The HP DeskJet 2810e is a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, it impresses with a very affordable price and compact design, but its print quality and overall performance relegate it to just home use and its overall operating costs make it a little more expensive in the long run than most competitors. Also, keep in mind that this printer cannot print duplex documents.
However, this budget device is more of a home office printer, so we don’t expect it to compete with the best photo printers out there. The 2810e can get through monthly duty cycles of up to 1,000 pages, according to HP, though its recommended page volume is 50 to 100.
The minimal feature set and slow speed limit it to light use, but it should do well in its intended role.
Design and Features
The HP DeskJet 2810e measures a compact 6.7 x 11.97 x 6.06 inches, which is on the smaller side of desktop printers. You should have no trouble fitting this small printer on your home desk alongside your home computer. It weighs 3.42 kg too, meaning it’s light enough to be moved around the house if needed, but it’s slightly heavier than some other compact printers we’ve reviewed, like the HP Deskjet 3755 (4.13 pounds).
However, when you compare this printer with most normal-sized printers that weigh in at anywhere from 12-to-18 kgs, the HP DeskJet 2810e becomes a featherweight by a huge margin. So, if you need a printer for the small home office, one that you can move between rooms a lot, maybe you’re sharing it between several students in a dorm, then this is easily a great choice.
The HP DeskJet 2810e’s input tray can hold up to 60 pages at a time, and it also comes with a fold-out tray that can hold up to 25 printed pages, a smaller holding capacity compared to the HP Envy 6020e (100 sheets, 25 printed). This is handy, especially when you need to print off a long report or essay in one go. Just remember it can’t automatically print double-sided sheets, so you will have to manually flip over each page once you’re prompted to continue the print job.
There’s a small LCD screen next to the usual physical buttons, so small that you can’t see it while seated, and there’s no way to tilt it to make it more visible. Nevertheless, it has good viewing angles from the side and is easy to read when standing and looking directly down at it.
Performance and running costs
As ever with low-cost printers, the Deskjet isn’t the fastest printer around. The HP DeskJet 2810e struggles to print black-text documents and color prints. On the other hand, while it isn’t very fast at printing photos, the speeds are reasonable, especially at this price point. It can print double-sided sheets, but it lacks the duplex feature to automatically print on both sides. The printer will prompt you to flip over the sheet once the first side is printed.
Apart from printing, the HP DeskJet 2810e has a flatbed scanner with high resolution and good color depth – 1,200 dpi and 24-bit respectively, but the lid’s hinges can’t extend to scan thick items. You don’t get an automatic document feeder here, and it can’t automatically load double-sided scans. When scanning long, double-sided documents you’ll have to endure the entire process of laying individual documents on the flatbed.
The DeskJet 2810e can print, copy, and scan, and in addition to the ubiquitous USB connection, it supports HP Smart App, Wi-Fi networks, and Wi-Fi Direct. That latter option means you can print wireless from devices such as smartphones and tablets even if you don’t have a wireless router.
One thing you don’t get with this DeskJet is much ink: it ships with starter cartridges, so you’ll need to replace those after a few printing cycles. It has a disappointing cost-per-print. While the cartridges are relatively cheap, with the very low page yield (Black only printing – £0.12/print; color printing – £0.21/print; photo printing £0.57/print) you’ll have to replace the cartridges often.
This printer is an HP+-enabled printer with a six-month subscription to HP Instant, which sends you ink whenever your Deskjet detects that the cartridges are running low. The HP 67 cartridges cost around £10 and £12 for black and color, respectively.
Just keep in mind that even if you mostly print only in black, most inkjet printers continue using the color cartridge for servicing tasks, so you’ll need to replace it finally.
Should you buy the HP DeskJet 2810e?
The HP DeskJet 2810e All-in-One Printer is a typical AIO printer. Its pint size, bargain price, and compact design put it in a class of its own. It comes with a share of omissions that we cannot say are common among budget printers, including an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), auto-duplexer, touch screen, and a photo tray; all of which make it less appealing for the small office.
These omissions, along with an input tray that fits just 60 sheets, peg the 2810e for light-duty use. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re looking for a small, nice-looking, and inexpensive printer primarily for use in printing mobile photos and documents, it could be an ideal choice. However, for a little more, you can get the HP Envy 6020e which offers better value overall and has lower running costs.
Recommended Configuration
HP DeskJet 2810e All in One Printer | Perfect for Home | Colour | Wireless | Print, Scan & Copy | 3 Months of Instant Ink included Easy Setup & Reliable Wi-Fi | White
£51.80 in stock
8 used from £34.95
The Review
HP DeskJet 2810e
The HP DeskJet 2810e All-in-One Printer offers decent photo print at a temptingly low upfront price. However, it lacks an automatic duplex printing feature and its running costs can be high compared to other small home-office printers.
PROS
- Low purchase price
- Compact size
- Consistent performance
CONS
- Underwhelming print quality
- Basic print features
Review Breakdown
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ARS SCORE
