HP ENVY Inspire 7955e Review: Strong Quality, Conditional Buy
Digging into user reports, the HP ENVY Inspire 7955e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer emerges as a feature‑rich, high‑quality performer with a caveat: its cost of ownership hinges heavily on whether buyers commit to HP’s Instant Ink subscription. Across Reddit, Best Buy, and Trustpilot, the consensus paints it as fast, versatile, and capable of producing excellent text and graphics—but with ink costs and occasional software frustrations pulling down the score. Based on aggregated feedback, this model earns a 7.9/10.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy—best for home or small office users who will leverage Instant Ink and want strong text/graphics quality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High text and graphics quality | High ink cost without subscription |
| Fast print and copy speeds | Starter cartridges run out quickly |
| Duplex printing and 35-sheet ADF | Scanning slower than average |
| Responsive touchscreen, easy setup via app | Software/setup quirks, especially on iOS |
| Solid build and quiet mode | Larger footprint than many competitors |
| Instant Ink trial and automatic ordering | Paper tray design frustrates some users |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets the ENVY Inspire 7955e as offering “true‑to‑phone quality” photo prints and seamless productivity via the HP+ smart printing system. While some Best Buy customers back this up—one verified buyer noted: “It prints crisp documents and surprisingly good‑quality photos for a home inkjet”—others on Reddit and Consumer Reports found photos less impressive. Consumer Reports testers concluded it “prints photos poorly… almost any other inkjet model prints better photos,” highlighting a gap between marketing promise and reality for photo‑focused users.
The company also touts “seamless setup” through the HP Smart app. This held true for many; a Trustpilot user said, “I’m an older person and had no issues setting up this printer… printing right away.” However, Tom’s Guide’s reviewer detailed repeated connection failures on iOS, including password confusion and dropped connections, suggesting that while setup can be quick, certain network conditions and device types complicate the process.
HP+ is positioned as a way to save “up to 50% on ink.” In practice, multiple sources confirm significant savings only if users print regularly and fully utilize their plan. Without the subscription, Tom’s Guide measured per‑page costs “far above the averages… 9.5 cents (text) and 24.6 cents (color),” making Instant Ink almost mandatory to avoid budget creep.
Cross‑Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Best Buy’s 2,930 reviews, print quality is the most repeated compliment. Users praise dark, crisp text and natural‑looking graphics. For home office workers, this translates into professional‑looking reports without outsourcing. One Best Buy buyer emphasized: “Text comes out crisp, and colors in photos are vibrant without looking overly saturated.”
Speed is another standout. Tom’s Guide reports faster‑than‑average print and copy times, with color page copies in just 21 seconds. Students and small business owners benefit from this quick turnaround, especially when deadlines loom. A Best Buy customer described it as “perfect for home or small office… prints quickly with great quality.”
The extra photo paper tray and 35‑sheet ADF earn consistent praise for versatility. A home‑based photographer on Best Buy said, “It’s a joy to be able to quickly print things at home instead of at a store. Always gives me good photos.” For multi‑page document scanning, the ADF saves time and manual effort.
Common Complaints
Ink cost without Instant Ink is the most frequent sore point. Tom’s Guide warns that standard cartridges are “above what many other models offer,” and Best Buy buyers echo that the “cost of ink… adds up over time.” Starter cartridges exacerbate this; several reviewers noted they “ran out very quickly,” which can surprise first‑time HP buyers.
Scanning speed lags competitors, with Tom’s Guide measuring 1:24 for an 8x10 color photo—slower than the category average. This impacts users digitizing large photo collections or multipage documents. Some Best Buy customers also find the scanning interface less intuitive, with one calling it “less intuitive” and wishing for simpler controls.
The paper tray draws criticism for design quirks. Sixty‑one Best Buy reviewers mentioned it negatively, citing detachment during refills or awkward handling. This small frustration can add up in high‑volume environments.
Divisive Features
Photo quality divides opinion sharply. While some praise “surprisingly good‑quality photos,” Consumer Reports testers and certain Reddit users note issues like oversaturation or loss of shadow detail. Tom’s Guide observed red and yellow exaggeration; some found it pleasing, others unnatural.
The HP Smart app is similarly polarizing. Enthusiasts love remote printing—one Best Buy reviewer said, “I can access my home printer anytime, anywhere.” Critics hit connectivity snags, especially on iOS, and express frustration at the requirement for an HP account to unlock full features.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Best Buy reports suggest solid reliability over months of use. A Trustpilot user with “3 school age kids and 2 working adults” reported the refurbished unit still working “like it’s new” after nine months. Older HP fans note brand longevity, with one Best Buy buyer saying, “I have always been a fan of HP printers—they last a long time.”
Issues that do arise tend to be software‑related (connectivity errors, app sync problems) rather than mechanical. Tom’s Guide’s setup struggles point to potential friction if your network environment is complex or if you’re less tech‑savvy.
Alternatives
The Canon Pixma TS8320 offers a larger 4.3‑inch touchscreen and strong photo performance, but runs slower in duplex printing than the HP. For ultra‑low ink cost, the Canon G6020 ink tank model delivers per‑page costs of 0.2 cents (text) and 0.8 cents (color) without any subscription—making it attractive for high‑volume color printing, though it’s smaller and lacks some of the HP’s network‑centric features.
Price & Value
New units often retail around $159–$270 depending on promotions, with refurbished models dipping as low as $54–$75 on Best Buy and eBay. Resale value holds moderately well if the printer is in “like new” condition, given the model’s popularity. Community advice leans toward grabbing it during Instant Ink promotional periods to maximize savings for the first 3–6 months.
FAQ
Q: Does the HP ENVY Inspire 7955e print without color ink?
A: No—users report that the multi‑color cartridge must be replaced when any single color runs out, per HP’s design.
Q: How large is the printer footprint?
A: It measures roughly 18.1 x 20.5 x 19.2 inches. Several buyers warn it’s larger than expected and needs adequate desk space.
Q: Can I set it up without the HP Smart app?
A: Yes, via USB or basic Wi‑Fi setup, but certain advanced features—like scan‑to‑email—require an HP account and the app.
Q: How fast does it print photos?
A: Tom’s Guide timed a letter‑size landscape photo at 2 minutes 49 seconds, faster than average for inkjets.
Q: Is Instant Ink worth it?
A: For regular printing, most users find it offsets the high per‑page cost. Sporadic printers may not realize full value.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home or small office user who values speed, text/graphics quality, and will use Instant Ink. Avoid if you need top‑tier photo fidelity or dislike account‑linked features. Pro tip from the community: set up the Instant Ink trial immediately after purchase to maximize the free ink period and avoid starter cartridge depletion.
