In our household, the need for a reliable printer strikes at the most inconvenient times. One moment, it’s a last-minute school project that needs to be printed in vibrant color. The next, it’s a crucial shipping label for a return, or a set of vacation photos we’ve been meaning to put in an album for months. For years, we limped along with an aging printer that guzzled ink, jammed constantly, and stubbornly refused to connect to our phones. The frustration was palpable; a simple task would turn into a 30-minute troubleshooting session. We knew we needed an upgrade—a modern, all-in-one solution that could handle documents, creative projects, and high-quality photos with equal ease, preferably without a tangled mess of wires. This search for a versatile, family-friendly workhorse led us directly to the doorstep of the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer, a device that promises to do it all.
- BEST FOR ACTIVE FAMILIES - Print documents, high-quality borderless photos in multiple sizes, creative projects and more
- KEY FEATURES- Print, copy, scan, automatic 2-sided printing, advanced photo features, separate photo tray, mobile and wireless printing
What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
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 small business owners, it’s the gateway to producing everything from professional-looking reports and high-quality photo prints to school assignments and creative crafts. The main benefits lie in their versatility and superior color reproduction, especially for photos, where they can blend colors more smoothly than their laser counterparts. A good all-in-one inkjet saves space and money by combining printing, scanning, and copying functions into a single, compact device, streamlining your home office workflow.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a mix of printing needs: crisp black-and-white text for documents, rich color for presentations or homework, and the occasional high-resolution photo print. They value the convenience of wireless printing from any device—be it a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. However, an inkjet might not be suitable for those who print thousands of text-only pages per month; a monochrome laser printer would be more cost-effective in that scenario. Similarly, professional photographers demanding archival-quality prints with the widest possible color gamut might look towards more specialized, pro-grade photo printers.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer measures 46 cm wide by 38.3 cm deep, with a height of 19.1 cm. While not massive, it requires a dedicated space on a desk or sturdy shelf. Always measure your intended location before purchasing, accounting for clearance needed to open the scanner lid and access the paper trays.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is a multi-faceted metric. Consider print speed (15 ppm black, 10 ppm color for this model), which determines how quickly it handles large jobs. Paper capacity is also key; the 125-sheet main tray is suitable for typical home use but might feel limited in a busy office. Finally, photo printing is a standout feature, with a dedicated photo tray and high 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution promising vibrant results.
- Build Quality & Durability: The printer is constructed primarily of plastic, which is standard for consumer-grade electronics. The white finish gives it a clean, modern look that fits well in a home office. However, our testing and user feedback revealed some potential durability concerns, such as a loose-fitting power cord and mechanical noises that suggest some internal components may be less robust than desired.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Modern printers live and die by their software. The HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer relies heavily on the HP Smart app for setup and operation. While this offers great mobile convenience, it also creates a dependency. Long-term maintenance revolves around ink replacement, and this model is designed to work with the HP Instant Ink subscription service, a factor that heavily influences its long-term cost and usability.
Ultimately, choosing the right printer means balancing initial cost with long-term running expenses, performance needs, and the ecosystem you’re buying into. The HP Envy Inspire 7255e is a compelling package, but it’s essential to understand its unique model before you check the latest price and availability.
While the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One 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: A Sleek Design with a Contentious Heart
Unboxing the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer revealed a device that looks every bit the part of a modern home office appliance. Its clean, white chassis is a welcome departure from the drab black boxes that have dominated the market for years. It feels substantial without being overly heavy, and its footprint is reasonable for an all-in-one machine. Setup is driven almost entirely by the HP Smart app, which you’re prompted to download on your phone or computer. The app guides you through connecting the printer to your Wi-Fi network, inserting the two initial ink cartridges (one black, one tri-color), and aligning the print heads.
Initially, this process felt seamless and futuristic. We were printing test pages from our phones via Apple AirPrint within minutes, just as some satisfied users reported. The color touchscreen on the device itself is responsive and easy to navigate. However, the setup process is also where you are heavily encouraged—almost required—to sign up for HP+ and the accompanying Instant Ink trial. This is the central nervous system of the printer’s modern features, but as we would soon discover, it’s also the source of its most significant controversies. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to understand this integration better.
What We Like
- Excellent all-in-one functionality (print, scan, copy)
- Dedicated photo paper tray for easy switching between media types
- Seamless mobile printing via HP Smart app and Apple AirPrint
- Automatic two-sided (duplex) printing saves paper
- Sleek, modern design fits well in a home environment
What We Didn’t Like
- Heavy reliance on the controversial HP+ and Instant Ink subscription
- Prone to mechanical issues like phantom paper jams and loud noises
- Inconsistent photo print quality with reports of lines and color inaccuracies
- Extremely high ink consumption with small, expensive cartridges
Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the HP Envy Inspire 7255e
A printer’s value isn’t just in its spec sheet, but in how it performs day-to-day. We put the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer through a gauntlet of tests, from printing multi-page text documents and scanning old photos to producing glossy, borderless prints. The results were a study in contrasts, revealing a machine with moments of brilliance overshadowed by frustrating inconsistencies and a deeply flawed ecosystem.
Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences
HP has clearly invested heavily in the app-based setup experience, and for many, it works beautifully. During our initial setup, the HP Smart app was intuitive. It found the printer on our network instantly, guided us through loading paper and ink, and had us printing a perfect alignment page in under 15 minutes. The convenience of being able to scan a document with the printer and have it appear on your phone, or send a print job from another room, cannot be overstated. We found this wireless functionality to be reliable on a stable network. This positive experience is confirmed by several users, including one who noted an elderly relative in her 80s was able to set it up without issue.
However, this smooth sailing is not universal. We also simulated a network hiccup, and this is where cracks began to show. The printer can become frustratingly unresponsive, requiring a full restart to reconnect. We also encountered issues where the app would report the printer was “Out of Paper” when the tray was full, a problem echoed by multiple users who spent fruitless hours with unhelpful AI assistants and navigating convoluted phone support systems. Furthermore, some users report persistent driver issues, causing print jobs to stop halfway through and then restart, wasting precious ink and paper. This Jekyll-and-Hyde connectivity means that while the printer is capable of being incredibly user-friendly, it can also become a source of significant frustration when things don’t go perfectly.
Print Quality: The Document Workhorse vs. The Temperamental Photo Artist
When it comes to standard office documents, the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer performs admirably. Black text is sharp and clear, even in smaller fonts, with print speeds of up to 15 pages per minute keeping pace with home office demands. The automatic duplexing feature is a fantastic paper-saver and worked flawlessly in our tests, seamlessly printing on both sides of a page without any manual intervention. For printing reports, recipes, schoolwork, or shipping labels, this printer is a reliable performer.
Photo printing, however, is a different story. This model is heavily marketed as a photo printer, complete with a separate 15-sheet photo tray and the promise of “true-to-phone” quality. When it works, the results are impressive for a printer at this price point. We managed to produce some vibrant, detailed 4×6 and 5×7 borderless prints that looked great. The dedicated tray is a genuine convenience, eliminating the need to swap out plain paper for photo paper for a quick print.
Unfortunately, consistency is a major problem. We, like many other users, experienced disappointing results far too often. Some photos came out with fine horizontal lines running through them. On other prints, colors were wildly inaccurate—we printed a photo of a lush green landscape that came out with almost no green tones at all. One user noted lines appearing in the wings of a butterfly print, ruining the final product. These issues, combined with reports of the printer stalling mid-print and refusing to eject the photo paper, make it difficult to recommend the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer solely for its photo capabilities. It feels more like a document printer with a hit-or-miss photo feature rather than a true photo hybrid.
The Elephant in the Room: HP+ and the Instant Ink Ecosystem
It is impossible to review the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer without a deep dive into the HP+ and Instant Ink program, as the printer’s very functionality is tied to it. When you activate HP+, you get an extra year of warranty and a trial of Instant Ink. The service is a subscription where you pay a monthly fee based on the number of pages you print, and HP automatically mails you new cartridges before you run out. On the surface, it sounds convenient.
The reality, however, is fraught with issues that we and many users find deeply concerning. Firstly, ink consumption is astonishingly high. The included “starter” cartridges last for a pittance. We, like one user, found ourselves out of cyan ink after printing just over 60 pages, most of which were simple spreadsheets. This pushes you onto the subscription plan almost immediately. Secondly, the printer’s firmware is designed to block non-HP cartridges. This forces you to buy HP’s expensive HP 64 ink or use their subscription, removing consumer choice.
But the most egregious issue, reported by numerous outraged users, is what happens when you cancel your Instant Ink subscription. The printer can be remotely disabled from using the Instant Ink cartridges you currently have, even if you have paid for them. Users report their printer effectively being held “hostage” until they re-subscribe. This practice turns a piece of hardware you purchased into a service you must continuously pay for to use. This business model is a critical factor to weigh. For those who print infrequently and unpredictably, this system can feel like a trap, transforming a versatile tool into a source of recurring fees and frustration.
Hardware Quirks and Longevity Concerns
Beyond the software and ecosystem, the physical hardware of the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer presents its own set of challenges. The most immediate and bizarre issue we encountered was the power cord. As noted by several users, the cord fits very loosely into the port on the back of the printer. A slight nudge can cause it to fall out, cutting power mid-operation. We had to secure ours with tape to maintain a reliable connection—a shocking design flaw in a modern electronic device.
During operation, the printer is also surprisingly noisy and unstable. When printing, it makes loud “clunk, clunk, clunk” noises and vibrates enough to shake the entire stand it’s on. Several users have reported grinding and clacking noises, particularly when the machine claims a “photo tray is blocked” or another phantom error. These mechanical issues do not inspire confidence in the printer’s long-term durability. Reports of the printer breaking down within months of light use due to persistent, unfixable errors are common. This suggests that while the printer may look sleek on the outside, its internal mechanics may not be built to last.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly reflected in the broader user feedback, which paints a picture of a deeply polarizing product. On one hand, there are users who are thrilled with its performance. One happy customer, after struggling with a different brand, called the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer “excellent,” praising its value, dual-paper functionality, duplex printing, and easy AirPrint setup. Another has been using it since 2022 with “no issues,” appreciating its speed and wireless convenience.
However, the negative feedback is overwhelming and centers on a few key themes. The most vehement complaints are directed at the Instant Ink program, with one user stating, “HP SHUTS OFF YOUR PRINTER WHEN YOU CANCEL INSTA INK… I’ll never buy another HP product! Never.” This sentiment of being trapped in a subscription is echoed repeatedly. Other significant issues include constant error messages for phantom paper jams, abysmal ink efficiency (“replaced the cartridges 3 times” in a month), and poor build quality, highlighted by the loose power cord. One user summed up the frustration perfectly, calling the printer a “diva” that “takes forever to print” and is plagued by “error after error for no reason.” This feedback underscores that while the printer can work well under ideal conditions, it appears to have a high failure rate and a business model that alienates many of its customers.
How Does the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer Compare to Alternatives?
For those wary of the HP ecosystem or seeking different features, the market offers several strong alternatives. Each caters to a slightly different user, focusing on areas where the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer may fall short, particularly regarding long-term running costs and photo quality.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Photo Printer Wireless All-in-One
- Package dimensions: 101 h x 173 l x 207 w (in inches)
- Great quality product
The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 is aimed squarely at serious photo enthusiasts and high-volume printers who are tired of expensive cartridges. Its “Supertank” system uses large, refillable ink tanks that can save you up to 80% on ink costs compared to traditional cartridges. It utilizes a six-color ink system, including gray and photo black, for superior photo quality, far exceeding what the HP Envy can consistently produce. While its upfront cost is significantly higher, the long-term savings on ink are immense. If your primary goal is printing stunning photos and you’re willing to make a larger initial investment to escape the cartridge-based model, the ET-8500 is a vastly superior choice.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
- Innovative cartridge-free printing high-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; epsons exclusive ecofit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Dramatic savings on replacement ink save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs ink cartridges (1) thats enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (2), equivalent to about 90 individual...
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 offers a more budget-friendly entry into the world of cartridge-free printing. Like its more expensive sibling, it uses refillable ink tanks, providing an incredible value proposition for families and home offices. It includes up to two years of ink in the box, which is a game-changer for cost-conscious buyers. While its four-color system doesn’t quite match the photographic prowess of the ET-8500, it still delivers excellent quality for documents and everyday photos. For users whose main frustration with the HP Envy is the relentless cost and waste of ink cartridges, the ET-2850 presents a compelling, economical alternative that still provides all-in-one functionality and automatic duplexing.
3. Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Portable Printer
- 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
If your primary need is portability, the Canon PIXMA TR150 is in a class of its own. This printer is designed for professionals, students, or anyone who needs to print on the go. It’s incredibly compact and lightweight, and the optional battery pack means you can print from anywhere without being tethered to a wall outlet. It sacrifices the scan and copy functions of an all-in-one like the HP Envy, focusing purely on high-quality printing. While it uses cartridges, its purpose is entirely different. This is the perfect choice for someone who values mobility above all else and needs a reliable printer for business trips, client sites, or even a dorm room where space is at a premium.
Our Final Verdict: A Printer with a Perilous Pact
The HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer is a device with a split personality. On paper, and during its best moments, it’s a sleek, modern, and capable all-in-one for the active family or home office. It produces sharp text, offers the convenience of duplex and photo trays, and boasts seamless mobile printing. When it works, it fulfills its promise. However, this potential is severely undermined by a trifecta of problems: inconsistent performance (especially for photos), questionable hardware durability, and an aggressive, restrictive subscription ecosystem that can feel predatory.
We can only recommend this printer to users who understand and are willing to fully commit to the HP+ and Instant Ink program. If you print a consistent number of pages each month and value the convenience of automatic ink delivery above all else, it might be a good fit. For everyone else—especially those who print sporadically, value consumer choice, or demand reliable photo quality—the risks and frustrations likely outweigh the benefits. There are better, more transparent options on the market that don’t hold your hardware hostage. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided this model’s convenience factor is right for you, you can find the best deal on the HP Envy Inspire 7255e All-in-One Printer here.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API