What's the best printer for Mac?

Product Recommendation
Written By

Summary:

  • My top pick for most people: the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e, a wireless color all-in-one with printing, scanning, copying, and fax

  • If you only need occasional black-and-white printing and no scanner: the Brother HL-L2460DW laser printer

  • Both support AirPrint, so no drivers to install and no software compatibility headaches

  • Skip HP's Instant Ink subscription

  • Always use genuine manufacturer ink or toner cartridges

Printers are terrible.

Actually, to be fair, they are marvels of modern engineering. It's a difficult problem to solve, converting our digital abstractions into concrete sheets of wood pulp. And some models are more successful at that than others. The question I hear most often from clients is "what's the best printer for Mac?" and the answer is simpler than you might expect.

In general, my recommendation is not to overspend. You can find fancy printers that cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars. But the reason for the high cost is volume. They are designed to turn out hundreds or thousands of prints per day without breaking a sweat. Or they have extra features such as collating, stapling, folding, or large format. If you do need something that is high volume or specialty, you may want to consult someone who can recommend a printer for your specific needs.

You also don't want to get a bargain basement printer, since then you're guaranteed to have problems.

My recommendation for most people: the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e

For the vast majority of home and small office users, I have a single recommendation: the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e. It is a compact all-in-one with all of the features that nearly anyone could need: printing, scanning, copying, and fax, all over WiFi. It's user-friendly and reliable... well, as reliable as a printer can be. Or if you do a bit more printing, the OfficeJet Pro 9135e gives you dual paper trays, a larger touchscreen, a larger output bin, with slightly faster printing. Albeit with a larger size and price tag.

Both printers have great features:

  • Individual color ink cartridges, available in standard and high-yield sizes

  • Easy-to-change ink

  • Dual-band WiFi (more robust than most printers), plus USB and Ethernet options

  • Mobile printing from iPhone or iPad (or Android if you're into that sort of thing)

  • No drivers to install; they use the AirPrint standard, meaning the software will never become obsolete with OS upgrades

  • Automatic double-sided print, copy, and scan

  • Automatic document feeder for scanning multi-page documents

  • Fax (requires a phone line)

There are, however, a few limitations:

  • Photo printing is good, but not excellent. If you need quality photo prints on occasion, you're probably better off using the CVS app or the Walgreens app on your iPhone or iPad. If you need regular photo printing, you should probably look at a specialized photo printer.

  • It's a little clunky. Not huge, but it's not the most compact printer out there. Make sure you have enough desk space for it. But it's wireless, so you can put it anywhere you have a power outlet. Personally, mine is in my laundry closet because it's out of the way, and I only print on occasion.

Why is this the best wireless printer and scanner for Mac users?

In recent history, I've found that HP's software has been the easiest to use and seems to get updates for far longer. I've seen Epson and Canon both drop support for printers within a few years, meaning a new OS might break things. That's becoming less of a problem with the new AirPrint standards, but HP was one of the first companies to fully embrace this standard, and since then, I've trusted them a bit more on this.

HP has many printer models, but this one strikes a great balance between cost and quality. Cheaper printers tend to have tiny cartridges that are finicky to install and run out more often. More expensive printers end up being bulky, expensive to maintain, and given how little printing most people do these days, they are probably overkill.

Another reason I recommend this printer is that it's the same model I own myself. I prefer to have most of my clients own the same few products so that when there is a problem, it's something I'm already familiar with and can more easily help with over the phone.

The scanner also comes in handy more than you might expect. Being able to scan documents, receipts, or forms right from the printer is one of those features you don't think you need until you have it.

Why I recommend genuine ink

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e only works with HP-branded ink cartridges. I recommend genuine ink regardless because I've seen too many clients ruin their printers with cheap third-party cartridges, but you should be aware of the restriction upfront.

Say "no" to HP Instant Ink

HP offers its automatic ink delivery service called Instant Ink, which I despise. It's like signing up for a '90s-era cell phone plan where you have to estimate how many minutes you are going to use every month. Print more than your selected number of pages, and you get charged ridiculous overages. Use less than that, and you're paying for printing that you didn't use. And really, you're leasing the cartridges. If, for some reason, they can't charge your monthly service fee, your printer will refuse to print, even if it has ink in it.

I'm sure that certain printing habits could make Instant Ink a financial win for some people, but for most people, it's probably not the right solution.

If you do sign up for it, it's a huge hassle to cancel.

When you first set up the printer using the HP Smart app, it will ask you about Instant Ink. Decline it and buy your own cartridges as you need them.

What if I only need black-and-white printing?

Not everyone needs color printing, scanning, or an all-in-one machine. If you only need to print the occasional document, form, or shipping label, a laser printer is a better fit, and my pick is the Brother HL-L2460DW.

The biggest advantage of a laser printer over an inkjet is that laser toner is a dry powder, not wet ink. That means you can leave a laser printer sitting for months without printing a single page, and it will work perfectly the next time you need it. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, can clog up if you don't use them regularly. If you're the kind of person who only prints once every few weeks or less, a laser printer saves you the frustration of dealing with dried-out ink.

Laser prints are also more durable. Because the toner is heat-fused to the paper, laser prints won't smudge or run if they get wet. That makes them a better choice for shipping labels, forms that get handled a lot, or anything you need to last.

The Brother HL-L2460DW is compact, wireless, supports AirPrint (so no drivers needed, same as the HP), and prints sharp black-and-white text at 36 pages per minute. You can see the ink and toner costs in the comparison table below.

The tradeoffs are real, though. It's black-and-white only, so no color printing. And it doesn't have a scanner, copier, or fax. If you need to scan something, your iPhone actually does a very good job of it using the built-in document scanner in the Notes app or the new Preview app in iOS 26 (I'll write a guide on that soon).

Printer comparison: which one is right for you?

All three support AirPrint (no drivers needed) and connect via WiFi, USB, or Ethernet.

HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e My pick HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e Higher volume Brother HL-L2460DW Laser option
Best for Most home and small office users who need a color all-in-one Same as the 9125e but with heavier print volume Occasional black-and-white printing with long gaps between use
Type Color inkjet all-in-one Color inkjet all-in-one Black-and-white laser, print only
Print ✓ Color and B&W 1200 × 1200 dpi black, up to 4800 × 1200 dpi color ✓ Color and B&W 1200 × 1200 dpi black, up to 4800 × 1200 dpi color B&W only 1200 × 1200 dpi
Scan ✓ Flatbed and 35-page ADF 1200 dpi optical, color ✓ Flatbed and 35-page ADF 1200 dpi optical, color ✗
Copy ✓ Full color ✓ Full color ✗
Fax ✓ (requires phone line) ✓ (requires phone line) ✗
Duplex printing
(double-sided)		 ✓ ✓ ✓
Print speed 22 ppm black, 18 ppm color 22 ppm black, 18 ppm color 36 ppm black
Paper tray 250 sheets 250 sheets × 2 trays 250 sheets
Legal paper Print yes, duplex no Scan via doc feeder only (not flatbed) Print yes, duplex no Scan via doc feeder only (not flatbed) ✓ Print and duplex
Envelopes Yes, via paper tray Must swap paper out and back Yes, via paper tray Must swap paper out and back Yes, via manual feed slot No need to touch the paper tray
Standard cartridges HP 936 Black: 1,250 pg (~$50)
Color: 800 pg each (~$32 ea)		 HP 936 Black: 1,250 pg (~$50)
Color: 800 pg each (~$32 ea)		 TN830 Black: 1,200 pg (~$53)
High-yield cartridges HP 936e Black: 2,500 pg (~$68)
Color: 1,650 pg each (~$66 ea)		 HP 936e Black: 2,500 pg (~$68)
Color: 1,650 pg each (~$66 ea)		 TN830XL Black: 3,000 pg (~$58)
Sits unused for weeks? May clog; print occasionally to prevent May clog; print occasionally to prevent No problem (toner is dry powder)
Street price ~$220 ~$280 ~$150

Prices and page yields are approximate. Page yields based on ISO testing at 5% page coverage.

Setting up the printer

You can set up any of these printers using the HP Smart app (for the HP) or the Brother Mobile Connect app (for the Brother) on your iPhone. Follow the prompts in the app and you should be printing within a few minutes.

Setting up your Mac to print couldn't be easier. Print a document, and if you open the dropdown menu where you choose your printer, you should see the printer as an option if you are on the same network. Unless you are using Chrome. You have to print with another app to get the printer set up on your computer, then you have to quit and re-open Chrome or restart your computer.

Common mistakes to avoid

Buying the cheapest printer you can find. It will have tiny cartridges, flimsy construction, and poor WiFi. Many cheap printers combine all the colors into a single cartridge, which means if one color runs out, you have to replace the whole thing. You'll spend more in frustration and replacement ink than you saved on the printer.

Using cheap third-party ink cartridges. I've seen these clog print heads, leak inside the printer, and produce faded or streaky prints. The savings over genuine ink are not worth the risk of ruining a perfectly good printer.

Signing up for HP Instant Ink without understanding the terms. It sounds convenient, but for most home users, buying cartridges as you need them is simpler and often cheaper. And canceling Instant Ink is a headache.

Buying a color inkjet when you only print in black and white. If you rarely print and never need color, an inkjet will clog from disuse. A laser printer like the Brother HL-L2460DW is a better fit and will be ready whenever you need it.

Forgetting that your printer is wireless. You don't have to keep it on your desk. Find a spot that's out of the way, near a power outlet, and let WiFi do the work. Mine lives in my laundry closet.

Key takeaways

  • Buy the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e if you need color, scanning, or an all-in-one printer. Buy the Brother HL-L2460DW if you only need black-and-white and print infrequently.

  • Decline HP Instant Ink during setup. Buy your own cartridges instead.

  • Always use genuine manufacturer ink or toner. Third-party cartridges are not worth the risk.

  • Put the printer somewhere out of the way and connect it over WiFi. You don't need it on your desk.

  • Keep a spare black cartridge or toner on hand so you're never caught without it.

  • If you go with the HP, run a test print at least once every couple of weeks to keep the ink from drying out.

If you need help picking the right printer for your setup or have questions about anything in this article, I offer one-on-one tech tutoring sessions in San Francisco and Washington DC, as well as remote sessions via Zoom. Book a session and I'll help you find the best solution for your specific needs.

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