Best Printers for Mac: Picks and What to Look For

For a Mac, a Brother or Canon color laser such as the Brother MFC-L3780CDW suits an office or home worker who prints mostly documents, the Epson EcoTank ET-2980 or ET-3850 suits a household that wants low ink cost, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e suits a home office that wants a flexible color all-in-one, and the Brother HL-L2460DW is the simple choice for black-and-white only. The one requirement they share is AirPrint, which lets a MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or iMac print without installing a driver.

AirPrint and what it does and does not do

AirPrint is built into macOS. When a printer supports it, your Mac finds the printer on the network and prints without extra software. Roundups from MacHow2, DeskFinds and others note that AirPrint covers everyday printing, but a full maker driver adds features such as tray selection, quality presets and ink or toner level reporting. If you rely on those, install the maker’s software from its support page and confirm that it supports your macOS version. Apple does not sell printers any more, so searches for “best Apple printers” are really about printers that work well with Apple devices.

Best printers for Mac at a glance

Color laser all-in-ones: Brother and Canon

Reviewers repeatedly name the Brother MFC-L3780CDW as a strong color laser for Mac users. Brother lists dual-band wireless, gigabit Ethernet, USB and support for AirPrint, AirPrint Scan, Brother Mobile Connect and Mopria. Toner comes in three replacement sizes, including a super high yield option, which keeps cost per page low for heavy printing. Canon’s imageCLASS MF665Cdw is also frequently cited, with Canon listing AirPrint, Mopria and Wi-Fi Direct, but its US store lists it as no longer available, so you may meet a successor or limited stock. Laser toner does not dry out between uses, which suits people who print infrequently.

Inkjets: HP OfficeJet Pro and Epson EcoTank

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e is a color inkjet all-in-one with four individual cartridges, automatic duplex, an automatic document feeder and AirPrint. It is a good match for home offices that want documents and the occasional card. HP also offers an Instant Ink subscription, and RTINGS notes that using it blocks third-party cartridges, so read the terms before you enrol. The Epson EcoTank line uses bottled ink, which lowers the cost per page. The ET-2980 adds automatic duplex over the ET-2800. TechRadar’s review calls it a good entry-level EcoTank for low-cost pages. For photos, the ET-8550 adds six inks and large formats.

Best printers for MacBook and MacBook Air

A MacBook Air or MacBook Pro usually prints over Wi-Fi, so wireless reliability and AirPrint matter more than the number of ports. Newer Macs have only USB-C, so if you want to connect by cable you may need an adapter. For travel, a compact wireless inkjet or laser works. For students, a mono laser like the Brother HL-L2460DW handles essays and notes cheaply, and a tank printer suits those printing posters and photos.

Best printers for iMac and Apple computers

An iMac sits on a desk with Wi-Fi or Ethernet, so a networked laser or all-in-one with Ethernet makes setup easier. Ethernet also helps when many users share the printer. The Brother MFC-L3780CDW and Canon MF665Cdw both list Ethernet. If you scan often, check that the scanner works with Image Capture or the maker’s app on your macOS version.

Running cost

Toner printers usually have the lowest cost per page for text, and tank printers have the lowest for color. Cartridge inkjets cost the most per page. Yields are rated by the makers: Brother lists 1,500 pages for standard black toner and 4,500 for the super high yield, and the Epson ET-2980 box set is rated for up to 5,500 color pages. Real output varies with coverage.

Pick X if…

Alternatives

• Canon PIXMA TS series: affordable color all-in-ones that roundups list for Mac users.
• Epson EcoTank ET-3850: a step above the ET-2980 in some roundups for ink usage.
• Print shops and libraries: a sensible option if you print a few pages a year.

Setup and compatibility notes

• Add the printer from System Settings, under Printers and Scanners. AirPrint models appear automatically on the same network.
• Check the maker’s support page for the latest driver if you need scanner or fax features.
• Use the 5 GHz band if the printer supports dual-band wireless for faster file transfer.
• Older Macs may lose support for a printer’s full driver; AirPrint remains an option.

What to look for beyond AirPrint

AirPrint solves the driver problem, but other specifications still decide whether a printer fits your daily life. Look at automatic duplex if you print school or work documents, since it halves paper use. An automatic document feeder matters if you scan multi-page paperwork. Ethernet is a good idea in a shared office, because wired connections avoid the occasional Wi-Fi dropout. Paper tray size affects how often you refill; 250 sheets is common on the models above. Finally, consider noise and size: lasers are bulkier and a little louder when warming up, while tank inkjets are compact but need space to refill the bottles.

Wi-Fi, USB-C and security

Recent MacBook models have only USB-C ports, so a direct cable needs an adapter or a USB-C cable that the printer maker lists as compatible. Wireless printing is easier and is the default for all the printers above. For security, keep the printer firmware updated using the maker’s app or web page, change any default admin password on the printer’s web interface, and put the printer on your home network rather than a public one. If you use a guest network, note that devices on separate networks may not see each other, and AirPrint discovery can fail.

Troubleshooting common Mac printing problems

• The printer appears offline: check that the Mac and printer share the same network and restart both.
• Jobs stay in the queue: open the print queue, delete the stuck job and resume the printer.
• Quality options are missing: install the maker’s full driver, which exposes more settings than AirPrint.
• Scanner not found: try the maker’s scanning app or Image Capture, and confirm that the scanner function is enabled on the printer.
• After a macOS upgrade: remove and re-add the printer so macOS rebuilds the settings.

Which type suits which Mac user

Students on a MacBook Air who print essays a few times a term do well with a compact mono laser or a basic tank inkjet, since both keep ink or toner ready between uses. Designers and photographers using an iMac or MacBook Pro get more from a six-ink photo model, ideally with a full maker driver for color management. Small offices with several Macs benefit from a networked color laser with Ethernet, which handles shared use and high page counts. Households with children printing school projects, certificates and photos are the group most likely to save money on a tank printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install a driver for a Mac printer?

Not for printing if the printer supports AirPrint. macOS detects it and prints. A maker driver adds extras like tray selection and level reporting.

Is laser or inkjet better for a Mac?

Neither works better with macOS. Laser suits frequent document printing and infrequent use, while inkjets and tank printers suit photos and color.

Can I scan from a Mac without extra software?

Often yes. macOS includes Image Capture and a scanner interface. Brother also lists AirPrint Scan on the MFC-L3780CDW.

Why is my Mac not finding the printer?

Both devices must be on the same network. Restart the printer, check Wi-Fi and consider connecting by Ethernet or USB.

Does Apple make printers?

No. Apple supports printers from other makers through AirPrint, so the choice comes down to features and running cost.

Are third-party ink and toner safe to use?

Many printers accept them, but some subscription programs restrict third-party supplies. Read the maker’s terms and warranty rules first.