- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is an all-in-one inkjet that prints good-looking photos. The connectivity options are incredible, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and it can also print directly from SD cards and USB flash drives. It features a flatbed scanner, automatic document feeder, and built-in fax. Unfortunately, it struggles to reproduce most colors accurately, and its color gamut is disappointing, too. Also, it yields a terrible number of black pages and a disappointing number of color documents, and since there's only one color cartridge, you'll need to replace it entirely even if you run out of just one color. That said, the cartridges are relatively cheap, so the overall cost-per-print should be alright if you don't print too often.
Our Verdict
The HP ENVY 7855 is a decent printer for family use, as it prints good-looking photos at a relatively low cost-per-print. There's a flatbed scanner, which is good for fragile photos, and an automatic document feeder, which is great for processing multi-page documents. Although it yields a poor number of pages, the overall cost-per-print is alright. It can print directly from SD cards and USB flash drives. Unfortunately, its color accuracy is poor, but it's fine for adding a splash of color to your document.
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Great scanning features.
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Good photo printing quality.
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Can print from external storage.
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Disappointing color accuracy.
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Poor page yields.
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Only one color cartridge.
The HP ENVY 7855 is disappointing for small or home office use due to its poor page yields. It takes a little long to warm up and print the first page, and it might be hard to load paper into the input tray in the middle of a print job. Also, its automatic document feeder can't duplex scan, and the touchscreen is difficult to navigate. On the bright side, it has an Ethernet port and supports Wi-Fi, and the printing speed for black text documents is fair.
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Great scanning features.
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Outstanding connectivity options.
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Poor page yields.
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Slow to print the first page.
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Automatic document feeder can't duplex scan.
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Can be difficult to reload the paper input tray.
The HP ENVY 7855 performs well for student use. The cost-per-print is alright overall, although you'll need to replace the cartridges often if you print frequently since it has poor page yields. There's both an automatic document feeder and flatbed scanner for different types of media you need to scan, and you can print via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or directly from USB flash drives and SD cards. Unfortunately, it takes a while to print out the first page.
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Great scanning features.
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Can print from external storage.
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Compatible with Bluetooth.
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Poor page yields.
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Slow to print the first page.
The HP ENVY 7855 is a middling model for black and white printing. The printing speed for black text documents is okay, the cost-per-print is fair, and it's compatible with high-yield cartridges. Unfortunately, the black page yield is awful, so you'll need to replace the cartridges often if you print frequently. Also, it might be hard to load paper into the input tray while in the middle of a print job, and the touchscreen is difficult to navigate. Although it has an automatic document feeder, it can't duplex scan.
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Great scanning features.
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Outstanding connectivity options.
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Poor page yields.
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Slow to print the first page.
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Automatic document feeder can't duplex scan.
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Can be difficult to reload the paper input tray.
The HP ENVY 7855 is okay for casual photo printing. It prints good-looking photos with high contrast, but unfortunately, it struggles to accuracy reproduce most colors. Also, it doesn't support 2" x 3" photo paper.
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Good photo printing quality.
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Decent photo cost-per-print.
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Supports 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" photo paper.
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Disappointing color accuracy.
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Poor page yields.
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Only one color cartridge.
- 7.2 Family
- 5.6 Small/Home Office
- 7.6 Student
- 5.8 Black & White
- 6.6 Photo
- Updated Jan 28, 2022: Reshot and updated the 'In Use Picture'.
- Updated Jan 12, 2022: Adjusted Photo Printing Quality score for consistency with other reviews.
- Updated Dec 14, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Jun 08, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.
- Updated May 11, 2020: Review published.
Test Results
The HP ENVY 7855 has a disappointing design. While the plastic build feels good overall, the input tray feels very flimsy. The output tray conveniently pops out once you start printing, but it's surprisingly hard to push back into place. It could get rather annoying, as you need to push it back in if you want to load paper into the input tray. Our unit also struggled to operate normally out of the box, and we had to run multiple self-cleaning cycles before it started working. For a better-built printer, check out the HP OfficeJet Pro 8025.
Update 01/28/2022: We reshot our 'In Use Picture' since the initial one didn't have the input tray cover opened.
The display screen is disappointing. It has inadequate touchscreen sensitivity, and the various tabs at the top of the menu are small and difficult to properly press.
The printer has a bad cartridge system. Since there's only one color cartridge, it needs replacing every time any of the colors run out, which is inconvenient for a photo printer. The standard replacement cartridges don't last very long, but there are high-yield cartridges available that should help improve the yield a bit. You can also use third-party cartridges in this printer, although it may void your warranty. If you're looking for an HP printer with a supertank system that can yield more pages per tank, check out the HP Smart Tank Plus 551.
Note: We had multiple issues printing with our unit, both during the initial set-up and after only two weeks without use. Multiple cleaning cycles were required each time before it would print properly. If you have the same model and are experiencing similar issues, let us know in the discussions.
The scanning features are decent. It has a flatbed scanner with a very high scan resolution, ideal for scanning photos in great detail. Unlike the similar HP ENVY Photo 7155, it also an automatic document feeder for scanning multi-page documents. Unfortunately, there's no duplex scanning, meaning double-sided documents need manual flipping. You can save documents as searchable PDF files, allowing you to easily find text on your computer.
The HP ENVY 7855 has a high maximum resolution and color depth, but scans are misaligned, which you can see by the black lines on the edges of the document.
The main input tray has width sliders for different paper sizes, as well as a dedicated photo paper compartment that supports most glossy paper formats. If you're looking for a photo printer that supports tabloid-sized printing, check out the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300.
- HP 64 Black starter cartridge
- HP 64 Tri-color starter cartridge
- User manuals
- Sample photo paper
- Power cable
- Fax cable
The cost-per-print is only okay. The cartridges are somewhat reasonably priced compared to the cost of the printer, which should be fine if you don't intend to print very often. However, it isn't ideal if you plan to print frequently, as you can still end up quickly spending a lot of money on replacement cartridges. Keep in mind that even if you print only in black, most inkjet printers continue using the color cartridge for servicing tasks, so you may still need to replace it eventually.
If you print a lot and you want a printer with a lower cost-per-print, check out the Canon PIXMA G6020.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855's printing speed is decent. Black text documents don't take too long to print after the first page is out, although color documents take quite a bit longer. The main input tray holds up to 125 sheets of plain paper, while the output tray holds up to 25 sheets at a time.
Update 01/12/2022: We reevaluated the printed images and lowered the score from an 8.0 to a 7.5. This makes it more consistent with the scores of similar printers.
The HP ENVY 7855 has good photo printing quality. The reds are vivid, the grayscale palette is rich, and the contrast is high. That said, there's a very small amount of banding in the light greens and light blues. If you want a model with better photo printing quality, consider the HP ENVY Inspire 7955e. We base these results on the actual physical photo, not the scanned image provided for reference above, which may not represent the printer's photo print quality.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 has disappointing color accuracy. Most colors look noticeably different from the way they're intended, so photos of landscapes or portraits of people could look noticeably different from what you'd expect. It also isn't suitable for work that requires precise color reproduction.
The HP ENVY 7855 can print directly from both SD cards and USB flash drives.
The HP 7855 is compatible with the superb HP Smart mobile companion app. From here, you can scan directly from your phone, print photos or PDF files, and manage your ink subscription. Unfortunately, you can't directly print some file formats on Android.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the HP ENVY Photo 7855. The model number changes slightly depending on the region and retailer. In some regions, it's sold as the HP ENVY Photo 7858 or the HP ENVY 7858. You can see our unit's label here.
Compared To Other Printers
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is a great family printer with good photo printing quality. It has a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder, making it very versatile for home use. Sadly, while it's designed for casual photo printing, its colors are disappointingly inaccurate. Also, it has a low page yield, so the costs easily add up over time if you print often.
For more options, see our recommendations for the best home printers, the best photo printers, and the best HP printers.
The Canon PIXMA TR8520 is better than the HP ENVY Photo 7855. The Canon feels better built, and it has four color cartridges instead of just one like the HP. Even though the cartridges are more expensive, the cost-per-print over time is cheaper since it can print a lot more pages. Also, the Canon has better color accuracy and better photo printing quality. On the other hand, the HP prints and scans faster, and it supports Bluetooth printing.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e and the HP ENVY Photo 7855 are all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the OfficeJet is better overall. The OfficeJet has much higher page yields and a much lower cost-per-print. Also, it prints faster, its automatic document feeder supports dual-pass duplex scanning, and it also comes with six months of HP's Instant Ink subscription. It's better at reproducing most colors more accurately. On the other hand, the ENVY supports heavier specialty paper, and it can print via Bluetooth.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e are both all-in-one color inkjet printers. The OfficeJet's page yields and cost-per-print are better, and it comes with six free months of HP's Instant Ink subscription. On the other hand, the ENVY has better image quality. It can also print via Bluetooth and directly from USB flash drives and SD cards. However, its color gamut and color accuracy are much worse.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is better than the HP ENVY Inspire 7955e for family and student use, but the two printers perform about the same otherwise. The 7855 prints better-quality photos, although its color accuracy is much worse than the 7955e. Additionally, the 7855's ADF scans at a much faster speed, it has built-in fax and an Ethernet port, and it can print directly from both SD cards and USB flash drives.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 is better overall than the HP ENVY Photo 7855. The OfficeJet Pro 6978 has three color cartridges and yields more pages than the ENVY Photo 7855's one color cartridge. Also, the OfficeJet Pro 6978's ADF can automatically scan double-sided sheets in two passes. If you like to print photos, the OfficeJet Pro 6978 is the better choice, thanks to its better photo printing quality and more accurate colors.
The Canon PIXMA TR8620 and the HP ENVY Photo 7855 are both very good models for casual photo printing, but the Canon performs better for most other tasks. The Canon uses four separate color cartridges, yields many more pages, and has a lower cost-per-print. Also, it produces better-looking photos and has much better color accuracy. It also feels much better built and has a much better touchscreen display. On the other hand, the HP prints documents much faster.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is the higher-end version of the HP ENVY Photo 7155. The 7855 performs better overall, with an automatic document feeder, built-in fax, an Ethernet port, and Bluetooth support. Also, the 7855 prints much faster.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e are both all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the OfficeJet is better overall. The OfficeJet has a much better page yield and a significantly better cost-per-print, and it prints much faster. Also, its automatic document feeder supports duplex scanning. On the other hand, the ENVY can print via Bluetooth or directly from SD cards.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 performs better than the HP ENVY Pro 6455. The 7855 has a higher page yield and a lower cost-per-print, and it prints faster and produces much better-looking photos. It also offers more connectivity options and supports legal-sized paper, which you may need for your office tasks. That said, the 6455 is a bit more compact and feels better built.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 are all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the HP is better for printing photos, while the Epson is better suited for a variety of tasks. The HP prints better-looking photos with a higher contrast, and it can print via Bluetooth and directly from SD cards. On the other hand, the Epson has higher page yields and a lower cost-per-print, it prints much faster overall, and its automatic document feeder can duplex scan.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is better for family and student use, whereas the HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 is better for small or home office use. The ENVY produces better-looking photos, its ADF scans much faster, and it can print directly from both SD cards and USB flash drives. On the other hand, the OfficeJet has better page yields, a much cheaper cost-per-print, and a faster print speed for black text documents, and it produces much more accurate and natural-looking colors.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is better overall than the HP OfficeJet 5255. The ENVY has a higher color page yield, and it also has a lower cost-per-print with color and black pages. The ENVY is a much better choice for photos as it has great photo printing quality. On the other hand, the OfficeJet has a higher black page yield, and it feels better built.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Brother MFC-J995DW are all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the Brother is better for a wider variety of uses, with a significantly better cost-per-print and page yields. It also prints color documents and photos more quickly. Also, it produces nicer photos with significantly better color accuracy.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Epson EcoTank ET-3760 are all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the Epson uses a supertank ink system for a significantly better cost-per-print and page yields. It also prints black-only text documents faster. On the other hand, the HP is better for casual photos since it produces better-looking photos and prints photos much faster. Also, it can print from Bluetooth and directly via USB flash drives and SD cards.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 are all-in-one color inkjets. The OfficeJet yields far more pages, its cost-per-print is significantly cheaper, and it prints much faster. Also, it feels significantly better built, the touchscreen is much better, and its automatic document feeder can duplex scan. On the other hand, the ENVY supports Bluetooth, and it can print directly from SD cards.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 performs much better overall compared to the HP ENVY Photo 6255. The 7855 yields more color pages at a cheaper cost-per-print, it prints much faster, and it produces significantly better-looking photos. Also, it has an automatic document feeder, built-in fax, an Ethernet port, Bluetooth connectivity, and can print directly from USB flash drives and SD cards. On the other hand, although the 6255 has a smaller, monochrome display, it's much simpler and easier to use.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is better than the HP ENVY 6075. The 7855 yields more pages, prints significantly faster, and supports Bluetooth and printing off external storage devices. Also, it has an automatic document feeder, while the 6075 only has a flatbed scanner. On the other hand, the 6075 feels better built.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 are both all-in-one inkjet printers, but the HP is better suited for photo printing, whereas the Epson is better for general printing tasks. The Epson uses a supertank system, so it has much higher page yields for black and color documents and a significantly lower cost-per-print. On the other hand, the HP produces better quality photos with less grain, and it offers more connection options, such as Bluetooth connectivity and a slot for an external storage device like a USB key.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 and the HP ENVY Photo 7855 are both all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the OfficeJet is better suited for a wider variety of tasks whereas the ENVY is designed for photo printing. That said, the ENVY doesn't perform much better for photo prints, as it produces overly vibrant, inaccurate colors and photos with far too much contrast. On the other hand, the OfficeJet supports printing large, tabloid-format paper, its flatbed can scan media up to 11" x 17", and its ADF can duplex scan in a single pass. Additionally, the OfficeJet yields far more pages and its cost-per-print is much lower.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is better than the Canon PIXMA TS8320. The HP has a sheetfed scanner, more connectivity options, and it prints higher quality photos. However, the Canon can yield a lot more black and color pages, which leads to a lower cost-per-print. The Canon also prints faster and it has a better display screen.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the HP DeskJet Plus 4155 are both all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the ENVY is a much better printer overall. The ENVY has better page yields and a much better cost-per-print, it prints faster, can automatically print double sided, and produces significantly better-looking photos. Also, it can fax, has an Ethernet port, can print via Bluetooth, and can print directly from USB flash drives or SD cards.
The Canon PIXMA TR7520 is overall better than the HP ENVY Photo 7855. It can print a lot more pages before its cartridge runs out, which keeps its cost-per-print lower. Also, it produces nicer-looking photos with less grain. On the other hand, the HP can print via Bluetooth or directly off a USB key or SD card.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Canon PIXMA TS9520 are all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the Canon is better for families and students. The Canon has a better overall page yield and cost-per-print, prints photos faster, and has better photo quality. On the other hand, the HP can fax, and it can print via Wi-Fi Direct.
The HP DeskJet 2755 and the HP ENVY Photo 7855 are both all-in-one inkjet printers. The 7855 has a much lower cost-per-print, a faster print speed, and it has an automatic document feeder for duplex scanning. On the other hand, the 2755 is better suited to simple printing and scanning tasks since it only has a flatbed scanner, and it can't print as many pages as the HP.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 are both inkjet printers designed for photo printing uses. However, the Canon performs much better. It produces higher-quality photos with no banding, and it can produce a wider range of colors much more accurately. The Canon has dedicated photo printing cartridges, while the HP only uses a single tri-color cartridge. On the other hand, the HP has significantly faster printing speeds, and it has a scanner with an automatic document feeder.
The Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer is a compact, battery-powered photo printer suited for printing casual photos on the go, while the HP ENVY Photo 7855 is a traditional inkjet printer that's decent for family use and is alright for printing photos. The HP prints significantly better-quality photos with high contrast, its cost-per-print is lower, it has a flatbed scanner and automatic document feeder, and it has far more connectivity options. On the other hand, the Canon is a better option if you only need to casually print 2" x 3" photos from your mobile device.
Overall, the HP ENVY Photo 7855 is much better than the Epson Expression Premium XP-6100. The HP has a sheetfed scanner, it and it supports printing via Bluetooth. The Epson has a better build quality, and its cost-per-print for black-only printing is lower; however, it's a lot more expensive to print in color than the HP since you need to replace three cartridges instead of just one.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is overall better than the HP ENVY 6055e. The 7855's page yield is very low, but it's higher than the 6055e's, which helps keep its cost-per-print lower. Also, the 7855 has better connectivity options and supports Bluetooth printing, unlike the 6055e, which only uses Bluetooth for setup.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 is much better than the HP ENVY Pro 6475 for most uses. The 7855 has a display screen, and its connectivity options include an Ethernet port and Bluetooth support that the 6475 doesn't have. It also has a higher page yield that leads to a lower cost-per-print, and it prints faster. Comparatively, the 6475 feels better built, and the input trays don't feel as flimsy as the 7855's.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 and the Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 are both all-in-one color inkjet printers, but the Epson is better overall. It can print more pages before its cartridges run out, keeping its cost-per-print lower. Also, it prints long documents slightly faster, though it takes a long time to print after the printer has been idle for over an hour. On the other hand, the HP scans faster, which might matter to you if you scan more often than you print, but since it doesn't support automatic duplex scanning, it's slower to digitize double-sided sheets compared to the Epson.
The HP ENVY Photo 7855 performs better overall compared to the HP ENVY 6055. The 7855 yields significantly more pages at a much cheaper cost-per-print, it prints much faster. Also, it has a touchscreen display, an automatic document feeder, and built-in fax, as well as an Ethernet port, Bluetooth connectivity, and support for printing directly from USB flash drives and SD cards. On the other hand, the 6055 feels much better built.