My previous printer was a high-end Epson with two paper drawers. And ink that cost $80 per pop -- black and color. When I changed my cartridges recently, the printer worked for one day. It showed new ink levels. The next day? Said my cartridges were almost empty. I reinserted them. No change. So, because I need a printer, I bought the HP Envy 4520 -- my first HP printer ever (I've only used Epson and Canon in the past). To be fair, I'm not going to review it and mentally compare it to the previous printer, as they are two completely different classes.
Please keep in mind one thing, though: This is an inexpensive entry-level printer. Nothing insanely fancy. And far from professional-level scanning and printing. However, if you are a home-user (and not a power user), you will be perfectly okay with this printer.
PROS:
- Size is perfect and fits on a shelf; no need to use desk/counter space
- Touch screen is grayscale, but easy to use; it's responsive and basic. I have all the information I need
- The scanner is okay; resolution is not extremely high, but remember... this is an inexpensive home printer
- Edge-to-edge printing is nice
- Duplex printing on a printer in this price range? Great! This is one feature I absolutely can't live without
- Quickly and easily linked to my home network
- The Android app? Nice... Mobile printing is simple and easy
- My printer has it's own dedicated email, so I can actually send things to be printed when I'm not at home
- In my opinion, the Instant Ink program is great (read below for more details)
CONS:
- Print speed is a tad slower than I would like
- It has needed to be "re-added" to my network twice so far; I think it's more a network issue than printer issue, though; it's been fine for a few weeks
- While the touch screen shows the basic information, it is small!
Now. About the HP Instant Ink program...
I've read many reviews that are dead-set against this HP program. After doing research, I'm quite unsure why, honestly.
I love the program, and I think it's a great HP feature -- kudos to the company. (No, I don't work for HP, and I was not paid to list the following.
A few statistics about the Instant Ink program:
1. It's NOT required you join. You are not forced to sign up. You will not get constant ads.
2. They have multiple pricing plans for the program, and all are based on the number of pages you print each month.
3. The 50-page per month plan is $2.99; the 100-page, $4.00; 300-page, $9.99. And you can rollover unused pages.
4. Your printer automatically communicates to HP when you are about to run out of ink, and they ship you new cartridges. They are set to arrive before you run out.
5. The cartridges you get are higher-output than what you would buy in the store (according to HP).
6. Annual savings? $100-$700 based on the plan you choose and how much you print.
7. Free trial (30 days, I believe)
8. You can cancel or change your plan at any time. In fact, I've already upgraded mine based on my print output.
Now a few opinions about the above:
1. Who doesn't want to save money? I know I do. I also enjoy saving time. No need to go to the store and buy cartridges or order online.
2. My first set of ink cartridges were shipped 2 days after I had my printer. Why? The cartridges that come with the printer -- like most any printer -- are low-volume.
3. A pack of ink (black and color) would cost between $30-40 depending on where you purchased them. I'm on the $4.99 plan, so I'm spending about $60 per YEAR for ink. And I know I'll need replacements more than twice (once more if you include the initial shipment).
4. The HP account you sign up for tracks your printing (page use) so you can easiliy upgrade or even downgrade as necessary. You also know your "rollover" page count if applicable.
Overall?
A nice printer. With a great ink program attached. No complaints here.
Printer: 4 stars. 1 star added because of the attached Instant Ink program.
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From the manufacturer
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| Currently viewing | Learn more | Learn more | Learn more | |
| Functions | Print, Scan, Copy | Print, Scan, Copy | Print, Scan, Copy | Print, Scan, Copy, Fax |
| Print speed black/color (up to) | 9.5 ppm black, 6.8 ppm color | 12 ppm black, 8 ppm color | 14 ppm black, 9 ppm color | 14 ppm black, 9 ppm color |
| Paper sizes supported (inches) | Letter, legal, No. 10 envelope, 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 | Letter, legal, No. 10 envelope, 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 | Letter, legal, No. 10 envelope, 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 | Letter, legal, No. 10 envelope, 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 |
| Auto document feeder (pages) | 25-sheet | |||
| Auto 2-sided printing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless networking | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11b/g/n |
| Borderless printing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Display (inches) | 2.2 mono touchscreen | 2.2 mono touchscreen | 2.65 color touchscreen | 3.5 color touchscreen |
| Dimensions (inches) | 17.52 x 14.45 x 5.04 | 17.87 x 16.14 x 6.14 | 17.87 x 16.14 x 6.34 | 17.87 x 16.14 x 7.60 |
| Paper tray capacity (input, output) | 100 sheets, 25 sheets | 125 sheets, 15 sheets photo, 25 sheets | 125 sheets, 15 sheets photo, 25 sheets | 125 sheets, 15 sheets photo, 25 sheets |
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| Learn more | Learn more | Learn more | Learn more | Learn more | Learn more | |
| Description | Print with confidence with standard yield HP cartridges. | Print with confidence with standard yield HP cartridges. | Print high volumes with high-yield HP XL cartridges. | Print high volumes with high-yield HP XL cartridges. | Shop less often and get the convenience of more than one HP cartridge in the pack. | Subscription plans—includes ink, recycling and free shipping. Save up to 50% on ink and never run out. |
| Page yield (each) | Up to 190 pages | Up to 165 pages | Up to 480 pages | Up to 330 pages | Black: Up to 190 pages; Tri-color: Up to 165 pages | 50, 100 or 300 pages/month |
| Cartridge color | Black | Tri-color | Black | Tri-color | Black, Tri-color | Black, Tri-color |
| What's in the box | 1 ink cartridge: Black | 1 ink cartridge: Tri-color | 1 ink cartridge: XL Black | 1 ink cartridge: XL Tri-color | 2 ink cartridges: Black, Tri-color | Enrollment card; requires online registration |
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4 stars and above
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Update:I contacted HP about the color issue and they deduced it was likely an issue with the color cartridge. They overnight shipped a replacement cartridge which seems to be performing much better. Thank you HP. Upping my review to four stars.Original review:After my Canon Pixma drove me to tears attempting to print envelopes, I decided to join the HP printer world.The HP Instant Ink program appealed to me, especially their cheapest plan, which is only a few dollars monthly. They send you ink with no additional charge whenever the printer tells them you're running low. I calculated I'd spend less on ink doing it through the plan than I do buying new ink myself each time. Also this way, it doesn't matter how much ink I use, as they only care about how many pages you print. The lowest plan allows for 50 pages (a buck more for an additional 15), and any unused pages will rollover to the next month (up to 50 for this plan). During the three month free trial period it allows you 300 pages per month, which is great because I am printing a lot more for Christmas. You can always change which tier you want at any time - such as upgrading to their next plan for a few bucks more and get 100 pages.Setting up was a breeze; I downloaded their app with my phone and easily had the printer connect to our network. It printed out it's own email, which I can supposedly email from anywhere to have it print something. I had no trouble with my computer connecting to the printer either, and that was without installing the provided software onto it.The first thing I tested after set up was a photo on regular letter paper which turned out fine.Then came the envelopes. My envelopes were 5.25 x 7.25" - a size they don't have programmed in the printer. I tried selecting the printer's 5x7 option, but it said it didn't match what was in the tray. I tried 5x8 and that worked, though I had to move things around a bit on my iMac to make it look right.The printer says you can input 10 envelopes at a time, though I felt it did better with less.I'm not sure if it's because the size was off, but it consistently bent one corner of the envelopes and left a smudge.Also, ~7 out of every 10 of the envelopes had the color off. Instead of being grey like it was supposed to, it would come out purple.I printed over 60, and it got jammed 3 times. Whether that's too much or acceptable will be personal opinion. After my Canon jammed just about every one, I found this workable.They came out pretty straight, only a few were a little skewed.It's not very fast, but I didn't need it to be. I'd rather keep change in my pocket.It's decent; not a perfect printer, but I was happy to finally get the envelopes printed. I will be contacting HP about the color issue though. I mean, come on, you have one job. A printer should print the color it was told.If you aren't planning on printing envelopes, or only plan on using that feature with a standard size envelope every once in a while, this printer shouldn't give you trouble. If you are planning on printing many envelopes like myself on custom sizes, then you have to weigh the pros and cons I mentioned.Make of this what you will. Hoping this helps with your decision.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2016
Update:
I contacted HP about the color issue and they deduced it was likely an issue with the color cartridge. They overnight shipped a replacement cartridge which seems to be performing much better. Thank you HP. Upping my review to four stars.
Original review:
After my Canon Pixma drove me to tears attempting to print envelopes, I decided to join the HP printer world.
The HP Instant Ink program appealed to me, especially their cheapest plan, which is only a few dollars monthly. They send you ink with no additional charge whenever the printer tells them you're running low. I calculated I'd spend less on ink doing it through the plan than I do buying new ink myself each time. Also this way, it doesn't matter how much ink I use, as they only care about how many pages you print. The lowest plan allows for 50 pages (a buck more for an additional 15), and any unused pages will rollover to the next month (up to 50 for this plan). During the three month free trial period it allows you 300 pages per month, which is great because I am printing a lot more for Christmas. You can always change which tier you want at any time - such as upgrading to their next plan for a few bucks more and get 100 pages.
Setting up was a breeze; I downloaded their app with my phone and easily had the printer connect to our network. It printed out it's own email, which I can supposedly email from anywhere to have it print something. I had no trouble with my computer connecting to the printer either, and that was without installing the provided software onto it.
The first thing I tested after set up was a photo on regular letter paper which turned out fine.
Then came the envelopes. My envelopes were 5.25 x 7.25" - a size they don't have programmed in the printer. I tried selecting the printer's 5x7 option, but it said it didn't match what was in the tray. I tried 5x8 and that worked, though I had to move things around a bit on my iMac to make it look right.
The printer says you can input 10 envelopes at a time, though I felt it did better with less.
I'm not sure if it's because the size was off, but it consistently bent one corner of the envelopes and left a smudge.
Also, ~7 out of every 10 of the envelopes had the color off. Instead of being grey like it was supposed to, it would come out purple.
I printed over 60, and it got jammed 3 times. Whether that's too much or acceptable will be personal opinion. After my Canon jammed just about every one, I found this workable.
They came out pretty straight, only a few were a little skewed.
It's not very fast, but I didn't need it to be. I'd rather keep change in my pocket.
It's decent; not a perfect printer, but I was happy to finally get the envelopes printed. I will be contacting HP about the color issue though. I mean, come on, you have one job. A printer should print the color it was told.
If you aren't planning on printing envelopes, or only plan on using that feature with a standard size envelope every once in a while, this printer shouldn't give you trouble. If you are planning on printing many envelopes like myself on custom sizes, then you have to weigh the pros and cons I mentioned.
Make of this what you will. Hoping this helps with your decision.
I contacted HP about the color issue and they deduced it was likely an issue with the color cartridge. They overnight shipped a replacement cartridge which seems to be performing much better. Thank you HP. Upping my review to four stars.
Original review:
After my Canon Pixma drove me to tears attempting to print envelopes, I decided to join the HP printer world.
The HP Instant Ink program appealed to me, especially their cheapest plan, which is only a few dollars monthly. They send you ink with no additional charge whenever the printer tells them you're running low. I calculated I'd spend less on ink doing it through the plan than I do buying new ink myself each time. Also this way, it doesn't matter how much ink I use, as they only care about how many pages you print. The lowest plan allows for 50 pages (a buck more for an additional 15), and any unused pages will rollover to the next month (up to 50 for this plan). During the three month free trial period it allows you 300 pages per month, which is great because I am printing a lot more for Christmas. You can always change which tier you want at any time - such as upgrading to their next plan for a few bucks more and get 100 pages.
Setting up was a breeze; I downloaded their app with my phone and easily had the printer connect to our network. It printed out it's own email, which I can supposedly email from anywhere to have it print something. I had no trouble with my computer connecting to the printer either, and that was without installing the provided software onto it.
The first thing I tested after set up was a photo on regular letter paper which turned out fine.
Then came the envelopes. My envelopes were 5.25 x 7.25" - a size they don't have programmed in the printer. I tried selecting the printer's 5x7 option, but it said it didn't match what was in the tray. I tried 5x8 and that worked, though I had to move things around a bit on my iMac to make it look right.
The printer says you can input 10 envelopes at a time, though I felt it did better with less.
I'm not sure if it's because the size was off, but it consistently bent one corner of the envelopes and left a smudge.
Also, ~7 out of every 10 of the envelopes had the color off. Instead of being grey like it was supposed to, it would come out purple.
I printed over 60, and it got jammed 3 times. Whether that's too much or acceptable will be personal opinion. After my Canon jammed just about every one, I found this workable.
They came out pretty straight, only a few were a little skewed.
It's not very fast, but I didn't need it to be. I'd rather keep change in my pocket.
It's decent; not a perfect printer, but I was happy to finally get the envelopes printed. I will be contacting HP about the color issue though. I mean, come on, you have one job. A printer should print the color it was told.
If you aren't planning on printing envelopes, or only plan on using that feature with a standard size envelope every once in a while, this printer shouldn't give you trouble. If you are planning on printing many envelopes like myself on custom sizes, then you have to weigh the pros and cons I mentioned.
Make of this what you will. Hoping this helps with your decision.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2023
