 inch
- Best for: Photographers
The panorama options give you a chance to print breathtaking photos. The PIXMA PRO-200 is built for photography enthusiasts or professional photographers who prefer to use dye-based ink printers.
It comes with a 3-inch LCD for easy settings, maintenance, and viewing of printer ink levels. It can connect wirelessly and via USB or wired LAN. Check out the PIXMA PRO-200 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers a wider color gamut. | Does not support paper rolls. |
| Offers A3+ borderless photo printing. | It’s expensive to run. |
| Can print panoramic photos. | |
| Produces high-quality prints. |
How to Pick the Best Printers for Macs: Step by Step
Not sure which printer to get for your Mac? With a wide range of printers, finding one that can deliver the best performance and value can be a daunting task. So, here we explore some important factors to consider when picking a printer for your unique needs:
- Laser or Inkjet
- Print Speed
- Resolution
- Connectivity
- Compatibility
Let’s explore each one in more detail.
Laser or Inkjet
The two common types of printers are inkjet and laser printers. To determine which suits you best, you first need to consider what you will be printing. Inkjet printers can print just about anything. Their ink cartridges can yield up to 2,500 pages.
The all-in-one inkjet printer models are feature-rich and can print, fax, scan and copy. They offer a higher cost per page than their laser counterparts.
Laser printers, on the other hand, are an excellent choice for monochrome printing. The black and white models are reliable and cheaper than inkjet printers. Thanks to their long-lasting toner cartridges, you can print about 20,000 pages without needing to refill.
Print Speed
Depending on the average number of pages you want to print every day, week, or month, print speed is an essential factor. That said, pay attention to the specific printer’s PPM rating and aim to choose a high-quality printer that can handle your monthly page volume.
Resolution
With higher resolution come sharper and more detailed images. Printers with low-resolution settings produce fuzzy and blurry printouts.
A 300 DPI is considered ideal for basic printing. However, if you want to print more complex images like photos, go for a higher resolution. That is why most photo printers come with a resolution of 600 DPI and above. As a result, they produce incredibly detailed and color-accurate prints.
Connectivity
Almost all printers today offer multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi Direct, USB, wireless, and Bluetooth. Some even come with their own smart apps making it possible to print, scan and copy documents from your phone. It is important you invest in a printer that can connect to almost all devices in your home or office.
Compatibility
Many printers today are designed with Apple users in mind. They are AirPrint-enabled. So, ensure your new printer’s software and controls are fully compatible with your Mac.
Before purchasing, check the technical details on the manufacturer’s website to find out if the printer has the necessary drivers and printing software for Mac.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Printers for Macs Today
An AirPrint all-in-one printer can save you money and space. However, before you buy your printer, consider your printing needs.
If you want a printer that can handle high-volume printing, a laser printer would make a great choice. If you print less frequently or are interested in photo printing, an inkjet printer would be your best bet.
Also, go for a Mac-compatible multifunction printer with play-and-plug functionality and a Wi-Fi setup. Other features that matter most are resolution, speed, and memory. The minimum recommended resolution is 300 DPI. Anything lower will lead to blurry images.
A moderate print speed ranging from 5 to 20 pages per minute is ideal for small businesses or home users who don’t handle high-volume printing jobs. However, 20 to 30 PPM is typically adequate for fast printing.
Remember, the printer’s memory will determine its speed and print quality. Thus, if you want a faster printer that can produce high-quality prints, get one with more memory.
Using Printers for Macs: What It’s Like
Getting started with an AirPrint-enabled printer is simpler and faster, as your macOS and iOS will detect the technology automatically. This is not the case with standard printers, which require you first to install drivers on your laptop before you can use the printer.
That makes AirPrint an important feature in printers, as it permits instant printing of photos, documents, and emails from your Mac, iPhone, and iPad. So, if you are obsessed with Apple products and want a printer that can offer unmatched flexibility, get the best AirPrint-enabled one.
Summary Table
| Rank | Printer | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Printer | Canon Pixma TS8320 | Excellent photo quality, AirPrint technology, memory card slot, supports duplex printing, flexible connectivity options. |
| Best Budget Printer | Brother MFC-J1205W | Low running costs, reasonably priced, produces high-quality photos and documents. |
| Best Laser Printer for Mac | Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw | Easy to set up, fast printing, versatile mobile printing solutions, comes with a 3-year warranty. |
| Best Wireless Printer | HP DeskJet 2755e | Supports HP ePrint technology, comes with a 6-month instant free ink trial, easy to use. |
| Best Photo Printer for Macs | Canon PIXMA PRO-200 | Offers a wider color gamut, A3+ borderless photo printing, can print panoramic photos, produces high-quality prints. |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Woraphong Suphutayothin/Shutterstock.com.
