Whether you’ve just unboxed your new Mac or you’re a seasoned Mac veteran, it’s likely that at some point you’ll want a printer to go with your computer.
Today’s printers are compatible with all operating systems, including MacOS. However, some of them are designed to work more intuitively with your Mac when connecting wirelessly and sharing over a network. They’re also better at producing high-quality photos and documents, which is a plus since many Mac users are creatives who work in fields such as photography, film and television and graphic design.
One of the best printers for Mac is Canon PIXMA TS9521C, which prints vivid colors through the use of six different ink cartridges and can print on all sorts of media, making it a good fit for Mac users who work in the art or design industry.
What to know before you buy a printer for Mac
All-in-one functionality
Many printers include printing, scanning and copying functions all in one unit. This can be very useful if you need to mass produce simple images or documents without using more than one device or having to go to a print and copy center.
Paper capacity
Some printers have a large-capacity paper tray to handle thousands of sheets of paper, and sometimes a separate tray for photo paper. A printer with separate trays for letter- and legal-size paper is called a dual-tray printer; it automatically switches trays depending on the document size. If you print many different types of media, it’s useful to have a printer, which can accept different sizes of paper.
Print speed
Printer speed is measured in pages per minute, using plain text pages with no images or graphics. In general, you want an output of at least 20-40 PPM. If you’re printing a lot of photos, be sure to check the printer’s photo printing speed, which is usually slower than the average for basic text. Keep in mind that a printer has to warm up before a print job, which can also affect its speed.
Ink cartridges
Ink cartridges vary in size and price based on the printer model. Usually, for color printing, the cartridges are separate colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Some printer models include cyan, magenta and yellow all in one cartridge. You can also buy refillable ink cartridges, which may save you money as well as being a more sustainable choice for the environment.
Printer for Mac features
Auto-duplex mode
Most printers have auto-duplex mode, meaning the printer automatically prints on both sides of the paper. This can be disabled if necessary in your document print settings.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPrint capabilities
Most printers have the ability to connect to your Mac or mobile device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth rather than having to plug in a USB cable. Some printers can use AirPrint, which is a connection specific to Apple that lets you automatically connect to any nearby printer. This means you don’t have to install printer drivers, which is software for the printer that enables it to communicate with your operating system.
Printer for Mac cost
Most inkjet printers range in cost from about $99-$399. Laser printers typically cost about $250-$890.
Printer for Mac FAQ
What’s the difference between inkjet printing and laser printing?
A. An inkjet printer has a printhead inside it with small nozzles on it, which moves across the page to create the printed image. The nozzles spray ink from the ink cartridges onto the sheet of paper as it passes by. A laser printer uses mirrors inside of it which generate static electricity and attach laser toner to paper. Laser toner is similar to an ink cartridge, except it’s in powder form. In general, inkjet printer paper trays don’t hold as much paper and they aren’t as fast. Inkjet printers are good if you print less frequently but want high-quality images. Laser printers are good for high volumes of black-and-white documents, such as writing or office paperwork.
What if I want to print from my Apple mobile device instead of my Mac?
A. You can use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch as long as the printer is Wi-Fi-enabled on your wireless network.
Which printer for Mac should I get?
Best of the best printer for Mac
Canon PIXMA TS9521C Wireless All-In-One Crafting Photo Printer: available at Amazon
Our take: This wireless all-in-one printer is ideal for creatives because it has multiple paper feed options so you can print photos, envelopes, labels and more. It’s also AirPrint-friendly, making it perfect for Mac users.
What we like: Takes multiple sizes of paper including tabloid format and various photo formats. Prints ten pages per minute. Has five individual ink tanks for cartridges.
What we dislike: Slightly expensive for an all-in-one model. Unable to scan to a memory card.
Best bang for your buck printer for Mac
Epson Expression Premium XP-6100 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer: available at Best Buy
Our take: This quiet, space-efficient printer is affordable and can easily print 4 x 6-inch photos.
What we like: Can print via AirPrint or Epson’s iPrint app. Has a voice activation function for hands-free printing. Has a USB port for wired connection to your computer.
What we dislike: The paper output drawer has to be fully extended to print, taking up more space. Only 30 sheets of paper output.
Honorable mention printer for Mac
HP Tango X Wireless Instant Ink Ready Inkjet Printer: available at HP
Our take: This AirPrint-compatible printer is lightweight and comes with a linen cover, making it portable for Mac users on the go.
What we like: Also prints from the HP Smart app, making it suitable for iOS and iPad. Excellent photo printing quality right from your smartphone. Offers an Instant Ink program with HP for free printer ink.
What we dislike: Not very fast, somewhat expensive and users report the scanner is not the best quality.
Adrian Wengenroth is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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