Best Printers for Chromebook Considering Budget and Usability

“My chromebook is costing me a kidney!”

We can feel you sobbing as your printer is not connecting with the new chromebook. Turns out your printer is not compatible with chrome os and now you have to buy a new one. As you browsing through catalogues, you start worrying more about the budget and specs.

Don’t worry. we got your back to save you time, we have compiled a list of the best printers for chromebook. As you go through this article, you’ll learn about their specs, uniqueness, connectivity, and budget. So, keep reading till the end to find the perfect printer for your Chromebook.

In a Hurry? Our Top 5 Printers For Chromebook

1. Best Inkjet Printer for Chromebook – HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer

HP OfficeJet 3830 takes less time to install and prints within seconds! Combining the ADF feature, touchscreen display, and high-quality prints, this printer checks out all the boxes as an inkjet printer.

2. Best LaserJet Printer for Chromebook – Brother Compact Monochrome HL-L2350DW Laser Printer

For laser printing, you can’t go wrong with the Brother Compact Monochrome HL-L2350DW. It comes with a 150-sheet paper tray for bulk printing flexibility. You can manage the printer better with the Brother Smart App as well. The connectivity options are top-notch for both wireless and wire printing options.

3. Best All-in-One Printer Chromebook – Canon PIXMA TR8620a – All-in-One Printer

The best all-in-one printer for Chromebook is the Canon PIXMA TR8620a – All-in-One Printer. It’s easy to navigate with a 4.3” screen. The printer creates excellent graphics on glossy papers and crisp text prints. Additionally, this all-rounder printer has an Auto Document Feeder, a Voice Control feature, and a Memory Card Slot.

4. Best Budget Printer for Chromebook – Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer

The Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is an affordable all-rounder Chromebook-compatible printer. It not only has a low initial cost but also less running costs as well. The low-cost cartridges, 100-sheet paper tray, and Auto 2-Sided Printing make the printer worthy within a low budget.

5. Best Portable Printer for Chromebook – Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer 

You’ll be blown away by how light the Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer is! It’s also a small printer that fits any travel bag easily. Combined with an energy-efficient charger, the printer becomes more travel-friendly.

10 Best Printers Compatible With Chromebook

Comparison Table of Chromebook Compatible Printers

Inkjet Printers for Chromebook

1. HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer

The HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer is extraordinaire when connecting with Chromebook laptops. It appears on the Chrome printer list as soon as you connect your network. This is not commonly seen in other inkjet printers.

You’ll be glad to know that the OfficeJet 3830 only takes about 5 minutes to set up. So, you don’t have to wait for a lengthy period to start printing with your Chromebook.

Print Quality

Now, you can consider the OfficeJet 3830 as a decent printer in the inkjet printer space. From borderless printing to vibrant images, its quality is certainly worthy under a $250 budget. By adjusting the tone, color, and strength levels of your photos, you can enhance the output even more!

However, the magenta color output has less saturation than the other colors. So, you’ll need to adjust the settings before printing. Monochromes are absolute perfection for this printer. They don’t require any adjustments at all.

Speed

Considering a reliable printing speed this HP Chromebook printer outsmarts the Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment -Tank Wireless Inkjet Printer. It can print 16 color pages per minute. You’ll see even quicker results for monochrome pages having a 20 PPM. 

Not to mention the Auto-Document Feeder acts as a specialty of this printer. The speed printing works fine on various sizes such as 6-inch, 5 x 7-inch, and 8 x 10-inch papers. It creates amazing printing outputs on No.10 envelopes as well.

Connectivity

Among all HP Chromebook-compatible printers, the OfficeJet 3830 stands out for its wide range of connectivity options. Especially, the Cloud Printing service is one of the strong reasons it connects well with Chromebook laptops.

So, you can import images from iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive to this printer. Add Airprint and smartphone/tablet scanning to the list as well. This printer will change your impression of mobile printing. 

Key Features

• 35-sheet Auto Document Feeder
• Printing, copying, scanning, and faxing facilities. 
• Optional Quiet Mode Option.
• Small compact design.
• Voice-recognition device – Alexa compatibility.

2. Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment -Tank Wireless Inkjet Printer

Next, on our list is the Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment -Tank Wireless Inkjet Printer. It connects with the Chrome OS smoothly through Google Cloud Print. Not to mention how seamless it is to install and connect to wireless communications.

However, you’ll be trilled to check how much this printer can save you on ink replacements! Moreover the printer also costs under $150 which makes this inkjet printer more affordable.

Print Quality

Moving on to the print quality, the Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment -Tank Wireless Inkjet Printer produces sharp and crisp images. The saturation levels are phenomenal.

However, some people might argue the quality is slightly lower than the HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer. But it’s nothing too noticeable.

What’s noticeable is the ink replacements running for almost a year. With the help of the Brother Page Gauge technology, it becomes easier to monitor the ink levels as well.

Speed

In terms of printing speed, the Brother MFC-J1205W INKvestment -Tank Wireless Inkjet Printer is a bit falling behind the HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Color Printer. It can print 9 PPM in color and monochrome 16 PPM at best.

But it certainly beats the competition in terms of bulk printing. In this case, the 150-sheet tray comes pretty handy. You won’t have to load extra sheets every now and then while printing in bulk.

Connectivity

Speaking of the connectivity choices, this printer supports Wi-Fi, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, and web-based printing. The USB works only for Chromebooks that have USB male USB ports. 

Note that this printer offers mobile printing options as well. You can control the printing device by connecting it to your phone via the Brother Mobile Connect App. The app interface is simple and lets you print, copy, and scan remotely. 

Key Features

• 1-year worth of refillable inks.
• 150-sheet tray.
• Print, copy, and scanning options.
• Borderless Printing technology.
• Brother Page Gauge technology. 
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and Wireless printing options. 
• Mobile printing via Brother Mobile Connect App

LaserJet Printers for Chromebook

1. Brother Compact Monochrome HL-L2350DW Laser Printer

The Brother Compact Monochrome HL-L2350DW Laser Printer is an outstanding Chromebook-compatible printer. From the initial setup to the final prints, it aces in all aspects. Through Google Cloud printing, you can print your Chromebook files in seconds. 

Interestingly, this printer also supports Linux, Windows, and Mac OS. It’s like you have endless options for your devices with this printer.

Print Quality

This printer is a monochromatic printer which means it’s made for black and greyscale printing only. You’ll visualize the excellent details of the print once you get to see the results. The fonts look clear up to 7 points. However, the smaller fonts may seem a bit tinted with close inspection. 

Unlike the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Wireless Laser Printer, you won’t find great graphical prints with this printer. So, it’s best for you if you deal a lot with monochrome documents.

Speed

Speaking about printing speed, this laser printer surpasses all the printers discussed in this article. It has a high speed of 32 PPM. That’s amazing for a printer under a $150 budget! 

Now, the auto-duplex feature slows down the printer by a slight 52-second delay. But it’s hardly noticeable once you fire up the printer!

What’s more impressive is that the printer allows you to print up to 500 pages without any interruption. You won’t even face cartridge jam which is time-saving for bulk printing.

Connectivity

Apart from Wi-Fi, USB connections, Air Print, and Google Cloud print, you can use this printer with NFC (Near Field Communication) too. However, the strength of the connectivity relies heavily on the power of your network. Weak network connections might slow down your printing process.

Key Features

• 32 PPM monochrome printing speed.
• Black and Grey compact design.
• Small footprint
• 250-sheet paper tray.
• Auto-Duplex two-sided printing.
• Wi-Fi, USB, NFC Network
• Linux, Windows, and Mac OS supported

2. HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Wireless Laser Printer

Among all the laser printers compatible with Chromebooks, the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Wireless Laser Printer is an all-rounder. This Chromebook printer prints like a lightning bolt and has both colorful and monochrome printing options.

Not to mention the convenience of Auto Duplex printing along with an Auto On/Off Function. The voice-activated configuration makes printing even more efficient and cost-saving.  

Compared to its competitors, this HP laser printer has a big (2.7”) display screen. Compiled with large colorful icons, the navigation of the printer becomes effortless.

Print Quality

You’ll be amazed by the print quality HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Wireless Laser Printer produces. The colorful graphics come out so sharp and vibrant that it almost represents an inkjet printer

It also supports glossy papers so you can print creative images for special events. This is especially helpful for photographers who use Chromebooks. 

Though the print resolution is around 600 x 600 dpi, it’s able to deliver professional prints using Original HP Toner cartridges with JetIntelligence. 

Speed

This printer not only serves a high printing speed but also a low installation time. You can print 22 pages per minute (monochrome and color). What’s more applauding is that the HP Smart App reduces the setup time by 50%! 

Moreover, the voice-activation device compatibility saves you time and assists you during busy hours.

Connectivity

Well, the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Wireless Laser Printer also comes with versatile connectivity options. You can use Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB according to your choice. However, if you’re using USB for Chromebooks, you must ensure a USB-A port for printing

Key Features

• 22 PPM monochrome and color printing speed.
• Sleek black and grey compact design.
• Wide 2.7” display screen.
• Voice-Activated Printing Technology.
• HP Smart App combination.
• Auto On/Off Function.

All-in-One Printers Chromebook

1. Canon PIXMA TR8620a – All-in-One Printer

The Canon PIXMA TR8620a – All-in-One Printer has the whole package when it comes to Chromebook compatibility. It not only connects with Chrome OS seamlessly but also has excellent USB compatibility. 

The large 4.3” color touchscreen is the one that will catch your eye the most. You can also tilt the control panel to a 90-degree angle for optimal visibility. So, you can imagine how easy the printer is to navigate. 

Some other exclusive features are an Auto Document Feeder, Voice Control, and a Memory Card Slot to insert camera SD cards.

Print Quality

While the Canon PIXMA TR8620a can print astonishing pigmented photos, it reigns in black-and-white space. Along with 3 colorful (cyan, magenta, and yellow) ink cartridges, the printer comes with 2 black inks. One black ink is dye-based while the other is pigment-based.

That’s why the printer can create dark and rich texts. Also, the dye black ink looks wonderful on glossy papers. The scans are pretty detail-oriented as well. Most importantly, the printer warns you when there’s a low amount of ink left inside

Speed

Now, the printing speed is not as fast as the inkjet and laser printers we have discussed below. But it won’t slow down your project. The Canon PIXMA TR8620a – All-in-One Printer prints approximately 10 pages in color and 15 pages in monochrome per minute. 

However, the printing speed of glossy papers is truly impressive with this Canon printer. It takes half of the time than the average printing time. So, it would be a great choice for photographers, sublimation enthusiasts, and creative artists.  

Connectivity

Moving on to connectivity, the Canon PIXMA TR8620a can use a wide range of networks. It supports a Hi-Speed USB port (USB-B to Type C), an Ethernet port, and dual Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz). All of these network systems are compatible with Chromebook OS.

It also connects well with Bluetooth 4.0 but you can’t use Bluetooth printing in Chromebook. If you are a photographer, you can use a Wireless PictBridge connection as well.   

Other smartphone and tablet connectivity options include Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Canon Print Service (Android only), the Canon Print app (Android, iOS), and Canon Cloud Link for using cloud services.

Key Features

• Multiple connectivity options.
• 4.3” color touchscreen
• Detailed scanning feature.
• Auto Document Feeder
• Memory Card Slot

2. Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer

Here’s another all-in-one printer, the Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer. It’s one of the most affordable Canon printers compatible with Chromebook. You can use it online so there’s no need to worry about Chrome OS compatibility.

Moreover, this printer comes with some exclusive features like AirPrint and Mopria Print Service, Auto power On/Off functionality, and a built-in ADF. The LCD screen and menu buttons help a lot in easy navigation.

Print Quality

The Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer slays in both color and monochrome prints. You can print in 4″ x 6″, 5” x 7”, and 8″ x 10″ sizes. 

Though the multi-colored prints please the eyes, the blues seem a bit oversaturated sometimes. You can also see a bit micro microbanding with larger prints. But the quality of the print is top-notch. 

However, the texts appear crisp and clear in monochrome. So, you can count on this printer.

Speed

Now, the Canon PIXMA TR4520 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer doesn’t promise as fast printing as the other printers reviewed. It focused straight up on quality.

The printing speed for colored paper is 4.4 ppm and for monochrome it’s 8.8 ppm. If we compare it with other entry-level printers, it’s not up to the mark. However, it’s a fantastic printer if you have small printing batches.  

Connectivity

Jumping on to the connectivity options, this Chromebook printer works with USB and Wireless connections. For mobile operating systems, it supports iOS, Android, Windows 10 Mobile, and Fire OS (Amazon Fire) devices.

You can install and navigate the printer more smoothly using the Canon Print app with your smartphone or tablet 

Key Features

• Auto Power On/Off feature.
• Built-in ADF.
• USB and Wireless connectivity.
• Inkjet printing technology.
• Mobile printing.

Best Budget Printers for Chromebook

1. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer

The Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is one of the cheap printers compatible with Chromebook. It works excellently with Google Cloud Print. You’ll also find this printer on Google’s official page in the list of Chromebook-supported printers.

It’s a versatile printer with amazing benefits like copying and scanning options, remote printing features using Alexa, and Auto 2-Sided Printing.  

Print Quality

Considering the price, the quality of the prints is impressive. The printer uses dye-based black cartridges and pigment-based color cartridges. It looks decent when you print with monochrome tones in plain paper text. However, the inks can look a bit faded in some spots.

On the other hand, the color print quality on glossy papers is phenomenal. Producing high-quality prints with inexpensive cartridges is what makes this printer perfect for your budget Chromebook printer. 

Speed

However, the printing speed is slower compared to other budget-friendly inkjet printers. You can print up to 6 color pages and 10 monochrome pages within a minute. Despite being slow, it allows you to print double sides automatically. This is a plus point to have in a low-budget printer.

Connectivity

You can print through USB, Ethernet, or even NFC connections. It even allows a wide range of mobile printing options such as AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Mopria.

Key Features

• Dye and Pigmented cartridges.
• Inkjet printing technology.
• Space-saving design.
• Auto 2-Sided Printing
• Voice-activated device control.

2. Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer

Well, if you’re looking for a simple Chromebook-supported printer within $100, the Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer comes in handy. It’s an extremely user-friendly printer which comes with decent features.

It is perfectly compatible with the Google Cloud Printing system. However, it takes time to install than the Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer.

Print Quality

Now, the printer has ink cartridge options for both black and multi-colors. The print quality is fantastic for photos and texts. With a rear paper tray on the top part of the printer, you can print in  5″ x 5″ or 3.5″ x 3.5″ square Canon photo papers. 

Speed

Again, the overall speed of the printer is a bit slow considering other high-end printers we’ve discussed above. It has 6.8 ppm color and 13 ppm monochrome printing speed. The installation is also a bit time-consuming. But once you get it up and running, the printer provides well-performing results.

Connectivity

For a low-budget printer, this Canon TS6420 All-in-One Wireless Printer provides all the major connectivity options. You can connect this printer through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB. This is especially useful for family printing as they allow almost all types of device connections.

Key Features

• Print, copy, and scan options.
• Front paper cassette. 
• Rear paper tray.
• 1.44” OLED display screen.

Portable Printers for Chromebook

1. HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer

For travelers, the HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer is a great option for your Chromebook. This printer has a sleek and compact design. You can set it up with any HP and Asus Chromebooks via Google Cloud Print. Thanks to its wireless connectivity options which leads to easy Chromebook installation. 

Print Quality

This HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer prints more than average inkjet printer quality. The texts look clear and crisp even in tinier fonts. The graphics, tone, and ink saturation of color prints are fairly decent. Even though the ink saturation is even, there can be a few mild bandings here and there.

Speed

Now, you can consider this printer as one of the speediest portable printers. It can produce color prints at 19 ppm and b&w prints at 20 ppm printing speed. It’s almost nearly as fast as a laser printer! 

This printer also charges pretty fast compared to other portable printers. It can charge within 90 minutes of plugging into an AC power outlet.

Connectivity

Again, you can print with this printer through Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or USB. The network picks up fast. Along with high-yield cartridges, this printer can produce excellent results within minutes.

Key Features

• Mono Graphic Display
• Fast Charging Battery
• HP High-Yield Cartridges
• 50-sheet input capacity
• 2-inch mono display

2. Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer

Finally, the Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer is the lightest Chromebook-compatible printer among all the printers reviewed here. Its dimension is 12.7”x7.3”x2.6” and only weighs 4.5 pounds. It supports Google Cloud Print which is the gateway to enable Chromebook printing

Print Quality

For both text and color prints, the printer does an excellent job. You’ll get good-looking gradients from Excel and PowerPoint prints. Photos also have even and saturated tones. The color accuracy is pretty top-notch considering the power of such a small printer. 

Speed

However, the speed isn’t laser print quality like the HP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer. It prints 5.5 ppm color and 9 ppm monochrome. Well, being a bit slow, the quality of the printing offsets this drawback. 

Connectivity

You can plug in USB cables or use the printer with wireless options. It works well with Wi-Fi if the network is strong. Note that the printer has a Kingston-type locking slot to protect the printer from theft.

You can enhance the output results by connecting the printer with Creative Park, the Easy PhotoPrint Editor app, and Mopria Print Services.

Key Features

• Optional detachable battery
• 50-sheet rear paper tray
• 1.44” OLED Display
• Mobile printing.
• Alexa controlling option

ChromeOS Printer Buying Guide

Laser vs Inkjet Printer for Chromebook

Both laser and inkjet printers are compatible with Chromebooks. But only the ones that support Chrome Operating Systems and Google Cloud Print. 

If you have less time to print a bulk amount of paper, you should choose a laser printer. But if the color print quality is important to you, you should go for the inkjet printer. This is especially helpful for photographers, sublimation business owners, and creative people.

Compatibility

The first feature you have to look for is Chromebook OS compatibility in the printer. Chromebook OS isn’t quite as popular as Windows OS and MacOS. They don’t have built-in print drivers as well. 

So, you can’t just plug in any printer available with your Chromebook. You must check if the printer supports Chrome OS

Connectivity

Next, you need to check what connectivity options the printer comes with. You must choose a printer that connects with USB ports, Wi-Fi, or LAN networks. Note that Chromebooks can be used both online and offline. So, the printer should be able to support both conditions.

Now, here’s a warning for you. Chromebooks only have 3 types of C-port USB. So, the printer should also be capable of connecting with a C-port. Also, note that Chromebooks don’t support Bluetooth printing.  

Speed

Moving on to printing speed. You have to choose a printer that is suitable for your specific needs. For example, if you need only monochrome prints with high-speed capacity, laser printers will be the best option for you.

Again, for colorful prints, inkjet printers provide the fastest printing. Whether you’re opting for laser or inkjet printers, you must check if it has all the features compatible with Chrome OS.

Printer Features

Now, let’s focus on features that will enhance your printing experience with Chromebook. Firstly, you have to ensure the durability of the printer. It should be able to work effortlessly for years. The design of the printer body should be according to your usage (e.g. small and compact design for office desk).

Next, if you want to save printing costs per page, you should look for a duplex printing option. It’ll save you both time and cost as well. Moreover, touchscreen displays, SD card slots, and built-in scanners are some of the features that can improve your printing experience greatly.

3 Steps to Connect a Printer with a Chromebook

Step 1: Set Up Wi-Fi Connection 

The first step is to connect your Chromebook and your printer to the same Wi-Fi network. Each printer can have different functionality for internet setup. You can check the printer manufacturer’s instructions to perform this step.

For the Chromebook, you just need to turn it on and sign in to Chrome. Then, connect the Chromebook to the same Wi-Fi network the printer is connected to. 

Step 2: Select the Printing Option

Now, it’s time for printing. You have to press Ctrl + p to print the page, image, or document you prefer. You’ll see a sidebar popping on your screen with many dropdowns. 

Take the cursor near the first drop-down labeled as Destination. You’ll see a down arrow on the left side. Click on the arrow. You’ll see a list of 3 options. Then, you have to select See more… at the bottom of the list. 

Step 3: Choose Your Printer for Printing

So, now you’ll have a pop-up on your screen with a wide range of printer options. Many printers automatically show in this list. However, if you don’t find your printer’s name, you have to click on Manage. It’s on the right-bottom corner of the pop-up in a box. 

After selecting your printer on the Chromebook, you have to click on Print. Done! Your printer will start printing!

Note: As you can see Chromebooks already have a selected printer list built-in their systems. So, before buying a Chromebook-compatible printer, you should check the list in Google Chromebook’s official site. 

Frequently Asked Questions – Chromebook Compatible Printer

Are All Types Of Printers Compatible With ChromeOS?

No, all types of printers are not compatible with ChromeOS. The printers must support Chrome OS. Moreover, they should have C-port USB, Wi-Fi, and LAN network options. 

Does A Chromebook Need A Special Printer?

No, a Chromebook doesn’t need a special printer. However, the printer should have wired or Wi-Fi connectivity options to run online. Note that Bluetooth printers are not compatible with Chromebooks.

Should I Buy A Printer With A Scanner And Fax?

Yes, you should buy a printer with a scanner and fax if you rely heavily on documentation. It actually depends on your needs. But a multifunctional printer is less costly than buying a printer, scanner, and fax machine separately. So, it’s best to buy an all-in-one printer.

How Do I Check If My Printer Is Compatible With My Chromebook?

To check if your printer is compatible with your Chromebook, you have to visit the official site of Google. In the support section of Chromebook Help, Google has listed the names of printers that are compatible with Chromebooks.

Conclusion

So, that’s all about the best printers for Chromebook. Make sure you check the Chromebook support if your preferred printer is listed on their comaptible-printer list. Also, keep in mind about your printer need and then select a worthy printer. Hopefully, this article was insightful for you. Until next time, ciao for now!