Photo printers are printers that are typically intended for creating the best quality of prints possible. Unlike the typical printers which we usually use in the office or at home, photo printers do not focus on bulk printing or speed. The main aim of photo printers is to deliver photos that stand out, which is why they often incorporate different technologies, including but not limited to DPI, ink cartridges, and various image perfecting technologies. Often times, MAC users tend to worry about finding the ideal photo printer for their devices, but with the number of photo printers saturating the market today, it has become easier to find a photo printer that is compatible for MAC.
After roaming the internet and trying various photo printers, we have curated a list of the best photo printers for MAC that are guaranteed to deliver top-notch quality for your prints. The printers discussed in the list are some of the most advanced options available in the market as they can aptly replicate the print quality that conventional printers cannot.
Epson Expression Photo XP-960 Wireless Color Photo Printer
The Epson Expression Photo XP-960 is not only one of the best photo printers for MAC, but it is also an excellent all rounded printer. This printer brags numerous features, which admittedly came as a beautiful surprise, given that it is extremely affordable. The printer produces excellent photo prints as it is equipped with a 6-ink system, which means that it provides great tonal variation and an even better gradient.
As an all in one printer, there are other benefits that Mac users get, including scanning, copying, and the ability to print CD/DVDs labels. Finally, as far as connectivity goes, users have the option of choosing between Wi-Fi direct printing, Ethernet port, wireless connectivity, USB port, and an SD card slot. It also offers Apple AirPrint, which makes it easier to connect devices.
Pros
- It is an all in one printer that can be used for other functions other than photo printing.
- The color fidelity is superb, thanks to its 6-ink system.
- Users have the ability to print A3 size prints.
- The printer offers multiple connectivity options.
Cons
- The printer lacks the ability to fax even though it is an all in one printer.
- Operating the printer costs much more due to its 6-ink system
HP Envy Photo 7855 Printer
Now, if you are looking for a printer that is compatible with MAC and will not cost you a ton of money to recreate quality photo prints, then the HP Envy Photo 7855 is your ideal device. This printer is affordable, with relatively low ink costs. The HP Envy 7855 is an all in one printer that can be used for other services, including faxing, copying, and scanning.
The printer’s most notable feature is its scanner’s sheetfed mechanism which can automatically feed up to 35 sheets of paper. It provides users with a variety of connectivity options. With the ability to connect wirelessly and directly, users can connect various smart devices to the printer. Additionally, it also has an SD card slot and a USB port which can be used. Given that it is faster than the typical photo printer, Mac users will certainly delight in having this photo printer as one of their devices.
Pros
- The photo printing quality is superb.
- Its automatic document feeder can support up to 35 sheets of paper, which makes the printer ideal for both home and office use.
- It has multiple connectivity options that users can choose from.
- Users can opt-in for HP’s instant ink program and never have to worry about running low on ink.
Cons
- The printer costs relatively more in comparison to other printers within its range.
- Its operating costs are relatively high.
Canon Pixma Pro-100
Using eight dye-based inks, the Canon Pixma Pro-100 is a printer that stands out from the crowd as far as its photo printing capabilities go. The printer provides an unmatched tonal range, gradient, and overall color quality for any photo printing tasks. This can be attributed to the additional photo cyan, gray, light gray, and photo magenta colors that it offers.
It also brags technological advancements such as Optimum Image Generating (OIG), Chroma Optimizer, and Canon Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE), which all work together to produce detailed and well-balanced photos. Other features and capabilities that the printer has included a 4800 x 2400 DPI, wide format printing, inbuilt DVD/CD printing tray and a variety of connectivity options. In addition to the different connectivity options, Canon included the PictBridge connection, which allows users to directly connect their camcorders and cameras. This is something that a lot of photographers and photo enthusiasts would appreciate and enjoy as it saves them a lot of time.
Pros
- Its 8-ink system which means users will get exceptional photo print quality.
- Its wide format printing capabilities allow users to print Tabloid/ A3 sized photos.
- It is one of the few professional grades approved photo printers.
Cons
- It is expensive.
- It does not have duplex printing capabilities.
- Because it lacks a USB or SD card port, users who intend to use those printing options cannot use the printer.
- It does not support functions such as copying and scanning.
- It is a relatively costly printer to operate.
Canon TS9020 Wireless All-In-One Printer
Producing lab-quality photos, this all in one printer by Canon brags several features including CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc Printing, 5.0″ touch LCD, 6 individual ink tanks, amongst others. The TS9020 is compatible with MAC, and users are guaranteed of exceptional photo reproduction. In addition to being able to produce excellent photo prints, text documents are also created beautifully. Since the printer is an all in one printer, it also has the ability to scan and copy. As for connectivity options, users have the choice of choosing between NFC, SD Card, Wireless LAN, Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB, and PictBridge.
Pros
- The printer is compact and does not occupy a lot of space.
- The user interface is extremely simple, which makes it easy for even the most inexperienced users to maneuver the printer.
- The uniqueness of the individual ink tanks means that users get the best photo print results.
- The printer is relatively fast in comparison to other inkjet printers
Cons
- The printer is made from a tacky plastic material, which makes it less durable.
Epson Expression Premium ET-7700 EcoTank
Despite being one of the most expensive printers discussed in our list, the Epson Expression Premium ET-7700 is one of the best photo printers you can opt for. This is because not only does it produce excellent print quality, but it also has one of the cheapest running costs any user would wish for. Equipped with a Supertank that helps save a lot on printing costs, this printer brags a continuous ink supply system. It is this system that facilitates the reduction of printing costs since the tank holds enough ink to print 9000 colored pages and 14,000 black pages. The printer also boasts a 5-ink system in comparison to the regular 4 ink system.
Some of the other features that the printer has is relatively great printing speeds, multiple functionalities as it is an all in one printer, and various connectivity options.
Pros
- With a variety of connectivity options, users can choose what option works for them when they want to print.
- The photo quality is top-notch, thanks to the printer’s 5-ink system.
- The size of the printer’s ink tank lowers a user’s printing costs significantly.
Cons
- It is one of the bulkiest printers discussed in the list, which means it requires for a user to have a decent amount of space to facilitate its large footprint.
- The upfront cost of the printer may not be within reach for many users.
Bottom Line
Whether you are a professional photographer, a photography enthusiast, or a casual user who wishes to make your captured memories intangible, you will certainly need a photo printer. The process of finding a photo printer gets daunting, especially if you are a MAC user, as most device manufacturers typically do not prioritize compatibility with MAC devices. All the printers discussed in the article above put Mac users into consideration, thus eliminating compatibility issues. The photo printers listed below work both for MAC, with some even going as far as being capable of offering users Apple’s Airprint features. When choosing a photo printer that is compatible with your MAC device, there are several factors that you must place into consideration key among them being your budget. It is also important that you conduct your research thoroughly before investing in a photo printer only to find that it does not work with your device. If possible, be sure to test the printers before making your purchase. This will ensure that the high-end graphic abilities of your MAC device can be transferred to paper and are the proper representation of the image you had created on your device. All the printers discussed above deliver top tier output quality that is only comparable to those produced in photo labs.