2026 GUIDE AirPrint Ready

Best Printer for Mac 2026: Seamless Apple Integration

From MacBook to iMac, find the perfect AirPrint-compatible printer that works flawlessly with your Apple ecosystem.

MacBook Pro with wireless printer setup in modern home office

Top Mac Printer Picks for 2026

Best Overall

Brother MFC-L8905CDW

Fast color laser AIO

🏠

Best Home Use

HP Envy Inspire 7255e

Great for photos & docs

💰

Best Budget

Canon PIXMA MG3620

Under $80, great value

🖨️

Best Ink Savings

Epson EcoTank ET-3850

90% ink cost savings

Mac users know that "it just works" isn't just a slogan - it's an expectation. When it comes to printing, that expectation means seamless wireless connectivity, no driver hassles, and perfect integration with your Apple ecosystem. In 2026, AirPrint technology has matured to the point where the best Mac-compatible printers truly deliver on that promise.

We've tested dozens of printers with MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, and even iPhone and iPad to identify the ones that provide the smoothest experience. Our top picks require zero driver installation and work perfectly across macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and beyond.

Why AirPrint is Essential for Mac Users

What is AirPrint?

AirPrint is Apple's built-in printing technology that enables Macs, iPhones, and iPads to print directly to compatible printers without installing drivers or software. It uses your WiFi network to discover and communicate with printers automatically.

Why It Matters

macOS updates frequently break third-party printer drivers. With AirPrint, your printer remains compatible regardless of OS updates - no waiting for manufacturers to release new drivers or dealing with "unsupported printer" errors.

AirPrint Benefits:

Zero Driver Installation

Plug in, connect, print

Future-Proof

Works with all macOS updates

Cross-Device

Print from Mac, iPhone, iPad

Modern home office with Mac setup and wireless printer

A clean Mac setup with seamless wireless printing

BEST OVERALL FOR MAC

Brother MFC-L8905CDW

For Mac users who need professional-grade printing, the Brother MFC-L8905CDW delivers exceptional performance. This color laser all-in-one produces incredibly sharp documents at speeds up to 33 pages per minute. Its native AirPrint support means zero configuration on your Mac - just connect to WiFi and print.

Key Specifications

  • Print speed: Up to 33 ppm (color & black)
  • Scan: 58 ipm duplex scanning
  • 7" color touchscreen display
  • AirPrint, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, Ethernet
  • 250-sheet tray + 50-sheet ADF

Perfect for: Home offices, creative professionals, and anyone who prints high volumes on their Mac.

PROS
  • + Lightning-fast print speed
  • + Native AirPrint support
  • + Low cost per page
  • + Excellent for Mac users
CONS
  • - Higher upfront cost
  • - Large footprint
  • - Not ideal for photos
  • - Toner replacement pricey
Check Price on Amazon
🖨️

Brother MFC-L8905CDW

~$769

Professional color laser

BEST FOR HOME USE

HP Envy Inspire 7255e

The HP Envy Inspire 7255e is a superb home printer for Mac users. Its wireless connectivity works flawlessly with AirPrint, and its stylish design fits perfectly in any Mac-centric home office. The auto-duplex feature and color touchscreen make everyday printing a breeze.

Key Specifications

  • Print speed: 15 ppm black, 10 ppm color
  • Print, Copy, Scan functions
  • Automatic two-sided printing
  • Borderless photo printing up to 5x7
  • HP+ Smart features (optional)

📸 Bonus: Excellent for printing photos with borderless output and vibrant colors!

PROS
  • + Beautiful design
  • + Great photo quality
  • + Easy Mac setup
  • + Included ink subscription option
CONS
  • - Ink can be expensive
  • - HP+ requires account
  • - Smaller paper capacity
  • - Not fastest for documents
Check Price on Amazon
🏠

HP Envy Inspire 7255e

~$189

Perfect home printer

iMac on clean desk with minimal design aesthetic
BEST FOR INK SAVINGS

Epson EcoTank ET-3850

Mac users who print frequently will love the Epson EcoTank ET-3850. Its revolutionary refillable ink tank system eliminates expensive cartridges, saving up to 90% on ink costs. With native AirPrint support and robust wireless connectivity, it integrates seamlessly with your Apple devices.

Key Specifications

  • Up to 7,500 black & 6,000 color pages per refill
  • Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
  • Auto 2-sided printing
  • 2.4" color LCD screen
  • AirPrint, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

💡 Cost Savings: Print thousands of pages on ink that costs less than a set of cartridges!

PROS
  • + Massive ink savings
  • + Perfect AirPrint support
  • + Great for high volume
  • + Duplex printing included
CONS
  • - Higher upfront cost
  • - Slower print speeds
  • - Basic photo quality
  • - Bulkier design
Check Price on Amazon
💰

Epson EcoTank ET-3850

~$399

90% ink savings!

BEST BUDGET

Canon PIXMA MG3620

For Mac users on a tight budget, the Canon PIXMA MG3620 offers impressive value. This compact all-in-one connects quickly to your Mac via WiFi and handles everyday printing tasks without fuss. Perfect for students, light home use, or anyone who needs basic printing without breaking the bank.

Key Specifications

  • Print speed: 9.9 ppm black, 5.7 ppm color
  • Print, Copy, Scan
  • Auto 2-sided printing
  • Compact design
  • AirPrint, Wi-Fi, USB
PROS
  • + Very affordable
  • + Compact footprint
  • + Easy WiFi setup
  • + AirPrint included
CONS
  • - Slower speeds
  • - Cartridge ink costs add up
  • - Small paper tray
  • - Basic display
Check Price on Amazon
🎓

Canon PIXMA MG3620

~$69

Best value under $100

How to Set Up Any Printer on Your Mac

1

Connect to Same WiFi Network

Ensure your Mac and printer are connected to the same WiFi network. Most printers have a wireless setup wizard accessible from their display panel.

2

Open System Preferences

On your Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).

3

Add Your Printer

Click the + button. Your AirPrint-compatible printer should appear automatically. Select it and click Add. No drivers needed!

4

Start Printing

Open any document, press Cmd+P, select your printer, and print. It's that simple with AirPrint!

Mac Printer Troubleshooting Guide

Printer not showing up on Mac?

First, verify both devices are on the same WiFi network. Try restarting your router and printer. If still not appearing, reset the printer's network settings and reconnect to WiFi.

Printer offline after macOS update?

Go to Printers & Scanners, remove the printer, then re-add it. AirPrint printers typically reconnect automatically without needing new drivers.

Print jobs stuck in queue?

Open the print queue, cancel all jobs, then restart the printer. If issues persist, reset the printing system: right-click in the Printers & Scanners list and select "Reset printing system."

Poor print quality from Mac?

Check printer ink/toner levels. Run a cleaning cycle from the printer's maintenance menu. In print settings, ensure you've selected the correct paper type and quality settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all printers work with Mac?

Most modern printers work with Mac, but the experience varies. AirPrint-compatible printers offer the best experience with zero driver installation. Non-AirPrint printers may require manufacturer drivers, which can break with macOS updates. We strongly recommend choosing AirPrint printers for Mac.

Can I print from my iPhone to the same printer?

Yes! All AirPrint printers work with iPhone, iPad, and Mac. As long as your iOS device is on the same WiFi network as the printer, you can print directly from any app that supports printing.

What's the difference between AirPrint and regular WiFi printing?

AirPrint is Apple's native printing protocol built into macOS and iOS. It requires no drivers and automatically handles printer discovery, configuration, and communication. Regular WiFi printing often requires installing manufacturer drivers and software, which can cause compatibility issues after OS updates.

Which printer brand works best with Mac?

All major brands (Canon, HP, Brother, Epson) offer excellent AirPrint support. The key is ensuring your specific model supports AirPrint. We've found Brother laser printers particularly reliable for macOS compatibility, while HP and Canon excel in photo printing on Mac.

Can I use a wired USB connection with my Mac?

Yes, most printers support USB connections. For MacBooks with only USB-C ports, you'll need a USB-A to USB-C adapter. However, wireless AirPrint is generally more convenient and eliminates cable clutter in your setup.

Ready for Seamless Mac Printing?

Our top picks deliver the "it just works" experience Mac users expect