Our Top Chromebook Printer Picks for 2026
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Ink tank, WiFi, low cost per page
~$280
Brother MFC-L8905CDW
Fast color laser, all-in-one
~$700
HP Envy 7255e
Affordable, easy setup, good quality
~$130
Brother HL-L2460DW
Fast text printing, ultra-low cost
~$150
Good News: Most Modern Printers Work with Chromebook
Since Google Cloud Print was retired in 2020, ChromeOS now uses IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) for native, driverless printing. Any WiFi printer made after 2015 that supports IPP will work with your Chromebook without any extra setup.
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Perfect for Chromebook Users
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is our top pick for Chromebook users because it combines effortless ChromeOS compatibility with incredibly low operating costs. The ink tank system means you'll spend about 1 cent per color page instead of 15-20 cents with traditional cartridge printers.
Setup is simple: connect the printer to your WiFi network, and your Chromebook will detect it automatically via IPP. No drivers, no apps, no Chrome extensions needed. Just press Ctrl+P and print.
Pros
- Native ChromeOS compatibility
- Ultra-low ink costs (~$0.01/page)
- WiFi and WiFi Direct
- Scan and copy included
- 2 years of ink included
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Slower than laser printers
- No auto document feeder
- No duplex scanning
Best For:
Chromebook users who print regularly and want the lowest long-term costs. Great for students, families, and home offices.
Brother MFC-L8905CDW
Business-Class Chromebook Printing
The Brother MFC-L8905CDW is the best color laser for Chromebook users who need speed and reliability. At 33 pages per minute in color, it handles heavy workloads without breaking a sweat, and laser toner never clogs or dries out.
Full ChromeOS compatibility via IPP means your Chromebook will detect this printer automatically. The 80-sheet ADF and duplex scanning make digitizing documents fast and easy. Perfect for small businesses running on Chromebooks.
Pros
- Fast 33 ppm color printing
- 80-sheet auto document feeder
- Duplex print and scan
- Toner never dries out
- WiFi, Ethernet, USB
Cons
- High upfront cost
- Large footprint
- Color toner expensive
- Overkill for light users
Best For:
Small businesses and power users on Chromebook who need fast, reliable color printing with scanning and copying capabilities.
HP Envy 7255e
Affordable Entry Point
The HP Envy 7255e is an excellent budget choice for Chromebook users. At around $130, it delivers solid print quality, wireless convenience, and includes a document feeder for scanning multi-page documents.
ChromeOS detects the Envy 7255e automatically via WiFi. The dual-band WiFi ensures stable connectivity, and the HP Smart app provides additional features if you want them (though it's not required for basic printing).
HP+ Optional
You can choose to enroll in HP+ for 6 months of free ink, but this locks you into HP cartridges forever. If you want to use third-party ink later, skip HP+ enrollment during setup.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Good print quality
- 35-sheet ADF included
- Dual-band WiFi
- Auto duplex printing
Cons
- HP+ locks you to HP ink
- Ink cartridges expensive
- Slower than laser
- Small paper tray
Best For:
Budget-conscious Chromebook users who print occasionally and want a reliable all-in-one without spending much upfront.
Brother HL-L2460DW
Fast Text Printing for Chromebook
For Chromebook users who primarily print text documents, the Brother HL-L2460DW is unbeatable. At 36 pages per minute with toner that costs about 2 cents per page, it's the most economical choice for high-volume black and white printing.
ChromeOS compatibility is seamless via IPP. Connect to WiFi, and your Chromebook finds it automatically. Unlike inkjet printers, laser toner never dries out or clogs, so it's always ready when you need it.
Pros
- Blazing fast 36 ppm
- Ultra-low toner costs
- Never clogs or dries out
- Accepts third-party toner
- Auto duplex included
Cons
- Black and white only
- No scanner
- Basic design
- 250-sheet tray only
Best For:
Students, teachers, and office workers who print lots of text documents and want the fastest, cheapest per-page printing available.
Chromebook Printer Comparison
| Model | Type | Color | Speed | Cost/Page | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson ET-2850 | Ink Tank | Yes | 10 ppm | ~1¢ | $280 |
| Brother MFC-L8905CDW | Color Laser | Yes | 33 ppm | ~15¢ | $700 |
| HP Envy 7255e | Inkjet | Yes | 15 ppm | ~12¢ | $130 |
| Brother HL-L2460DW | Mono Laser | No | 36 ppm | ~2¢ | $150 |
How Chromebook Printing Works in 2026
The Good News: It's Simple Now
When Google Cloud Print was retired in December 2020, many worried about printing from Chromebooks. But ChromeOS has evolved: it now supports native IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) printing, which means most WiFi printers work without any setup.
Connect Printer to WiFi
Use your printer's control panel to connect it to your home or office WiFi network.
Chromebook Detects It
ChromeOS automatically finds IPP-compatible printers on the same network. No drivers needed.
Press Ctrl+P and Print
Select your printer from the dropdown and print. That's it.
What to Look For in a Chromebook Printer
- WiFi connectivity: Essential for wireless printing from Chromebook
- IPP/Mopria support: Most printers made after 2015 have this
- "Works With Chromebook" badge: Google-certified for guaranteed compatibility
- WiFi Direct: Print even without a router (direct printer-to-Chromebook connection)
Chromebook Printer Setup Guide
Adding a Printer to Your Chromebook
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1
Click the time in the bottom-right corner, then click Settings (gear icon)
-
2
In the left sidebar, click Advanced, then Printing
-
3
Click Printers, then Add printer
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4
Your Chromebook will search for available printers. Click your printer and select Add
-
5
Done! Press Ctrl+P in any app to print
USB Printing: You can also connect a printer directly via USB. ChromeOS will detect it automatically in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you print from a Chromebook? ▼
Yes! Modern Chromebooks can print to any WiFi printer that supports IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). Most printers made after 2015 work with Chromebook without any driver installation. Just connect your printer to WiFi and your Chromebook detects it automatically.
What happened to Google Cloud Print? ▼
Google Cloud Print was discontinued in December 2020. ChromeOS now uses native IPP printing, which works directly with WiFi printers without needing any cloud service. This is actually more reliable and faster than Cloud Print was.
Do I need special drivers for Chromebook printing? ▼
No drivers needed. ChromeOS uses driverless printing via IPP. Simply connect your printer to WiFi, and your Chromebook will detect it automatically. This is one of the advantages of Chromebook over Windows.
What if my printer isn't detected? ▼
First, ensure your printer and Chromebook are on the same WiFi network. Try restarting both devices. If it still doesn't appear, you can manually add the printer by going to Settings > Advanced > Printing > Printers > Add Printer, and entering the printer's IP address.
Can I print from a Chromebook offline? ▼
Yes, if your printer supports WiFi Direct. This creates a direct connection between your Chromebook and printer without needing a router. Most modern printers include WiFi Direct capability.
Our Recommendation
For most Chromebook users, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 offers the best combination of low operating costs and reliable ChromeOS compatibility. Need faster text printing? The Brother HL-L2460DW is unbeatable at 2 cents per page.