A printer is a must have in any office, home or college dorm today. Considering how little is written by hand these days, it definitely seems prudent to buy a printer just so that you will have one on hand should you ever need it. However, if you have an Apple manufactured Mac laptop or desktop then finding the perfect printer for your Mac can even be challenging because you have to find the one that is compatible with Macs.
Check out the detailed comparison table of the best printers for Mac.
These devices are so popular that it’s not surprising the manufacturers do their best to cater to our needs and produce various kinds of printers. On one hand, this makes it easier for us to find the perfect device that will meet our exact requirements. On the other hand, the process of shopping for the ultimate printer for our Mac becomes difficult as there are so many options to choose from.
In this article, we will help you find the best printers for Mac and choose the one that will meet your needs exactly.
Contents
Printer Types for Macs
Before you start shopping, you need to narrow down the search field by deciding on the type of printer you want. There are several important factors you will need to consider as there is a great variety of these devices available.
Please note that different doesn’t mean better or worse. There are excellent printers in different categories, so you just need to decide which type meets your needs the best.
1. Color vs. black-and-white.
Black-and-white (monochrome) printers sell quite well, even despite the fact that the difference in prices between them and color models isn’t as huge as it used to be. The variety of colors doesn’t affect the quality of the printer, so it’s the type of documents you will need to print that should be the determining factor in this case.
If you are going to print nothing but plain text documents and spreadsheets, a monochrome printer would suffice. However, if you plan to print graphics that are more complicated than a simple logo, you should look for color models.
We believe that the best printers for Mac are color ones as they allow you more freedom regarding your options.
2. Inkjet vs. LaserJet.
The benefits of inkjet printers include their low cost, simplicity of use (cartridge replacement in particular), cheap cartridges, and most importantly, the high quality of their printed pictures. However, they are overall less efficient, slower, and might make a total mess if handled incorrectly.
You will need to be exceptionally careful when cleaning them and handling ink, in general, as it’s almost impossible to get off fabrics.
LaserJet, or as they are often called, laser printers, are more expensive, but they are more efficient as well. Therefore, despite the size of the original investment, the difference in overall costs will eventually turn in the favor of laser printers.
They are also less messy to clean and the cartridge can be replaced by a non-professional with a bit of training. They are also fast and offer excellent print quality.
All in all, there isn’t much difference between these two types as far as the best printers for Mac are concerned. In general, inkjet models are more popular for home use and laser models are usually installed in offices due to their high efficiency.
3. Wired vs. wireless.
Nowadays, you have a chance to avoid increasing the number of wires in your home or office by installing a wireless printer. This option is definitely the best choice for companies as wiring can really become an issue when multiple computers are connected to one printing device.
Of course, network printers use a Ethernet cable to connect to the router, and not every individual computer. However, if you have a Wi-Fi network in the office, this type of printer will be really inefficient.
A wireless printer will connect to the Wi-Fi as well, and it will help keep your office, dorm or home free of needless clutter.
Just be sure to pick the type of printer that matches the network type and won’t slow down the data transfer rate too much.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best Printers for Mac
To find the perfect printer for your Mac, you will need to answer a few questions. These answers will help you determine what kind of device you really need. This way, you will be able to pick the ultimate one from the best printers for Mac available on the market.
1. What are you going to print?
This will determine the type and size of the device. If you are looking to print colored posters, you will need to search for a device capable of producing large high-quality prints.
2. How much space do you have?
This will help you decide on the size of the printer. If you are in a college dorm or if you work from a small office, then a smaller sized printer would be ideal for you. But if you have a big office and are going to use the printer to print large number of pages then a bigger sized printer would be good for you.
3. Where will you use the printer?
Is it a device for home or the office? The functionality of the machine will depend on this. If you are buying it for your office and you usually print large number of pages, then I would suggest a LaserJet printer but if you are not going to print frequently then you can get away with an inkjet printer.
4. Do you need it to be wireless?
In most cases, this is a matter of your personal convenience.
5. How much can you afford to spend on a printer?
It may be best to buy one of the best printers for Mac from a less expensive category than to buy a cheaper, lower quality model from a high-end one (for example, pick an inkjet over a laser).
Consider your answers carefully and add any extra features you want your printer to have, like a high-quality photo printing feature, for example. Keep these things in mind when you look through our top 10 of the best printers for Mac and pick the one that meets your personal requirements.
Comparison Table of Best Mac Printers
| Image | Name | Wired/Wifi | Inkjet/Laserjet | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | HP LaserJet Pro P1102w | Wifi | Laserjet | $$$$ | 5.0 |
 | Canon MF216n | Wired | Laserjet | $$$$ | 4.9 |
 | Brother MFCJ450DW | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | HP Officejet 4630 | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | Brother MFC-J870DW | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | HP Officejet Pro 8610 | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | HP Envy 5530 | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Canon MG5720 | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | HP Envy 4500 | Wifi | Inkjet | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Epson Expression XP-410 | Wifi | Inkjet | $$ | 4.5 |
Independent Review of Top 10 Best Printers for Mac
10. Epson Expression XP-410
The XP-410 definitely deserves its place at the top of the list of best printers for Mac due to its high efficiency and excellent quality. It’s a wireless color inkjet printer from Epson, the leader among the manufacturers of printing equipment. The device features a 2.5“LCD touch panel and can easily print out documents from your Mac or iPad. The quality of the prints it offers is exceptionally high, and the cartridges are quite affordable.
The reviewers claim that the XP-410 offers great value for its price. The device is tiny but can handle any task you throw at it with great efficiency. It is not a powerful device to install in a large office, but it’s a great choice for personal use.
9. HP Envy 4500
As far as printing devices go, the 4500 is one of the best printers for Mac if you plan to print photos. It’s a wireless device, so you will be able to print from your laptop, iPad, or even iPhone. The quality of the pictures is guaranteed to be excellent. However, the manufacturer offers its guarantees only if you use the original HP ink.
According to the vast majority of reviewers, this printer comes as a great surprise as its low price belies its exceptional efficiency. It’s easy to set up, use, and clean. The commands on the LCD screen are easy to understand, so even a child will be able to manage using this printer. The 4500 model’s design also draws a lot of compliments as the device is sleek and looks good in any contemporary setting.
8. Canon MG5720
The MG5720 definitely is one of the best printers for Mac as it’s an all-in-one (scanner and copier and printer) device that will definitely meet all your printing needs. As it’s wireless, you can use it to print pictures from your laptop or tablet easily. One of the biggest advantages of the MG5720 is the variety of printing options it offers. They include Air printing, Mopria, Google Cloud Print, etc. The automatic power-on feature ensures that the device is always ready to print. Another great feature is the Auto 2-Sided Print, which allows you to print both sides of the page automatically.
The vast majority of reviewers agree that the MG5720 is an exceptional printer that can meet all your needs. The quality and functionality of this device ensure that it will serve you for a long time. If you are looking for a perfect all-in-one printer among the best printers for Mac, this is definitely one of the best options you can choose.
7. HP Envy 5530
The 5530 is a great wireless all-in-one printer from Hewlett-Packard, one of the most reliable manufacturers of computer equipment. This device will allow you to create lab-quality photos in your home with ease. Setting it up will only take a few minutes and you’ll be able to print right away. The 2-sided printing feature allows you to save both time and money.
The reviewers claim that the 5530 is one of the best models from HP. It’s an efficient and reliable machine that will meet all your printing needs.
6. HP Officejet Pro 8610
The Officejet Pro 8610 is one of the best printers for Mac if you are looking for the perfect model to install in your office. It allows you to print from laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones alike. The printer is highly efficient and very fast, so it will definitely increase the overall productivity of your office.
The reviewers agree that the Officejet Pro 8610 is a great printer to use both in the office and at home. It’s a device that offers great value for its price. The quality of the machine is high, so you can be sure it won’t fail you.
5. Brother MFC-J870DW
The MFC-J870DW is one of the best printers for Mac because it’s not merely a printer but also a scanner, copier, and fax as well. All in all, it’s the perfect device for a small office. It’s highly cost-efficient and easy to clean and maintain.
The reviewers praise the fact that the menu is very easy to understand and the device doesn’t require any training to operate, even despite its seeming complexity.
4. HP Officejet 4630
The Officejet 4630 is an excellent all-in-one printer that will be a great help in any office or home. It’s a color printer that can produce high-quality pictures. As it’s a multifunctional tool you will be able to use it in order to scan, copy, and fax pictures and texts with ease. You can even edit the pictures from the color touchscreen before printing. The memory card slot is easy to reach.
According to the reviews, the Officejet 4630 is a highly functional device that performs well in an office setting and is truly exceptional at home. If you have a home office, this device is a great choice.
3. Brother MFCJ450DW
The MFCJ450DW is an all-in-one wireless printing device from Brother, a manufacturer that has proven its reliability over the years, which is easy to set up and use. This printer is fast and produces quality pictures. It also helps you save time due to the 2-sided printing feature and 20-page auto document feeder.
The reviewers note that for such a highly functional device, the MFCJ450DW is really compact and its design is quite attractive. People who used it claim this printer to be very efficient and reliable.
2. Canon MF216n
The MF216n is one of the best printers for Mac if you need a highly-functional laser printing tool that can also serve as a copier, scanner, and fax. It’s an exceptionally fast printing machine that will definitely increase your work productivity. It’s also quiet, which is an important advantage if it is to be used in a home or office where people might be bothered by loud noise. The 250-sheet loading cassette helps you save a great deal of time.
The reviewers like that the MF216n is very efficient and offers everything one would expect from a device of this class. The quality of the prints is high and the device is easy to use.
1. HP LaserJet Pro P1102w
The LaserJet Pro P1102w is a simple but highly efficient monochrome laser printer. It’s a wireless device, so you will be able to connect your Mac, iPad or iPhone to it with little effort. The reason that makes it one of the best printers for Mac is its exceptional energy efficiency. If you are looking for a printing device that will really cut your energy bill, this one is perfect.
According to the reviewers, the LaserJet Pro P1102w offers great value for your money. It’s a reliable device that will serve you well for a very long time. People like that this printer is easy to both use and maintain in good shape.
How to add a printer on mac
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add a printer, or network printer to any Apple Mac computer. Simply go to system preferences, click printers, and follow along in the video.
In Conclusion
If you are looking for the perfect printer, you need to know exactly what you will use it for. This will allow you to pick the model that really meets your needs. Though, even if you aren’t 100% sure about all the applications you will want to use the device for, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a great tool as all the best printers for Mac are multifunctional.
Installing these devices is easy. You will just need to follow the setup instructions from the manual and install the suitable app on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac. All in all, this shouldn’t take much of your time. These devices are so easy to use that you will definitely have it completely figured out in a few hours.
The best printers for Mac require careful maintenance if you want the device to perform well for a long time. The cartridges need to be replaced and the device itself must be cleaned regularly. Be sure to follow the instructions from the manual and employ the services of a professional if you don’t feel confident in your own skills.
Remember that buying a high-quality device will allow you to save time and money as these printers are reliable and won’t fail you.
