HP ENVY Photo 7855 review All-in-One printer for stunning wireless photo printing

Description

Pros of the HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Printer

Testing this all-in-one printer, I quickly found several key benefits that stood out. This device is truly designed for convenience and versatility, making it a great fit for home offices or photo enthusiasts. The dedicated photo tray feels like a small but mighty feature—effortlessly switching between plain paper and glossy photo paper without constantly swapping trays is a game-changer. And let’s talk about the borderless printing. I mean, who doesn’t love those crisp, edge-to-edge photos that look professionally printed?

The HP Smart app integration is another standout. I could print directly from my phone, whether it was a document on Google Drive or a photo from Instagram. Pairing the printer with the app was surprisingly straightforward, and I appreciated being able to scan documents with my phone camera. The voice control compatibility with Alexa was an unexpected perk that added convenience to my daily workflow.

• Borderless photo printing delivers stunning, professional-grade results.
• HP Smart app makes remote printing and scanning incredibly easy.
• Dedicated photo tray simplifies the process of printing photos and documents.

Limitations of the Printer

While I genuinely enjoyed using the printer, a few caveats came to light during testing. For starters, the HP Instant Ink subscription—though cost-effective for photo printing—might not appeal to everyone. You need to commit to a subscription to fully capitalize on the low per-photo cost. Another issue is the paper tray capacity. If you print in bulk, the 125-sheet input tray might feel a bit underwhelming, requiring more frequent refills.

Additionally, I noticed that the print speed for black-and-white documents is decent but not the fastest, especially compared to some laser printers in the market. It’s not a dealbreaker for casual use, but it’s worth mentioning for those with high-volume printing needs.

• The HP Instant Ink subscription might not suit users who prefer pay-as-you-go models.
• Paper tray capacity feels limited for heavy-duty printing.
• Print speed for standard documents could be improved.

Design and Build Quality

From the moment I unboxed it, the sleek and compact design of this printer caught my eye. It manages to fit a lot of functionality into a relatively small footprint, which is ideal for cluttered desks or tight office spaces. The 7.6″ x 17.87″ x 19.33″ dimensions make it easy to place in a corner without feeling bulky. Plus, the touchscreen control panel is intuitive and responsive, making navigation through various settings a breeze.

One thing to note is the weight of approximately 16.72 pounds, which makes it heavier than some other models out there. It’s not something you’ll be moving around frequently, but once it’s set up, it’s rock solid.

Performance and Features

The performance of this printer impressed me in various ways. With a maximum color print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, the photos I printed were nothing short of vibrant and true-to-life. The dual-sided printing worked seamlessly, saving paper and adding a touch of professionalism to my reports. I also tested the fax functionality, which still exists for those who need it, and it delivered crisp results.

The flatbed scanner and sheet-fed scanner options made digitizing documents hassle-free. I scanned both single pages and multiple-page documents, and I was pleased with the clarity and speed. Lastly, the USB and SD card slots provided added flexibility for direct printing, which I surprisingly found myself using more than expected.

Product Rivals

In comparing this model to others, I thought immediately of Epson and Canon’s photo printers. The Epson EcoTank series, for instance, offers refillable ink tanks that can be more cost-efficient over time. However, those models often lack the dedicated photo tray or the same ease of app integration as this HP model.

Canon’s PIXMA series rivals this printer in terms of photo quality but falls short on features like automatic duplex printing and voice control compatibility. While both competitors have their strengths, the HP ENVY Photo 7855 strikes a balance between cost, features, and ease of use.

Value for Money

When it comes to price performance, this printer delivers solid value for its feature set. The HP Instant Ink subscription, while not for everyone, does offer a significant cost-saving for photo printing enthusiasts. The inclusion of features like borderless printing, a dedicated photo tray, and wireless printing feels like a step above what you might expect in this price range.

For those who don’t print photos often, there might be cheaper options with fewer features. But if you’re like me and appreciate having a one-stop solution for printing, scanning, copying, and even faxing, this device feels like a worthwhile investment.

Who Should Buy This?

This printer feels like it’s geared toward families, home office users, or anyone who loves printing photos. The photo-specific features make it stand out for people who want vibrant, quality prints, while the dual-sided document printing caters to more practical needs. It’s not the fastest or cheapest printer on the market, but it excels at being versatile and reliable.

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