By Ethan Carter
HP dominates the entry-level and mid-tier home printer market, and two names come up again and again in 2026: the HP Premium and the HP DeskJet 2855e. The DeskJet 2855e is the entry-friendly all-in-one that HP pushes for casual home use, while the HP Premium sits above it with better speeds, more paper handling, and stronger long-term value for busy households and hybrid workers. In this side-by-side comparison, we look at their specs, print quality, ink economics, connectivity, user feedback, and pricing cycles, so you can pick the right model without overspending.
Quick Answer: Choose the HP Premium if you print more than 20 pages a week, want faster speeds and duplex printing. Choose the HP DeskJet 2855e if you print occasionally at home and want the cheapest reliable HP all-in-one.
The HP Premium is positioned as HP's step-up all-in-one for home offices and small workgroups. It combines print, scan, and copy functions with faster page-per-minute speeds, automatic two-sided printing, and a more robust paper tray than entry-level DeskJets. It supports HP+ services, HP Smart App control, and HP Instant Ink subscriptions.
1.1 Key Specs
1.2 Editor Scores
HP Premium
Best for Home OfficeFaster print speeds, automatic duplex, and a larger paper tray make it the smarter pick for households that print regularly or handle school/work documents weekly.
Check Price2. HP DeskJet 2855e: Product Information
The HP DeskJet 2855e is HP's compact, budget-friendly all-in-one built for casual home printing. It targets students, renters, and light users who need a reliable printer for a few pages a week: forms, homework, boarding passes, and photos. It ships with HP+ eligibility and up to several months of free Instant Ink on setup, making the total first-year cost very low.
2.1 Key Specs
2.2 Editor Scores
HP DeskJet 2855e
Best Budget PickCompact, affordable, and easy to set up via the HP Smart app. Ideal for renters, students, and households that print occasionally rather than daily.
Check Price3. HP Premium vs HP DeskJet 2855e: Comparison Table
| Feature | HP Premium | HP DeskJet 2855e |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Home office / regular printingWinner | Occasional home use |
| Print Speed (Black) | ~10 ppmWinner | ~7.5 ppm |
| Auto Duplex | YesWinner | No (manual) |
| Paper Tray Capacity | ~100 sheetsWinner | ~60 sheets |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth setup, AirPrint |
| Instant Ink | Compatible | Compatible |
| Footprint | Larger | CompactWinner |
| Entry Price | Higher | LowerWinner |
Not sure which one fits your budget? Compare HP Premium prices across retailers and set a price-drop alert on ShopFox.
4. Real User Feedback: HP Premium
Across community forums and retailer reviews, HP Premium owners repeatedly highlight the same wins and pain points. We aggregated common themes from public reviews and HP Support forums.
4.1 Key Feedback Themes
- Automatic duplex saves paper
- Sharp text output on plain paper
- HP Smart App setup is straightforward
- Larger paper tray reduces refills
- HP+ requires Instant Ink and internet
- Larger footprint than budget models
For more owner insights, browse HP Premium user reviews on ShopFox.
5. Real User Feedback: HP DeskJet 2855e
The DeskJet 2855e review pool skews toward casual home users. Buyers appreciate its low price and small footprint but point out that it isn't built for heavy workloads.
5.1 Key Feedback Themes
- Compact enough for a shelf or dorm
- Free Instant Ink trial on HP+ setup
- Decent print quality for the price
- Simple mobile setup via HP Smart
- No automatic duplex printing
- Smaller paper tray needs refills more often
You can also review pricing history and community feedback on the HP DeskJet 2855e review page.
How We Researched This
This comparison is not based on first-hand lab testing. Instead, we researched and compared both printers using HP's official manufacturer specifications, publicly available expert reviews from established tech publications, aggregated user feedback from retailer review sections and community forums, and current retail pricing patterns. Where speeds and yields are cited, they reflect HP's published figures under standard test conditions.
6. Which One Should You Choose?
Your decision comes down to print volume and use case, not brand preference — both are HP inkjets using similar core technology.
Choose HP Premium If…
You print more than 20 pages a week, need auto duplex for reports and school work, want faster speeds, or share the printer among multiple household members. It also suits hybrid workers who print contracts, invoices, and shipping labels regularly.
View HP PremiumChoose HP DeskJet 2855e If…
You print occasionally — homework, forms, boarding passes, a few photos — and want the lowest possible entry price with a compact footprint. Great for dorms, apartments, and casual users who prefer Instant Ink to skip cartridge shopping.
View DeskJet 2855e7. Purchase Timing & Market Cycle Advice
Both models see predictable discount cycles. Historically, HP inkjet all-in-ones drop the most during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November), Amazon Prime Day (mid-July and October), and the back-to-school window (July–August). Off-peak, the DeskJet 2855e already sits at a low list price, so bundle deals with Instant Ink usually offer more real value than direct discounts.
7.1 HP Premium Timing
Best discounts appear during Black Friday and Prime Day, when mid-tier all-in-ones typically drop 15–25% below MSRP. If you're not in a rush, wait for one of these windows or track the price history. Check HP Premium price history and set a price alert with ShopFox to catch dips.
7.2 HP DeskJet 2855e Timing
Because entry-level DeskJets are already aggressively priced, the biggest savings come from bundles: extra Instant Ink months, USB cable inclusion, or free shipping. Compare DeskJet 2855e deals on ShopFox to find the best current bundle.
Browse more options in our full printers category to see how these HP models stack up against Canon, Epson, and Brother alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HP Premium worth the extra money over the DeskJet 2855e?
If you print regularly (more than 30 pages a week), need faster speeds, sharper text, or duplex printing, the HP Premium usually justifies the price bump. For occasional home users printing a few pages weekly, the DeskJet 2855e delivers the same core HP print quality at a lower entry cost. Consider not just the sticker price but also ink usage — heavier printers benefit more from Instant Ink subscriptions on the Premium.
Can both printers work with HP Instant Ink?
Yes. Both the HP Premium and HP DeskJet 2855e are compatible with HP Instant Ink, HP's subscription that ships cartridges based on your monthly page count. It typically cuts ink costs by up to 50% for households that print consistently and don't want to shop for cartridges at retail prices. The DeskJet 2855e also ships with a limited free-Instant-Ink trial when you enroll in HP+ during setup.
Does the DeskJet 2855e support automatic two-sided (duplex) printing?
No. The DeskJet 2855e supports manual duplex only — you print odd pages, flip the stack, then print even pages. If saving paper matters to you or you print reports and school assignments frequently, the HP Premium's automatic duplex is a meaningful upgrade. For occasional single-sided printing, the manual method on the 2855e is workable but noticeably slower.
Do I need an internet connection to use either printer?
Both printers can print via USB or Wi-Fi without permanent internet access, but if you activate HP+ during setup, ongoing internet is required for firmware updates and certain features. HP+ also mandates the use of original HP cartridges. If you want maximum flexibility with third-party ink, decline HP+ during setup — both models operate as standard printers in that mode.
Which one is better for printing photos at home?
Neither is a dedicated photo printer, but both handle occasional 4x6 and letter-size photo printing on HP photo paper acceptably. The HP Premium generally produces slightly more consistent color output thanks to its firmware tuning, while the DeskJet 2855e is fine for casual snapshots. If photo quality is a top priority, an HP ENVY or Canon PIXMA photo-focused model is a better long-term choice.
Which HP printer has cheaper running costs over a year?
It depends on volume. For low volumes (under 100 pages per month), the DeskJet 2855e is cheaper overall because you can buy retail HP 67 cartridges only when needed. For higher volumes, the HP Premium paired with an Instant Ink plan usually wins — its higher-yield cartridges and duplex printing reduce per-page cost. Estimate your monthly pages first, then compare Instant Ink tiers before deciding.
Can I use third-party or refilled ink cartridges?
Only if you skip HP+ during setup. HP+ (offered on both models) requires original HP cartridges as part of its terms. If you decline HP+, you can use third-party or refilled cartridges, though HP does not officially guarantee performance or warranty coverage when non-HP ink is used. Read the setup screen carefully — the HP+ choice is easy to miss in the HP Smart app.
How reliable is the Wi-Fi connection on these printers?
Most modern HP inkjets connect well to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and are managed through the HP Smart app. Some DeskJet 2855e users report occasional Wi-Fi disconnects, usually solved by keeping the printer close to the router and updating firmware. The HP Premium tends to be more stable due to newer wireless firmware. For heavy use, a wired USB connection is always the most reliable option.
When is the best time of year to buy an HP printer?
Historically, the deepest discounts appear during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day events in July and October, and the back-to-school window from mid-July through August. HP also runs periodic Instant Ink promotions that add value even outside these windows. Tracking the printer's price history on ShopFox and setting a price alert is the simplest way to catch a real drop.
Conclusion
The HP Premium and HP DeskJet 2855e serve two different buyers. The HP Premium is the smarter long-term choice for households that print regularly, want auto duplex, and value speed. The HP DeskJet 2855e wins on price and footprint and is ideal for light home use. Match the printer to your real print volume — not to the spec sheet — and use ShopFox to time your purchase around discount cycles for the best deal.