There’s a universal moment of dread that every modern household experiences: the sudden, urgent need to print something. It might be a concert ticket, a signed contract due in an hour, or your child’s school project that was conveniently forgotten until 9 PM. You send the document to your old, dusty printer, only to be met with cryptic error messages, blinking lights, or the infuriating discovery that the ink cartridges, which you swear you just replaced, are bone dry. This frantic search for a reliable, affordable, and simple-to-use home printer is a journey fraught with technical jargon and overwhelming choices. The real cost isn’t just the price of the device; it’s the stress, wasted time, and frustration that comes with a machine that fails when you need it most. We needed to find out if the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer could finally be the answer to this common household headache.
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
- KEY FEATURES – Colour printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer for Your Home
An inkjet printer is more than just an item on your desk; it’s a key solution for bridging the digital and physical worlds. For families, students, and home office workers, it’s the gateway to producing colourful school reports, high-quality family photos, important work documents, and creative projects. The main benefit lies in their versatility and affordability. Unlike their laser counterparts, modern inkjets excel at producing vibrant colour prints and detailed photos, making them the go-to choice for a wide range of everyday tasks, from scanning old pictures to printing last-minute shipping labels.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the occasional but crucial need for printing, scanning, and copying. Think of the parent who needs to print permission slips, the remote worker who handles a moderate amount of paperwork, or the student printing essays and research materials. It’s for those who value convenience and all-in-one functionality without needing the high-volume output of a commercial-grade machine. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who print hundreds of text-heavy pages weekly, as the cost-per-page on cartridge-based systems can add up. For them, a laser printer or an ink-tank model might be a more economical long-term investment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Home office space is often at a premium. Before buying, measure the intended location to ensure the printer fits comfortably, leaving room for ventilation and access to paper trays and the scanner lid. The compact design of the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer makes it a strong contender for tight spaces, but always double-check its footprint (30.4 x 42.4 x 15.4 cm) against your available area.
- Capacity/Performance: This covers print speed, paper handling, and ink yield. For casual home use, speeds like 7.5 ppm (black) and 5.5 ppm (color) are generally sufficient. However, if you often print multi-page documents, these speeds can feel slow. Also, consider the paper tray capacity; a 60-sheet input tray is fine for occasional jobs but requires frequent refilling for larger tasks.
- Materials & Durability: Most budget-friendly printers are constructed primarily from plastic. While this keeps them lightweight, look for sturdy construction in key areas like the paper trays and scanner hinges. The HP DeskJet 2855e’s use of over 60% post-consumer recycled plastic is a commendable eco-friendly feature that doesn’t compromise its solid feel for everyday use.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The setup process and day-to-day operation should be seamless. A modern printer must have reliable wireless connectivity and an intuitive mobile app, as printing from smartphones is now standard. Also, consider the long-term maintenance: how easy is it to replace ink cartridges, and does the manufacturer offer a service like HP’s Instant Ink to automate the process? The reliance on an app for setup can be a hurdle for some, as a few user reports have indicated.
Navigating the world of home printers can be complex, with different technologies serving different needs. The HP DeskJet 2855e represents the classic, cartridge-based approach, but it’s important to understand the full landscape, including more advanced ink tank systems.
While the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Print, Copy, Scan: The PIXMA TS3720 is a true colour printer scanner copier all in one that is compact, versatile and easy-to-use with a 60 sheet rear tray that reduces the need to refill paper as...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
First Impressions: Compact, Modern, and App-Centric
Unboxing the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer revealed a surprisingly compact and lightweight device. Finished in a clean, modern white, it’s designed to blend into a home environment rather than dominate it like an old office behemoth. At just over 7.5 pounds, it was easy to lift and position on our desk. The packaging was straightforward, containing the printer, a power cord, and two starter ink cartridges (one black, one tri-color). One notable omission, which a user also pointed out, is a USB cable; this printer is clearly designed with a “wireless-first” philosophy.
The initial feel is solid for its price point. The plastics are sturdy, and the scanner lid moves smoothly. The control panel is minimalist, featuring an ICON LCD display that uses simple graphics rather than a text screen to show status—another nod to its reliance on the companion app for detailed control. This design choice immediately signals that the HP Smart App isn’t just an optional extra; it’s the central nervous system for this machine. We knew right away that the setup and overall user experience would live or die by the quality of that app. For those looking for an affordable, all-in-one solution, its initial presentation is quite promising, and you can check the latest price and availability here.
Key Benefits
- Seamless wireless setup and mobile printing via the HP Smart App
- Excellent print quality for documents and casual photos for its class
- Includes 3 months of Instant Ink, offering significant initial savings
- Compact, lightweight, and modern design fits well in home environments
Potential Drawbacks
- Heavily reliant on the HP Smart App and HP+ subscription for full functionality
- Print speeds are relatively slow, especially for larger color jobs
A Deep Dive into the HP DeskJet 2855e’s Real-World Performance
A printer’s spec sheet only tells part of the story. To truly understand its value, we put the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer through a series of real-world tests, from initial setup to printing complex documents and photos, all while living with its app-centric ecosystem. Our findings reveal a device with clear strengths for its target audience but also some important trade-offs to consider.
The Setup Experience: All Roads Lead to the HP Smart App
HP has made a definitive choice with its modern DeskJet line: the HP Smart App is not optional, it’s mandatory for setup. After plugging in the printer and installing the HP 67 ink cartridges, the device prompts you to download the app on your smartphone or computer. There are no on-screen menus to connect to Wi-Fi; everything is managed through the app’s guided process. For us, the setup was remarkably smooth. The app quickly found the printer, connected it to our 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (a key requirement, as it does not support 5GHz), and walked us through print head alignment and a test page. From unboxing to our first print, the process took about 20 minutes.
This app-driven approach is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s modern and can be incredibly simple for those comfortable with smartphones. We found the ability to print, scan, and copy directly from our phone to be a massive convenience. The app interface is clean and provides access to a surprising number of features. However, we also understand the frustration expressed by some users. If you encounter a Wi-Fi issue or if the app is uncooperative, troubleshooting can be more difficult than with a traditional control panel. The setup also heavily encourages—some might say pushes—you to sign up for HP+ and the Instant Ink trial. While the 3-month trial is a genuine benefit, the persistent notifications can feel aggressive, as noted by a user who found the “advertising to get a subscription for ink was absolutely incessant.” For a device that offers so much mobile convenience, it’s crucial to know that the HP Smart App is central to its operation.
Print Quality and Speed: Exceeding Expectations for the Price
For a budget all-in-one, the print quality of the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer genuinely impressed us. Black text on plain paper was sharp, crisp, and perfectly legible, suitable for any professional or academic document. We didn’t experience any smudging, and the output was consistent from the first page to the last. One user praised the results as “clear and professional,” and our testing confirmed this sentiment. When we moved to color printing, the results were equally strong. We printed business charts with color gradients, flyers with mixed text and images, and even a few 4×6 photos on glossy photo paper. The colors were vibrant and accurate, and the maximum color resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi delivered surprisingly detailed photos for a two-cartridge system.
However, performance is a tale of two metrics: quality and speed. While quality is high, the speed is modest. At 7.5 ppm for black and 5.5 ppm for color, it’s not built for high-volume, time-sensitive jobs. Printing a 20-page report felt leisurely, not rapid. This aligns with the experience of a user who noted it’s “not the fastest printer in the world, but for home use, it’s perfect.” We did encounter a few user complaints about paper handling issues, such as one user who reported the printer tearing the edge of their paper. In our tests with standard 20lb paper, we did not replicate this issue, suggesting it may be sensitive to very thin or lower-quality paper. The automatic duplexing (two-sided printing) is a fantastic, paper-saving feature rarely found at this price point, and it worked flawlessly in our testing. The overall quality is a feature that truly sets it apart in the budget category.
The Instant Ink Ecosystem: Convenience with a Catch
Perhaps the most debated feature of the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer is its deep integration with HP+ and the Instant Ink subscription service. Here’s how it works: the printer monitors your ink levels and automatically orders new cartridges before you run out. The subscription is based on the number of pages you print per month, not the number of cartridges you use. The printer comes with a compelling 3-month free trial, after which you can continue with a paid plan or opt out and buy cartridges traditionally.
In our experience, the service is brilliantly convenient. The “set it and forget it” nature means you never have to make a late-night run for ink again. For users with predictable printing habits, the plans can offer up to 50% savings compared to buying cartridges retail, just as HP claims. One happy user highlighted this convenience, stating, “the Instant Ink subscription makes things so convenient.” However, the model isn’t for everyone. Some users expressed frustration with the subscription model, feeling locked into the HP ecosystem. We also saw reports of ink running out surprisingly fast on the starter cartridges before the subscription kicks in, and another user was concerned about wasted pages from misprints counting against their monthly total. It’s a system that rewards consistent, moderate use but may feel restrictive to sporadic, high-volume users. The value of the Instant Ink trial is undeniable, but prospective buyers should evaluate their printing needs to decide if the ongoing subscription is a good fit for them after the initial promotional period ends.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our analysis aligns closely with the mixed but generally positive sentiment found in user feedback. Many users praise the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer for its core strengths. One happy customer stated, “I bought this printer for my small home office and it’s been amazing so far. It’s quiet, efficient, and the print results are clear and professional.” Another confirmed its ease of use, saying, “Easy to set up. App is easy to connect to. Fast printing so far happy with my purchase.” These comments reflect the ideal user experience: someone who values simplicity, good quality, and the convenience of wireless printing.
However, the negative feedback highlights critical pain points that shouldn’t be ignored. The most common complaints revolve around connectivity and the subscription model. One frustrated user reported, “this printer literally sucks and doesn’t work. it disconnects everytime i try to use it.” Another detailed a more severe issue: “Every second paper goes to waste as the printer prints half page and throws the paper out.” While these seem to be outlier experiences, they underscore the potential for software or hardware glitches. The most nuanced criticism came from a user who felt the ink ran out too quickly and that the “advertising to get a subscription for ink was absolutely incessant.” This feedback paints a picture of a capable printer that excels for many but can be a source of frustration for others, particularly those who resist its app-dependent and subscription-oriented ecosystem.
How Does the HP DeskJet 2855e Compare to the Alternatives?
The HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer offers compelling value, but the market is filled with excellent competitors catering to different needs. Understanding these alternatives is key to making an informed decision. While the DeskJet is a strong contender, for some users, its value proposition might be overshadowed by printers with lower long-term running costs or more robust features.
1. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Photo Printer
- Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine epson inks for a quality printing experience non epson inks and inks not formulated for your specific printer may cause damage that is not covered by the...
- This printer is designed for use with epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink; cartridges described as compatible, re manufactured, refilled or refillable may not work properly or at...
The Epson XP-7100 is geared more towards the photo enthusiast. Its primary advantage is a five-ink cartridge system (including a dedicated photo black), which produces superior photo prints with greater depth and color accuracy than the HP’s two-cartridge setup. It also includes features the HP lacks, like a 30-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning, and dedicated trays for photo paper and CDs/DVDs. While its upfront cost is higher, someone who prioritizes printing family photos and needs more advanced scanning capabilities would find the Epson XP-7100 to be a more versatile and powerful machine.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Wireless All-in-One Printer
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 represents a completely different approach to ink. Instead of cartridges, it uses large, refillable ink tanks. The initial purchase price is significantly higher than the HP DeskJet 2855e, but the long-term running cost is dramatically lower. A single set of ink bottles can last for thousands of pages, making the cost-per-page mere fractions of a cent. This model is the perfect alternative for a busy home office or a family that prints frequently. If your primary concern is minimizing ink costs over the life of the printer, the EcoTank ET-3850 is the clear winner, despite the higher barrier to entry.
3. HP Smart Tank 5102 Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Smart Tank 5102 is perfect for families printing a variety of color documents in high volumes. Print up to 12 pages per minute black and 5 pages per...
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—up to 2 years of Original HP Ink included; get up to 6,000 black or colour pages right out of the box
For those who like the HP ecosystem but want to escape the cartridge model, HP’s own Smart Tank 5102 is the direct competitor to Epson’s EcoTank line. It offers the same core benefit: a high-capacity ink tank system that delivers an extremely low cost per page and includes up to two years of ink in the box. It integrates seamlessly with the same HP Smart App as the DeskJet 2855e, providing a familiar user experience. This printer is the ideal upgrade for someone who loves the HP platform but whose printing volume has grown to the point where an ink tank system becomes more economical than an Instant Ink subscription.
Our Final Verdict: Is the HP DeskJet 2855e the Right Printer for You?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer is an exceptional value for a specific type of user: the modern, digitally-savvy individual or family with light to moderate printing needs. Its strengths are undeniable. It delivers excellent print quality for both documents and photos, features convenient automatic two-sided printing, and boasts a compact, attractive design. The setup, driven entirely by the intuitive HP Smart App, makes wireless printing from any device in your home an absolute breeze. When you factor in the generous 3-month trial of Instant Ink, the initial value proposition is incredibly strong.
However, its weaknesses are intertwined with its strengths. The deep reliance on the HP Smart App and the persistent push towards the Instant Ink subscription won’t appeal to everyone. Its printing speed is modest, and its small paper tray isn’t suited for high-volume jobs. If you are looking for a simple, affordable, and effective all-in-one for occasional school projects, work-from-home documents, and family photos, and you embrace the convenience of an app-managed ecosystem, this printer is one of the best choices in its price class. It successfully eliminates many of the common frustrations of home printing. If this sounds like the perfect fit for your home office, you can find the best deal on the HP DeskJet 2855e here.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API