There’s a familiar modern dilemma that sneaks up on you. One moment, you’re living a blissfully paperless life, and the next, you’re desperately trying to find a place to print a concert ticket, a shipping label, or that crucial signed document for work. I remember a frantic evening spent driving around town, searching for an open print shop, all for a single page. It was then I decided that the convenience of having a reliable printer at home was no longer a luxury but a necessity. The challenge, however, was finding a device that could handle everything: crisp black-and-white text for reports, occasional color copies, high-quality scans of old photos, and, importantly, the ability to print a decent family picture from my phone without a fuss. The promise of an “all-in-one” solution that doesn’t clutter the entire desk is the dream, and it’s this exact dream that leads many of us, myself included, to products like the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer.
- Machine_Functions - Scan
- Product_Type - Multifunction - Printer, Copier, Scanner
What to Consider Before Buying a Home All-in-One Printer
A home printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the digital and physical worlds. It’s for the student needing to print a last-minute essay, the remote worker managing documents, the crafter creating custom labels, or the family historian preserving memories. The main benefits are undeniable: immediate access to printing, scanning, and copying without leaving your house, saving time, money, and stress. It empowers you to handle tasks on your own schedule, from school projects to small business needs, turning your digital files into tangible, usable items at the push of a button.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a variety of printing needs but with limited space. This includes families, college students, and home-office professionals who need versatility without investing in separate machines for printing, scanning, and copying. However, it might not be suitable for those who require professional-grade, archival photo prints, as dedicated photo printers often deliver superior color accuracy and longevity. Similarly, if your sole need is printing thousands of monochrome text documents per month, a laser printer would be far more cost-effective in the long run. For those seeking true on-the-go printing, a smaller, battery-powered portable printer would be a better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: While marketed as compact, all-in-one printers still have a footprint. Measure your intended space carefully, accounting not just for the printer’s dimensions (14.4″D x 17.5″W x 5″H for this model) but also for clearance to open the scanner lid and extend the paper trays. A printer that’s too large for its space can become a constant source of annoyance.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond the advertised top speeds. The pages per minute (ppm) for black (10 ppm) and color (7 ppm) indicate its performance for standard documents. For photos or high-resolution prints, the speed will be significantly slower. Also, consider the paper tray capacity; the 100-sheet tray on this model is adequate for home use but might feel limiting in a busy home office.
- Connectivity & Software: In today’s world, wireless connectivity is non-negotiable. Assess the reliability of its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, and investigate the companion app (like HP Smart). Is it intuitive? Does it support printing from all your devices—laptops, tablets, and phones? Recurring software glitches or connectivity issues can render an otherwise great piece of hardware useless.
- Ink Cost & Subscription Models: This is perhaps the most critical long-term factor. The initial price of the printer is often just the entry fee. Research the cost of replacement ink cartridges (both standard and high-yield). Furthermore, many modern printers, including this one, heavily promote ink subscription services like HP Instant Ink. Understand the terms, costs, and potential restrictions of these programs before committing.
Keeping these factors in mind, the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer stands out in several areas, particularly its blend of features and initial affordability. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially those focused on photo printing, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- User-Friendly Portable Photo Printer for iPhone, Android & PC - Get beautiful and colourful memories with Liene 4x6 photo printer! After opening the entire...
- Easy to use; Connect to the Kodak Photo Printer app via Bluetooth on your Android or iOS device and enjoy printing instantly your favorite snaps at home,...
- Print and customize your photos directly from your smartphone devices via the Canon Mini Print App.(1)
First Impressions: Sleek Design, Deceptively Simple Setup
Unboxing the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer, the first thing we noticed was its sleek, low-profile design. It’s surprisingly compact for a device that prints, scans, and copies. The matte black finish gives it a modern look that blends well into a home office environment without screaming “bulky office equipment.” Weighing just under 12 pounds, it felt substantial but was easy enough for one person to position on a desk.
The setup process was where we expected the first hurdle, but HP has streamlined this significantly with the HP Smart app. Instead of a convoluted instruction manual, the app guides you step-by-step on your phone or computer. It walks you through connecting the printer to your Wi-Fi network, inserting the two ink cartridges (one black, one tri-color), and printing a calibration page. As confirmed by several users, the initial setup can be “a breeze” and take just a few minutes. The small touchscreen on the printer itself is responsive and simple to navigate for basic functions. The initial feeling was one of relief and pleasant surprise—it seemed HP had cracked the code on user-friendly installation.
What We Like
- Versatile all-in-one functionality (print, copy, scan) in a compact design.
- Excellent mobile printing experience via the intuitive HP Smart app.
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper and time for multi-page documents.
- Surprisingly good quality for non-photo prints like stickers and documents.
What We Didn’t Like
- Prone to persistent wireless connectivity issues that require troubleshooting.
- The HP Instant Ink subscription model feels restrictive and can cause issues if cancelled.
A Deep Dive into the HP ENVY 5055’s Performance
A printer’s true worth is revealed not in the first five minutes, but over weeks and months of use. It’s in the moments you need it most—a forgotten homework assignment, a last-minute photo gift, a crucial document scan. We put the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer through its paces, experiencing both the highs that make it a compelling budget option and the significant lows that have left many users frustrated.
The Setup and Connectivity Conundrum
As mentioned, the initial setup experience is a genuine highlight. The HP Smart app is a masterclass in guided onboarding. We were up and printing from a smartphone, a tablet, and a Macbook Air within about 15 minutes. This ease of use is a major selling point and is echoed by users who found the app-based setup to be “the easiest set up through the app ever!” The ability to simply select a document or photo on your phone and send it directly to the printer feels seamless and modern.
However, this initial honeymoon period was short-lived. After a day or two of perfect operation, we began experiencing the exact problem that plagues many user reports: the dreaded “unable to locate printer” error. Despite the printer and laptop being on the same Wi-Fi network and showing a strong connection, the communication would inexplicably fail. We found ourselves restarting the printer, restarting the laptop, and running network diagnostics just to print a single page. This wasn’t a one-time glitch; it became a recurring frustration. One tech-savvy user found a solution by delving into advanced settings to disable IPv6 and assign a manual IP address—a fix that is far beyond the technical comfort level of the average consumer. This connectivity instability is the printer’s most significant flaw. While a firmware update reportedly solved the issue for some, our testing and numerous other user accounts confirm it remains a persistent problem, turning a simple printing task into a frustrating troubleshooting session.
Print Quality: A Tale of Two Mediums
When it comes to output, the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is a true hybrid, with performance that varies dramatically depending on what you’re printing. For everyday documents, it’s a solid performer. Text is sharp and crisp, and color graphics on plain paper are vibrant and clear. The automatic duplexing feature is a fantastic addition at this price point, effortlessly printing on both sides of the page to save paper on long reports or schoolwork. We also tested its capabilities with specialty media, as one user did, and were impressed. It handled glossy sticker paper beautifully, producing sharp, clean results with no lines or smudging, making it a great option for crafters or small home businesses.
Where the “Photo Printer” moniker comes into question is with actual photo printing. While it is capable of producing borderless photos, the quality is decidedly average for a device marketed for this purpose. We found that, as one student reviewer noted, photos often came out with a “dull color” and a slightly “pixelized” look, especially in blended color gradients. We also observed the “little vertical streaks” mentioned in user feedback, a tell-tale sign of an entry-level inkjet struggling with dense photo media. To be fair, one user was “shocked by the quality” and “blown away” by a photo they printed, suggesting that with the right source image and settings, decent results are possible. However, in our extensive testing, we found it doesn’t compare to dedicated photo printers. It’s perfectly adequate for a quick 4×6 for the fridge, but it’s not the machine you’d choose to print a cherished photo for framing.
The HP Instant Ink Ecosystem: Convenience or Captivity?
It’s impossible to review the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer without a thorough discussion of HP Instant Ink. The printer is designed, marketed, and priced around this subscription service. The concept is appealing: for a low monthly fee based on the number of pages you print (not the amount of ink you use), the printer monitors its own ink levels and automatically orders new cartridges before you run out. For a busy family or a homeschool mom who prints a lot of color worksheets, as one user shared, this can be a “lot of money” saved and a huge convenience.
The dark side of this ecosystem, however, is its restrictive nature. Our experience, confirmed by a chorus of user complaints, reveals a system that can feel like a trap. The most alarming feature is that Instant Ink cartridges are proprietary and stop working the moment you cancel your subscription, even if they are full of ink. One user expressed outrage at this, stating, “the cartridges I already got by having this stupid instant ink thing for like a year won’t work now? HP IS THE VERY WORST.” This policy effectively renders the ink you’ve received part of a rental service, not a purchase. Furthermore, many users report that the printer’s functionality becomes hampered without the subscription, with constant “printer offline” messages and other software issues that seem designed to push you back toward the service. This business model turns a piece of hardware you own into a device that feels perpetually tethered to a monthly fee, a “bait and switch” as one customer aptly put it.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing the broad spectrum of feedback, it’s clear the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is one of the most polarizing products in its category. The positive experiences often center on the initial phase of ownership. One user, initially ready to return the device, received excellent tech support that remotely fixed their issues, leading them to say the printer now “exceeds my expectations.” Another celebrated the easy, 5-minute setup, stating, “Boy was I fooled by the HP5055,” and appreciated that you can decline the ink service during setup if you’re careful.
On the other hand, the negative reviews are consistent and severe, often appearing after months or a year of use. A user who has owned printers since 1977 called it “the worst printer I have ever owned or used,” citing constant connectivity drops and issues with printing envelopes. The most venomous criticism is reserved for the software and the Instant Ink program. One reviewer described getting a “panic attack” every time they try to scan due to connection losses. Another detailed how the printer “completely stopped working once I cancelled the subscription,” forcing them to buy a new printer. This deep division in user experience highlights a product that works beautifully under ideal conditions but can become a source of immense frustration when software or subscription issues arise.
How the HP ENVY 5055 Compares to the Alternatives
The HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is a jack-of-all-trades, but that often means it’s a master of none. When comparing it to more specialized products, its specific strengths and weaknesses become even clearer.
1. KODAK Dock Premium 4×6″ Instant Photo Printer
- PRINT YOUR MEMORIES: Print your favorite pics instantly from your mobile devices! Using a reliable and stable Bluetooth connection, this instant photo...
- STELLAR PHOTO QUALITY: 4Pass Technology to print flawless photos instantly. Each photo is printed in layers of ribbon with a laminating process so it’s...
The KODAK Dock Premium is a dedicated photo printer, and it excels at its singular purpose. It uses 4Pass dye-sublimation technology, which produces significantly higher quality, more vibrant, and more durable 4×6″ photos than the ENVY 5055’s inkjet system. The prints are laminated, making them waterproof and fingerprint-proof. If your primary goal is printing high-quality photos from your smartphone, the KODAK is unequivocally the superior choice. However, it can’t do anything else—it doesn’t scan, copy, or print standard documents. A user should choose the KODAK over the HP if photo quality is their top priority and they already have another solution for document printing.
2. co2CREA Hard Case for Canon SELPHY CP1500 Photo Printer
- co2CREA hard compact photo printer travel case replacement for Canon SELPHY CP1500 wireless compact printer or SELPHY CP1300 wireless compact photo printer...
- This Canon SELPHY printer protection case perfect fit your Canon SELPHY CP1500 ink and paper compact printer or SELPHY CP1300 wireless compact photo...
This product is not a printer itself, but a hard case for the Canon SELPHY series, a direct competitor to the KODAK Dock. This highlights a key weakness of the ENVY 5055: portability. The Canon SELPHY printers are compact, can run on an optional battery pack, and are designed to be taken on the go. This co2CREA case reinforces that use case. The HP ENVY 5055, while compact for an all-in-one, is a desk-bound device that requires a wall outlet. Someone who wants to print photos at parties, family gatherings, or while traveling should consider the Canon SELPHY system (and this protective case) as a far more practical and portable alternative to the HP.
3. Phomemo M02S Mini Thermal Photo Printer 300dpi
- √ 300dpi HD Mobile Phone Printer- Phomemo M02S mini printer is a 300dpi printer. The image printing is more clear and high-definition. Mini size...
- √ What can you Use with M02S Printer- Pocket phone printer is good for printing black and white photos, text, memos. You can use it at home, school and...
The Phomemo M02S represents another specialized niche: ultra-portable thermal printing. It prints in black and white on thermal sticker paper, making it perfect for journaling, creating labels, printing to-do lists, or crafting. Its key advantages are its pocket-sized form factor and the fact that it requires no ink at all. The trade-off is significant: no color, small print sizes, and lower resolution (though 300dpi is very good for a thermal printer). A user should choose the Phomemo if their primary need is for small, monochrome stickers and labels on the go. It is not a competitor for document or photo printing, but an excellent, specialized tool that does one thing the HP ENVY 5055 cannot: fit in your pocket.
The Final Verdict: A Capable Printer with Costly Strings Attached
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is complicated. On one hand, you have a sleek, affordable, and feature-rich device. The print quality for documents is excellent, the scanner works well (when it connects), and the convenience of automatic duplexing and the HP Smart app is undeniable. For a user seeking a versatile machine for light home use—printing homework, scanning receipts, and making the occasional copy—it delivers solid hardware for its price.
However, this hardware is inextricably linked to a frustrating software experience and a controversial subscription model. The persistent connectivity issues can turn simple tasks into a chore, and the HP Instant Ink program feels less like a convenience and more like a restrictive ecosystem designed to lock you in. While it can print photos, it does not excel at it, and shouldn’t be purchased primarily for that purpose. We would recommend this printer to a patient, tech-savvy user on a tight budget who understands the trade-offs and is willing to either troubleshoot connectivity or commit fully to the Instant Ink subscription. For anyone who values reliability and freedom from a subscription, it would be wise to look elsewhere.
If you’ve decided the HP ENVY 5055 Wireless All-in-One Photo Printer is the right fit for your specific needs, you can check its current price and availability here.
Last update on 2025-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API