Printers are generally compatible with all systems. Macs and MacBooks have the unique advantage of automatically downloading the software or a “driver” of the printer when needed.
Once a printer is detected, Apple’s Airprint software finds the appropriate driver and installs it instantly. Printers that are not compatible with Mac devices are usually outdated and old. Almost all of the Modron printer designs support macOS computer operating systems.
What to look for in a Mac Printer?
Defined the perfect printer for your Mac, there are a few elements you must consider along with the basic specs you’d look for in a printer of any operating system.
Wireless compatibility
iMacs and MacBooks are very limited in the ports that they offer. Most MacBook devices only feature a USB-C port, requiring you to purchase different extensions and accessories to link your MacOS device to your printer.
Toner/ink value
This is a feature to look for in every printer, no matter your operating system. The overall value of your toner or Ink is the ultimate determinator of whether or not the printer is worth your investment.
There are two main types of printers, laser printers, and InkJets; each requires a different level of investment and offers different values.
Laser printer
LaserJet printers use a technology supported by laser-heated cartridges that melt down into powder-like substances creating the overall image or text. These printers Are often more expensive, almost three or four times the price of an inkjet printer, but have long-lasting, economical cartridges that enable you to save money in the long run.
InkJet Printer
On the other hand, Inkjet printers use liquid Ink that’s heated, compressed, then sprayed through fine nozzles to create the same or relatively similar result. Inkjets are usually sold for a fraction of the price you would purchase a laser printer but require a later investment of expensive ink cartridges.
Speed of printing
Printers with modern technology, such as the Brother MFC-J1205W, can print an average of 26 sheets per hour, while older models might take the same time frame to print a single sheet.
Overall printing resolution
Printing resolution Is the result of how many ink dots per inch a printer can produce. Dots per inch or (DPI) levels are usually optimal at 300 or above.
The Top Printers For Mac Users in 2023
An all-in-one home printer with some of the best economical features in today’s market, the Brother MFC-J1205W is a basic low-volume InkJet printer with wireless compatibility.
Perfect for casual printing and can print roughly 16 pages per minute, slightly below the standards of an optimal high-efficiency printer. A single-toner cartridge refill can print over 1500 single-sided colored pages before changing it at the cost of approximately $100.
A compact, lightweight printer with the capacity to print over 35 pages per minute, the Lexmark B3340dw is the perfect balance between industrial and personal use.
Heavier and much bigger than other recommended Mac printers, the Lexmark is a monochrome laser printer, meaning it will only print in one color.
Ideal for office use but lacks USB ports, a scanner, and the ability to print in color; if you’re looking for a black and white printer, then Lexmark B3340dw is a top-of-the-line product.
A color-centric printer, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is best compared to the Canon Pixma MG3620 but enjoys a longer-lasting toner life and lacks some detail offered in the canon.
Eco-tank models are part of a series built upon toner efficiency with divided chambers that are refillable with liquid ink bottles that help users cut expenses. Each color is sold separately for less than $25.00
The best image desktop printer money can buy, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is a highly detailed printer with expensive toner but exceptional results.
An all-in-one inkjet printer with 9 pages per minute, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 can print over 180 pages before replacing cartridges.
This MacBook-compatible printer has wireless connectivity, a built-in scanner, and a USB port for all your storage devices.
HP’s all-in-one unique, the Envy inspire 7200e is a printer for all your scanning, printing, and photocopying needs and is best compared to the Canon Pixma MG3620 and Epson Ecotank MG3620.
With a printing speed of 10 colored pages per minute, WIFI compatibility, and cartridges that last an average of 450 – 500 pages of regular use before replacement, the HP Envy inspire 7200 is the perfect modern home printer.
The smallest and lightest printer on this list, the WorkForce WF110 is the perfect budget printer compatible with your Mac or MacBook computer.
It is limited to three primary colors, meaning you may require better high-resolution for photos and graphics. Still, it remains an excellent option for printing colored text and simple patterns.
Its minimal design tailors target smartphone users and allow them to print documents using AirPrint and wifi networks, eliminating the need for file transfers.
A fast wireless printer doubles the speed and price of the standard all-in-one desktop printer. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e has a 500-paper tray and a rate of printing 24 colored pages per minute.
It has a built-in wireless scanner compatibility and auto pairing with the latest MacOS operating system update using AirPrint.
A wide format printer, the Cannon Prograph Pro-300 differentiates itself with the ability to print documents up to a standard A3 size.
One of the most recent releases from the brand, the Canon ImagePrograph Pro-300, offers high-efficiency results with its 10-pigment toner and uses an inkjet toner system. At a printing speed of 30 colored pages per minute, it is one of the fastest and newest printers on this list.
The Epson Workforce WF-2930 is an all-in-one printer including a built-in scanner, fax, and automated page double-side printing mechanism.
It is the newer model of the recommended Epson Workforce WF110, upgraded to print 30 one-sided pages per minute.
Each ink cartridge package provides roughly 7500 pages before needing to be replaced, an economically efficient amount compared to other printers on this list of the top printers for Mac users.
Finally, a more professional printer offers a fair balance of industrial and personal use and high-speed printing. The Xerox Phaser 6510/DN Color Printer is a laser printer with up to 30 double-sided printed pages per minute.
It supports workgroups of up to 10 people and is WIFI and smartphone compatible. Detailed printing of 1200 x 2400 DPI, an excellent quality for the size and cost of this printer that retails for roughly $1200.
Printers are generally compatible with all systems. Macs and MacBooks have the unique advantage of automatically downloading the software or a “driver” of the printer when needed.
Once a printer is detected, Apple’s Airprint software finds the appropriate driver and installs it instantly. Printers that are not compatible with Mac devices are usually outdated and old. Almost all of the Modron printer designs support macOS computer operating systems.
What to look for in a Mac Printer?
Defined the perfect printer for your Mac, there are a few elements you must consider along with the basic specs you’d look for in a printer of any operating system.
Wireless compatibility
iMacs and MacBooks are very limited in the ports that they offer. Most MacBook devices only feature a USB-C port, requiring you to purchase different extensions and accessories to link your MacOS device to your printer.
Toner/ink value
This is a feature to look for in every printer, no matter your operating system. The overall value of your toner or Ink is the ultimate determinator of whether or not the printer is worth your investment.
There are two main types of printers, laser printers, and InkJets; each requires a different level of investment and offers different values.
Laser printer
LaserJet printers use a technology supported by laser-heated cartridges that melt down into powder-like substances creating the overall image or text. These printers Are often more expensive, almost three or four times the price of an inkjet printer, but have long-lasting, economical cartridges that enable you to save money in the long run.
InkJet Printer
On the other hand, Inkjet printers use liquid Ink that’s heated, compressed, then sprayed through fine nozzles to create the same or relatively similar result. Inkjets are usually sold for a fraction of the price you would purchase a laser printer but require a later investment of expensive ink cartridges.
Speed of printing
Printers with modern technology, such as the Brother MFC-J1205W, can print an average of 26 sheets per hour, while older models might take the same time frame to print a single sheet.
Overall printing resolution
Printing resolution Is the result of how many ink dots per inch a printer can produce. Dots per inch or (DPI) levels are usually optimal at 300 or above.
The Top Printers For Mac Users in 2023
Brother MFC-J1205W/MFC-J1215W
An all-in-one home printer with some of the best economical features in today’s market, the Brother MFC-J1205W is a basic low-volume InkJet printer with wireless compatibility.
Perfect for casual printing and can print roughly 16 pages per minute, slightly below the standards of an optimal high-efficiency printer. A single-toner cartridge refill can print over 1500 single-sided colored pages before changing it at the cost of approximately $100.
Lexmark B3340dw
A compact, lightweight printer with the capacity to print over 35 pages per minute, the Lexmark B3340dw is the perfect balance between industrial and personal use.
Heavier and much bigger than other recommended Mac printers, the Lexmark is a monochrome laser printer, meaning it will only print in one color.
Ideal for office use but lacks USB ports, a scanner, and the ability to print in color; if you’re looking for a black and white printer, then Lexmark B3340dw is a top-of-the-line product.
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
A color-centric printer, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is best compared to the Canon Pixma MG3620 but enjoys a longer-lasting toner life and lacks some detail offered in the canon.
Eco-tank models are part of a series built upon toner efficiency with divided chambers that are refillable with liquid ink bottles that help users cut expenses. Each color is sold separately for less than $25.00
Canon PIXMA MG3620
The best image desktop printer money can buy, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 is a highly detailed printer with expensive toner but exceptional results.
An all-in-one inkjet printer with 9 pages per minute, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 can print over 180 pages before replacing cartridges.
This MacBook-compatible printer has wireless connectivity, a built-in scanner, and a USB port for all your storage devices.
HP Envy Inspire 7200e / 7220e
HP’s all-in-one unique, the Envy inspire 7200e is a printer for all your scanning, printing, and photocopying needs and is best compared to the Canon Pixma MG3620 and Epson Ecotank MG3620.
With a printing speed of 10 colored pages per minute, WIFI compatibility, and cartridges that last an average of 450 – 500 pages of regular use before replacement, the HP Envy inspire 7200 is the perfect modern home printer.
Epson WorkForce WF110
The smallest and lightest printer on this list, the WorkForce WF110 is the perfect budget printer compatible with your Mac or MacBook computer.
It is limited to three primary colors, meaning you may require better high-resolution for photos and graphics. Still, it remains an excellent option for printing colored text and simple patterns.
Its minimal design tailors target smartphone users and allow them to print documents using AirPrint and wifi networks, eliminating the need for file transfers.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e
A fast wireless printer doubles the speed and price of the standard all-in-one desktop printer. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e has a 500-paper tray and a rate of printing 24 colored pages per minute.
It has a built-in wireless scanner compatibility and auto pairing with the latest MacOS operating system update using AirPrint.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
A wide format printer, the Cannon Prograph Pro-300 differentiates itself with the ability to print documents up to a standard A3 size.
One of the most recent releases from the brand, the Canon ImagePrograph Pro-300, offers high-efficiency results with its 10-pigment toner and uses an inkjet toner system. At a printing speed of 30 colored pages per minute, it is one of the fastest and newest printers on this list.
Epson Workforce WF-2830
The Epson Workforce WF-2930 is an all-in-one printer including a built-in scanner, fax, and automated page double-side printing mechanism.
It is the newer model of the recommended Epson Workforce WF110, upgraded to print 30 one-sided pages per minute.
Each ink cartridge package provides roughly 7500 pages before needing to be replaced, an economically efficient amount compared to other printers on this list of the top printers for Mac users.
Xerox Phaser 6510/DN Color Printer
Finally, a more professional printer offers a fair balance of industrial and personal use and high-speed printing. The Xerox Phaser 6510/DN Color Printer is a laser printer with up to 30 double-sided printed pages per minute.
It supports workgroups of up to 10 people and is WIFI and smartphone compatible. Detailed printing of 1200 x 2400 DPI, an excellent quality for the size and cost of this printer that retails for roughly $1200.