The HP DeskJet 2855e is an affordable, lightweight printer for use at home. It’s small and compact enough to fit anywhere at home; it’s a multifunction printer, meaning it can copy and scan, it features decent connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, USB, and support for AirPrint and Mopria for easy access across the household.
However, even with the low up-front cost, you’re missing out on crucial features. For instance, it lacks an automatic document feeder to process multi-page documents fast, and the scan quality isn’t great because the image processing removes fine details, and the print quality is just OK at best. Also, the long-term operational cost of using HP’s recommended inks is pretty high compared to its peers.
All said, the DeskJet 2855e is okay value for basic home printing needs and will be a good option if you use an alternative printer ink source and print infrequently. Additionally, it’s small and easy to set up and use, making it ideal for family use without the extra features of pricier printers.
Design & Features
The HP DeskJet 2855e measures a compact 6.7 x 11.97 x 6.06 inches, the same size as the HP DeskJet 2810e, 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 7.55 pounds, 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 2855e’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 2855e 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 2855e 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 2855e 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 – 8 cents/print; color printing – 12 cents/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 $17 and $18 for black and color, respectively. With an HP ink subscription plan, you can keep ink costs reasonably low.
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.
HP DeskJet 2855e Review | Verdict
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a small, affordable printer designed for family use. It’s a good budget choice – provided you can sign up for HP’s ink subscription and don’t print frequently.
The lack of an automatic document feeder and the inaccuracy of scans when using HP Smart is disappointing, but it’s a budget printer, so we expected a few flaws. The software is too limited for heavy users, but users with more basic needs will certainly enjoy the image quality of this value Deskjet.
That said, if you need better overall printing and scanning performance without breaking the bank, a little more money can get you the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820 – which, while more expensive than the DeskJet 2855e is much faster, has ADF, and its lifetime operational costs are much lower than the HP. The HP OfficeJet 8015e Wireless Color is yet another great alternative for around the same price, but it offers great text and image quality and also offers automatic duplex printing.
Recommended Configuration
HP DeskJet 2855e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-home, 3 months of ink included (588S5A)
1 used from $81.25
The Review
HP DeskJet 2855e
The HP DeskJet 2855e is a small, affordable, family-use printer that delivers good image quality and OK performance and is a good fit if you don’t mind basic features and are willing to sign up for an ink subscription.
PROS
- Low purchase price
- Compact size
- Low printing costs with ink subscription
CONS
- Ink costs are high without a subscription
- Manual duplex printing
Review Breakdown
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ARS SCORE
