Best Printers for Chromebook

The best printer for a Chromebook is usually a wireless model that supports ChromeOS or Mopria, and the right choice depends on whether you value low running costs, fast black-and-white documents, color quality, or the smallest possible desk footprint.

Best printers for Chromebook at a glance

What Chromebook compatibility actually means

ChromeOS does not use traditional Windows or macOS printer drivers in the same way. A printer should support wireless printing through ChromeOS, Mopria, or a compatible manufacturer service. Current Chromebook-friendly printers generally connect through Wi-Fi and appear in the print dialog without installing a desktop driver.

Before buying, check three details:

• ChromeOS or Chromebook support: The manufacturer should list ChromeOS compatibility, not only Windows and macOS.
• Wireless printing: Wi-Fi is the most convenient option. USB printing can work with some models, but wireless setup is more flexible.
• Same-network requirement: Your Chromebook and printer normally need to be connected to the same home Wi-Fi network.

Printers with a display and physical Wi-Fi controls are usually easier to configure than models that rely entirely on a phone app. A dual-band Wi-Fi printer can also be preferable in crowded apartment buildings, although the Chromebook and printer still need to be visible to each other on the network.

Best overall: HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is a strong choice for a household that prints a mixture of schoolwork, forms, recipes, shipping labels, and color documents. It prints, scans, copies, and faxes, and its automatic document feeder is useful when you need to scan or copy multiple pages.

Its main advantage over inexpensive cartridge inkjets is speed. It is rated for up to 22 pages per minute in black and 18 pages per minute in color under standard manufacturer measurements. Real-world pages with graphics will be slower, but it remains a practical choice for a busy home office. Automatic two-sided printing reduces paper use and is particularly useful for multi-page documents.

The trade-off is operating cost. Standard ink cartridges can become expensive if you print hundreds of pages monthly, and some configurations are associated with subscription-based ink programs. If you prefer to buy cartridges only when needed, calculate the cost of replacement cartridges before choosing this model.

Choose it if:

• You print frequently and want faster color output.
• You need scanning and copying as well as printing.
• You want automatic duplex printing and a document feeder.

Best for low ink costs: Epson EcoTank ET-2850

The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 uses refillable bottles instead of conventional disposable cartridges. It is a good fit for families, home businesses, and students who print regularly but do not need laser-printer speed. The included ink supply is designed to last much longer than a typical starter cartridge, though actual page yield varies with coverage and color use.

It supports wireless printing from a Chromebook and includes scanning and copying. Automatic two-sided printing helps lower paper consumption. The printer is relatively compact for an ink tank all-in-one, but it is deeper than many basic cartridge printers, so measure the desk rather than judging by width alone.

Ink-tank printers reward consistent use. If they sit unused for many months, printheads may need cleaning, which uses ink. They also require careful bottle handling during refills. The lower long-term cost is most valuable when you print enough pages to justify the higher purchase price.

Choose it if:

• You print several dozen or more pages most months.
• You want very low ink cost without buying high-capacity cartridges repeatedly.
• You print color documents, worksheets, and occasional photos.

Best for fast text: Brother HL-L2460DW

The Brother HL-L2460DW is a monochrome laser printer for people who mainly print text. It does not print color or scan, but it is quick, dependable for intermittent use, and well suited to Chromebook documents, forms, invoices, and study materials. It can print up to 36 pages per minute and includes automatic duplex printing.

Toner does not dry out like liquid ink, making this a sensible choice for a home office that may sit unused for a week or two. High-yield toner is generally more economical than the starter cartridge, so compare the cost per page rather than the purchase price alone.

The main limitation is its single-purpose design. You will need a separate scanner or phone scanning app for signed forms and photocopies. It also produces no color, so it is not suitable for color charts, photos, or children’s art projects.

Best compact budget option: Canon PIXMA TR4720

The Canon PIXMA TR4720 is a compact color inkjet all-in-one for light home use. It supports wireless printing from a Chromebook and combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in a relatively small body. Its automatic document feeder is helpful for occasional multi-page copying.

This type of printer is most attractive when the purchase price and desk size matter more than high monthly volume. It is suitable for a small apartment, a dorm-style workspace, or a shared family desk. The compromise is slower output and a higher cost per page than an ink-tank or monochrome laser printer, especially when replacement cartridges are purchased frequently.

Match the printer to your situation

Desk-fit measurements people often overlook

Do not size a printer by its closed-body dimensions alone. A compact printer may need substantial clearance when the paper tray, scanner lid, or output support is open. For a practical setup, allow approximately 2 inches of side clearance, 4 inches behind the printer for ventilation and cables, and 12–18 inches in front for the output tray and printed pages.

A printer that measures roughly 16 inches wide by 14 inches deep can therefore need a usable area close to 20 inches wide by 30 inches deep. If it sits on a shelf, confirm that the shelf can support at least 35 pounds; some all-in-one printers weigh 15–25 pounds, and a stack of paper adds several more pounds. A 28–30-inch desk height is comfortable for most seated users, while a printer placed on a low cabinet may require repeated bending.

For a 10-by-12-foot home office, place the printer within arm’s reach of the desk but not directly behind the chair. Leave a clear path of about 30 inches so the paper tray can be opened without moving furniture. In a shared room, a wireless printer can sit on a nearby cabinet instead of taking valuable desk space.

Wireless Chromebook setup

1. Turn on the printer and connect it to your home Wi-Fi using its screen or setup application.
2. Connect the Chromebook to the same Wi-Fi network. Avoid guest Wi-Fi, which may block devices from communicating.
3. Open the document, press Ctrl+P, and select the printer under the destination list.
4. Choose paper size, color or black-and-white output, page range, and two-sided printing.
5. Print one test page. If the printer is missing, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.

Ink, toner, and duplex-printing costs

For light use, a basic cartridge printer may be the least expensive purchase, but its replacement ink can cost more per page. Ink tanks usually cost more initially and less over time. Laser printers normally have the highest upfront cost among basic document printers, but toner is stable during storage and efficient for black text.

Automatic duplex printing can cut paper consumption nearly in half for suitable documents, although it may slightly reduce print speed. Check that the model says automatic duplex printing; “manual two-sided printing” means you must turn the pages yourself.

For most Chromebook owners, choose the Brother HL-L2460DW for fast black text, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 for sustained low-cost color, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e for a busy color home office, or the Canon PIXMA TR4720 when compact size and a low purchase price matter most.