Table of Contents
Introduction
Nowadays, photo printer is a need of most people, big organizations as well as of small businesses that involve photo printing. Photo printers are available in the market with different specifications and compatibilities under different price tags. In this article, we have picked some of the best Macs compatible photo printers according to your needs. Whether you need a budget-friendly product or a heavy duty machine, you will find all the options here. However, before getting on with the list, you should familiarize yourself with the technologies that photo printers are using.
Basically, a photo printer prints on an extremely white photo paper. This paper is designed to keep the ink from spreading on the paper. Most photo printers are designed to support all sized prints but some are designed only for some specific sizes. The technology mainly used by photo printers is either inkjet or thermal.
Inkjet and thermal technology differ from each other in respect of picture quality, price, time, spare parts and usage. In the beginning, photo printers used to rely only on thermal technology; now, we can say that inkjet technology is totally up to the par. Inkjet is thought to be the most reliable printer technology nowadays. Due to their low price and availability of spare parts, inkjet photo printers have made their place in the market.
If we talk about the best picture quality, then thermal technology is the best available till now. Thermal is more expensive, but it is the only one providing really sharp results. Now that we have discussed these technologies, you should be able to recognize your requirements.
The Picks: 5 Best Photo Printer for Macs
HP Envy 6055
This product is not going to disappoint you in terms of price, quality and satisfaction. The HP Envy 6055 uses thermal inkjet technology, which is a well-known technology for photo printers. It will help you in your day to day tasks without any complaints. This printer produces good quality results, having a capacity of producing different sizes including 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10. Furthermore, this printer offers copy and scan functions as well, which makes it a 3-in-1 product.
The HP Envy 6055 comes with two print cartridges and has a processor speed of 800 MHz. It can achieve a monthly duty cycle of up to 1000 pages but the recommended usage is in between 100 to 400 a month. It also has a 3-inch screen at the front right corner. This printer offers a two sided print feature. The two sided print feature is very convenient, as it saves time and paper. The suitable temperature to operate this product is below 104°F. HP also offers two months of free ink with this product.
Features
- Compatible with Mac OS High Sierra v10.13, Mac OS Sierra v10.12 (previously OS X), Mac OS Catalina v10.15 and Mac OS Mojave v10.14
- 100 sheets input tray
- 25 sheets output tray
- Can handle multiple type of papers
- 3 inches touch screen
- 128 MB DDR3 memory
Pros
- Supports multiple sizes
- Reliable product
- Also compatible with Windows and all smartphones
- One year hardware warranty and 24 hours tech support
- Compact size
Cons
- USB cable is not included
- No separate photo tray
- Slow printing speed
Verdict
The HP Envy 6055 is an excellent product but it is made for some particular users. This printer will not produce good results under stress. You may opt for a big machine if you are planning to do a lot of printing. This machine will work ideally as a home based printer or as a secondary office printer. Printing with this printer will also cost you a bit more than other printers because you need to change its cartridges regularly. Slow printing speed is also a factor, due to which this printer is not suitable for heavy loads of work.
Canon Pixma MG3620
The Canon Pixma MG3620 Printer is another budget-friendly product that provides multiple features in a reasonable price. It uses inkjet technology, which is being used in modern printers. It supports impressive borderless sizes of up to 8.5×11 and also various paper sizes. The Canon Pixma MG3620 is also compatible with various papers including canon high resolution, super high class and matte photo paper. This printer also performs the function of a copier and a scanner. There is no screen on the printer, so you can operate it by using the buttons located on top of it. The weight of the product is also quite impressive. It doesn’t let you feel that you are carrying a full sized printer.
This photo printer comes with XL size ink cartridges that facilitate in printing more documents and you will not have to replace them frequently. This printer also comes with a hybrid ink system. This feature combines dye ink for vivid colors and black pigment ink for sharp text. It has a photo printing speed of approximately 44 seconds, which is quite slow. Canon also provides a good information set with the product that makes it easy to use and understand.
Features
- Compatible with Mac OS X v10.7.5 – 10.10
- Auto duplex feature
- XL size ink cartridges
- Hybrid ink system
- FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering)
Pros
- 1-year hardware warranty
- Instructions included with the product
- Modern technology
- Reliable product
- Easy to use
Cons
- Slow speed
- No screen
Verdict
The Canon Pixma MG3620 can be the perfect fit for you if you don’t intend to use it frequently. The only issue that you are going to face with frequent usage is the slow speed of the printer. However, it is a good choice for light office use or if you are using it as a secondary printer. The quality this printer offers makes it a very tempting choice. It produces really fine images and the XL size cartridges make it very cost-effective. If you are looking for an economical product to fulfill your photo printing needs, then this is a very good choice.
The Epson Expression Premium XP-6000 offers a lot of features in a reasonable price. It uses an inkjet technology. It is available in black and blue colors. Along with the fine quality of pictures, Epson is offering a print of a 4×6 picture in just 15 seconds. Surely, this feature will convince you to buy this product. It also includes a 8×10 borderless photo print. The auto two sided printing is also a prominent feature of this printer. In the center, there is a small 2.4-inch LCD screen along with a set of buttons that you can use to operate the printer. It also has copy and scan functions, along with a dedicated photo and DVD tray.
The only issue with the Epson printers is that they only work with the Epson ink. No other ink is compatible with these printers. These printers are sleekly designed and can be placed on a working desk easily. The suitable temperature for this product is below 40°C and the weight is around 15 pounds. However, there is a little problem with these printers: their start-up is a bit complicated and some people are unable to get started on their own.
Features
- Compatible with Mac OS X 10.6.8 – Mac OS 10.12.x^6
- Auto two sided printing
- Superior photo quality
- 2.4-inch LCD screen
- 8×10 borderless photo printing
Pros
- Fast printing speed
- 1-year warranty
- Compact design
- Cable is provided in the box
- Includes a screen
Cons
- Complicated start-up
- Only compatible with Epson ink
Verdict
The Epson Expression Premium XP-6000 is very suitable for all types of usage, whether its home use or office work. The prominent feature of this product is its fast speed of printing. Epson has really worked on the performance and speed of their products. If you need a printer for basic office or home use, then this Epson printer is not a bad option.
The quality may get a little compromised due to the fast speed and continuous work load. However, in this price range, it is providing enough features to justify making a compromise with the photo quality. If you do not want to make a compromise, then there are better options available in the market with a higher price tag.
Canon IP8720
The Canon IP8720 is a real definition of a photo printer. You are going to love printing photos with it. Like all of the previously mentioned products, the Canon IP8720 also has an inkjet technology. It can print borderless photos of sizes up to 13×19. This is what we meant by a real photo printer: the sizes it is offering are remarkable. It also prints a high quality 4×6 picture in just 36 seconds. Its 9600×2400 maximum color DPI generates excellent detailed photos, whether they are business documents or your personal pictures.
Another cool feature this printer offers is its ability to print on CDs and DVDs. You can easily print on them with this Canon IP8720. This printer has a six individual ink tank system, which allows great detail to your pictures by including a gray ink. It also comes with a Quiet mode; this mode lets you work in silence without making any noise. This product comes in black color only and has a weight of approximately 19 pounds. The box contains the printer, a power cord, setup ink tanks, setup CD-ROM, disk tray, and manuals.
Features
- Compatible with Mac OS X v10.6.8 – v10.9
- FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering)
- Six individual ink tank system
- CD/DVD printing
- 13×19 borderless photo printing
Pros
- Quiet mode available
- Fast printing speed
- Reliable product
- Heavy duty
- 1-year hardware warranty
Cons
- Little heavy
- No scan or copy option
Verdict
The Canon IP8720 is a complete package for photo printing. It does not matter what your purpose is, this product will fulfill it without any complication. The good thing about this printer is that it handles the load very well. If you enjoy photography as a passion or if it is your profession, this product will not disappoint you in any situation. Features like Quiet mode, FINE, and six individual ink tank system enhance its performance and adoptability. In short, this product can be your best choice for any purpose.
Epson Expression Photo XP-970
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 printer not only offers photo printing but also performs the function of a scanner and copier as well. It is only available in black color only. This printer offers photo printing up to 11×17 and prints photos of 4×6 size in just 11 seconds. The speed, size and picture quality make this printer a really great choice. It has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, which is a pretty big screen size in this category. This product also has a capability to print on all kinds of special pages, CDs or DVDs. These features make this printer a really impressive choice in an attractive price range.
However, it only uses Epson ink cartridges and is not compatible with any other cartridges. Inkjet technology is used in this printer with six color inks. This printer supports 5760×1440 optimized DPI, which again makes it a good competitor in this category. The suitable operating temperature for this printer is 35° C. The box contains a printer, a power cord, Epson genuine ink cartridges, and CD and documentation.
Features
- Compatible with Mac OS x 10.6 – Mac OS 10.14.x
- CD/DVD printing
- Also a scanner and copier
- Excellent photo quality
- Prints photos up to sizes of 11×17
Pros
- 1-year limited warranty in the USA
- Able to print large sizes
- Lightweight
- Also compatible with Windows
Cons
- Only compatible with Epson ink cartridges
- USB cable not included in the box
Verdict
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is a great product for both office and home use. Its speed makes it really reliable to be used as a primary product. It also has a great monthly printing capacity. The only drawback is that it is only compatible with Epson ink cartridges. It is recommended that this printer should be used for professional purposes.
What to Look for When Choosing a Photo Printer for Mac
In this section, we will discuss some factors that you should keep in mind when choosing a photo printer for Mac. These factors include:
Compatibility
The most important factor is the compatibility of the printer with Mac. Check if the printer supports your operating system or not, so setting it up can be easy for long-term usage.
Printing Speed
Next thing to look for in a printer is its speed. Decide the speed that is required by you. If you are buying a printer for office or professional use, then you should look for one that has a speed of at least 30 seconds.
Multi-functionality
Another important factor is the versatility of the printer. If you want your printer to serve you in other tasks as well, then you should go for a 3-in-1 printer. A 3-in-1 printer supports printing, copying and scanning functions.
Printing Range
Many photo printers also have different printing capabilities. Most of them are capable of printing on papers, CDs and DVDs. If you don’t need to print on CDs and DVDs, then you can buy a simple photo printer that will save you some money. Always remember that a photo printer is a long term investment; so make sure that the product you are buying comes with a warranty.
These are some factors that you should look for in a photo printer before making the final decision. We can conclude that compatibility, speed, versatility, and printing capabilities make a printer more durable throughout the years. However, if you are buying a printer for professional use, you may want large sized ink cartridges that offer economical printing.
Recommendation
Out of the above-mentioned 5 photo printers, our top pick is the Canon IP8720. This printer is a good product if you are buying for specific photo printing purposes. The good thing about this product is its support of various sizes; it enables you to print any size without any complication. Along with the different sizes, this printer has a great photo printing speed.
Ultra-HD printing makes this product the best for office and professional use. The Canon IP8720 does not only support multiple types of paper but it is also perfect for printing on CDs or DVDs. Other features such as Quiet mode, gray ink and light weight are the icing on the cake. FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) also contributes to excellent photo printing.
Final Words
In this article, we have covered some major aspects of photo printers for Mac. We have provided all the options available for home use and office or professional use. Above, we have also provided some factors that you should look for in a photo printer. Determine your photo printing needs and then select a product from our list. You can also look for similar models according to your needs, price and specifications. Try to go for a printer that comes with a warranty, otherwise it will be a waste of money.
