The HP DeskJet 2640 has become one of the most searched budget all-in-one printers for 2026, thanks to its low sticker price, compact footprint, and easy HP Smart app setup. It targets students, casual home users, and small households who need to print, scan, and copy occasionally — not power users. In this review we break down its specifications, real-world price ranges, user feedback from video reviews and Reddit threads, honest pros and cons, the best times to buy, and worthwhile alternatives so you can decide before adding it to your cart.
Quick Answer: Yes, if you want a cheap, wireless, no-frills all-in-one for light home printing. No, if you print more than ~150 pages a month or need fast, low-cost color — an ink tank printer will save you more long-term.
1.1 Core Specs
1.2 What's in the Box
1.3 Technical Highlights
2. Price & Value Analysis
2.1 Current Pricing
As of September 2026, the HP DeskJet 2640 typically sells in a suggested buy-in range of around $59-$89 USD at major retailers, with frequent promo dips near $49-$54 during seasonal sales. Bundles that include a trial of HP Instant Ink or extra XL cartridges usually sit at the higher end. Because pricing fluctuates by retailer and week, it is worth checking a live comparison before purchase — you can compare prices on ShopFox to see all retailers side by side.
2.2 Is It Worth Buying?
On value alone, the 2640 is one of the cheapest legitimate wireless all-in-ones you can buy new. For students, renters, or households that print a handful of pages a week, it easily pays for itself. However, HP 67/67XL ink is not cheap per page; if you routinely print more than ~150 pages a month, the ongoing cost quickly overtakes the printer's price. In that scenario, an ink tank model or an Instant Ink subscription makes far more financial sense. As a printer in the wider printers category, the DeskJet 2640 fits the "cheap and cheerful" slot rather than long-term workhorse.
Not sure if now is the right time to buy? Track its price history on ShopFox and set a drop alert.
3. Real User Experience
3.1 Video Reviews Summary
Across YouTube unboxings and long-term reviews, tech creators covering budget printers repeatedly land on similar conclusions. Reviewers focusing on home-office gear tend to praise the DeskJet 2640's fast HP Smart app setup — several describe getting from box to first print in under 10 minutes over Wi-Fi. On the downside, video reviewers consistently flag two things: relatively slow color speeds compared to newer 27xx-series models, and the small 60-sheet input tray, which fills up quickly during longer print jobs. Photo output is described as "acceptable for schoolwork" rather than photo-lab quality.
3.2 What Reddit Users Are Saying
In printer-focused subreddits, Reddit users share a more skeptical take. Threads discussing entry-level HP DeskJets frequently warn buyers that ink pricing, not printer price, is the real long-term cost — a common comment is essentially, "the printer is cheap on purpose." Users who signed up for HP Instant Ink largely say the subscription evens things out for light printing, though some dislike being locked into a plan. Wi-Fi reliability threads are mixed: many report rock-solid printing after initial setup, while a minority mention having to re-add the printer after router changes.
3.3 Key User Feedback Themes
4. Performance & Everyday Use
In everyday scenarios — printing boarding passes, tax forms, school essays, and the occasional recipe — the DeskJet 2640 performs comfortably. Text output is crisp for a sub-$90 printer, black-and-white pages come out at a reasonable pace, and the scanner produces clean 300 dpi documents suitable for emailing or PDF archiving. Color graphics look fine on regular paper, though borderless photo printing on glossy paper takes noticeably longer. The build is plastic and lightweight, which is convenient for shelf storage but means the paper trays feel less robust than pricier models. The scores below are editor judgments based on research, not aggregated user ratings.
5. Pros & Cons
- Compact, lightweight design
- Simple HP Smart app setup
- Wireless printing plus AirPrint
- All-in-one: print, scan, copy
- Instant Ink eligible for cheap ink plans
- Slow color print speed vs newer models
- Small 60-sheet input tray
- Plastic build feels basic
6. Best Time to Buy
6.1 Historical Price Trends
Historically, entry-level HP DeskJets like the 2640 see their steepest drops during back-to-school (July-August) and holiday shopping periods (mid-November to late December). Price dips of 25-40% off list are common during flagship sales, often bundled with ink or paper. Outside these windows, prices tend to hover close to MSRP with only small weekly variation. Reviewing a real price chart before you buy is the safest way to avoid overpaying — set a price alert with ShopFox to catch the next drop.
6.2 Upcoming Sales Events
For 2026, expect the best DeskJet 2640 pricing around Amazon Prime Day in July, Back-to-School promotions in August, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November, and post-holiday clearance in early January. Retailer-specific events (Target Circle Week, Walmart Deals) also frequently include HP DeskJet models. If you can wait, aligning your purchase with one of these events typically saves $15-$30 on the printer plus additional bundle value on ink.
7. Top Alternatives
HP DeskJet 2755e
Instant Ink BestSimilar footprint and features, but ships with months of Instant Ink included and slightly nicer front controls. A better long-term deal for regular light printers.
Canon PIXMA TR4720
Best with ADFAdds a 20-page automatic document feeder and fax, useful for home offices. Slightly larger than the DeskJet 2640 but usually within the same price range.
Epson EcoTank ET-2400
Lowest Cost/PageHigher upfront price, but refillable ink bottles bring per-page cost far below cartridge printers. The right choice if you print more than 150 pages a month.
| Feature | DeskJet 2640 | DeskJet 2755e | EcoTank ET-2400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink System | Cartridge (HP 67) | Cartridge + Instant Ink | Refillable tanksWinner |
| Wireless | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Input Tray | 60 sheets | 60 sheets | 100 sheetsWinner |
| Upfront Price | LowestWinner | Low | Higher |
| Best For | Light home use | Instant Ink users | Higher-volume printing |
How We Researched This Review
We did not perform hands-on lab testing of this printer. Instead, this review is based on HP's published product specifications, expert reviews from established print and tech publications, aggregated retailer customer reviews, and community discussions on Reddit and printer forums. Scores reflect editorial judgment against comparable models in the same price band, not user rating averages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HP DeskJet 2640 good for home use?
Yes. For homework, shipping labels, forms, and light photo printing, the DeskJet 2640 delivers acceptable quality at a very low upfront price. It is best suited to households that print less than about 30-50 pages a week. Heavier users should look at ink tank alternatives to avoid high cartridge costs.
Does the HP DeskJet 2640 print in color?
Yes. It uses a two-cartridge system: HP 67 black and HP 67 tri-color. Color output is fine for school projects, invitations, and casual documents, though photo prints on glossy paper are noticeably slower and not comparable to a dedicated photo printer. XL cartridges are strongly recommended if you print color regularly.
How do I connect the HP DeskJet 2640 to Wi-Fi?
Install the HP Smart app on your phone or computer, then follow the guided setup. The app finds the printer over Bluetooth, prompts you to select your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, and completes registration. Setup usually takes under 10 minutes. Note that many 5 GHz-only networks require guest 2.4 GHz enabled on your router.
Is ink expensive for the HP DeskJet 2640?
Compared to ink tank printers, yes. HP 67 standard cartridges yield modest page counts, and 67XL cartridges roughly double the yield at a lower cost per page. HP Instant Ink subscriptions can significantly reduce per-page costs for light-to-moderate users, but heavy printers will still save more with an EcoTank-style printer.
Can the HP DeskJet 2640 print double-sided?
It does not include automatic duplex printing. You can print on both sides manually by flipping paper between passes — most printer drivers include a "manual duplex" option that walks you through the process. If automatic duplex is important, consider a step-up model like the OfficeJet Pro series.
Does the HP DeskJet 2640 work with Chromebooks and iPads?
Yes. It supports Apple AirPrint for iPhones and iPads, Mopria for Android, and works with Chromebooks via the HP Print for Chrome extension or standard IPP printing. Once it is on your Wi-Fi network, most modern devices will detect it automatically without needing extra drivers.
How much does the HP DeskJet 2640 cost in 2026?
Suggested pricing sits between about $59 and $89 USD in 2026, with promo pricing occasionally dropping under $55 during major sales events. Bundles that include extra ink or paper trend a bit higher. Because prices swing weekly, it is worth checking a live retailer comparison before purchase.
Is the DeskJet 2640 still worth buying in 2026?
For occasional home printing, yes. It remains one of the cheapest entry points to wireless, all-in-one printing. However, if you print more than roughly 150 pages a month, an ink tank alternative offers dramatically lower running cost and will pay back its higher upfront price within a year.
Conclusion
The HP DeskJet 2640 is exactly what it advertises: a low-cost, compact, wireless all-in-one for people whose printer sits idle most of the week. It handles school assignments, shipping labels, and casual photos without fuss, and the HP Smart app makes setup painless. Its weaknesses — cartridge economics, slower color speed, and a small paper tray — are predictable trade-offs at this price. If you know your monthly volume is genuinely light, and especially if you plan to use HP Instant Ink, it is easy to recommend. Before ordering, compare retailer prices on ShopFox and consider setting a drop alert for the next major sale.
The Verdict
Buy the HP DeskJet 2640 if you want the cheapest reasonable path to wireless home printing and print fewer than ~30 pages a week. Skip it if you print heavily — an ink tank printer will save you far more over time.
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