7 Best Printers for Mac and MacBook in 2026
7 printers we evaluated for Mac and MacBook households, plus how AirPrint compares to a full manufacturer driver install and where each option falls short.
At a Glance
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
↓ See why we picked itHP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
↓ See why we picked itCanon TS5320 All-in-One Wireless Printer with AirPrint
↓ See why we picked itBrother Work Smart MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One
↓ See why we picked itMost Mac households default to AirPrint because it's built into macOS and requires no extra software, but AirPrint trades away features a full manufacturer driver provides, like tray selection, print quality presets, and ink level monitoring. Neither option is objectively better; the right one depends on how much control you want over print settings.
Below are 7 printers we evaluated on wireless and AirPrint-style compatibility with macOS. Most listed here are standard wireless AIOs rather than printers explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified," so we're framing this around actual AirPrint compatibility and driver availability rather than a marketing label, and flagging where Apple Silicon driver support for older printer models is worth double-checking.
5 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Printers for Mac and MacBook
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match actual size and capacity to your real need, not the category label alone
Listings for a printer often use a size or capacity label ("compact," "large," "heavy-duty") that isn't standardized across brands, so the same label can mean meaningfully different actual dimensions or capacity from one product to the next.
This matters because buying based on the category label rather than the specific listed dimensions or capacity is a common way to end up with something that doesn't actually fit your space or handle your real load.
Check the listing for exact measurements or a stated capacity figure, and compare that directly against your actual space or need, not just the marketing size category.
Verify build material and construction quality from reviews, not just spec-sheet claims
A product description can describe material or construction in flattering terms that don't always hold up under real, sustained use, and the gap between a listing's claimed quality and its actual durability only shows up in how the product performs after weeks or months of real use, not in day-one photos.
This matters more for anything you'll use daily or under real load, less for occasional light use where durability matters less.
Check reviews specifically for mentions of how the printer holds up over time, not just unboxing-day impressions, and treat a listing's own quality claims as a starting point to verify, not a guarantee.
Confirm any headline feature actually works as advertised, not just that it's listed
A feature appearing in a product's bullet points doesn't guarantee it performs well in practice, some features are functional but limited, and a few are closer to a marketing checkbox than a genuinely useful capability.
This matters directly if a specific feature is the main reason you're choosing this printer over a simpler, cheaper alternative, since a feature that underperforms in practice undermines the whole reason for paying more.
Check reviews specifically for real-world experiences with the exact feature that matters most to you, not just whether the feature is listed at all.
Weigh review count alongside rating, not rating alone
A high star rating built on a small number of reviews carries meaningfully less confidence than a slightly lower rating built on a large, established review base, since a small sample can be skewed by a handful of early, enthusiastic buyers before any longer-term issues would show up in later reviews.
This matters more for a purchase you're relying on to perform consistently over time, less for a low-stakes, easily replaceable item.
Check both the star rating and the review count together for any printer you're considering, and treat a high rating on a very small review count as a promising but less-proven signal.
Check compatibility and fit with your existing setup before ordering
A printer that looks like a straightforward fit in photos can still have a compatibility detail, a connector type, a mounting requirement, a size threshold, that doesn't match your existing setup, and this kind of mismatch is one of the most common and avoidable reasons for a return.
This matters directly if the product needs to physically connect to, mount on, or otherwise integrate with something you already own.
Check the listing's specific compatibility details against your exact existing setup, not just the general product category, before ordering.
7 Best Printers for Mac and MacBook in 2026
Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
About this pick
The DCP-L2640DW supports standard wireless printing that works with AirPrint on macOS, and Brother also offers a full macOS driver download for buyers who want ink-level monitoring and detailed print settings that AirPrint alone doesn't expose. For a Mac household printing mostly text documents, its duplex printing and large paper tray round out a genuinely capable setup.
Brother's macOS driver support has generally been solid across both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs for recent models like this one, but if you're pairing it with an older Mac or an M-series machine, confirm the current driver download works before relying on it over AirPrint alone.
Full macOS driver available for detailed settings. On the other hand, not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified". Neither should be a surprise once you know to look for it.
Best for: A Mac household with high, mostly text-based print volume
Check price on AmazonPros
- +AirPrint compatible out of the box
- +Full macOS driver available for detailed settings
- +Lower cost per page for text-heavy Mac use
- +Large paper tray reduces refills
Cons
- −Not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified"
- −Monochrome only
- −Higher upfront price than the inkjet picks
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All-in-One Wireless Printer
About this pick
The PIXMA TR4720's standard wireless support works with AirPrint on macOS out of the box, letting a Mac or MacBook print without installing any Canon software at all. Its auto document feeder is genuinely useful for a Mac household that scans multi-page documents through macOS's built-in Image Capture app.
Canon PRINT, the manufacturer's mobile and desktop app, adds more detailed settings if you want them, but AirPrint alone covers basic print, scan, and copy needs on a Mac without any extra setup.
ADF works with macOS's built-in Image Capture. That's a real strength, but weigh it against the flip side: not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified".
Best for: A budget-conscious Mac household that wants simple AirPrint setup
Check price on AmazonPros
- +AirPrint compatible, no driver install needed
- +ADF works with macOS's built-in Image Capture
- +Low upfront cost
- +Canon PRINT app available for more control
Cons
- −Not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified"
- −AirPrint alone lacks detailed print quality settings
- −Standard cartridges, higher cost per page
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One
About this pick
The ET-2800 pairs its cartridge-free ink tank system with AirPrint compatibility on macOS, giving a Mac household lower long-run ink cost alongside driverless printing setup. Epson also offers a full macOS driver for buyers who want more granular print settings than AirPrint exposes on its own.
Epson's macOS driver support has generally tracked Apple Silicon transitions well on recent models, though it's worth confirming the current driver download is available and updated if you're specifically pairing this with a newer M-series MacBook.
Worth calling out specifically: lower long-run ink cost for regular Mac printing. The catch is not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified".
Best for: A Mac household that prints regularly and wants lower ink cost over time
Check price on AmazonPros
- +AirPrint compatible with driverless setup
- +Lower long-run ink cost for regular Mac printing
- +Full macOS driver available for more control
- +No cartridge to replace often
Cons
- −Not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified"
- −Higher upfront cost than the cheapest cartridge inkjets
- −Basic feature set, no ADF
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless All-in-One
About this pick
The ET-4800 adds an ADF and Ethernet to the same AirPrint-compatible ink tank system, giving a Mac-based home office a wired fallback option if wireless AirPrint discovery ever has trouble on a particular network. Its scan functions work cleanly through macOS's built-in Image Capture and Preview apps.
As with the ET-2800, Epson's full macOS driver is available for buyers who want detailed print settings beyond what AirPrint exposes, and driver support has generally been reliable across both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs for current EcoTank models.
ADF works with macOS's built-in scanning tools. Set against that, not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified". Both matter when comparing it to the other picks here.
Best for: A Mac home office wanting a wired fallback option and ADF
Check price on AmazonPros
- +AirPrint compatible with an Ethernet fallback option
- +ADF works with macOS's built-in scanning tools
- +Lower long-run ink cost
- +Full macOS driver available
Cons
- −Not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified"
- −Larger footprint than the ET-2800
- −Pricier than the entry cartridge inkjets
HP DeskJet 4355 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer
About this pick
The DeskJet 4355 supports AirPrint for driverless printing from a Mac or MacBook at the lowest price in this list, a reasonable starting point for a single-desk Mac setup with light printing needs. HP Smart, the manufacturer's companion app, adds more detailed settings and ink level tracking beyond what AirPrint shows.
Worth noting for Mac buyers specifically: HP has had more reported offline and connectivity dropout issues on macOS forums compared to some competing brands, so if wireless reliability on a Mac network is a top priority, weigh that against this model's low price.
A genuine advantage here is that hP Smart app adds ink tracking and extra settings. The tradeoff is hP has more reported macOS offline/dropout issues than some competitors.
Best for: A budget-conscious single-user Mac desk with light printing needs
Check price on AmazonPros
- +AirPrint compatible at the lowest price in this list
- +HP Smart app adds ink tracking and extra settings
- +Compact for small desks
- +Simple setup
Cons
- −HP has more reported macOS offline/dropout issues than some competitors
- −Not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified"
- −Standard cartridges, higher cost per page
Canon TS5320 All-in-One Wireless Printer with AirPrint
About this pick
This Canon TS5320 explicitly advertises AirPrint support in its listing, one of the more direct confirmations of macOS compatibility in this list, and pairs it with Alexa support for households using both ecosystems. Canon PRINT is available for more detailed settings if AirPrint's simplified options aren't enough.
Canon's driver support has generally kept pace with macOS updates and Apple Silicon Macs for recent models, but this is an older listing than some others here, so confirm current driver availability directly with Canon if you're pairing it with a newer M-series MacBook and want the full driver experience rather than AirPrint alone.
Alexa compatibility. On the other hand, confirm current driver availability for newer Apple Silicon Macs before buying. Neither should be a surprise once you know to look for it.
Best for: A Mac household that wants explicit AirPrint confirmation plus Alexa support
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Explicit AirPrint support advertised in the listing
- +Alexa compatibility
- +Canon PRINT app for more detailed settings
- +Mid-range price for the feature set
Cons
- −Confirm current driver availability for newer Apple Silicon Macs before buying
- −Standard cartridges, ongoing ink cost
- −No ADF included
Brother Work Smart MFC-J1360DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One
About this pick
The MFC-J1360DW's 1.8-inch color display makes it easier to confirm network status directly on the printer during AirPrint setup from a Mac, and it includes automatic duplex printing alongside standard wireless support. Brother's full macOS driver is available too for buyers who want more control than AirPrint provides.
Brother's macOS driver support has generally been reliable across recent Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, though as with any printer, confirming the current driver download works with your specific macOS version before relying on it is a reasonable step, especially on a newer M-series machine.
Duplex printing included. That's a real strength, but weigh it against the flip side: not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified".
Best for: A Mac household that wants an on-device screen for AirPrint setup confirmation
Check price on AmazonPros
- +AirPrint compatible with an on-device display for setup
- +Duplex printing included
- +Full macOS driver available for more control
- +Reasonable price for the feature set
Cons
- −Not explicitly marketed as "Mac-certified"
- −Standard cartridges, ongoing ink cost
- −Confirm current driver support for newer Apple Silicon Macs
How We Evaluated These Printers for Mac and MacBook
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
AirPrint compatibility
Checked whether each printer supports AirPrint, macOS's built-in driverless printing standard, since that's the actual technical requirement for a printer to work with a Mac without extra software.
Full driver availability as an alternative
Noted whether the manufacturer offers a full macOS driver download for buyers who want more detailed print settings, ink monitoring, or maintenance tools than AirPrint alone exposes.
Apple Silicon driver compatibility
Flagged where confirming current driver support on M-series MacBooks is worth double-checking directly with the manufacturer, since older printer models have sometimes lagged on updated Apple Silicon drivers.
Brand-specific macOS reliability signals
Weighed publicly reported macOS offline or connectivity dropout patterns by brand, noting where one manufacturer has more reported issues on macOS forums than competitors.
Honest certification framing
Avoided claiming any of these printers are explicitly "Mac-certified" since most listings market general wireless or AirPrint support rather than a formal Mac certification label.
How to Choose the Right Printers for Mac and MacBook
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
| Your priority | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Highest average rating | Brother DCP |
| Largest review base, strongest reliability signal | Brother DCP |
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Under $69 | Canon PIXMA TR4720 All |
| Up to $210 | Brother DCP |
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All vs Brother DCP
Canon PIXMA TR4720 All
The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its actual specs and review history against your specific need before assuming it's enough.
Brother DCP
The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real, checkable headroom in build quality, capacity, or features over the cheaper pick.
Default to Canon PIXMA TR4720 All unless your specific need genuinely calls for the pricier pick's extra headroom.
By Review Base Confidence
| Your priority | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Largest, most-established review base | Brother DCP |
For a First-Time Buyer Specifically
Look for
Clear, specific dimensions or capacity and a real, established review history, not just marketing language.
In this comparison
Brother DCP is worth checking against its listed specs before buying, given its strong review base.
When to Spend More
Spend more if
You need real durability and feature depth for regular use, where Brother DCP's build gives real headroom over the cheaper picks.
Save if
You only need this for light or occasional use, where Canon PIXMA TR4720 All covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install printer drivers on a Mac if the printer supports AirPrint?
No. AirPrint is built into macOS and lets you print without installing any manufacturer software. A full driver install is optional and mainly worth it if you want more detailed print settings, ink level monitoring, or maintenance tools than AirPrint exposes.
Are these printers officially certified for Mac?
Not explicitly. Most printers, including the ones in this list, are marketed around general wireless or AirPrint support rather than a formal Mac certification label. AirPrint compatibility is the practical thing to check, since that's what actually determines whether a printer works smoothly with a Mac.
Will an older printer work with a newer M-series MacBook?
Usually for AirPrint, since it's built into macOS rather than dependent on a manufacturer driver. Full driver support for Apple Silicon has sometimes lagged on older printer models though, so confirm current driver availability directly with the manufacturer if you specifically want the full driver experience rather than AirPrint alone.
Is HP less reliable than other brands on macOS?
HP has more reported offline and connectivity dropout issues on macOS forums compared to some competing brands, based on publicly discussed user reports. This doesn't mean every HP printer has problems, but it's a reasonable factor to weigh if wireless reliability on your Mac network is a top priority.
What's the difference between AirPrint and a manufacturer's app like HP Smart or Canon PRINT?
AirPrint is Apple's built-in, no-install printing standard with simplified settings. Manufacturer apps like HP Smart, Canon PRINT, or Epson's software add features like ink level tracking, print quality presets, and maintenance tools, at the cost of installing and maintaining extra software.
Bottom Line
best overall: Brother DCP-L2640DW Wireless Compact Monochrome Laser Printer - best laser for mac text printing pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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