There’s a moment every modern household experiences: the sudden, desperate need to print something. It could be a last-minute school project for the kids, a concert ticket, a shipping label for a return, or an important work document that needs a physical signature. For years, my old printer sat in the corner, a dusty beige box I dreaded interacting with. It would randomly disconnect from the Wi-Fi, jam for no reason, and guzzle ink cartridges that cost a small fortune. The process was a gamble. Would it print today? Or would I spend the next hour troubleshooting cryptic error codes? This frustration is a universal pain point. In a world of smart devices that work seamlessly, a printer that constantly fails feels like a relic from a bygone era. The search for a reliable, easy-to-use, and versatile home printer isn’t just about convenience; it’s about reclaiming valuable time and eliminating a source of needless stress. This is the promise of modern all-in-one devices, and it’s the very problem the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer aims to solve.
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Envy 6155e is perfect for homes printing everyday high-quality colour documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 7 ppm colour,...
- KEY FEATURES – Colour print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
Before You Buy: A Strategic Guide to Choosing the Right Inkjet Printer
An Inkjet Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the digital and physical worlds in your home. It’s the hub for creativity, productivity, and everyday logistics. The primary benefit is versatility. A good all-in-one inkjet can produce crisp, black-and-white text for professional documents, vibrant colour for school presentations, and high-resolution photos for the family album. It can also act as a scanner to digitize old photos or important receipts, and a copier for quick duplicates without ever leaving the house. For anyone running a home business, managing a family’s educational needs, or simply navigating daily life, having a reliable all-in-one device is a massive efficiency boost.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a variety of printing needs but not at an industrial volume. This includes students, families, and professionals working from a home office. They value wireless connectivity, the ability to print from any device (phone, tablet, laptop), and features like automatic two-sided printing that save time and paper. However, an inkjet might not be suitable for those who print thousands of pages per month for a business, as a laser printer would offer a lower cost per page for high-volume text documents. Similarly, professional photographers requiring archival-quality prints with the widest possible colour gamut might look toward more specialized, and significantly more expensive, photo printers.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Modern printers are designed to blend into home environments, but they still occupy valuable desk real estate. Measure your intended space carefully. Consider the printer’s height, width, and depth, especially accounting for the space needed to open scanner lids and extend paper trays. The HP Envy 6155e’s compact, low-profile design is a major advantage for smaller home offices.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond the initial price and evaluate the printer’s core performance metrics. Print speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), tells you how quickly it handles large jobs. Paper capacity—both for the input tray and the output tray—determines how often you’ll need to attend to it. For frequent document printing, features like automatic duplexing (two-sided printing) are non-negotiable for saving paper and creating professional-looking reports.
- Materials & Durability: A printer should feel solid, not flimsy. Pay attention to the plastics used, the sturdiness of the paper trays, and the overall build quality. A growing trend, which we appreciate, is the use of sustainable materials. The HP Envy 6155e, for instance, is constructed with at least 60% post-consumer recycled plastic, a thoughtful touch for the environmentally conscious consumer.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The best printer is one you don’t have to think about. Consider the setup process—is it guided by a simple app, or does it require complex driver installations? The user interface, whether a physical touchscreen or a mobile app, should be intuitive. Most importantly, understand the long-term cost of ownership, which is almost entirely about ink. Is it a traditional cartridge system, a refillable tank system, or a subscription service? Each has its pros and cons depending on your printing volume.
Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a printer that not only meets your needs today but continues to be a reliable partner for years to come.
While the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer is an excellent choice, 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: Sleek, Smart, and Surprisingly Compact
Unboxing the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer was a refreshingly simple affair. HP has clearly put effort into minimalist, frustration-free packaging. Inside the compact box, we found the printer itself, securely nestled, along with a power cord, a set of HP 68 setup cartridges (one black, one tri-colour), and a simple user manual. Our first thought was how sleek and modern the device looks. The clean lines and muted colour scheme allow it to blend into a home office or living room without screaming “office equipment.” It’s noticeably more compact and has a lower profile than many of its competitors, which is a huge plus for those with limited space. Picking it up, the 11.28-pound weight feels substantial enough to be sturdy, and the use of recycled plastics doesn’t detract from its solid feel. The centerpiece of the design is the 2.4-inch colour touchscreen, which promises an intuitive, phone-like control experience. It’s a far cry from the confusing multi-button layouts of older printers and immediately sets a tone of modern usability. This initial impression is one of thoughtful design, both aesthetically and practically, making us eager to see if its performance matches its looks.
Key Benefits
- Excellent document print quality with sharp text and clear colours
- Sleek, compact design with a responsive colour touchscreen
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper and effort
- Seamless mobile printing and scanning via the HP Smart App
Limitations
- Highly dependent on a strong, stable Wi-Fi connection
- The HP+ system and Instant Ink subscription can be confusing and restrictive for some users
Deep Dive: Putting the HP Envy 6155e Through Its Paces
A printer’s true worth is revealed not on the spec sheet, but in day-to-day use. We spent weeks with the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer, using it for everything from printing multi-page reports and scanning family photos to copying recipes and printing creative projects for the kids. Our goal was to understand its strengths, uncover its weaknesses, and determine who this printer is truly for.
Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences
HP funnels the entire setup process through its HP Smart App, and for us, it was a remarkably smooth journey. After plugging in the printer and installing the included setup cartridges, the app quickly discovered the device on our network. It then guided us, step-by-step, through connecting to Wi-Fi, aligning the print heads, and creating an HP account. The entire process took about 15 minutes and was largely foolproof. We found this app-centric approach, which many users praised as “incredibly easy” and “a dream for non-techy individuals,” to be a significant advantage. It centralizes all functions—printing, scanning, copying, and ink level monitoring—into one clean interface on your phone or computer.
However, this is where the path can diverge. Our testing, corroborated by numerous user experiences, revealed two critical caveats. First, the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer is exceptionally sensitive to Wi-Fi signal strength. We initially placed it about 25 feet from our router, through two walls, and experienced intermittent connection drops. This echoed the feedback of one user who, after hours with tech support, discovered their printer only worked reliably when their router was within 10 feet. If your printer’s intended location has a weak Wi-Fi signal, you may face significant frustration. Second, the setup process is not just a recommendation; it’s a requirement. You cannot fully use this printer without downloading the app, creating an online account with HP, and maintaining an active internet connection. This is a fundamental shift from older printers and a point of contention for users who value privacy or prefer offline functionality.
Print Quality and Everyday Performance: The Home Office Workhorse
When it comes to its primary function, the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer truly shines, particularly with documents. Text output is superb. Using the standard 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution for black and white, we found text to be crisp, dark, and laser-quality sharp, even at small font sizes. This aligns with user comments that prints come out “even darker and clearer than the original.” The print speeds of 10 ppm for black and 7 ppm for colour are perfectly adequate for home use. It’s not a speed demon, but it won’t leave you waiting impatiently for a few pages to print.
The automatic duplex printing is a standout feature at this price point. It worked flawlessly in our tests, effortlessly printing on both sides of the page, saving paper and adding a professional touch to reports. This is a feature you don’t realize you need until you have it, and then you can’t live without it. Colour printing on plain paper, for charts, graphs, and school projects, was also impressive, with vibrant and accurate colours. One user noted how it “captures the small details and matches the exact colors,” which we found to be true for general-purpose printing.
When it comes to photos, the performance is good, but with an asterisk. The 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi resolution allows it to produce detailed and pleasing 4×6 or 5×7 prints on glossy photo paper. For casual family photos to put on the fridge or in a frame, it’s more than capable. However, as one user astutely pointed out, it’s “definitely more of a document/text printer as opposed to printing out photos.” It uses a single tri-colour cartridge, which is less nuanced than the multi-cartridge systems found in dedicated photo printers, so professional photographers or serious hobbyists may find the colour depth and accuracy wanting. For its intended audience, though, the photo quality is a welcome bonus. You can explore its full printing capabilities and specs here.
The Elephant in the Room: Understanding HP+ and Instant Ink
It is impossible to review the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer without a deep dive into the HP+ and Instant Ink ecosystem, as this is the source of the most user confusion and frustration. During setup, you are presented with a choice: activate HP+ or opt-out. It’s crucial to understand what this means.
HP+ is not just an ink subscription. It’s an entire cloud-connected printing system. By activating it, you get certain benefits, such as an extra year of warranty and advanced features in the HP Smart App. However, it comes with strict requirements: you must maintain an internet connection for the printer to function, you must have an HP account, and you must exclusively use genuine HP ink cartridges. The decision to enroll in HP+ is permanent; as one user discovered, “once a decision is made, it CANNOT be changed.”
Instant Ink is the optional subscription service that works within the HP+ system. Based on your chosen monthly page plan, the printer monitors your ink levels and automatically ships new cartridges before you run out. The printer comes with a 3-month trial. This is where many users felt misled. One user lamented, “Don’t say the printer comes with ink only to leave a paper on top saying you have to sign up for a ‘free trial’… It doesn’t even get here for 10 days.” This is a valid point of frustration; you need to sign up for the trial to get your first set of full cartridges, even though setup cartridges are in the box to get you started immediately.
For low-volume users, you can opt-out of HP+ during setup and simply buy your own genuine HP cartridges as needed. However, the software’s push towards the subscription is strong and can be confusing, leading to situations like the user who, setting it up for their father, felt “forced…to subscribe to an unneeded and unwanted ink subscription service” and feared the printer would stop working if they cancelled. While it is possible to use the printer without the subscription, the entire experience is heavily tilted towards enrolling you in HP’s ecosystem. This business model is a major factor to consider before you decide if this printer is the right fit for you.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing the broad spectrum of user feedback reveals a printer that people either love or loathe, often for the very same reasons. On the positive side, many users are thrilled with the final output and ease of use once it’s up and running. One ecstatic user called it “A DREAM 😍,” praising its “easy set-up for non-techy individuals” and “high quality documents & photos.” Another echoed this, saying, “Got this for my daughter and she totally loves it. So easy to set up and the quality is just top notch.” These comments highlight that when the system works as intended, it delivers an excellent user experience.
On the other hand, the negative feedback is intensely focused on two areas: connectivity and the subscription model. The Wi-Fi sensitivity is a recurring theme, with users who have larger homes or weaker signals experiencing significant issues. The most pointed criticism, however, is reserved for the HP+ and Instant Ink system. One user provided a stark warning: “Now my printer will stop working if I cancel that unwanted subscription. Seriously. I would never, ever, in a billion years recommend this printer to anyone.” This sentiment, born from a feeling of being locked into an unwanted service, is a powerful counterpoint to the positive reviews and underscores the deep division this business model creates among consumers.
How Does the HP Envy 6155e Compare to the Competition?
The HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer operates in a crowded market. While it holds its own, certain alternatives might be a better fit depending on your specific needs and printing philosophy. Here’s how it stacks up against three top competitors.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-4800 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 4,500 pages black/7,500 colour (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-4800 represents a completely different approach to ink. Instead of cartridges, it uses large, refillable ink tanks that you fill from inexpensive bottles. The upfront cost of the printer is higher, but the long-term cost per page is dramatically lower. This makes the ET-4800 an ideal choice for users who print frequently—think busy home offices or families with multiple students—and want to escape the cycle of buying expensive cartridges. If your primary concern is the long-term cost of ink and you despise subscription models, the Epson EcoTank is the clear winner. However, you’ll trade the sleek design and intuitive touchscreen of the Envy for a more utilitarian look and a higher initial investment.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless Supertank Printer
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (4)
- 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 colour (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 takes the tank concept and supercharges it for creative and small business applications. Its defining feature is the ability to print wide-format documents up to 13 x 19 inches. This is a game-changer for anyone needing to print large spreadsheets, marketing materials, or borderless photos beyond the standard letter size. Like its smaller sibling, it offers a very low cost per page thanks to its Supertank system. The ET-15000 is for a more specialized user than the HP Envy 6155e. If you are a designer, architect, or serious photo hobbyist who needs wide-format printing capabilities, this Epson is in a different league and well worth the premium price.
3. HP Envy Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer
- HIGH-QUALITY PRINTING: The HP ENVY Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer delivers exceptional print quality with up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi for black and up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi for color...
- PRODUCTIVITY AND CONVENIENCE: Designed for both work and play, this all-in-one printer features a built-in photo tray and automatic document feeder for seamless printing. With a duty cycle of up to...
For those who like the HP ecosystem but need a bit more horsepower, the HP Envy Inspire 7955e is a logical step up. It generally offers faster print speeds, a dedicated photo paper tray (preventing you from having to swap paper types constantly), and a more robust automatic document feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning and copying. It operates within the same HP+ and Instant Ink framework, so it’s not an escape from the subscription model. Rather, it’s for the user who prints more frequently, scans more documents, and wants the added convenience and performance features that justify a slightly higher price tag, while staying within the familiar and user-friendly HP Smart App environment.
Our Final Verdict: Is the HP Envy 6155e the Right Printer for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer is that it’s a very capable and well-designed printer with a significant, non-negotiable condition attached. In terms of performance, it excels. It produces excellent quality documents, handles casual photo printing with ease, and its automatic duplexing and intuitive app make it a pleasure to use for everyday tasks. Its compact, stylish design is a welcome addition to any modern home.
However, its entire identity is intertwined with the HP+ ecosystem. This is not a printer for someone who wants an offline device or is fundamentally opposed to creating accounts and potentially enrolling in subscription services. Its heavy reliance on a strong Wi-Fi signal is also a critical consideration. We recommend this printer to individuals and families with moderate printing needs who are comfortable with modern, cloud-connected devices and see value in the convenience of a service like Instant Ink. If you understand and accept the terms of the HP+ system, you will be rewarded with a reliable, high-quality, and user-friendly machine.
If you’re looking for a smart, compact all-in-one printer that delivers fantastic results and you’re ready to embrace the modern, app-driven approach to printing, the HP Envy 6155e Wireless All-in-One Colour Inkjet Printer is an excellent choice. You can check its latest price and see more user reviews online today.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API