- THE BEST PHOTO PRINTER FOR MAC FULL
- THE BEST PHOTO PRINTER FOR MAC TRIAL
- THE BEST PHOTO PRINTER FOR MAC PROFESSIONAL
Large-format printing on many media types: If you just want to print standard-size photos on glossy paper, you’re probably better off printing via your local drugstore or an online printing service.A great photo printer should first and foremost deliver a beautiful result that closely resembles the image on your color-calibrated computer screen. Inkjet printers work by spraying particularly fine droplets of ink onto specially coated paper, creating the illusion of an actual photographic print. High-quality output with accurate color reproduction: A dedicated inkjet printer is currently the best technology available for printing digital images at home.But if you’re shopping for a new model, each of the printers we tested in our latest round was released in 2020, so the technology within should remain best-in-class for years to come. Unlike the constantly evolving technology of a smartphone or laptop, photo printer technology is so mature that there is no justifiable difference in print quality between a printer made today and one released even five years ago. If you already own a capable 13-inch photo inkjet printer and can still find ink for it, you should probably just keep using it. Regardless, you must also make sure your computer screen is color calibrated, or you’ll have a hard time matching the digital images to tangible prints. But if you’re not yet shooting in raw format and you’re relying on a point-and-shoot camera, this type of printer is probably more powerful than you need. If you’re already shooting with a DSLR or a high-end mirrorless camera, a dedicated photo printer will show off your camera’s capabilities by translating the high dynamic range and sharp detail of your images to paper. Impressive images produce impressive results.Having excellent Wi-Fi truly becomes a factor if you need to house your printer in another part of your office or home. Erin has a fairly substantial home desk, and although she technically could squeeze any of these printers alongside her desktop computer, doing so would feel extremely crowded.
Epson recommends leaving another 13 inches behind the printer when you’re using the front paper feed. (Only her flat-screen TV is larger.) When fully extended, each printer takes up even more space: With the Epson P700, a top (rear) paper-feed support adds another 10 inches in height and 4 more inches in depth, and an output tray extends the footprint of the P700 by another 11.5 inches.
At 20.3 by 14.5 by 7.3 inches, our top pick is the smallest model we looked at, and it’s still one of the largest electronic items in Erin’s house.
THE BEST PHOTO PRINTER FOR MAC TRIAL
Producing a high-quality print, especially if you want to experiment with unusual paper stock and sizes, means ensuring your monitor is color calibrated, installing ICC profiles, and possessing the patience for lots of trial and error, which costs both time and money.
THE BEST PHOTO PRINTER FOR MAC PROFESSIONAL
If you’re a casual hobbyist and you only occasionally want to print family photos and a large landscape or two, you’ll save money, time, and effort by using a professional printing service instead. And then there are the paper costs and, of course, your time.
THE BEST PHOTO PRINTER FOR MAC FULL
At this writing, our top pick costs $800, and a full set of replacement inks runs $380.