For all the vagabonds out there searching for a good HP Photosmart Printer, we have listed out a few decent options you can bet your hard-earned money on. This list is made with the average user in mind, so whether you are looking for a cheap photo printer from HP or a moderately priced but decent overall Photosmart printer, you are all covered.
In our initial testing, the 6520 turned out to be the best HP PHotosmart printer. However, there are other options like the HP C4580 and the HP Envy 6055 Wireless A-In-One Printer if you are looking for more affordable solutions. Read further to understand what best suits your needs.
We can get stuck when trying to choose a printer because there are so many to choose from. Ever thought of the days when it all started? Going back in history, released in 1984, the HP LaserJet is technically the first-ever laser printer put on mass-market sale. Before LaserJets, printing was only done in factories with big machines. They changed the way people print at home.
The 6 Best HP Photosmart Printers in 2023
HP is well-known in the printing business because it was the first company to get involved. With an enormous catalog, it has an answer to every need. Photo printing is no exception. The Photosmart printer is HP’s answer to the increasing demand for photo printing.
Read Our Other Printers' Unbiased Reviews: i. Best Sublimation Printer - ii. Best 11X17 Color Laser Printer - iii. Best Negative Scanner
Given the various options, choosing the right HP Photosmart Printer can be a tough task, even for someone with fair knowledge of printers. Fret not. We at Scanse have done the needful in testing and producing a detailed review of some of the best HP Photosmart Printers on the market. You are all covered, whether you are a budget enthusiast or a no-compromise fella.
#1. HP Photosmart 6520 – Best HP Photosmart Printer
Like any other electronic device, the HP Photosmart 6520 e-All-In-One Printer has also got downsides. As a matter of fact, it has gained a lot of negativity since its initial release. However, the printer isn’t as bad as it is portrayed. With strong wireless connectivity, cloud support, and an easy-to-use touch panel, the device is definitely a conqueror.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | Photosmart 6520 |
| Weight | 13.67 lbs |
| Product Dimensions | 17.32 x 21.73 x 6.3 inches |
| Printer Type | Thermal Inkjet |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed |
| Connectivity | Hi-speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802 b/g/n, SD card, Popular Cloud Print Services |
| Max Printing Speed | ISO Black: 12 ppmISO Color: 8.5 ppmMax Black: 22 ppmMax Color: 22 ppm |
| Maximum scanning resolution | 1200 dpi |
Unboxing and Package Contents of – HP Photosmart 6520
The device was shipped inside a fancy blue and black cardboard box with adequate protection on either side. Inside the box is the printer, a user’s manual, a setup guide, some paperwork about the warranty, four starter ink cartridges, a power cord, and a small pack of 4×6 photo paper.
Design Overview and Build Quality
The device comes well protected with masking tape along its edges. For the screen, we have a protector. There are also pieces of cardboard here and there to secure the printer from damage during transit.
As far as the initial impressions are concerned, the printer is on the heavier side, weighing about 13.6 lbs. The build quality seems pretty decent as a high quality and good grade plastic is used.
There is no significant difference between the Photosmart 6520 and the 6510, except for the addition of HP Wireless Direct. You also get to see a larger control panel with a screen size of 3.45 inches.
Scanner
To the top, we have a flatbed scanner with an optical resolution of up to 1200 dpi. Though the scanning quality is decent, there is no auto-document feeder functionality onboard. Besides this, it can get annoying if you have thicker media to scan.
Connectivity
The device comes with Wi-Fi with support for Wi-Fi Direct. There is no Ethernet connectivity onboard, which is a major missing for the price we pay. It can take SD cards to directly access print media. You can also choose to connect it to a computer using the available USB 2.0 interface.
Print Economy, Speeds, and Print Quality
When it comes to printing speeds, the device averaged about 12 ppm and 8.5 ppm for black and color, respectively. In terms of saving money, the device isn’t good for printing a lot of pages because it makes fewer copies.
On the output quality front, the device does a decent job of producing lab-quality photos with fairly accurate details and dynamic range. However, the device struggles a bit in terms of color replication. Nevertheless, the overall quality turned out to be fairly decent.
Verdict
The HP Photosmart 6520 e-All-In-One Printer is a pretty decent choice if you are looking for something similar on the market. It has got an impressive output quality to meet your photo printing requirements. However, since the maximum duty cycle is only 500 pages/month, it is not recommended for people with large print volumes. If you are a photo enthusiast, you will definitely find a way to do this.
#2. HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One Printer – The Best AIO Photosmart Printer
The HP Photosmart 5520 is certainly not the printer that you are looking for, especially if you plan on putting it through a lot of stress. It is designed for low-volume usage. If your printing requirement doesn’t go beyond 500 sheets a month, you cannot go wrong with choosing the HP Photosmart printer as your driver for all your photo printing chores.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | Photosmart 5520 |
| Weight | 11.12 lbs |
| Product Dimensions | 21.5 x 17.5 x 5.6 inches |
| Printer Type | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed |
| Connectivity | Hi-speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802 b/g/n, SD card, Popular Cloud Print Services |
| Max Printing Speed | Up to 11 ppm black, 8 ppm color |
| Number of Cartridges | 4 (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) |
Unboxing and Package Contents of – HP Photosmart 5520 Printer
The package looks similar to that of the HP Photosmart 6520, with the iconic blue and black-themed box. Opening the box, we find the printer, power cord, starter cartridge pack, a CD containing utility software, some paperwork, and a starter photo paper kit.
Design Overview and Build Quality
The design is pretty similar to that of the 6520. However, it is not as heavy as it seems in terms of weight. The 5520 weighs about 11.12 lbs, while its successor, the 6520, weighs about 13.67 lbs.
I’m impressed by how well HP packages its products and how they make sure they are safe. At the top, we have a flatbed scanner with a maximum scan area of 8.5 x 11 inches. The device can export scanned documents into JPEG, TIFF, PDF, BMP, and PNG.
Speaking of the build quality, the device feels extremely sturdy and durable, at least based on my initial observations. The paper trays, however, feel a bit on the flimsier side. Furthermore, the scanner lid isn’t telescopic enough to accommodate thicker materials.
Scanner
The scanning quality on the HP Photosmart 5520 is pretty impressive. However, as discussed earlier, you cannot scan thick documents or books, for that matter. The maximum scannable document size is 8.5 x 11 inches.
HP made use of a contact image sensor (CIS) for performing scans. It has a 24-bit depth and has a hardware resolution of up to 1200 x 2400 dpi. The copying speeds are pretty impressive, with over 23 cpm for both color and black and white.
Connectivity
Speaking of the connectivity on the HP Photosmart 5520, it has a USB 2.0 port, SD Card support, and Wi-Fi connectivity that only supports 2.4 GHz bandwidth. The biggest problems with connectivity are the lack of an Ethernet port and the fact that PictBridge doesn’t work out of the box.
Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
The scanner on this HP Photosmart Printer gets your job done with adequate details thanks to its color depth and hardware resolution. When it comes to printing quality, it does well. It is struggling a bit in darker areas and areas where it needs to produce true blacks. There is a bit of banding here and there. Other than that, this can make a good home printer for those who are looking to produce impressive graphics.
Verdict
The HP Photosmart 5520 is one of the finest inkjet printers on the market with relatively inexpensive ink costs. Setting the device up and running is a cakewalk thanks to the onboard touchscreen control panel.
Speaking of the print quality, there is a bit of a compromise, especially with the darker areas of your print. The darker areas tend to produce false tones, resulting in a greyish tint. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be a bigger concern if you plan to use the printer to print at home.
#3. HP Photosmart C4580 – The Midrange Offering from HP
The most versatile option from our list, with impressive photo printing capabilities. Be it a home or an office, the HP Photosmart C4580 could be an ideal choice.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | Photosmart C4580 |
| Weight | 11.16 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 6.38 x 17.09 x 11.42 inches |
| Printer Type | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed |
| Connectivity | Hi-speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, SD card, Popular Cloud Print Services |
| Max Printing Speed | Up to 30 ppm black, 23 ppm color |
| Number of Cartridges | 2 (Black and tricolor) |
Unboxing and Package Contents of – HP Photosmart C4580
The HP Photosmart C4580 All-in-One Printer came in a black cardboard box that was packed well and gave it enough protection. It comes with a power cord, an adapter, two starter cartridges (HP 74 Black Cartridge and HP 75 Tricolor Cartridge), a setup guide, a software CD, and some paperwork.
Design Overview and Build Quality
The design aesthetics of the C4580 are pretty impressive. Contrary to the boring black and gray tones of modern-day printers, the HP Photosmart C4580 comes in a glossy white finish. At the front, we have a 1.5-inch LCD surrounded by a bunch of buttons to help you navigate through its functions.
Scanner
The HP Photosmart C4580 comes equipped with a flatbed scanner with a scan area of 8.5 x 11.7 inches. It is shipped with an integrated OCR software that can help automatically convert scanned documents into editable text.
Connectivity
As far as connectivity is concerned, the device can be connected to a computer using a USB cable. It also comes with Wi-Fi support to let you connect to your network wirelessly and receive print jobs from other devices. Besides this, you also get to see a 4-in-1 memory card reader that lets you connect an SD card and accept prints directly from it.
Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
Printing speeds aren’t great, but they aren’t pathetic either. In our testing, the printer could output about 3 and a half pages in one minute. When it is put through photo printing, a 4 x 6 photo print takes approximately a minute and a half.
Initially, I was very skeptical about its photo printing quality, given that there isn’t a photo-ink cartridge. However, to my surprise, the photo output turned out to be good, with adequate details and natural colors.
Verdict
The HP Photosmart C4580 has impressive specs altogether and is offered at competitive pricing. It is ideal for casual photo printing. This HP Photosmart printer comes bundled with a software tool that enables OCR functionality. The OCR functionality lets you scan a document and convert it into an editable text document. Besides this, you also get to see photo editing software bundled with the printer. All in all, the HP Photosmart C4580 is a great deal for your money.
#4. HP Envy 6055 Wireless A-In-One Printer – Most Affordable Pick
If you are on a budget and are looking for a decent photo printer, the HP Envy 6055 is by far the best choice you can make. It is one of the best printers under 200 that you can afford today.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | ENVY 6055 |
| Weight | 11.51 lb |
| Product Dimensions | 17.02 x 14.21 x 5.2 in |
| Printer type | InkJet |
| Connectivity | 1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0; 1 Wi-Fi 802.11ac (dual-band) |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed |
| Maximum Print Resolution | Up to 4800 x 1200 |
| Supported Paper Sizes | Simplex:3×5 to 8.5×11.7; Duplex:3 x 5.5 to 8.5 x 11.7 |
Unboxing and Package Contents
After taking out tens of HP printers from their boxes, I fell in love with how carefully the company packs their products. The HP Envy 6055 AIO arrived in a padded cardboard box with a blue and white theme. You get to see the image of the printer and its specifications printed on the box.
Furthermore, opening the box, we have a power cord, the printer, a user’s manual, and the HP black and tricolor ink cartridges, along with some paperwork. However, there is no sign of a data cable, which has to be purchased separately if you wish to have your device connected to a computer.
Design Overview and Build Quality
The device boasts a sleek, all-plasticky design with a white and gray body. Given its footprint, this HP Photosmart printer should be an ideal fit for most work setups with less shelf space.
Scanner
To the top, we have a flatbed scanner that can scan documents up to 8.5 x 11.7 inches. The scanning quality is pretty adequate for documents and casual photos. This device does not have an automatic document feeder, which makes sense since it is a flatbed scanner.
Connectivity
Most modern-day printers lack Ethernet functionality onboard, and the HP Envy 6055 AIO printer is no exception. You do, however, get to see an onboard wireless network card supporting dual bands. If you are looking for a traditional USB port, it is there. But the package doesn’t come with a USB cable. You’ll have to buy that separately.
Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
The paper handling capabilities of the HP Envy 6055 are decent, with a 100-sheet input tray capacity and that of the output tray being 25. In terms of photo printing quality, the device does fairly well, despite a bit of banding in the grayscale area.
The printer offers moderate printing speeds. When it comes to the duty cycle, the device comes with a monthly duty cycle of 1000 pages.
Verdict
If you are in the market for a great HP Photosmart Printer under $200, look no further than the HP Envy 6055. It is by far the best all-in-one printer that has everything that you’d typically need today. From offering decent color accuracy to printing at acceptable speeds, the device has everything to make a good budget photosmart printer.
#5. HP Envy Inspire Photo 7955e – Printer With HP Instant Ink
The HP Envy Photo 7955e is yet another budget-friendly innovation from the brand that outperforms the most expensive printers from its competitors. Unlike most budget HP Photosmart printers, the 7955e comes with a 2.7″ Color Capacitive Touchscreen display that makes it more friendly and intuitive to use.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | Envy Photo 7955e |
| Weight | 17.90 lbs |
| Product Dimensions | 18.11 x 20.5 x 9.17 in |
| Printer Type | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed, ADF |
| Connectivity | Hi-speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4/5Ghz, Bluetooth (for setting up only) |
| Max Printing Speed | Up to 10 ppm |
| Number of Cartridges | 2 (Black and tricolor) |
Unboxing and Package Contents
Like any other HP printer, the HP Envy Photo 7955e also came neatly packed inside a printed cardboard box. We have the branding and features printed on the top. I was greeted by a well-put setup guide, a flyer demonstrating the available instant ink subscription plans, and a reference guide.
A power cord, two HP instant ink ready cartridges, and the printer unit are also included.
Design Overview and Build Quality
At first glance, the device appeared extremely sturdy with a well-designed body. The 7955e is completely re-engineered compared to its successor, the Envy Photo 7855. Speaking of the differences, the major one has to do with their designs. The 7855 has a curvy design overall, while the 7955e has an all-flat design.
Scanner
The device comes with a flatbed scanner that can scan documents up to 8.5 x 11.7 inches. Surprisingly, the device also has an automatic document feeder (ADF) that can print pages up to 8.5 x 14 inches. The ADF functionality is limited to 35 sheets, which is a decent figure for those who stick to scanning a bunch of documents at one go.
Connectivity
This printer lacks an Ethernet port. The HP Envy Photo 7855 is a winner when it comes to connectivity, with support for Ethernet. However, if you choose to connect to your printer wirelessly, the device has support for dual-band Wi-Fi. It also has a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection, which is only limited to the setup process. If you are looking to print directly from an SD card, you will have hard luck doing that with the 7955e.
Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
The printer is capable of auto-duplexing out of the box. As per what HP claims, the HP Envy Inspire 7955e averages about 15 ppm for monochrome and 10 ppm for color. The practical speed in our testing came out very close to what the company claims.
Be it for photos, flyers, or business documents, the HP Envy Inspire 7955e does an impressive job. Despite having a 2-cartridge system, the device managed to do pretty nicely. The text quality is impressive, with adequate sharpness, even with smaller fonts. On the photo printing, I must say, the device impressed me so much considering the price I put on the device.
Verdict
The HP Envy Inspire 7955e All-in-One printer is one of its kind, with pretty impressive overall performance. It ships with a 6-month free ink instant ink plan. The device has everything you need to keep you safe at home or at the office in its bag. The 2.7” color touch screen display is flawless, with everything being very snappy.
#6. HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One – The Portable Printer from HP
The HP OfficeJet 250 AIO isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It is designed for those who like to have their printer carried with them on their business trips. Not just the printer, you are essentially carrying the entire All-in-One solution with you.
| Brand | HP |
| Model | Officejet 250 |
| Weight | 6.51 lb (6.73 lb with Battery) |
| Product Dimensions | 14.96 x 7.8 x 3.6 in |
| Printer Type | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Scanner Type | Sheet-feed |
| Connectivity | 1 USB 2.0 device; 1 USB 2.0 host; 1 wireless; 1 Wi-Fi direct |
| Max Printing Speed | On AC: up to 10 ppm; On Battery: up to 9 ppm |
| Number of Cartridges | 1 (Black), 1 tricolor (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) |
Unboxing and Package Contents
The device shipped inside a sleek cardboard box with the HP branding on top. Inside the box is a packet with the setup instructions and warranty information, as well as a CD-ROM with drivers and utility software.
Moving further, you get to see two ink cartridges to the side. Below that, you get to see a battery pack that goes into your printer. At the bottom, we have a power cord and the obvious printer unit.
Design Overview and Build Quality
The device has an okay build quality, with a flimsy scanner top and a glossy outer body that easily attracts fingerprint smudges. You do not get to see any trays specifically for collecting the print outputs.
One feature that drew my attention was its 2.6-inch touchscreen display. The touch responsiveness of the display is pretty decent, with everything being extremely snappy. However, the viewing angles on the display aren’t great.
Scanner
Speaking of the scanner on the HP OfficeJet 250 portable Photosmart Printer, it comes with a sheetfed scanner. It shares support for auto document feeder functionality, limited to 10 pages. As far as the scanning speed goes, the device is capable of outputting 4 pages per minute. Unfortunately, the device doesn’t support duplex scanning.
Connectivity
On the connectivity front, the device shares support for most cloud printing services, including Mopria Print Service and Apple AirPrint. There is a USB port if you wish to connect your printer to a computer. Also, there is another USB port that supports external storage media and prints directly from them. When it comes to wireless networking, the device has Wi-Fi connectivity with support for Wi-Fi Direct.
Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
Speaking of the photo printing quality, the device does surprisingly well. However, there is a slight blueish tint in the darker areas of the photo, which is unnoticeable. If your photos require you to keep reproducing actual colors, the HP Officejet 250 might not be an ideal deal for you as it struggles to reproduce colors.
The printing speeds on this device are pathetic, with 3 ppm for black-only text documents and 6 in the case of color documents. It has a fairly decent scanning quality.
Verdict
The HP Officejet 250 AIO portable photo printer is one of its kind that comes with a battery pack to keep your work going during travel or when there is no power socket in reach. It has pretty impressive battery life. You can print many pages before you need to recharge your device. The photo printing quality is also decent. However, the print speeds are terrible. If you are someone, who needs to print a lot on the go, the Officejet 250 could be your go-to option.
Best HP Photosmart Printer Buying Guide 2023
Be it for home or home-office, the following are some considerations that you must look into while wanting to buy a good photosmart printer.
Budget
Deciding on your budget comes before anything else when considering buying something. Remember that you can always find the best price.
Photo Printing Capability
It is important to check if your printer is able to print your desired photo size. Most budget printers can print up to 8.5″ x 11″.
Connectivity
Connectivity is yet another significant factor to consider. Understand how you want to connect to your printer and share print jobs. Most HP photosmart printers offer both USB and wireless connectivity options.
Multi-functionality
It is very essential that you have a scanner handy. This can save a lot of time and energy every single time you fall in need to quickly scan something. Most HP Photosmart Printers come with a scanner built-in.
Size of the Printer
This is overlooked by most people. The size of your printer does matter, especially when you have tighter workspaces. It is important that you choose your printer accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are photosmart printers?
The HP Photosmart Printers are inkjet printers specifically designed for printing high-quality photos. They tend to have a lower duty cycle compared to officejets and are not recommended for large print volumes.
How much does an HP Photosmart printer cost?
You can find a decent HP Photosmart printer for as cheap as $200.
Is HP Photosmart an Inkjet Printer?
The HP Photosmart printers are built on inkjet technology.
How do I connect my HP printer to my computer?
Almost all HP printers come with a USB port that lets you directly connect them to a computer. While some of them will have either an Ethernet or Wi-Fi or both of them.
Is HP Photosmart 5520 a laser printer?
No, the HP Photosmart 5520 is a thermal inkjet printer.
How to connect HP Photosmart printer to wifi?
Connecting an HP Photosmart Printer to a wifi network can be done in many ways. The easiest is to use the Wifi Protected Setup (WPS) option that lets you directly connect to a router without having to manually enter the password. You can also connect to a network by using the onboard controls to find the network option.
Table Of Contents
- 1 The 6 Best HP Photosmart Printers in 2023
- 2 #1. HP Photosmart 6520 – Best HP Photosmart Printer
- 3 Unboxing and Package Contents of – HP Photosmart 6520
- 4 Design Overview and Build Quality
- 5 Scanner
- 6 Connectivity
- 7 Print Economy, Speeds, and Print Quality
- 8 Verdict
- 9 #2. HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One Printer – The Best AIO Photosmart Printer
- 10 Unboxing and Package Contents of – HP Photosmart 5520 Printer
- 11 Design Overview and Build Quality
- 12 Scanner
- 13 Connectivity
- 14 Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
- 15 Verdict
- 16 #3. HP Photosmart C4580 – The Midrange Offering from HP
- 17 Unboxing and Package Contents of – HP Photosmart C4580
- 18 Design Overview and Build Quality
- 19 Scanner
- 20 Connectivity
- 21 Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
- 22 Verdict
- 23 #4. HP Envy 6055 Wireless A-In-One Printer – Most Affordable Pick
- 24 Unboxing and Package Contents
- 25 Design Overview and Build Quality
- 26 Scanner
- 27 Connectivity
- 28 Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
- 29 Verdict
- 30 #5. HP Envy Inspire Photo 7955e – Printer With HP Instant Ink
- 31 Unboxing and Package Contents
- 32 Design Overview and Build Quality
- 33 Scanner
- 34 Connectivity
- 35 Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
- 36 Verdict
- 37 #6. HP OfficeJet 250 All-in-One – The Portable Printer from HP
- 38 Unboxing and Package Contents
- 39 Design Overview and Build Quality
- 40 Scanner
- 41 Connectivity
- 42 Print Quality, Scanning Quality, and Speeds
- 43 Verdict
- 44 Best HP Photosmart Printer Buying Guide 2023
- 45 Budget
- 46 Photo Printing Capability
- 47 Connectivity
- 48 Multi-functionality
- 49 Size of the Printer
- 50 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)