We’ve all been there. That critical moment when you need to print a shipping label, a concert ticket, or your child’s last-minute homework assignment, only to realize you don’t have a printer at home. The ensuing scramble to find a local library or print shop, often involving a frantic drive and paying by the page, is a frustration modern life shouldn’t require. For years, I put off buying a home printer, thinking it was an unnecessary expense for my occasional needs. But after misplacing a sensitive document that I had to print at a public kiosk, I knew I needed a secure, convenient, and affordable solution for those essential tasks. The search for a device that could handle documents, make quick copies of IDs, and scan receipts without breaking the bank led me directly to the world of compact all-in-one inkjet printers, a category where convenience and cost-effectiveness are paramount.
- ISO Speed: Black: Up to 7.5 ppm; Color: Up to 5.5 ppm
- Print Resolution: Black (best): Up to 1200X 1200 rendered dpi (when Printing from a computer); Color (best): Up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi color (when printing from a computer on selected HP photo...
What to Consider Before Buying an 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 or small office. It solves the immediate need for hard copies of documents, photos, and creative projects. The main benefits lie in their versatility—offering printing, scanning, and copying in a single footprint—and their superior ability to reproduce vibrant colors, making them ideal for everything from school reports with charts to glossy family photos. In a world where many tasks are handled online, a reliable printer provides a tangible backup, a way to share information with those less tech-savvy, and a tool for creative expression. The convenience of printing from any device—a laptop, tablet, or smartphone—transforms a once-tethered task into a seamless part of your workflow.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the occasional but crucial need for printing. This includes students who need to print essays, families managing school forms and creative projects, or home-based professionals who occasionally need to scan receipts and print invoices. It’s perfect for anyone who values the security of printing sensitive documents at home rather than a public service. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who run a high-volume business from home or require professional-grade photographic prints daily. These users would generate costs that quickly outpace the initial savings and would be better served by a laser printer for monochrome documents or a dedicated photo printer for high-fidelity images. For them, alternatives like high-capacity ink tank systems or business-oriented laser printers are a more logical investment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: All-in-one printers, while compact, still require a dedicated spot. Measure your intended desk or shelf space, accounting for not only the printer’s footprint but also the clearance needed for the paper trays and scanner lid to open fully. The HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer is designed with a small footprint, making it suitable for tight spaces.
- Capacity/Performance: Look at print speed, measured in pages per minute (ppm), and the paper tray capacity. For casual home use, speeds of 5-10 ppm and a 60-sheet tray are generally sufficient. If you frequently print multi-page documents, a higher capacity and faster ppm will save you significant time and hassle. Also, consider the print resolution (DPI), which determines the sharpness of text and images.
- Materials & Durability: Most budget-friendly printers are constructed from plastic. While this keeps them lightweight, assess the sturdiness of key components like paper trays and hinges. A solid build, even if plastic, suggests better longevity. User reviews often provide excellent insight into how a printer holds up over months or years of use.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Modern printers should be simple to set up, ideally through a smartphone app. Consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges or subscription services like HP Instant Ink. A printer that is difficult to connect to Wi-Fi or requires constant troubleshooting can quickly become a source of frustration, negating its convenience.
Understanding these factors will ensure you select an inkjet printer that not only fits your budget but also seamlessly integrates into your daily life, ready to perform whenever you need it.
While the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One 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: Unboxing the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer
Upon unboxing the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer, the first thing we noticed was its compact and lightweight design. Weighing just over 7.5 pounds and finished in a clean, modern white, it felt purpose-built for a home environment where space is often at a premium. It doesn’t try to be a monolithic office machine; instead, it blends in discreetly on a bookshelf or a small desk. The construction is primarily plastic, which is expected at this price point, but it feels solid enough for its intended use. As one user aptly noted, “All printers are plastic so you have to be careful,” and that’s sound advice. The trays and scanner lid operate smoothly without feeling overly fragile. Inside the box, we found the printer, a power cord, and two starter ink cartridges (one black, one tri-color). Notably, a USB cable is not included, a clear signal that HP is pushing users toward a wireless, app-driven experience from the get-go. This mobile-first approach is central to the identity of the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer, setting it up as a modern solution for today’s connected homes.
Key Benefits
- Extremely simple setup process via the HP Smart app
- Excellent value with print, scan, and copy functions
- HP Instant Ink program offers convenience and cost savings
- Compact, lightweight design fits easily in home environments
Potential Drawbacks
- Heavily reliant on a stable Wi-Fi connection for full functionality
- Slower print speeds, especially for color photos and graphics
A Deep Dive into the HP DeskJet 2734e’s Everyday Performance
A printer’s true worth is revealed not by its spec sheet, but by how it performs day-to-day. Does it connect easily? Is the print quality good enough? Does it become a seamless tool or a source of technical frustration? We put the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer through its paces, focusing on the core experiences that matter most to a home user: setup, quality, and the much-talked-about ink subscription service.
The App-Driven Setup: A Glimpse into Modern Printing
HP has fully embraced the smartphone as the command center for its consumer printers, and the setup for the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer is a testament to this philosophy. Gone are the days of installation CDs and confusing driver downloads. The included instructions simply guide you to download the HP Smart app on your phone or tablet. From there, the app takes over, holding your hand through the entire process. It automatically detects the printer, connects it to your home Wi-Fi network, and provides animated instructions for unwrapping and installing the ink cartridges. We had our first test page printed within 10 minutes of opening the box.
This experience mirrors that of many satisfied users. One reviewer celebrated, “It was so easy to set up and I did not have to even read the instructions… The Wi-Fi part of it was super simple also.” Another simply stated, “Works great, setup easy as long as you have downloaded the app.” However, this reliance on the app and a stable Wi-Fi network is also its Achilles’ heel. We saw feedback from users who struggled, with one noting it was “Hard to connect” and another having a catastrophic experience with tech support over a poor connection. Our takeaway is that if you have a reliable home Wi-Fi network and are comfortable using smartphone apps, the setup is brilliantly simple. If your internet is spotty or you prefer a traditional computer-and-cable setup, you may face some initial hurdles, especially since a USB cable isn’t included.
Print, Scan, and Copy Quality: Exceeding Expectations for the Price
For a budget-friendly all-in-one, the primary question regarding quality is “Is it good enough for home use?” In our testing, the answer is a resounding yes. For standard black-and-white text documents, the 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi resolution produces crisp, highly legible text that’s perfect for reports, recipes, and forms. The print speed of up to 7.5 ppm for black is not blazing fast, but it’s perfectly adequate for printing a few pages at a time. This aligns with one user’s comment: “the print quality was the best… even though the printer is of affordable category.”
When it comes to color, the results are also impressive. We printed a mixed-content webpage with text and graphics, and the colors were vibrant and accurate, without any noticeable bleeding. The optimized color resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi allows for decent photo printing, though it’s not a dedicated photo printer. As another user mentioned, it’s “a bit slow printing pictures,” which we can confirm. A 4×6 photo took over a minute to print, but the quality was surprisingly good for casual snapshots. The flatbed scanner, with its 1200 dpi optical resolution, is more than capable of creating sharp digital copies of documents and photos. The copy function is basic, with a 300 x 300 dpi resolution, making it suitable for quick text document duplication but less so for detailed images. For its intended purpose—handling the variety of tasks a typical family needs—the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer delivers performance that belies its price tag.
HP+ and Instant Ink: A Convenient Subscription or a Clever Trap?
Perhaps the most discussed feature of modern HP printers is the HP+ and Instant Ink ecosystem. During setup, you’re offered the chance to activate HP+, which gives you an extra year of warranty and a free trial of Instant Ink. The catch? HP+ requires a constant internet connection and an HP account, and you must use genuine HP ink cartridges for the life of the printer. Instant Ink is a subscription service where you pay a monthly fee based on the number of pages you print, and the printer automatically orders new cartridges before you run out. The HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer comes with a trial of 3 months, though some users reported getting even more generous offers, like one who was pleasantly surprised by a 15-month free period.
For low-volume users, this system can be brilliant. If you print 10-50 pages a month, the low-tier plans can be cheaper than buying cartridges outright, and the convenience of never having to think about ink levels is a major selling point. As one fan put it, “HP Instant Ink is an added bonus that made my choice simple.” However, this system isn’t for everyone. If your printing volume is unpredictable, or if you prefer to shop around for third-party ink, the HP+ system can feel restrictive. Furthermore, the printer’s reliance on an internet connection for this feature was a source of major frustration for one user who stated, “With out wifi it is useless no free ink and other then scan and print… it won’t work.” We view Instant Ink as a valuable option for its target audience: the “print-and-forget” user who prioritizes convenience. For those who want more control and are willing to manage their own supplies, it may be best to opt out of the HP+ system during setup and simply buy cartridges as needed. The value proposition of this printer is greatly enhanced by the Instant Ink offer, but it requires careful consideration of your printing habits.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across a wide range of feedback, a clear picture of the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer emerges. The vast majority of positive comments center on its simplicity and value. One happy customer summed it up perfectly: “I highly recommend this printer to anyone looking for a simple, quality printer for home.” Another, who doesn’t own a computer, praised its mobile-first design, saying, “I’ve already printed something out from my phone, no computer needed.” The ease of setup is a recurring theme, with one user exclaiming it was “fácil fácil…. facílimo de instalar” (easy, easy… super easy to install) even with a MacBook.
However, the feedback isn’t universally glowing. The most significant and recurring complaint revolves around connectivity. One user who initially loved the printer noted that “just two short years later no longer working. Issues with WiFi connectivity.” Another had a terrible experience, stating that without Wi-Fi, the printer is “useless.” These comments highlight the double-edged sword of a device so deeply integrated with wireless technology. While it offers incredible convenience when it works, any instability in your home network can render it inoperable. A few users also reported receiving units with physical defects, like a “Piece broken off where paper feeds,” which underscores the importance of inspecting the device upon arrival.
How Does the HP DeskJet 2734e Compare to the Alternatives?
While the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer excels in its niche, the market offers other solutions tailored to different needs. Understanding these alternatives is key to making the right choice for your specific printing habits.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 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-2800 represents a fundamentally different approach to ink management. Instead of cartridges, it uses large, refillable ink tanks that you fill from bottles. The initial purchase price is higher than the HP, but the long-term cost per page is dramatically lower. A single set of replacement ink bottles can last for thousands of pages, equivalent to dozens of cartridges. This makes the Epson ET-2800 the superior choice for users who print more frequently—such as families with multiple students or a home office with regular printing needs. If your primary concern is the long-term cost of consumables and you’re willing to pay more upfront to save later, the EcoTank is an outstanding alternative.
2. Canon PIXMA TR150 Portable Printer with Battery
- Take your printing on the go with the PIXMA TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer.
- Print without wires - even on the go - thanks to multiple WIRELESS PRINTING options
The Canon PIXMA TR150 caters to a completely different user: the road warrior. This is not a stationary all-in-one but a compact, print-only device designed for portability, complete with an included battery pack. It’s for professionals who need to print contracts in a hotel room, invoices at a client’s site, or reports from their car. It sacrifices the scan and copy functions of the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer for ultimate freedom from a power outlet and a fixed location. If your printing needs are mobile and you value portability above all else, the PIXMA TR150 is in a class of its own. For home users, the HP’s all-in-one functionality offers far greater versatility.
3. Brother MFC-J5855DW A3 Colour Inkjet Printer Refillable Ink
- More uninterrupted printing. Up to 1 year of printing with the INKvestment Tank’s high-capacity in-box ink cartridges (approximately 300 pages/month) and 2-year limited warranty.
- More impact. Our patented MAXIDRIVE print chip redefines printing technology with ultra-fast, durable, precision printing, with print speeds up to 30 ppm black/colour
The Brother MFC-J5855DW is a step up into the prosumer and small business category. Its key features are speed, volume, and the ability to print on A3 (11×17 inch) paper. It’s built for productivity, with faster print speeds, a larger paper tray, and an automatic document feeder for multi-page scanning and copying. This printer is overkill for someone who just needs to print a shipping label once a week. However, for a small business, a graphic designer, or anyone needing to print larger formats like spreadsheets or posters, the Brother is a powerhouse. It competes in a different league, prioritizing performance and features over the compact size and budget-friendly price of the HP.
The Final Verdict: Is the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer Right for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer is clear: it is an outstanding choice for its intended audience. This printer is tailor-made for students, individuals, and families who have light to moderate printing needs and prioritize convenience, affordability, and a small footprint. The app-driven setup is exceptionally user-friendly, the print quality for everyday documents and photos is more than sufficient, and the all-in-one functionality provides excellent versatility. The optional HP Instant Ink subscription adds a layer of “set it and forget it” convenience that many will appreciate.
It is not, however, a printer for a high-volume office or a user who demands lightning-fast output. Its reliance on a stable Wi-Fi connection is its greatest strength and its most significant potential weakness. If you are looking for a reliable, no-fuss machine to handle life’s occasional printing, scanning, and copying needs without a hefty price tag, this device is one of the best values on the market. For those who want to solve the “I need a printer right now” problem once and for all, the HP DeskJet 2734e All-in-One Printer is an easy and confident recommendation.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API