Ever feel like your Mac and your printer are playing hide-and-seek? You click print, but nothing happens, or the colors look all wrong. It can be super frustrating when you just need to get that school project or important document printed. Choosing the right printer for your Mac computer shouldn’t feel like a puzzle!
Many people find it tricky to pick a printer that works perfectly with their Mac. Sometimes printers don’t connect easily, or the settings are confusing. You want a printer that’s easy to set up, prints clearly, and doesn’t give you headaches. But with so many brands and features out there, where do you even begin?
Don’t worry! This blog post is here to help. We’ll break down what makes a printer great for Mac users. You’ll learn about the best features to look for and discover some top picks that are known to play nicely with Apple computers. By the end, you’ll feel confident about choosing a printer that makes printing from your Mac a breeze, not a battle.
Our Top 5 Printer For Mac Computer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Printer For Mac Computer Detailed Reviews
1. Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for Duplex Printing
Rating: 8.9/10
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is a white, cost-efficient home printer that handles printing, copying, and scanning. It boasts a compact design and is easy to set up, making it a convenient choice for everyday tasks. Plus, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
What We Like:
- It’s affordable and offers great value for home users and those working from home.
- Prints are crisp and vibrant, with sharp text and vivid colors, thanks to its hybrid ink system.
- Setup is a breeze for both smartphones and computers, so you can start printing, scanning, and copying right away.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi provides a stable connection, letting you print smoothly from anywhere in your home.
- It efficiently scans and copies documents.
- Automatic 2-sided printing saves paper and time by speeding up your work.
- It supports printing various documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11”, with or without borders.
- Its compact and stylish design fits well in any workspace.
- You can easily print from your smartphone or tablet using popular apps like the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service.
- It’s an eco-conscious choice, being EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certified.
What Could Be Improved:
- Ink cartridges can be a bit pricey for frequent users.
- The scanner lid doesn’t lift very high, which can make scanning thicker items a little tricky.
This Canon PIXMA TS4320 is a fantastic all-around printer for its price. It offers a great mix of features for home and hybrid work needs.
2. Brother HL-L2405W Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer with Mobile Printing
Rating: 9.0/10
Meet the Brother HL-L2405W, a compact monochrome laser printer designed to handle your home and home office printing needs with ease. This black and white printer delivers sharp, clear documents at a fast pace, making it a reliable workhorse for everyday tasks. Its wireless capabilities and mobile printing options mean you can print from almost anywhere, keeping you productive on the go.
What We Like:
- Prints sharp, crisp black and white documents quickly, up to 30 pages per minute.
- Connects easily through dual-band wireless or USB, making it great for homes and home offices.
- The Brother Mobile Connect app lets you manage your printer and print from your phone or tablet.
- Handles various paper types, including envelopes, with its 250-sheet paper tray and manual feed slot.
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty and excellent customer support from Brother.
- Offers a free trial of the Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service for easy toner refills and potential savings.
What Could Be Improved:
- Only prints in black and white, not suitable for color printing needs.
- The Refresh Subscription Service, while beneficial, requires ongoing commitment.
This Brother printer is a smart choice for anyone needing a dependable, no-fuss black and white printing solution for their home or small office. Its user-friendly features and connectivity options make it a practical and efficient addition to your workspace.
3. Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer
Rating: 9.4/10
The Canon PIXMA TR160 Wireless Portable Printer is your new best friend for printing anywhere, anytime. This printer is super light and small, so you can easily take it with you in your bag or backpack. It’s perfect for students, travelers, or anyone who needs to print on the go. You can print documents and photos up to 8.5” x 11” with really clear black text and bright, colorful pictures. Plus, it can even print square photos and borderless ones!
What We Like:
- It’s incredibly lightweight and portable, fitting easily into bags.
- It delivers high-quality prints with sharp text and vibrant colors.
- Printing is simple with the Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint, or Mopria Print Service.
- Wireless Direct Mode lets you connect without a router.
- The 1.44” OLED display makes checking ink and settings a breeze.
- It has a 50-sheet paper tray for convenience.
What Could Be Improved:
- The paper tray capacity might be small for very large print jobs.
- Color ink cartridges can sometimes be more expensive to replace.
- The OLED display is monochrome, so it’s not for viewing photos.
This printer makes printing easy and convenient, no matter where you are. It’s a solid choice for anyone needing a portable printing solution.
4. HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
Rating: 9.1/10
The HP DeskJet 4255e is a do-it-all printer designed for your home. It prints in color, scans documents, and makes copies. This printer is great for printing to-do lists, letters, and even recipes. Plus, it comes with a 3-month trial of HP Instant Ink, so you won’t run out of ink. Its AI feature helps make sure your web pages and emails print perfectly, without wasted paper. It connects wirelessly to your home network.
What We Like:
- HP AI makes web page and email printing neat and tidy.
- It’s an all-in-one: print, copy, and scan in one device.
- The HP app lets you print from your phone or tablet.
- Its small size fits easily into any room.
- It’s made with recycled plastic and saves energy.
- The 3-month Instant Ink trial is a nice bonus.
- Reliable Wi-Fi connection that fixes itself.
What Could Be Improved:
- Only works with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not the newer 5 GHz.
- Print speeds are a bit slow for busy households.
- The printer only works with HP ink cartridges.
For everyday home printing needs, the HP DeskJet 4255e is a solid choice. It handles basic tasks well and offers smart features to make printing easier.
5. Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer for Basic Home Printing
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the Canon PIXMA TS3720 Wireless All-in-One Printer, your new best friend for simple home printing needs. This sleek white printer handles all your basic tasks like printing, copying, and scanning. It’s designed to make your life easier.
What We Like:
- It’s an all-in-one wonder: Print, copy, and scan are right at your fingertips.
- Printing is quick: Get your documents and photos in no time with decent speeds.
- Setup is a breeze: You’ll be up and running in just a few minutes.
- Ink changes are simple: Two easy-to-replace cartridges make printing in color mess-free.
- The LCD screen is user-friendly: A small 1.5” screen helps you get the job done easily.
- It connects reliably: Dual Band Wi-Fi ensures a stable connection for printing from anywhere.
- Wireless printing is easy: Connect to Wi-Fi without needing a computer.
- Print from your phone or tablet: Use the Canon PRINT app, AirPrint, or Mopria for mobile printing. It even works with Chromebooks!
- It handles many types of paper: Print photos, envelopes, banners, and even fun 5” x 5” square photos.
- You get a 1-year warranty: Enjoy peace of mind with the included warranty.
What Could Be Improved:
- It only prints on one side of the paper.
- Print speeds are moderate, not the fastest available.
For everyday home printing, the Canon PIXMA TS3720 is a solid choice that offers convenience and versatility.
Choosing the Right Printer for Your Mac: A Simple Guide
Getting a new printer for your Mac can feel like a big decision. You want one that works well and is easy to use. This guide will help you find the perfect printer. We’ll cover important things to look for, what makes a printer good or not so good, and how different printers fit different needs.
Key Features to Look For
1. Compatibility
The most important thing is that the printer works with your Mac. Most modern printers are compatible with macOS. Look for printers that explicitly state they support your Mac’s operating system. Check the manufacturer’s website for driver downloads and compatibility information.
2. Connectivity
How will you connect the printer?
- USB: This is a simple wired connection.
- Wi-Fi: This lets you print wirelessly from your Mac and other devices.
- Ethernet: This is a wired network connection, good for offices.
- AirPrint: This is Apple’s wireless printing technology. It makes printing from Macs and iPhones super easy.
3. Print Type
What kind of printing do you need?
- Inkjet: These are great for colorful photos and documents. They use liquid ink.
- Laser: These are faster and cheaper for printing lots of text documents. They use toner powder.
4. All-in-One vs. Single Function
Do you need more than just printing?
- All-in-One (or Multifunction): These printers can also copy, scan, and sometimes fax. They save space and are very handy.
- Single Function: These printers only print. They are usually simpler and cheaper if you don’t need the extra features.
5. Print Speed and Quality
How fast do you need prints? How good do they need to look?
- Print Speed: Measured in pages per minute (ppm). Faster is better if you print a lot.
- Print Resolution: Measured in dots per inch (dpi). Higher dpi means sharper, more detailed prints, especially for photos.
Important Materials and How They Affect Quality
The ink or toner is a big deal.
- Inkjet Cartridges: Good quality ink makes colors vibrant and text crisp. Cheaper inks might fade or look dull.
- Laser Toner: High-quality toner provides sharp, dark text. It’s also known for being smudge-proof.
The paper you use also matters. Standard printer paper is fine for everyday documents. For photos, use special photo paper. This makes your pictures look much better. Using the wrong paper can make prints look faded or blurry.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What Makes Prints Better:
- Using genuine ink or toner from the printer manufacturer.
- Choosing the right paper for the job.
- Selecting the highest print quality setting on your Mac.
- Keeping your printer clean and performing maintenance.
What Can Make Prints Worse:
- Using off-brand or refilled ink/toner that isn’t good quality.
- Printing on cheap, thin paper that ink can bleed through.
- Not updating your printer drivers.
- Ignoring printer error messages or low ink warnings.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use your printer will guide your choice.
- Home User: You might need an all-in-one printer for occasional documents, school papers, or family photos. Wireless printing and AirPrint are great for ease of use.
- Student: A reliable inkjet or laser printer that handles text well is important. An all-in-one can be useful for scanning assignments.
- Home Office: Speed and cost per page become more important. A laser printer is often a good choice for lots of text printing.
- Photographer: You’ll want a high-quality inkjet printer with good color accuracy and the ability to print on photo paper.
A good user experience means the printer is easy to set up and connect to your Mac. It should be simple to load paper and replace ink or toner. The software that comes with the printer should be easy to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do all printers work with Macs?
A: Most modern printers work with Macs, but it’s always best to check the printer’s specifications or the manufacturer’s website to be sure.
Q: What is AirPrint, and why is it good for Macs?
A: AirPrint is Apple’s technology for wireless printing. It makes printing from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad very simple without needing to install extra software.
Q: Should I get an inkjet or a laser printer for my Mac?
A: Inkjets are better for colorful photos. Lasers are faster and cheaper for printing lots of text documents.
Q: What does “all-in-one” mean for a printer?
A: An all-in-one printer can print, copy, and scan. Some can also fax.
Q: How do I know if a printer is compatible with my Mac?
A: Look for labels on the box that say “Mac Compatible” or check the manufacturer’s website for macOS support information.
Q: Is it okay to use non-brand ink cartridges?
A: Some people do, but using genuine ink or toner usually gives the best quality and can prevent printer problems.
Q: How important is print resolution (dpi)?
A: Higher dpi means sharper and more detailed prints, especially for photos.
Q: What is the best way to connect my printer to my Mac?
A: Wi-Fi is convenient for wireless printing from anywhere. USB is a simple, direct connection. AirPrint makes wireless printing very easy.
Q: How can I improve the quality of my printed photos?
A: Use a printer designed for photos, use good quality photo paper, and select the highest print quality setting.
Q: Where can I find printer drivers for my Mac?
A: You can usually download the latest drivers from the printer manufacturer’s official website.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gary Flores, the creator of deepskyblue-owl-132507.hostingersite.com.. With a passion for creating cozy, functional, and beautiful spaces, I share my personal experiences and expertise about everything related to home improvement. From practical tips to design inspiration, my goal is to help you make your home the best it can be.