Products at a Glance
How We Picked the Best Printer for iPad
As mentioned, AirPrint is now compatible with thousands of top printers, so compatibility is less of a question for our top picks as overall quality. We considered the print size, resolution, and print speed of a number of printers across an array of applications – from standard document laser printers through to high-resolution printing for canvas prints or other craft formats. We considered the overall accessibility and quality-of-life improvements that a printer offered, such as varied media printing or dedicated design apps for Apple.
We settled on five printers for iPads, across a range of budgets so as to not alienate those working with limited funding. Even as each has its own unique benefits over another, all are versatile and highly suitable printers – but there can only be one best printer for iPad…
Product Reviews
- Versatile media compatibility
- Large prints
- High-resolution
- Slow print speed
It’s Epson’s wide-format AirPrint printer, the XP-15000, that takes the top spot as our best printer for iPad! Compact and with great value for money, this Epson printer is a powerhouse for all your printing needs!
This printer nearly snagged the top spot in our rankings of the best printers for graphic design, this six-cartridge printer is capable of stunning color reproduction for photos and designs. It comes with a specialist media tray for cardstock or other unique materials, for when your needs surpass standard documents. With a maximum print size of 13″ x 19″, you can print huge-scale designs or images with sterling print resolution – all from your iPad!
That said, the XP-15000 is quite a slow printer – at 9 pages per minute – which may make it unsuited to all uses. For a sterling all-rounder between quality, versatility and affordability; we name the XP-15000 as our best printer for iPad!
- High print speed
- Large paper capacity
- Auto-duplexing
- Bulky
We made mention of the Canon ImageCLASS MF753Cdw as our best color laser printer, and with iPad compatibility included as standard, it makes for a sterling iPad print solution as well. Ideal for documents both monochrome and color, this high-speed laser printer is a fantastic print solution for Apple devices.
In contrast to the XP-15000, the MF753Cdw can print at speeds of up to 35 pages per minute, with high-yield toner that can provide as many as 4,000 prints per month. It comes with three input trays: a 250-sheet primary input, a 50-sheet tray for specialist media, and an optional 550-sheet tray as a backup – but that’s not all. As an all-in-one printer, scanner and copier, the price for this model is more than justified for home use. The control panel makes for easy print configuration in-device, but the AirPrint compatibility works seamlessly.
That said, this unit may not be ideal for those working in a limited space, as the MF753Cdw is quite the cumbersome printer – difficult to move and difficult to store. Still, for unrivaled efficiency for color documents, this Canon printer is the best laser printer for iPad!
- Good ink economy
- Highly compatible
- Automatic duplexing
- Poor photo quality
Brother printers are among our favorites on the market, and the Brother MFC-J4335DW continues the streak with a highly affordable, Apple-compatible printer for all your needs! With seamless connection to iPads, this budget printer is a terrific investment for small businesses or households needing an iPad-friendly print solution.
The MFC-J4335DW is fully compatible with AirPrint, but that’s not all: if you have a smart speaker set up in your home, you can even control this printer with your voice – making for an even more versatile print solution. Brother’s trademark affordability makes its appearance, with a low cost-per-print and high-yield ink cartridges thanks to the Ink Tank system employed in this unit. For boosted productivity, it features automatic duplex printing and a 150-sheet capacity – making the 16 pages per minute color printing speed even more effective.
Despite the printer’s high-resolution prints, however, we found the overall photo quality lacking: with underwhelming color depth and finer details. This may be a unit to avoid if you plan to do intensive photo printing, but it remains a top budget printer for iPad!
- Fast print speeds
- Auto-duplexing
- Capable of photo prints
- Poor display
If you are looking for an office printer for iPad, consider the HP OfficeJet 9025. Boasting all the top features of an office printer, with the added benefit of an iPad connection, this printer is ideal for commercial-grade printing.
With two 250-page trays and auto-document feeding, the OfficeJet 9025 makes for highly productive printing and scanning. The HP printer isn’t built for printing photos, but still manages to create high-quality borderless photos if the need arises. For standard office documents, the printer is even more capable with fast print speeds and reliable connection to iPads or any other Apple device such as the iPhone or Mac.
That said, if you want to check the print settings on the device itself, you may struggle, as the small display makes it difficult to parse. We still highly recommend the OfficeJet 9025, however, as a great commercial-grade printer for iPad!
- Efficient ink tank
- Versatile media compatibility
- Affordable
- Poor media tray placement
The perfect medley between versatility and affordability, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is one of our favorite printers. We recommend it to everyone – from office workers to students – for its tremendous value and productivity.
Though the ET-2850 is newer, the ET-2800 is still worth the cost. The Ink Tanks make for stellar print results, whether it’s reams of documentation of specialist art prints. With wireless connectivity – and AirPrint, of course – you have the freedom to print from a variety of Apple-compatible sources with ease. Overall, there’s a reason we so frequently recommend this phenomenal Epson printer!
But equally, there’s a reason that we don’t: for specialist media, the tray is rather inconveniently located at the rear of the device, making it difficult to access. That is our only significant flaw with the ET-2800’s design, however, and it remains a top iPad printer!
Features and Considerations
Depending on your own preferences, you may be looking at another printer for iPad not mentioned here. Consider the following, before you buy it:
AirPrint Compatibility
As mentioned numerous times, Apple’s AirPrint technology is their primary means of sending media to printers. Though nearly every modern printer has AirPrint functionality, it’s always worth double checking to avoid disappointment.
Print Speed
Depending on your requirements, you may require a faster printer – especially in high-pressure business environments such as offices or other businesses. Especially if you print specialist media such as greeting cards, you want to make sure that the printer doesn’t waste too much time.
Print Resolution
Though most documents don’t need highly detailed prints, it’s certainly important for images or graphics of any kind. We recommend a minimum resolution of 600DPI (dots per inch) for photos and graphics, but higher is always better!
Media Compatibility
On the subject of specialist media, depending on your print requirements, having some specialist media compatibility is essential – printers are capable of creating a wide range of products, even edible ink in some cases. Though having more varied print options is always welcome, it’s not always necessary. Consider your needs and budget, and use that as a metric for how much specialist media compatibility you need.
Can AirPrint print photos?
Yes: You can print photos using AirPrint if you have a compatible printer. Simply share the photo as you would normally, then click the “Print” option. If you’re on the same network as the printer, it should give you the option to send your image.
Do I need WiFi for AirPrint?
Though most printers require connection to a wireless network for efficient AirPrint results, some offer a version of WiFi Direct that enables the user to connect directly to the printer without going through a WiFi network.
Our Verdict
The ultimate solution in home or office printing for iPad, the Epson XP-15000 may be a little slower than we would like, but it’s tremendously high-quality. With stellar print results at a reasonable price point, this unit is ideal regardless of your needs for printing documents, designs, or detailed images!
For a more universal means of wireless printing, check out our guide on the best Bluetooth printers today!