The HP ENVY 6455e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, a home printing solution, initially caught my attention due to its compact design and advertised ease of use. I needed a reliable printer for occasional home use—printing documents, photos, and the occasional school project—but didn’t want a bulky machine cluttering my workspace. A lack of a good printer would have significantly hampered my productivity and increased the hassle of needing to visit a print shop.
Choosing a home printer involves considering several key factors. The primary function is, of course, reliable printing for various needs, from documents to photos. The ideal customer for a home printer like the HP ENVY 6455e is someone who needs occasional printing without the need for professional-grade features or high-volume printing. This printer wouldn’t be suitable for a small business or someone requiring heavy-duty printing capabilities; for those users, a laser printer might be more appropriate. Before buying, consider your printing volume, the types of documents you typically print (text, photos, etc.), budget, and connectivity needs (Wi-Fi, USB, etc.). Think carefully about whether you need features like duplex printing (printing on both sides of the paper), auto-document feeders, and scanning capabilities.
- Sold as 1 Each.
- BEST FOR BUSY FAMILIES - Print documents, borderless photos, homework and creative projects.
- KEY FEATURES - Print, copy and scan in color, plus auto 2-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing and mobile fax for 24 months.
Introducing the HP ENVY 6455e: A Closer Look
The HP ENVY 6455e is an all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home use. It boasts print, scan, and copy functionalities and offers wireless connectivity and mobile printing via the HP Smart app. Compared to previous HP Envy models, the 6455e features a more streamlined design and improved connectivity. It also incorporates HP+, offering Instant Ink subscription features, which I’ll discuss in detail later. While the printer competes with other home inkjet printers such as Epson’s Expression series, its main selling points are ease of use and seamless integration with the HP ecosystem.
- Pros: Compact design, excellent print quality for its price point, easy setup, mobile printing capability, automatic document feeder, good scanning and copying functions.
- Cons: Power button placement on the rear, lack of a traditional LCD screen (relies on the app for control), occasional connectivity hiccups (as detailed below).
Exploring the Features and Benefits of the HP ENVY 6455e
Setup and Connectivity
Setting up the HP ENVY 6455e is remarkably straightforward. The HP Smart app provides step-by-step instructions, guiding you through the process. The wireless setup is quick and reliable, and dual-band Wi-Fi ensures stable connectivity. I found the printer connected easily to my home network with minimal effort. The inclusion of a USB port provides a wired alternative if preferred. This feature proved invaluable when my Wi-Fi temporarily went down.
Print Quality and Speed
The print quality of the HP ENVY 6455e consistently exceeded my expectations. Text documents are crisp and clear, and photo prints are vibrant and detailed, particularly when using high-quality photo paper. While not as fast as some higher-end models, the print speed is more than adequate for home use. The advertised speeds of up to 8.5 pages per minute for black and 5 ppm for color were pretty accurate in my experience. However, speeds can vary depending on the complexity of the document.
Scanning and Copying
The scanning and copying functionality is equally impressive. The auto-document feeder makes scanning multi-page documents a breeze. The quality of scans is very good for both text and photos, comparable to dedicated scanners. Copying is also quick and easy, with the simple touch buttons on the printer making the process convenient, avoiding the need to constantly interact with the app. The 1200 x 1200 dpi scan resolution is a definite plus.
HP+ and Instant Ink
The HP+ integration with Instant Ink is a double-edged sword. While the 3-month trial of Instant Ink was beneficial, providing free ink for a considerable number of pages, the monthly subscription after that can be costly if your printing needs aren’t frequent. The convenience of automatic ink delivery is nice, but it’s crucial to carefully consider if the subscription cost justifies your printing habits. Opting out of HP+ during setup is possible, but it means losing some of the app features.
Software and App Integration
The HP Smart app, while generally functional, has its quirks. Occasionally, the app experienced connectivity issues, and I had to restart the printer to resolve them. The app’s design could also be improved for better user-friendliness; navigation could be more intuitive. The app, however, does offer additional features not accessible through the printer itself, such as mobile faxing and advanced scanning options.
User Experiences: A Compilation of Online Feedback
My experience with the HP ENVY 6455e aligns with much of the feedback I’ve found online. Many users praise its ease of setup and print quality. However, connectivity problems and issues with the HP+ subscription are recurring themes in user reviews. Some users have reported occasional printer errors requiring restarts, and the HP Smart app’s reliability has been a source of frustration for several.
Conclusion: Is the HP ENVY 6455e Right for You?
The HP ENVY 6455e addresses the need for a compact, user-friendly home printer. Its strong points include its ease of use, great print quality, and convenient scanning features. However, potential buyers should be aware of the occasional connectivity problems and the potential cost of the HP+ subscription. If you’re a light-to-moderate home user who values convenience and doesn’t need high-volume printing, the HP ENVY 6455e might be a great fit. To see if this printer meets your needs, click here to check it out.