HP's home and small-office lineup keeps expanding, and two models keep showing up in shopping carts: the HP Premium, an all-in-one aimed at families who print photos and documents, and the HP 1040, a compact everyday printer built for simple, reliable output. Both wear the HP badge, both promise easy setup and app control, but they target very different buyers. In this 2026 comparison we look at print quality, running costs, connectivity, real user feedback and long-term value, then help you pick the one that actually fits your workflow — and where to grab the best price today.
Quick Answer: Choose the HP Premium if you want richer color, duplex printing and multi-function scanning. Choose the HP 1040 if you want the lowest upfront price for occasional home printing.
The HP Premium is positioned as an all-in-one that balances photo-grade print quality with everyday document work. It targets households that want one machine to handle school projects, tax documents, and the occasional glossy photo, plus small-office users who need scan and copy features without stepping up to a business-class laser.
1.1 Key Specs
1.2 What Stands Out
HP Premium
Best All-RoundA versatile color inkjet AIO with duplex, scanning and photo-quality output — the more capable of the two.
View Price2. HP 1040: Product Information
The HP 1040 is a no-nonsense compact printer designed for households that mostly print black-and-white documents — boarding passes, homework, forms, occasional recipes — and don't need scanning or photo work. It's smaller, lighter, and cheaper up front, making it a popular pick for dorm rooms, home offices, and secondary workstations.
2.1 Key Specs
2.2 What Stands Out
HP 1040
Best ValueA budget-friendly compact printer for light home use — cheap, tidy, and dependable for everyday documents.
View Price3. HP Premium vs HP 1040: Comparison Table
3.1 Specs Side-by-Side
| Feature | HP Premium | HP 1040 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Color inkjet AIO Winner | Single-function inkjet |
| Max Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi Winner | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Print Speed (mono) | ~15 ppm Winner | ~10 ppm |
| Duplex | Automatic Winner | Manual |
| Scan / Copy | Yes Winner | No |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band Winner | Single-band |
| Footprint | Larger | Compact Winner |
| Upfront Price | Higher | Lower Winner |
3.2 Editor Scores
3.3 Pricing Comparison
The HP 1040 sits at the entry level with a noticeably lower sticker price, while the HP Premium commands a mid-range price for its extra hardware. However, cartridge economics can flip the equation: the Premium's XL ink and auto duplex reduce cost-per-page for anyone printing more than a few dozen pages a month.
Not sure which retailer is cheapest right now? Compare HP Premium prices on ShopFox or compare HP 1040 prices and set a drop alert.
4. Real User Feedback: HP Premium
Across community forums, retailer reviews and buyer discussions, HP Premium owners consistently highlight the photo output and duplex feature. Families using it for school projects mention that color prints look close to lab-photo quality, and small-office users appreciate the scanner for archiving receipts.
4.1 Common Themes
4.2 Pros & Cons
- Automatic duplex saves paper
- Built-in scanner and copier
- Strong dual-band Wi-Fi
- XL cartridge support lowers running cost
- Takes up more desk space
- Some users dislike Instant Ink prompts
For a deeper look at long-term use, see the full HP Premium user reviews on ShopFox.
5. Real User Feedback: HP 1040
HP 1040 buyers tend to be pragmatic: they want something small that just works. Reviewers commonly praise the compact footprint and quick setup, while flagging that photo prints are basic and manual duplex is a small annoyance. It's often described as a great secondary printer or a starter model.
5.1 Common Themes
5.2 Pros & Cons
- Very compact and lightweight
- Simple app setup
- Quiet during operation
- Great as a secondary printer
- Manual duplex only
- Single-band Wi-Fi can be flaky
You can browse verified HP 1040 owner reviews on ShopFox for a broader picture.
6. Which One Should You Choose?
The right pick comes down to how much printing you actually do and whether you need scanning or photo output. If your printer sits idle for weeks and then chugs out a boarding pass, the HP 1040 is the smarter buy. If it lives on a desk and prints daily — documents, homework, invoices, or occasional photos — the HP Premium's speed, duplex, and scanner will pay for themselves within a year.
Choose HP Premium If…
You print regularly, want photo-grade color, need scanning and copying, and value auto duplex plus dual-band Wi-Fi. Best for families and small home offices.
View HP PremiumChoose HP 1040 If…
You only need light document printing, prefer a small footprint, and want the lowest upfront cost. Ideal for students, dorms, and secondary workstations.
View HP 1040How We Researched This
We did not perform first-hand lab testing on these units. Our comparison is based on manufacturer specifications, published expert reviews, aggregated retailer feedback, and community discussion across forums as of September 2026. Ratings shown are editor judgments intended to summarize the relative strengths of each model, not user-submitted scores.
7. Purchase Timing & Market Cycle Advice
Consumer HP printers follow a predictable discount cycle. Both the HP Premium and HP 1040 typically see their deepest cuts around back-to-school (late July through early September), Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and the post-holiday clearance window in January. Mid-year Prime-style sales usually offer moderate 10–20% cuts.
7.1 HP Premium Timing
Because the Premium is a mid-range AIO, retailers use it as a headline door-buster during major shopping events. Prices commonly dip 20–30% during Black Friday. If you don't need one immediately, waiting for a seasonal window is worth it.
7.2 HP 1040 Timing
The HP 1040 sees smaller absolute discounts because it's already inexpensive, but percentage cuts can still hit 15–25%. Bundles with paper or starter cartridges often add real value during back-to-school season.
Don't want to babysit prices? Set a Premium price alert or track HP 1040 price history on ShopFox — and browse more options in the printers category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HP Premium worth the extra cost over the HP 1040?
If you print photos, marketing materials, or documents that require sharp color and fine detail, yes. The HP Premium delivers noticeably better color accuracy, higher resolution, and faster duplex printing. If you only need occasional black-and-white documents, the HP 1040 will save you money upfront and on ink, and the difference in image quality won't matter for what you're doing.
Which printer has cheaper ink to run over time?
The HP 1040 typically uses more affordable standard cartridges, but the HP Premium supports high-yield XL cartridges that lower cost-per-page for heavy users. Over 12 months of moderate use, the Premium can actually be cheaper per printed page thanks to XL options and automatic duplex printing that halves paper consumption.
Can both printers work wirelessly with a phone?
Yes. Both support Wi-Fi and the HP Smart app for iOS and Android. The HP Premium adds dual-band Wi-Fi and more stable AirPrint connectivity. The HP 1040 uses single-band Wi-Fi, which is fine for a small home network but may drop occasionally in busier apartments or offices with many connected devices.
Does the HP 1040 have a scanner?
No. The HP 1040 is a single-function printer — no scanning, no copying. If you need to scan tax documents, receipts, or student paperwork, you'll need the HP Premium or a similar all-in-one. Some users pair the 1040 with their phone's scanner app, but built-in flatbed scanning is only available on the Premium.
Is either model good for printing photos?
The HP Premium is clearly the better choice for photo printing. It supports higher resolution, borderless output, and a wider color range suitable for glossy photo paper. The HP 1040 can print photos but the result is more casual — fine for a fridge snapshot, not for framed prints or professional-looking work.
Do these printers work with Chromebook or Linux?
Both support standard printing over AirPrint and Mopria, which lets Chromebook, iPad, and most modern Linux distributions print without extra drivers. HP also offers Linux drivers via HPLIP for advanced features. Setup is easiest on Windows and macOS via the HP Smart app, but cross-platform users won't hit major issues.
Which one is easier to set up?
Both use the HP Smart app for guided Wi-Fi setup, and users report similar experiences. The HP 1040 is slightly faster to unbox and get running because there's no scanner lid or duplex unit to align. The HP Premium takes an extra few minutes but its on-screen prompts and larger control panel make ongoing use easier.
Should I wait for a sale to buy either printer?
If you don't need it urgently, yes. HP printers see reliable discounts during back-to-school, Black Friday, and January clearance events. The HP Premium can drop 20–30% during major sales, while the HP 1040 tends to see 15–25% cuts. Set a price alert on ShopFox so you're notified the moment the price hits your target.
Conclusion
Both printers do their job well, but they serve different buyers. The HP Premium is the more capable machine — better print quality, faster speeds, duplex, and a scanner — and rewards households that actually use a printer regularly. The HP 1040 is the smart pick for buyers who print occasionally, want the lowest upfront investment, and don't need scanning. Match the printer to your workflow rather than the spec sheet, and either one becomes a solid long-term buy. When you're ready to purchase, compare live prices across retailers on ShopFox to make sure you're getting the best deal today.