HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is a home electronics brand that offers many computer-related products, including printers. The best HP printers provide great document and image quality in prints. They offer impressive page-per-minute (ppm) speeds while remaining cost-effective over time, thanks to Instant Ink subscriptions and refillable Smart Tank models.
Each HP printer series offers its own set of advantages and drawbacks tailored to different applications, with a range of price options available, ensuring you can choose the ideal HP printer for your needs.
With so many printers on the market, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, our team has reviewed over 200 HP printers and compiled a list of the best options for both home and office use.
So, let’s jump right in!
HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP 4302fdw Printer
- Laser
- Multifunction Laser Printer
- 38400 x 600 DPI Max. Resolution
- Wireless
- Blue Colour
- 1 Year Warranty
The MFP 4302fdw is a good device that is almost as smart and portable as colour laser MFPs. While it’s made from the usual off-white plastic, this is complemented by blue panels at the front of its two paper trays. This setup includes a 250-sheet enclosed cassette at the base and a 50-sheet multipurpose tray that folds forward.
At the top, there is a 50-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) that, like the printer itself, supports automatic duplex (double-sided) functionality. This multifunction printer (MFP) enables unattended duplex printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
You can directly control MFP 4302fdw with its smart-looking colour touchscreen, which can be mounted between its paper output tray and the scanner bed. The touchscreen is crisp and responds accurately to input, and it runs a typically excellent menu system that combines reasonable ease of use with in-depth user and administrative features.
The printer delivers sharp and vibrant colour output, making it suitable for professional presentations and marketing materials. Its automatic two-sided printing feature not only saves paper but also enhances productivity.
The large input capacity reduces the need for frequent paper refills while ample connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, along with mobile printing support through Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and the HP Smart app. The app allows for seamless setup, print job monitoring, and quick access to maintenance features. Under the hood, security features, such as PIN printing and encrypted data transfer, protect sensitive information.
Energy-efficient performance aligns with modern environmental standards, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious buyers.
HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e All-in-One Colour Printer
- Wireless
- White Colour
- 1 Year Warranty
- 537P6B#687
Designed with dual trays that can accommodate an entire ream of tabloid paper, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e wide-format multifunction printer is an excellent option for home users. It offers duplex colour printing on A3 paper and scanning and copying capabilities. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e has a user-friendly interface featuring a colour touchscreen display that makes navigation simple. The touchscreen is responsive and easy to operate, allowing you to adjust settings quickly or select specific functions. This HP inkjet printer delivers impressive speeds of up to 22 pages per minute (ppm). As with all HP printers, it includes self-healing dual-band Wi-Fi and a trial subscription to HP+, which provides discounted ink and additional functionality.
While it packs many performance features for professional use, its lightweight size makes it better suited for small business environments rather than home offices. But does it meet the needs of a workgroup setup? Yes, it does. HP OfficeJet Pro 9730e supports duplex printing functionality, enhancing productivity by enabling automatic two-sided printing and reducing paper usage and costs.
Moreover, HP Officejet t Pro 9730e is a multifunctional device that prints high-quality documents and scans, copies, and faxes. The scanning function is another thing to discuss, with a high-resolution scanner that captures fine details. Under the hood, automatic document feeder (ADF) simplifies tasks like scanning or copying multi-page documents. This 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) simplifies copying stacks of A4-sized papers.
HP Engage Thermal Receipt Printer
- Thermal printer
- Monochrome Printer Print Type
- 203 x 203 DPI Max. Resolution
- Serial (RS-232)
- Black Colour
- 1 Year Warranty
The HP Engage Thermal Receipt printer is ideal for retail settings requiring high-speed printing and long life expectancy. Thanks to the compact and portable form, the printer can integrate into point-of-sale systems, making it ideal for retail, hospitality, and service-oriented environments. In terms of performance, the Engage Thermal printer offers high-speed printing to ensure quick transactions and reduce customer wait times.
Built with durability in mind, the HP Engage Thermal Receipt is designed for high-volume usage, making it a reliable choice for users who handle frequent transactions. The printer’s robust construction and reliability reduce downtime, essential in busy office interfaces. The printer’s thermal printing technology eliminates the need for ink or toner operational costs and simplifies maintenance.
Compatibility is another notable strength of the HP Engage Thermal Receipt printer. It can be connected to a range of HP Engage systems and other devices. The connectivity ports, such as USB and Ethernet, provide versatile installation options. The easy-to-handle setup includes simple paper roll loading and easy troubleshooting, which helps staff operate even if they have no technical knowledge.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4102fdn Two-sided Printer
- Laser
- Laser Printer
- Wireless
- White Colour
- 1 Year Warranty
HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4102fdn two-sided printer offers swift and precise document output and built-in scanning, copying, and faxing features to handle all your needs. The best part? The HP printer setup and software are refreshingly straightforward. You can install the HP Smart app on your phone and navigate to the “Set up or add printer” wizard or directly boot it up from your printer’s touchscreen.
As for the design, this HP LaserJet printer features a 250-sheet input tray and a 100-sheet output tray, which can meet moderate printing needs. The optional additional paper trays can expand capacity for businesses with heavier workloads. Its automatic document feeder (ADF) simplifies handling multi-page documents. Print quality is sharp and professional, with consistent clarity in text and detailed grayscale images. The printer supports various media sizes, and toner cartridges are high-yield, reducing the frequency of replacements.
Moreover, the Operating costs are manageable, thanks to the availability of high-yield toner cartridges that reduce the frequency of replacements. However, remember that this model is limited to black-and-white printing, which might not suit businesses requiring colour output.
Printer Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Printer for You in 2024
Finding the best printer can be as unique as your personal or organisational needs. From portable devices to high-performance workhorses, the printer market offers many options. While the plenty of options might overwhelm you, focusing on key features will significantly impact your long-term satisfaction with your purchase.
This printer buying guide will help you navigate the printer buying process by focusing on the essential features:
What are the different printer needs?
Home Use: An HP home printer works as a central hub for families. Look for low-noise features to minimise distractions when printing big school projects, while multifunction features can help you tackle family photos, medical records, and travel documents.
Small to medium office use: If you own a small to medium-sized business, you should opt for administrative features like job queuing on your HP office printer. Go for Laser printer options for high speed and capacity, preventing bottlenecks. Choose models with large paper trays to minimise frequent refilling.
Enterprise use: For larger organisations, enterprise printers are designed to handle heavy-duty workloads and high demand. Features such as advanced security protocols, user authentication, and integration with cloud services are important. These printers often support extensive networking options, allowing seamless usage across departments. Additionally, enterprise printers offer enhanced scalability to grow alongside your business.
Top features to ensure when buying a new printer
Print speed
Typically measured in pages per minute, print speed is the key feature on all printers, and it varies from one type to another. Smaller models for low-volume routines may print 5 ppm in some settings, while enterprise models can generate 70 ppm or more in just about any format.
If you only print single-page documents occasionally, slower print speeds might not bother you, especially if it means opting for a more compact and affordable HP printer. However, professionals and business users should prioritise checking the printer’s pages-per-minute (ppm) rating. A higher ppm ensures quicker printing, allowing you to return to your tasks more efficiently.
Colour and B&W
Many printers have different printing speeds for colour vs. black-and-white prints. Commonly, printers take longer to print accurate, detailed renderings in colour. Instead of casual black text with unprinted white space, colour printers offer more complexity, particularly with images and photos. Colour printers are ideal for producing vibrant images, creative projects, or presentations. On the other hand, a monochrome printer is budget-friendly for text-heavy documents like invoices or essays.
Single or multifunctional?
A single-function printer provides print functionality with fewer benefits, including low checkout costs, slimmer measurements, and faster print speeds. On the other hand, a multifunctional printer (MFP) can print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax, making it a versatile choice for homes or offices. However, Single-function printers are often more compact and cost-effective, suitable for those who only need to print. Assess your daily requirements to determine the perfect type for you.
Inkjet, Laser or Smart Tank?
Inkjet Printers: Still the most common and familiar printer configuration, Inkjet printers are known for producing high-quality colour prints, especially for photos. They are best for occasional use or creative tasks.
Laser Printers: Initially launched by HP in 1984, HP LaserJet printers rely on static electricity and heated toner to create prints. While the upfront cost of a LaserJet printer may be higher than that of an inkjet printer, it can become a more affordable choice, especially for high-volume printing, as laser toner tends to be more economical than inkjet ink.
Smart Tank Printers: HP Smart Tank printers, either ink or tonner tanks, are back on the need for replacement, providing a much more efficient print routine in terms of materials and time. These printers deliver excellent long-term value for high-volume users.
Energy efficiency
Energy-efficient printers reduce power consumption and lower utility bills. Look for printers with certifications like Energy Star EPEATz and CECP certification, which guarantee eco-friendly and energy-saving performance. Features like automatic power-off and duplex printing also contribute to efficiency.
Conclusion
HP printers offer a versatile range of options for various printing needs, whether for home, small office, or enterprise environments. From the feature-rich HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP 4302fdw to the high-speed, durable HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4102fdn and the compact, efficient HP Engage Thermal Receipt Printer, there’s an HP printer for every requirement. Each model has advanced functionality, user-friendly interface, cost-effective performance, and more.
The question of “What printer should I get?” varies from person to person. With HP’s innovative designs and technology, you can expect excellent print quality on an HP LaserJet printer, robust security features, and seamless connectivity on an HP Inkjet printer. Whether you need vibrant colour prints, fast monochrome output, or versatile multifunctionality, HP’s lineup has something for you.
Start your printer search today at Laptop Outlet and a range of the best HP printer deals to find the perfect fit for your home/office.
