For many iMac and MacBook users, having the best printer that is Mac-compatible ensures the ability to print on demand. There was a time when very few manufacturers that produce printers that are compatible with Apple computers. This meant that the purchased printer was unable to understand the commands sent to it by your iMac or MacBook, resulting the printer to be returned in frustration and you starting your search again.
Tips on How to Choose the Best Printer for Mac
Printer manufacturers these days are making sure that their products are able to accommodate one of the most popular brands in the market. However, do keep the tips below in mind when you are shopping for the right printer for Mac.
1. Look for visual cues
Thanks to the popularity of Apple computers these days, no printer manufacturers in their right mind would ignore the printing needs of Apple users. So, the chances that your brand new printer will be compatible with your Mac is very high. Nevertheless, if you are planning to purchase a second hand unit or at a warehouse sale, look for some visual cues that state the compatibility of the printing machine.
Check to see if a driver or app is available to use your HP printer with a Mac computer or laptop. Note: On iOS and macOS, most HP printers work with Apple AirPrint to provide full-quality printing without the need to download or install drivers. With a document open on your Mac, choose File Print. If you see a Show Details button, click it. Click the print options pop-up menu (within the separator bar), then choose Paper Handling. Select “Scale to fit paper size,” click the Destination Paper Size pop-up menu, then choose your printer’s paper size. Installing a Zebra Printer on a.Mac.Tested on Mac OS X 10.5 - Not Tested on Earlier Versions. Go to System Preferences then Print & Fax. Click on (+) to add printer. 3.Available printer's will appear. Select Zebra printer. 4.Now select dropdown to select a driver. You will have 4 Zebra Options to choose from.
To make your life easier, printers that are made for Mac are indicated with a Mac logo. However, do take note that Apple does not certify that a model is compatible with its computers. So, if you are still uncertain, it is best to consult the mother ship.
2. Ensure that the printer is compatible with your OS X version
It is common to hand down computers to younger siblings or parents, so it is good to ensure what versions of OS X are supported by the specific printer model. You can usually check this out on the box. If you intend to buy the printer sans the box, a quick search on the internet will land you its operations manual where you can check the versions supported in the ‘Requirements’ section.
3. When in doubt, consult Apple
For an easier life, you will be happy to know that Apple has an updated list of all printers that are compatible with its computers. If your printer is listed, all you need to do is plug it in and your Mac OS X automatically downloads the software needed and installs the printer. If not, you need to do it manually because it is not bundled with OS X.
4. If still in doubt, consult the manufacturer
Should the printer you are thinking of buying is not listed, check the manufacturer’s support website. The printer may be old, but they might have an updated driver for your version of OS X so that you can use it with your new Mac.
5. Read the reviews!
The Internet is a wonderful place to look for information. With the right keywords, you will be able to find reviews from owners on how the printer actually works on an iMac or MacBook.
Top 5 Best Printer for Mac
Now that you know how to choose the right printer for your Mac, here are some models we think are among the best printers for Macs:
#1. HP Officejet Pro 8600
We think that the HP Officejet Pro 8600 is a great all-in-one printer for home and small offices. With its versatile connectivity options and cloud printing tools, you can definitely use this machine for a very long time. It prints/copies fast and its touch screen control panel is intuitive. If your Apple computer is equipped with at least a Mac OS X v10.5, all you need to do is set up the printer as per the manual and your Mac will automatically detect the printer, download the software and prompt you throughout the installation process.
Pros: Retailing for less than $200 on Amazon, this printer really is a workhorse that is equipped with a 250-sheet paper input capacity, auto-duplexing, cloud printing and a variety of connectivity options. It is also one of the cheapest all-in-one printer to buy and maintain.
Cons: Scanning documents is relatively slower since it cannot scan double-sided originals simultaneously.
#2. Canon PIXMA PRO-10
For graphic designers and photographers, the Canon PIXMA PRO-10 is THE printer that will capture your beautiful work of art. While realistically many of you would go to professional printers that will give you more printing option, having this little gem in the office can be handy. At At $599 on Amazon, the printer is not cheap to buy or run, but the output is amazing – each printed pixel is so fine that you will not be able to see it no matter how big you decide to blow up that gorgeous picture.
Pros: Like many, it has multiple connectivity options including USB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet network. We also love its ability to print black and white prints outstandingly thanks to the 3 monochrome inks that will enhance your grayscale photographs.
Cons: While installing the software was easy, either through the bundled CD or automatically downloaded by your Mac (minimum requirement of Mac OS X v10.5.8), it was too heavy to setup single handed.
#3. Epson Expression Premium XP-810
Printer Pro Desktop Windows 10
We think that the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 is a great printer for college students to have and later on bringing back home as they transition to working life. This Mac OS X supported printer renders one of the best print quality for its price range and has many useful features such as the duplex document feeder and printing capabilities, PictBridge enabled and ability to read memory cards.
Pros: Compact in size – great for small working space and very mobile. Prints fast (for a printer that is meant to be used at home) so you can catch that deadline.
Cons: For $149 at Amazon, we think that the printer should be priced lower seeing that the ink will cost its owner a lot. The paper feeder has low capacity.
#4. HP Envy 5530
The HP Envy 5530 is your typical home printer: simple to use, not much whistle and bells and low purchase price (($95 on Amazon) balanced out by higher-priced ink cartridges. The quality of its printed output is distinctively better than other models in the same price bracket; texts, even when printed in draft mode, comes out sharp while colour graphics are pretty accurate. Setting up the Envy 5530 on your Mac (minimum Mac OS X v10.6) is easy as the installer will guide you throughout the process.
Pros: It is very easy to use, reliable and produce outstanding output.
Cons: Super slow and the ink are pricey. However, do check out HP’s new Instant Ink program to counter ink cost. There is also no Ethernet port.
#5. Canon Pixma iP8720
Budding photographers that want instant satisfaction over their art should consider getting the Canon Pixma iP8720. While print quality is awesome, they can be uneven at times.
Pros: Budget-friendly inkjet printer (selling at around $250 on Amazon) that renders amazing coloured prints of up to 13” x 19”. Fully wireless printer: AirPrint, Cloud Print, Canon Mobile Printing, Wireless PictBridge supported.
Cons: Low capacity paper tray. Printer does not support PictBridge over USB cable.
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Not all the printers are compatible with Mac based systems. To help you save time and money in researching best printer that works with Mac, I have shortlisted ten best Wireless printers compatible with Mac operating system including latest versions Mac OS high Sierra, OS X El Capitan or Yosemite. The list of Mac printers consists of a laser, inkjet, All-in-one and standalone configurations. Depending on the application and your needs, you can pick the Mac printer that matches your speed or volume of printing requirements. By utilizing my more than twenty years’ experience in IT industry, I have thoughtfully handpicked these printers compatible with Apple Computers and Mobile devices.
Reviews of 10 Apple Compatible Printers
1 Epson Expression Premium ET-7700
This is a cartridge free wireless inkjet printer that you can use with MacBook Pro, iPhone, iMac or iPad. The printer comes with large ink tanks with five different colors. The one-time full tanks deliver 14000 black sheets and 9000 color print-outs. This Epson photo printer comes with a dedicated photo and normal paper trays for hassle-free handling. It has a large 2.7 inches LCD screen for previewing the print before giving the print command. With inbuilt card and USB slots, you can print directly from a USB drive or memory card without transferring them to the computer. This is definitely an economical and one of the best Apple compatible printers in the long run with lowest print-cost per page. Check More Details & User Reviews
2 Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
This is one of the best black and white laser printer from Brother, a leader in Laser printers. It is an All-in-one printer for home and small office that offers printing, scanning, and copying in this multi-functional machine. This MFP is compatible with iPhone and Mac. Wireless printing option allows you to print from cloud, laptops, tablets, and smartphones including the support of NFC printing. Talking about the speed, the printer offers a speed of up to 36 pages per minute. The toner-save mode and two-side printing helps you save on printing cost. Excellent value for money, buy this best Airprint printer for enhanced productivity at work. Check More Details & User Reviews
3 Canon MF416dw Imageclass
This is an All-in-one laser printer compatible to work in Mac environment. This a wireless printer that offers multi-functional features like fax, print, scan, and copy. With Wi-Fi direct option, you can print directly from your mobile device without having to connect to a network. The printer prints at the speed of 35 pages per minute. Furthermore, the printer comes with a duplexing feature for paper saving and also lets you print ID cards which is a great feature for companies. Canon Image-class has a large 3.5 inches’ color panel for easy access and helps you handle daily documentation needs flawlessly. With mobile features, 1 GB RAM and large paper-handling capacity, this is a must have printer for home and office. Check More Details & User Reviews
4 Brother MFC-L5900DW Monochrome
Printer For Macbook Pro
This is a multi-functional laser printer for Mac, Linux, and Windows OS. You can scan and print professional documents at a high speed of 42 pages per minute. Various workgroups can use Brother MFC at the same time without slowing down the functionality of this all-in-one printer. The standard toner produces a yield of 3000 pages whereas a high yield replacement toner can deliver up to 8000 pages. The security features include settings lock, integration with active directory, restriction of usage per user, secure print via PIN. The other key features include duplex-printing, large touchscreen display, and cloud printing. Check More Details & User Reviews
5 HP LaserJet M527dn Laser Printer
This is the best printer for Mac users who are looking for a laser printer. It is a fast Mac printer that prints at a speed of 45 pages per minute. HP M527dn is an enterprise-class multi-functional printer with business features for enhanced productivity at workplace. The embedded security features with 256-bit encryption restricts the outer attacks and secures the sensitive data. With the intelligent power-save feature, the printer automatically gets off when it is not in use. HP Web Jetadmin lets you monitor printer status remotely and with Jetintelligence feature, you can maximize the toner yield in the economy mode. The printer supports multiple media sizes that include a letter, legal, 8.5 x 13, envelope, executive, statement, postcard, double postcard, 5 x 8, 4 x 6, 3 x 5, and 5”x7”. Check More Details & User Reviews.
6. Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
This is a space saving laser printer that works perfectly with iMac and MacBook Pro with wireless connectivity. The printer features two-side printing and flatbed scanner allows you to scan and copy apart from printing functionality. It offers a speed of 32 pages per minute. The printer is compatible with envelopes, cards, letter, legal size paper other than standard A4 size. The automatic tray accepts a maximum of 250 sheets and there is also an option of manual paper feed for other paper sizes. Compatible with Apple Airprint, this compact printer is highly recommended for home and small office. Check More Details & User Reviews
7 Canon iP8720 Wireless Printer
Optimized to work with Mac OS X v10.6.8 – v10.9, this is an inkjet printer that delivers high quality print-outs at 9600 dpi. The canon wireless printer is capable to print CD/DVD covers and HD movie prints. With Google cloud print functionality, you can print directly from Chrome browser on Mac. The speed of color printing is 10 images per minute and for printing black and white prints, the speed is 14.5 images per minute. This is a complete photo printer that prints on normal as well as glossy paper without any hassles. You can print from Google cloud, iPad, iPhone, Wi-Fi network and USB cable. This is a combo pack where you get one set of the ink cartridge and 50 glossy sheets along with this Apple wireless printer. Check Price & More Details on Amazon
8 Lexmark MS817n Monochrome Laser Printer
Best Home Printer For Mac Pro
Lexmark is a beast when it comes to sturdiness and printing speed. It prints at a speed of 55 pages per minute with a monthly volume of fifty thousand pages. Talking about compatibility with OS, this professional printer works with Mac, windows, and Linux. The printer is capable to print plain paper, envelopes, card stock, and office transparencies. The printer produces crisp and sharp print-outs since Lexmark can print in a high resolution of 1200×1200 DPI. Large workgroups can work simultaneously on this high performance machine without any lags largely due to powerful dual core processor and 2.4 GB memory. Check More Details & User Reviews
9 Kyocera M5526cdw Multifunctional Laser Printer
Kyocera is a Japanese company and has been delivering document solutions since 1948 in more than 25 countries. The printer works best with Apple Macintosh OS X 10.5 or later, windows server, windows vista and later and Linux. The printer comes with all the business-class features including stack-less duplex, 1200 DPI, 850 sheet input tray, front USB support and fast FAX. Mobile connectivity includes Airprint, Google cloud, Mopria and Kyocera mobile print. With five-line LCD display panel, you can easily configure and manage the tasks. Check Price & More Details on Amazon. Check Price & More Details on Amazon
10. Epson WF-7610 All-in-One Printer
This workforce model from Epson is compatible to use with Mac® OS X® 10.6.8 – macOS® 10.12.x8, windows operating systems. This is an inkjet printer that can print vibrant documents at a maximum dpi of 4800 x 2400. The front loader paper tray has a capacity of holding 250 sheets which is a great feature for an inkjet printer. Furthermore, the printer comes with an automatic document feeder and this all-in-one printer can print wide format sheets as large as 13” by 19”. The printer connectivity includes Wi-Fi, a wired network, Wi-Fi direct, NFC and mobile printing. This is an energy efficient and ROHS compliant ECO printer. Check Price and More User reviews.
Buy Wireless Printers for Mac & iPhone
The list above consists of both inkjet as well as LaserJet printers available in All-in-one and stand-alone configurations. Depending on your printing needs and budget you can pick the best printer for Mac OS environment. Which printer are you using currently and Do you have plans to buy a new one? Do share your views in the comments section.