Best Printers for Apple Mac (2026) — Seamless Compatibility & Expert Picks
Buying a printer for a Mac is usually easy… until it isn’t.
Most modern printers will print from macOS, but the experience can range from:
- “it just works” (AirPrint / driverless)
- to random missing features (no duplex scan button, no quality controls)
- to Wi‑Fi discovery issues (Bonjour/mDNS quirks)
So this guide is built around a simple idea:
✅ Best printers for Mac are the ones that work great with AirPrint and still have good macOS support for advanced features (scanning, full quality modes, utility apps, firmware updates).
Written for a global audience, updated for 2026.
Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best overall Mac printer (office-grade all-in-one): Brother MFC‑L8905CDW
- Best value Mac-friendly color laser all-in-one: Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II
- Best modern “easy setup” color laser all-in-one: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw
- Best ink-tank for Mac (low running cost): Epson EcoTank ET‑3850
- Best Mac printer for lots of photo printing (creator pick): Epson EcoTank ET‑8550
- Best compact home office Mac all‑in‑one: Brother MFC‑L3780CDW
- Best budget “simple and reliable” pick: Canon PIXMA TR-series (availability varies)
What to look for in a Mac-friendly printer
1) AirPrint is the baseline (but it’s not the whole story)
Apple’s driverless printing system (AirPrint) is the fastest path to “it works.” Apple maintains an AirPrint overview and notes printer info is provided by manufacturers.
But AirPrint can sometimes:
- hide advanced quality settings
- limit color controls
- cause slower/odd output on certain models
So the best Mac printers are those that:
- support AirPrint for easy setup
- also offer solid manufacturer support (macOS utilities/drivers when needed)
2) For all-in-ones, scanning support matters more than printing
Many printers print fine via AirPrint but have clunky scan workflows. If you scan often, prioritize:
- a good ADF
- duplex scanning if needed
- a reliable Mac scan app or network scan support
3) Wired Ethernet = fewer headaches
If the printer is for a home office or small team:
- Ethernet reduces Wi‑Fi discovery issues
- keeps printing stable even when Wi‑Fi is crowded
Best Printers for Apple Mac (2026)
Brother MFC‑L8905CDW
Why it’s here: This is one of the most consistently “Mac friendly” office all‑in‑ones because it leans into AirPrint and still behaves like a real work machine.
Who it’s for: Home offices and small businesses that want reliability + strong scanning.
What it solves:
- Very solid AirPrint experience for macOS printing
- Fast color laser output and strong office durability
- Great scanning workflow for paperwork-heavy users
Trade-offs: Big footprint and priced like a serious office device.
Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw II
Why it’s here: One of the best value “do everything” color laser MFPs for Mac users: fast output, good feature set, and AirPrint support.
Who it’s for: People who want a strong all‑rounder for Mac (printing + scanning + office tasks).
What it solves:
- Fast output for mixed office jobs
- AirPrint for easy Mac setup
- Practical for home + small office
Trade-offs: Like many network printers, AirPrint discovery can occasionally be finicky—firmware updates and removing/re-adding the printer usually fixes it.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw
Why it’s here: A modern, user-friendly office laser with explicit Apple AirPrint support and strong connectivity.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a modern touchscreen workflow and a current-gen office experience on Mac.
What it solves:
- AirPrint support and strong networking options (including Ethernet)
- Very capable scan/copy workflow
- Great fit for small teams
Trade-offs: Toner costs vary a lot by region; check refill pricing before committing.
Epson EcoTank ET‑3850
Why it’s here: EcoTank printers are popular with Mac households because they’re cheap to run and easy for everyday printing. This model also lists AirPrint support in regional spec pages.
Who it’s for: Families, students, and home offices that print often and want low running cost.
What it solves:
- Very low cost per page (ink tanks)
- Great for everyday documents, worksheets, school/office printing
- AirPrint + mobile app workflows
Trade-offs: If you see “low text quality” on Mac via AirPrint, installing Epson’s full software/driver package (where available) can improve control and quality.
Epson EcoTank ET‑8550
Why it’s here: If you print photos and creative work often, a 6‑ink EcoTank like the ET‑8550 delivers richer gradients and better color depth than most office printers.
Who it’s for: Creators, photographers, small Etsy shops printing art stickers/cards, and anyone who wants superior photo output from a Mac.
What it solves:
- Excellent photo and color work
- Tank economics for high-volume photo printing
- Better “gallery look” than typical 4‑ink printers
Trade-offs: Higher upfront cost; overkill for basic documents.
Brother MFC‑L3780CDW
Why it’s here: A more compact color laser all‑in‑one that explicitly notes macOS printing via AirPrint (Brother often focuses on driverless Mac printing).
Who it’s for: Home offices that want color laser convenience in a smaller footprint.
What it solves:
- Easy Mac printing via AirPrint
- Solid office feature set in a compact size
- Good balance of speed and usability
Trade-offs: Smaller capacity than big workhorses.
Best Mac printer by scenario
- Best all-round office MFP: Brother MFC‑L8905CDW
- Best value color laser MFP: Canon MF753Cdw II
- Best modern, easy workflow laser MFP: HP 4301fdw
- Best low-cost everyday printing: Epson EcoTank ET‑3850
- Best photos/creative printing: Epson EcoTank ET‑8550
- Best compact color laser all‑in‑one: Brother MFC‑L3780CDW
Mac setup tips (fix 90% of problems)
1) Add the printer the right way
- Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer
- Prefer the printer that appears as AirPrint
Brother provides Mac steps specifically for AirPrint setup.
2) If the printer disappears or won’t print
- Restart printer and Mac
- Remove printer and add again
- Ensure both are on the same network
- If possible, switch to Ethernet
3) If scanning is missing features
- Use the manufacturer’s macOS utility/app
- Or use the printer’s built-in “scan to network folder/email” options
4) Keep firmware updated
Network printing reliability is often firmware-dependent.
Comparison Table
| Printer | Type | Best for | Biggest Mac advantage | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother MFC‑L8905CDW | Color laser MFP | Best overall | Strong AirPrint + office workflow | Large/price |
| Canon MF753Cdw II | Color laser MFP | Value all-rounder | AirPrint + strong specs | Occasional network quirks |
| HP 4301fdw | Color laser MFP | Modern small office | Explicit AirPrint + Ethernet | Toner cost varies |
| Epson ET‑3850 | Ink tank MFP | Low running cost | AirPrint + EcoTank economics | Driverless quality controls vary |
| Epson ET‑8550 | 6‑ink tank | Photo/creative | Best color depth on Mac | Higher upfront |
| Brother MFC‑L3780CDW | Compact laser MFP | Small spaces | AirPrint-first design | Smaller capacity |
Conclusion
For most Mac users who want a printer that behaves like a serious office tool, the Brother MFC‑L8905CDW is the most dependable all‑round choice.
If you want a strong value color laser MFP, the Canon MF753Cdw II is an excellent balance of speed and features. If you prefer a modern, easy workflow experience with explicit AirPrint support and great networking options, go with the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw.
And if your priority is low running cost for everyday printing from a Mac, EcoTank models like the Epson ET‑3850 are hard to beat.
Broadening up the search? Check out Best Multifunction Color Laser Printers.
