The HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, a seemingly affordable option for home use, promised convenience and efficiency. But did it deliver on its promises after months of use? My experience with this printer, both good and bad, might help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
The need for a home printer often arises from a mix of necessities: printing documents, photos, or school assignments. The decision to buy one hinges on balancing cost, features, and printing frequency. The ideal customer for a home printer like the HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer is someone who needs occasional color printing and scanning, perhaps for basic documents or photos, without a heavy reliance on high-volume printing. Those who require high-quality photo prints, heavy-duty printing, or professional-grade features should consider a more robust model. Before making a purchase, consider factors such as print speed, ink costs (including subscription services like HP Instant Ink), connectivity options (Wi-Fi, USB), and the printer’s physical size and suitability for your workspace. Assess your printing volume; if it’s low, a budget-friendly inkjet like the HP DeskJet 4155e may suffice. If you regularly print large volumes, a laser printer would be a more cost-effective investment in the long run.
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Best for home printing, including basic color...
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and...
- INCLUDES HP+ SMART FEATURES – Upgrade to HP+ during setup to get advanced features for mobile...
- CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity...
Introducing the HP DeskJet 4155e: A Closer Look
The HP DeskJet 4155e is an all-in-one inkjet printer that boasts print, scan, and copy capabilities. It promises easy setup, mobile printing, and compatibility with HP Instant Ink. Compared to its predecessors and market leaders, the 4155e sits in the budget-friendly segment, offering basic functionality at a lower price point. While it may lack some advanced features found in more premium models, it targets home users who prioritize ease of use and basic functionality. It’s ideal for occasional home use, but not suited for high-volume or professional-grade printing.
- Pros: Compact design, easy setup (mostly), mobile printing, affordable price point, 3 months of Instant Ink included.
- Cons: Slow print speeds, relatively poor print quality for photos, prone to connectivity issues (in my experience), fragile build quality (especially the cover).
Exploring the HP DeskJet 4155e’s Features and Performance
Setup and Connectivity:
Setting up the HP DeskJet 4155e was largely straightforward, largely due to the HP Smart app. The app guides you through the process, making it quite user-friendly, even for beginners. However, the initial Wi-Fi connection presented some minor challenges; it took a few attempts to get it working reliably. The dual-band Wi-Fi is a plus, providing a more stable connection, though it occasionally stuttered in the initial setup.
Print Quality and Speed:
Print quality for text documents was acceptable, sharp enough for everyday use. However, color print quality is where the 4155e falters. Colors appeared somewhat faded, and photos lacked vibrancy and detail. Print speeds were significantly slower than advertised, particularly for color prints, adding to my frustration during longer print jobs. The advertised 8.5 ppm monochrome speed seemed optimistic. I rarely reached that. The color print speeds were truly slow, often leaving me with extended wait times.
Scanning and Copying:
Scanning and copying functions were generally reliable. The auto-document feeder (ADF) was helpful for scanning multi-page documents, though it sometimes struggled with thicker paper types or slightly misaligned pages. The quality of the scanned documents was adequate for basic needs, suitable for archiving or sharing less-demanding documents. The copy function is straight forward. The speed was consistent with the slow print speed, but not too terrible.
HP Smart App and HP+ Integration:
The HP Smart app is a double-edged sword. While it simplifies setup and management, its integration with HP+ adds a layer of complexity. HP+ offers features like automatic ink delivery and mobile printing enhancements, but requires an HP account and continuous use of HP ink cartridges. The three months of Instant Ink included were nice, but the monthly subscription fee after the trial period proved expensive for my occasional printing habits. The convenience of automatic ink delivery is tempting, but the cost-per-page could be higher than purchasing cartridges individually.
Durability and Build Quality:
This is where the 4155e falls drastically short. The printer’s plastic construction feels flimsy and cheap. The cover of the printer, where the scanner is located, is particularly vulnerable. It broke on my first printer due to a minor incident, which makes me consider it poorly designed. The build is not robust for the average home user. The plastic parts feel extremely cheap, and the overall design doesn’t inspire confidence in its long-term durability. This point is greatly emphasized by the number of negative reviews I read that focus on this fragility. There seems to be a pattern of fragility of the cover on this particular model.
User Experiences: A Collective Voice
Across various online platforms, user reviews for the HP DeskJet 4155e are mixed. Many users praise its ease of setup and mobile printing capabilities. Others echo my concerns about slow print speeds, disappointing print quality, and the flimsy build. Several users also mentioned connectivity problems and the frustration of dealing with HP+ subscriptions. The recurring theme is the surprisingly poor build quality, particularly the easily broken cover and its cheap plastic components. A significant portion of users reported the top cover breaking after only short use.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the HP DeskJet 4155e?
The HP DeskJet 4155e solved my need for a basic home printer for occasional use, but it did so with many compromises. While the initial setup and mobile printing were convenient, the slow print speeds, inconsistent print quality, and especially the flimsy build quality made it a frustrating experience overall. If you are solely looking for a printer to produce occasional documents with limited color prints, then this may be an acceptable option if the price is drastically reduced. However, if you value consistent performance, robust build quality, and high-quality prints, there are more reliable options available on the market. Before purchasing, weigh the pros and cons carefully, and perhaps consider exploring reviews with detailed insights about the 4155e’s reported flaws.
To avoid the hassles I faced, consider other printers before opting for the HP DeskJet 4155e. If you still want to see it in action, click here to check out the product page .