Choosing between HP's mainstream OfficeJet Pro and the newer wide-format OfficeJet Pro 9720 comes down to how much paper size, speed, and volume you really need. Both are all-in-one inkjets aimed at home offices and small businesses, both connect to HP Smart, and both work with Instant Ink. The differences show up in tabloid printing, ADF capacity, duty cycle, and running cost. In this 2026 comparison we researched official HP specs, expert reviews, and community feedback to help you decide which model fits your workflow.
Quick Answer: Choose the standard HP OfficeJet Pro if you print mostly letter/legal documents and want a compact, affordable all-in-one. Choose the OfficeJet Pro 9720 if you need 11x17 wide-format printing, higher monthly volume, or a larger ADF.
The HP OfficeJet Pro is HP's long-running mainstream all-in-one inkjet family, targeted at busy home offices and small teams that need reliable print/scan/copy/fax on a compact footprint. It emphasizes energy-efficient ink technology, duplex printing on both sides of the page, and tight integration with the HP Smart app for mobile printing, scanning to cloud, and remote job submission.
1.1 Key Specs
1.2 Editor Scorecard
HP OfficeJet Pro
Best for Home OfficeCompact, quiet, and cheap to run for low-to-medium monthly volume. Ideal if your work never leaves letter/legal size and you value a smaller desk footprint.
View Price2. HP OfficeJet Pro 9720: Product Information
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9720 belongs to HP's Wide Format OfficeJet Pro series and is designed for small businesses that occasionally need to print or copy on tabloid-sized paper. It steps up the input tray capacity, ADF size, and duty cycle over standard OfficeJet Pro models while keeping the same HP Smart software ecosystem, Instant Ink compatibility, and duplex workflow.
2.1 Key Specs
2.2 Editor Scorecard
HP OfficeJet Pro 9720
Best for Wide FormatAn 11x17-capable all-in-one with dual paper trays, larger ADF, and higher duty cycle. Ideal for creative shops, real estate offices, and clinics that print spreadsheets, plans, or brochures.
View Price3. HP OfficeJet Pro vs 9720 Comparison Table
| Feature | HP OfficeJet Pro | HP OfficeJet Pro 9720 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Paper Size | Letter / Legal | Up to 11 x 17 in Winner |
| Print Speed (Black) | ~20 ppm | ~24 ppm Winner |
| ADF Capacity | 35 sheets | 50 sheets (duplex scan) Winner |
| Paper Input | ~250 sheets, single tray | ~500 sheets, dual tray Winner |
| Footprint | Compact desktop Winner | Larger, wide-format chassis |
| Ink Cartridges | HP 962/963 series | HP 965 series |
| Recommended Monthly Volume | ~800 pages | ~2,000 pages Winner |
| Best For | Home office, freelancers | Small business, wide format |
Not sure which is cheaper right now? Compare the 9720 on ShopFox across major retailers and set a drop alert.
4. Real User Feedback: HP OfficeJet Pro
Community feedback from forums, Reddit threads, and retailer reviews highlights a few recurring themes for the standard OfficeJet Pro line. Most users praise its compact size, straightforward setup via HP Smart, and reasonable ink yield with Instant Ink. Complaints tend to cluster around Wi-Fi hiccups on older firmware and slower first-page-out times when the printer wakes from sleep.
4.1 Key Feedback Themes
For deeper hands-on impressions and price history on this model, see the full listing and user reviews on our HP OfficeJet Pro user reviews page.
5. Real User Feedback: HP OfficeJet Pro 9720
Owners of the 9720 consistently mention the value of wide-format printing without stepping up to a laser MFP. Real estate agents highlight tabloid-size listing sheets, while creative teams praise borderless 11x17 output for proofs and brochures. Common criticisms are the larger footprint and the higher upfront cost of 965-series ink; XL cartridges and Instant Ink are frequently recommended workarounds.
5.1 Key Feedback Themes
Check the latest owner impressions and expert notes on the HP OfficeJet Pro 9720 review page.
5.2 Pros & Cons Side by Side
- Lower upfront price
- Cheap 962/963 XL cartridges
- Simple HP Smart setup
- Quiet in standby
- Smaller 35-sheet ADF
- Lower duty cycle
- Dual 250-sheet paper trays
- 50-sheet duplex ADF
- Faster print speeds
- Higher recommended volume
- Pricier 965 ink cartridges
- Overkill for casual home use
How We Researched This
This comparison is based on HP's published specifications, third-party expert reviews, retailer user feedback, and community discussions on printer forums. We did not perform first-hand lab testing. Where numbers vary by region or firmware, we cite manufacturer ranges rather than exact benchmarks.
6. Which One Should You Choose?
The decision comes down to paper size and print volume more than any other factor. If your team never prints beyond legal size and rarely exceeds a few hundred pages a month, the standard OfficeJet Pro is the smarter, cheaper pick. If you regularly deal with spreadsheets, listing sheets, engineering drawings, or marketing collateral that needs to breathe on 11x17 paper, the OfficeJet Pro 9720 earns its extra desk space.
Choose HP OfficeJet Pro If…
You have a home office, print mostly letters, invoices, and PDFs, and want a compact, affordable all-in-one that fits on a small desk. Instant Ink keeps ongoing costs low.
View PriceChoose HP OfficeJet Pro 9720 If…
You need 11x17 printing, scan large volumes through the 50-sheet duplex ADF, or your monthly page count regularly exceeds 800. The dual trays and higher duty cycle pay off quickly.
View Price7. Purchase Timing & Market Cycle Advice
HP inkjet pricing in 2026 follows predictable cycles. Back-to-school (July–August), Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November), and post-holiday clearances (mid-January) usually deliver the deepest discounts on both models. Bundles that include a starter set of XL cartridges or a few months of Instant Ink offer the best real value.
Wide-format machines like the 9720 tend to move more slowly at retail, so end-of-quarter markdowns (March, June, September) often catch shoppers off guard. Standard OfficeJet Pro units, by contrast, see steadier discounting throughout the year but the biggest drops appear during Prime-style events and holiday weekends.
Track both models across major retailers in one place. View OfficeJet Pro price history and set a drop alert to buy at the right moment.
You can also browse alternatives in the broader printers category if you're weighing laser or eco-tank options against these inkjets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HP OfficeJet Pro 9720 a direct upgrade over older OfficeJet Pro models?
Not exactly a drop-in upgrade. The 9720 is part of HP's wide-format sub-family, so it targets a different use case than the standard OfficeJet Pro. It offers faster speeds, a bigger ADF, dual paper trays, and 11x17 support. If you don't need those features, the standard OfficeJet Pro is a better fit and easier on both budget and desk space.
Do both models work with HP Instant Ink?
Yes. Both printers are Instant Ink compatible. This subscription program ships replacement cartridges automatically based on your monthly page count and typically lowers cost per page significantly compared to buying standard cartridges at retail. The 9720 uses the higher-yield HP 965 series while the standard OfficeJet Pro uses HP 962/963 cartridges.
Can either printer scan double-sided pages automatically?
The 9720 supports single-pass duplex scanning through its 50-sheet ADF, capturing both sides of each page in one pass. The standard OfficeJet Pro typically supports duplex scanning as well, but many models use a slower two-pass method. If you regularly scan large duplex documents, the 9720 will save meaningful time.
Which is quieter in a home office?
Both are inkjets so they are quieter than laser MFPs. The standard OfficeJet Pro is generally the quietest of the two because it uses a smaller mechanism. The 9720 is not loud, but its wider carriage and higher-speed motors produce slightly more noise during high-volume runs, especially when handling tabloid-size sheets.
Are the ink cartridges cross-compatible?
No. The standard OfficeJet Pro uses HP 962/963-series cartridges (region dependent), while the 9720 uses HP 965-series cartridges. The cartridges are not interchangeable, so factor in local availability and pricing of the correct series before you buy. Third-party or refilled cartridges may trigger warranty or software restrictions.
Does the 9720 support borderless 11x17 printing?
Yes. The OfficeJet Pro 9720 can print borderless up to 11x17 inches, making it a fit for marketing brochures, real estate flyers, and creative proofs. Borderless output on the standard OfficeJet Pro is limited to letter and smaller photo sizes, so if edge-to-edge tabloid printing matters, the 9720 is the clear choice.
How reliable is the Wi-Fi on these HP printers?
Both connect via dual-band Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct. Users report the 9720's networking is generally more stable, likely because it uses newer wireless hardware. The standard OfficeJet Pro can experience occasional drops on older firmware; keeping HP Smart and firmware updated typically resolves most complaints found in community threads.
Which one has a lower total cost of ownership over three years?
For low-volume users (under 500 pages/month), the standard OfficeJet Pro wins on total cost thanks to lower purchase price and cheaper cartridges. For medium-to-high volume users (1,000+ pages/month), the 9720 with XL cartridges or Instant Ink can actually be cheaper per page because of its higher-yield 965 series and larger paper capacity reducing labor time.
Is either printer worth buying refurbished?
HP-certified refurbished units often carry a similar warranty to new stock and can save 20–30% off retail. Both models are good refurb candidates because they are relatively new designs with mature firmware. Verify that the seller ships genuine starter cartridges and that the printhead has been reset, especially for the 9720 given its higher upfront price.
Conclusion
Both the HP OfficeJet Pro and the OfficeJet Pro 9720 are solid inkjet all-in-ones in 2026, but they target different users. The standard OfficeJet Pro is the pragmatic pick for home offices and light-duty small teams that value a compact footprint and lower upfront cost. The 9720 justifies its larger chassis and pricier 965 ink with wide-format printing, dual paper trays, a duplex-scanning ADF, and a higher recommended monthly volume. Match the machine to your actual paper size and page count, watch for holiday and quarter-end discounts, and you will get years of reliable printing from either model.