You want a cheap printer that simply works. Then you spot two HP models with almost the same name. The HP 2855e vs HP 2827e choice can feel confusing, and a wrong pick can cost you more in ink than in hardware.
Both are budget all-in-one inkjet printers built for everyday home printing. This guide covers specifications, print speed, wireless connectivity, ink cartridges, and running costs. We checked HP-linked retailer listings, Best Buy, Staples, Micro Center, and ENERGY STAR data on October 10, 2026.
Here is the short version. The two models share the same ink family and the same rated speeds. Price, bundle, and ink cost matter more than the model number. Please confirm regional specs on the box or HP’s product page before you order. If you are still deciding on a printer type, read our guide on what type of printer you need for home use.
Quick Comparison of the HP 2855e and HP 2827e
Both printers print, scan, and copy. Both offer built-in Wi-Fi and a USB port. HP rates both for light use, around 50 to 100 pages a month.
The 2855e is sold at Best Buy, Staples, and Micro Center. The 2827e appears at Staples and Amazon as a home model with three months of free Instant Ink. ENERGY STAR lists the 2827e as a regional version of the 2855e family. That points to near identical hardware.
Here is who gains the most:
- Students who print essays and worksheets.
- Families who need color pages for school projects.
- Home-office users with light paperwork.
Do not assume the printers are identical or different. Check HP’s official pages first. If you are new to printer terms, our printer specifications explained for beginners guide helps.
Key Differences at a Glance
The differences are small. Here is what we could confirm.
- Functions: Print, scan, and copy on both.
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n on both. Mobile printing works through the HP Smart app.
- Control panel: The 2855e lists an icon LCD. We could not confirm the 2827e panel, so check the listing.
- Size: One 2855e listing shows about 16.7 by 12 by 6 inches. The 2827e size is unconfirmed.
- Paper tray: 60 sheets on both.
- Included ink: Both ship with HP 67 setup cartridges.
Anything marked unconfirmed should be checked on HP’s site. We do not present estimates as facts.
Which Printer Is Better for Different Users?
Pick the HP 2855e if you find it cheaper, or if a bundle includes extra Instant Ink months. It is widely stocked, so returns and support are easy.
Pick the HP 2827e if your store sells it for less or lists a better offer. Staples lists it with three free months of Instant Ink.
The better choice depends on purchase price, cartridge costs, print volume, and features. Our guide on the true cost of owning a printer shows how to compare.
Specifications Compared: HP 2855e vs HP 2827e
Manufacturer ratings show no measurable performance gap here. HP lists both with matching speeds, resolution, and functions. That means neither printer wins on specs alone.
Three terms matter. Print resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi). More dots can mean finer detail. ISO print speed is a standard test result, not a real-life promise. Recommended monthly volume is the load HP suggests for long life.
This comparison uses U.S. specs and Letter paper (8.5 by 11 inches). For more on dpi, see printer resolution explained in simple terms.
Technical Specifications Table
Manufacturer specs are not real-world results. Use the table as a starting point, then test your own documents.
| Feature | HP DeskJet 2855e | HP DeskJet 2827e |
|---|---|---|
| Printer type | All-in-one inkjet | All-in-one inkjet |
| Functions | Print, scan, copy | Print, scan, copy |
| Black print speed | Up to 7.5 ppm | Up to 7.5 ppm |
| Color print speed | Up to 5.5 ppm | Up to 5.5 ppm |
| Black resolution | Up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi | Up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi |
| Optimized color resolution | Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, specified conditions | Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, specified conditions |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n |
| USB | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 |
| Input tray | 60 sheets | 60 sheets |
| Automatic duplex | No, manual two-sided | No, manual two-sided |
| Automatic document feeder | No | No |
| Fax | No | No |
| Recommended monthly volume | 50 to 100 pages | 50 to 100 pages |
| Ink cartridges | HP 67 and 67XL | HP 67 family |
Sources: HP specs, Micro Center, Best Buy, and Staples listings. Confirm the latest specs before you buy.
Print Speed and Monthly Duty Cycle
PPM means pages per minute. Real speed changes with document type, connection, and print mode. Our guide on what pages per minute means on a printer explains this in detail.
The duty cycle is the most pages a printer can handle in one month. Retailers list a maximum of 1,000 pages for the 2855e. HP recommends only 50 to 100 pages monthly.
Do not buy either one for a busy office. Sustained printing wears small inkjets quickly. Check how many pages an office printer can handle monthly before you decide.
Print Quality: HP 2855e vs HP 2827e
Both printers use the same HP 67 ink and the same rated resolution. Expect similar results on everyday pages. Text, charts, and simple graphics look fine for home use.
Paper quality, ink condition, and print settings change the final result. Similar ratings do not guarantee identical output in every situation. A fresh cartridge on good paper beats an old cartridge on cheap paper.
Independent testing by RTINGS found document quality acceptable on the 2855e. It rated photo output as mediocre. Keep that in mind if photos matter to you.
Better Text and Documents: Which Printer Wins?
Neither printer has a clear edge. Both give readable text for homework, forms, recipes, and shipping labels. Occasional business documents also look clean.
Print mode matters more than the model. Draft mode is fastest and uses the least ink. Best mode is slower and uses more ink. Our guide on how to reduce ink usage when printing covers each setting.
If a visible gap matters to you, run a test. Print the same document on the same paper at the same setting.
If you see lines or banding, read why inkjet prints have lines.
Color Printing and Photo Quality
Color works well for school projects, presentations, and simple graphics. Both printers are entry-level inkjets, not dedicated photo printers. Colors can look flatter than on a screen.
Borderless photo printing varies by model and paper size. Confirm it in the HP specs before you plan on full-bleed prints. HP’s tri-color cartridge also limits color depth compared with printers that use separate inks.
For serious photos, see our guide on how to choose a printer for photo printing. The right paper also helps, so read glossy vs matte photo paper.
Ink Cartridges, Page Yield, and Running Costs
Ink is where these printers cost you. The printer is cheap, but the cartridges are small. RTINGS rated the 2855e poorly for page yield and cost of ownership.
Compare cartridge price, replacement frequency, and cost per page. Do not look only at the sticker price. Our guide on why cheap printers can cost more over time explains the trap.
Actual yield depends on page coverage, document type, cleaning cycles, and habits. HP’s yields assume about five percent page coverage. Heavy graphics use ink much faster. See inkjet printer running costs explained for more.
Cartridge Compatibility: HP 67 and HP 67XL
Both printers use HP 67 black and tri-color cartridges. They also accept the high-yield HP 67XL versions. Always confirm your exact model on HP’s compatibility page.
Staples lists these yields:
- HP 67 black: up to 120 pages.
- HP 67XL black: up to 240 pages.
- HP 67 tri-color: up to 100 pages.
- HP 67XL tri-color: up to 200 pages.
The included setup cartridges yield less. One listing shows about 120 black pages and 75 color pages.
Printers like these may reject non-HP cartridges after a firmware update. Read original vs compatible printer cartridges before you buy third-party ink. Our tips on how to check if a cartridge is compatible and why a printer rejects new cartridges can save you a return.
How to Calculate Cost per Page
Cost per page = cartridge price divided by estimated page yield.
Calculate black and color separately. Use the example below, based on a recent Walmart listing for original HP ink. We noted these prices on October 10, 2026. Confirm today’s price before you buy.
- HP 67 black: $22.89 divided by 120 pages is about $0.19 per page.
- HP 67 tri-color: $23.89 divided by 100 pages is about $0.24 per page.
- HP 67XL tri-color: $34.89 divided by 200 pages is about $0.17 per page.
A low-volume user printing 600 pages a year (500 black, 100 color) spends about $119. A moderate user printing 1,200 pages (1,000 black, 200 color) spends about $238. These are estimates. Your coverage will change them.
For a full method, see how to reduce home printing costs and why printer ink costs so much.
Is HP Instant Ink Worth It?
HP Instant Ink is a subscription. HP ships ink based on pages you print, not on cartridges you use. Plans have monthly page allowances, and unused pages may roll over under HP’s rules.
Both printers are Instant Ink eligible. Retailers often include three free months. That helps at the start, but the plan then bills monthly.
Judging the Subscription
Match the plan to your real monthly pages. A person printing 20 pages a month may pay more than if they bought a cartridge twice a year. A heavier user may save.
Check promotions, plan terms, and cancellation rules before you enroll. Also remember that HP+ printers may require an HP account and original HP ink.
Connectivity and Wireless Printing Features
Both printers offer Wi-Fi and USB. Wi-Fi lets laptops, phones, and tablets print from anywhere in your home. USB links one computer directly.
You can print from phones and tablets using the HP Smart app and Apple AirPrint. Wireless printing depends on a compatible network and a steady signal. These models use the 2.4 GHz band, so a 5 GHz-only network will not work.
Our guide on how to connect a printer to Wi-Fi covers the basics for any brand.
Wi-Fi Setup and Mobile Printing
Follow these steps to set up wireless printing:
- Unbox the printer, plug it in, and install the setup cartridges.
- Install the HP Smart app on your phone or computer.
- Put the printer in setup mode, then pick it in the app.
- Choose your home 2.4 GHz network and enter the password.
- Print a test page.
Our 123.hp.com setup walkthrough and first-time printer setup guide go deeper. Install the right software with how to install printer drivers correctly.
To print from a phone, open a file, tap Print, and choose the printer. See how to print from a phone at home.
Wrong Password
Re-enter the Wi-Fi password carefully. Passwords are case sensitive.
Weak Signal
Move the printer closer to the router. Thick walls and appliances weaken Wi-Fi.
Offline Status
Restart the printer, router, and device. If it keeps happening, read why a printer keeps going offline or why a printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi.
USB vs. Wireless Printing
USB is stable and simple. It suits one desktop or laptop. It also avoids Wi-Fi drops.
Wi-Fi suits families with several devices. Everyone can print without cables.
A USB cable may not be in the box, so buy one separately if needed. Check the box contents and your computer’s ports before you buy. Our guide on how to connect a printer to a laptop walks through both methods.
Design, Paper Handling, and Ease of Use
These are compact desktop printers. They fit on a shelf, a desk, or a small home-office corner. Check the final footprint, weight, and control-panel layout on the listing you choose.
The 60-sheet input tray needs refilling often during bigger jobs. The small output tray also limits long print runs.
Neither model has an automatic document feeder (ADF). You must scan and copy multipage documents one page at a time. If that sounds slow, compare designs in all-in-one printer vs printer only.
Paper Sizes and Everyday Printing
These printers handle U.S. Letter and Legal sizes. They also take envelopes and small photo paper. Verify exact supported sizes for your model before you buy specialty media.
To avoid jams:
- Fan the stack, then square the edges.
- Slide the paper guides snug against the stack.
- Do not overfill the tray.
Match paper type to the document and the print setting. Our guide on what paper works best with inkjet printers helps you choose.
Setup, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
Basic setup means installing cartridges, aligning the printhead, installing the driver, and printing a test page. The printer usually guides you through alignment.
Streaks and Faded Output
Run a nozzle cleaning once. Repeated cleaning wastes ink. Dried nozzles cause many problems, so see why an inkjet printer dries out.
Paper Jams
Remove the paper gently and check for scraps. Reload a flat, dry stack.
A firmware update can fix wireless bugs. For a broader list of faults, see common inkjet printer problems and their causes. Blank pages? Read why an inkjet printer prints blank pages.
Strengths and Weaknesses Compared
Both printers share the same core design, so their pros and cons overlap. The deciding factor will often be the price on the day you shop. Compare the current U.S. price, included cartridges, and warranty. Our printer warranty terms explained guide helps you read the fine print.
HP DeskJet 2855e Pros and Cons
Pros:
- All-in-one print, scan, and copy.
- Wi-Fi and mobile printing through HP Smart.
- Compact design for routine home use.
- Widely sold at major U.S. stores.
Cons:
- Small 60-sheet tray.
- No automatic duplex printing.
- No automatic document feeder.
- Low ink yield and higher running cost.
DeskJet 2827e Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Print, scan, and copy for everyday home documents.
- Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Often bundled with free Instant Ink months.
Cons:
- Similar entry-level limits, including manual two-sided printing.
- Small paper tray.
- Fewer retail listings, so deals may vary.
Judge it by its selling price and benefits. A higher or lower model number does not mean better performance.
Buying Verdict: Which Printer Should You Buy?
Match the choice to how often you print, how much color you use, your budget, and how much you value wireless convenience. Then add the total cost of ownership, including ink and any subscription.
Our conditional advice is simple. If prices are equal, choose the model with the better warranty and bundle. If one costs $10 less, take it. Check current prices at Amazon, Best Buy, and Staples first.
For wider options, see our best affordable all-in-one printer picks. For lower ink spending, read best printers for cheap replacement cartridges.
Best for Students and Families
Students need affordable printing for worksheets and assignments. Families add occasional color graphics. Both printers cover that need.
Watch ink costs. Cartridges may run out within weeks during exam season. Consider the XL cartridges to cut cost per page.
Choose whichever model offers the best total value for your household. For more ideas, read best inkjet printer for students and best printer for family use.
Ideal Choice for Home Offices and Remote Workers
Check compatibility with your work computer. Look for clear documents, reliable Wi-Fi, and simple scanning.
The missing ADF and automatic duplexing can slow paperwork. A person scanning 30-page contracts will feel it.
If you print above the recommended 50 to 100 pages a month, step up. See how to choose a printer for a small business or best printer for high-volume office printing.
Occasional Printing and Budget Buyers
Compare the upfront price with yearly ink spending. A $50 printer can cost more than a $150 one after a year of cartridges.
Check whether the included cartridges or a promotion change the value. Confirm the return policy, warranty, and cartridge availability.
Occasional users should also worry about dry nozzles. Our guide on how long an inkjet printer can sit unused is worth a read, as is best inkjet printer for infrequent use.
Comparison Tables for Buying Decisions
These extra tables support your buying decision. Each one covers a single question. Prices and retailer offers change often, so verify them before you buy.
Feature-by-Feature Buying Checklist (Table 2)
| Buying factor | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Print quality | Text, color graphics, photo output | Shows document suitability |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB, mobile printing | Affects convenience |
| Paper handling | Tray capacity, supported sizes | Reduces reloading |
| Duplex printing | Manual or automatic | Affects two-sided work |
| Scanning | Resolution and document handling | Matters for digitizing paperwork |
| Maintenance | Cartridge access and cleaning | Affects ongoing use |
Ink Costs and Long-Term Value (Table 3)
| Cost factor | HP 2855e | HP 2827e |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge family | HP 67 | HP 67 |
| Standard black yield | Up to 120 pages | Up to 120 pages |
| High-yield black | HP 67XL, up to 240 pages | HP 67XL, verify |
| Standard tri-color yield | Up to 100 pages | Up to 100 pages |
| Subscription eligibility | Instant Ink eligible | Instant Ink offer listed |
| Annual ink cost, 600 pages | About $119 | About $119 |
| Annual ink cost, 1,200 pages | About $238 | About $238 |
Estimates use standard cartridge prices from a recent Walmart listing, checked October 10, 2026. Real yield varies with page coverage.
Needs-Based Fit Guide (Table 4)
| User type | Main priority | Comparison guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Student | Homework and worksheets | Compare text quality and ink costs |
| Family | Mixed documents and color prints | Weigh convenience and cartridge swaps |
| Remote worker | Scanning and office documents | Assess document-handling limits |
| Occasional user | Low upfront spending | Compare price and ink availability |
| Frequent printer | Higher monthly volume | Consider a model built for heavier loads |
How to Choose Between the HP 2855e and HP 2827e
Start with your monthly page count. Split it into black and color pages. Then check cartridge prices, paper needs, device compatibility, and warranty.
Compare the final checkout price. Confirm the exact model number, since HP uses many similar names. Our guide on how to choose a printer for your monthly print volume can help you estimate. Also see how much printing a home printer should handle.
Step-by-Step Buying Checklist
- Identify the documents you print most often.
- Estimate your monthly page count.
- Compare current printer and cartridge prices.
- Verify connectivity, paper sizes, and scanning needs.
- Check warranty terms, included supplies, and return policies.
- Pick the model with the lowest reasonable total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What Is the Difference Between the HP 2855e and HP 2827e?
Their rated specs look the same. Both print, scan, and copy with Wi-Fi at 7.5 ppm black. ENERGY STAR lists the 2827e as a regional version of the 2855e family. Price, bundle, and availability are usually the real differences.
2. Is the HP DeskJet 2855e Better Than the 2827e?
Neither is automatically better. Their rated features match, so choose by price, ink cost, warranty, and the extras in each bundle. Verify the details on HP’s official pages.
3. Do the Two Printers Use the Same Ink Cartridges?
Both use the HP 67 family. That includes HP 67 and high-yield HP 67XL black and tri-color cartridges. Confirm your exact model on HP’s compatibility page before buying replacements. Our guide on how to store unused ink cartridges also helps you keep spares fresh.
4. Does One Cost Less to Maintain?
Not by specs. Both use the same cartridges and yields. Compare cartridge prices and your yearly page count. A cheaper printer does not guarantee cheaper ink. Try an ink cartridge vs refillable tank printer comparison if costs worry you.
5. Do Both HP Printers Support Wireless Printing?
Yes. Both list built-in Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz band. You need the HP Smart app, a compatible network, and a steady signal. AirPrint works for Apple devices.
6. Can the Printers Print Double-Sided Automatically?
No. Both rely on manual duplex printing. The software tells you when to flip and reload the pages. If you print two-sided pages often, consider a model with automatic duplex.
7. Are They Good for Photos?
They can print color images on supported paper. But neither is a dedicated photo printer. Expect limited color depth and check borderless support first. Use photo paper for the best results.
8. Can I Scan and Copy With Both Printers?
Yes. Both are all-in-one printers with a flatbed scanner and copy function. Neither has an automatic document feeder, so you must place each page by hand. That slows multipage jobs.
9. Are These Printers Suitable for a Small Business?
They fit a home-based business with light printing. Businesses that print many pages, scan multipage files, or need duplex should look at higher-capacity models. See our office printer guide.
10. What HP Printer Should I Buy for Home Use?
Choose by price, print volume, cartridge cost, Wi-Fi needs, and scanning needs. If both models cost the same, pick the better deal and warranty. Consider an ink tank model like the HP Smart Tank 7302 for heavier use.
Conclusion: HP 2855e vs HP 2827e
The HP 2855e vs HP 2827e decision is mostly about price and ink. Their print quality, speed, Wi-Fi, and paper handling are matched on paper. Ongoing ink cost is the biggest long-term factor.
Let verified features and total cost guide you, not the model number. Both suit light home printing but struggle with heavy or photo-focused work.
Compare current offers at Amazon, Best Buy, and Staples. Confirm cartridge compatibility before you order. And if ink costs worry you, review how long an inkjet printer usually lasts and our best affordable inkjet printers with cheap ink before you commit.
