Best AirPrint Printers: Compatible with iPhone and iPad

The recent free firmware update to iPod, iPad and iPhone operating systems- iOS 4.2- means more wireless connectivity to all kinds of devices.

AirPrint is one of the most useful new functions of iOS 4.2.1. With an airprint compatible printer you can quickly and easily print webpages, documents or photos at the touch of a button from any Apple device.

So far only HP have made the necessary updates to their printers for the airprint option to work out of the box. There is a complete list at the bottom of the page.

The 15 AirPrint printers available offer a good choice range already and a few of the better printers are featured below,

How to get the iOS 4.2.1 Free Update

The update is pretty hard to miss once you connect your iPad, iPod or iPhone to an internet connected Mac or PC. A screen pops up and walks you through the installation.

There is more info on what the update offers here: http://www.apple.com/ios/

Top Choices

These are some of the best printers around that offer out-of-the box airprint compatibility.

HP Photosmart D110A

HP call this an all-in-one printer and it can scan, copy and print in an inexpensive package. There is a 3 inch LCD touch screen to make using it easier and it will print direct from the web.

The airplay option expands its possibilities but it also has standard WifFi.

Printers are one of those consumer items that often get bad responses from buyers- these are sophisticated machines and there is plenty to go wrong. This HP rates highly, though with buyers and delivers on usability and reliability.

HP Photosmart C410a Fax and Printer

Purely as an inkjet printer the c410a is a star performer. Printing family photos is easy and the colors are vibrant with great detail.

It also offers impressive versatility. It will:

• fax
• copy two-sided documents automatically,
• make copies without using a PC and
• scan documents and photos.
• connect with multiple people using wireless and wired networking.
• send emails, photos and everyday documents from a smartphone, notebook PC or other mobile device directly to this photo printer

HP LaserJet Pro Model M1536dnf

Laser-jet printers are fast and efficient document printers- much faster than any ink jet. They are not suitable for photo printing though.

This model is a good choice for a home based business or small office.

What it offers:

• prints up to 26 pages per minute
• bold text and sharp images
• built-in wired networking
• Fax directly to and from a PC
• send photos, documents and more from any mobile device using HP ePrint.
• a flatbed scanner
• a fax memory of up to 400 pages and 120 fax speed dialing numbers.
• a 250-sheet paper tray

HP Officejet 7500A Wide Format Printer

This is a wide format inkjet printer that will give you large, beautiful photos as well being a reliable and versatile office workhorse.

• 13" x 19" business materials or photographs
• low cost per page
• 33 pages per minute black and 32 ppm color.
• Print, fax, scan, copy -
• wireless connectivity and Ethernet-ready

HP Envy e-All-in-One series (D410a)

Photosmart

• HP Photosmart Plus e-AiO (B210a)
• HP Photosmart Premium e-AiO (C310a)
• HP Photosmart Premium Fax e-AiO (C410a)
• HP Photosmart e-AiO (D110)
• HP Photosmart eStation (C510)

LaserJet Pro Printers

• HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Printer
• HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fn Color Multifunction Printer
• HP LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw Color Multifunction Printer
• HP LaserJet Pro CP1525n Color Printer
• HP LaserJet Pro CP1525nw Color Printer

Officejet Printers

• Officejet 6500A e-AiO5
• Officejet 6500A Plus e-AiO5
• Officejet 7500A Wide Format e-AiO5
• Officejet Pro 8500A e-AiO5
• Officejet Pro 8500A Plus e-AiO5
• Officejet Pro 8500A Premium e-AiO5

Use any PC or Mac Connected Printer for Airprinting

Two companies offer applications to allow airprinting on any printer connected to a Mac or PC. 

Printopia for Mac: ecamm.com/mac/printopia/

A hack for Airprint with Windows PC. The company is German but offers an English version: airprint-ios-4-2-1