Quick Pros
- Affordable (~$89)
- Wireless, HP Instant Ink compatible
- Very low per-page cost with subscription ($3-10/mo flat)
Quick Cons
- HP+ required for 2-year warranty
- Plastic build feels budget
- Average print quality
The HP ENVY 6055e sits in the sweet spot between ultra-budget printers and premium models — at around $89, it's affordable but not cheaply made, wireless but not overcomplicated, and most importantly, works very well with HP Instant Ink. If you're comfortable with HP's subscription ecosystem and want a simple home printer that just works, the ENVY 6055e is a solid pick. If you hate subscriptions or want to use third-party ink, look elsewhere.
Who Is the HP ENVY 6055e For?
The ENVY 6055e targets home users, students, and remote workers who print moderately — 50 to 200 pages per month. It's perfect for someone who wants wireless printing from their laptop and phone without dealing with complex setup or expensive ink. The value proposition is strongest if you enroll in HP Instant Ink, which delivers ink automatically based on your monthly page limit for a flat subscription fee. At $5.99/month for 50 pages, that works out to about $0.12 per page — far cheaper than buying cartridges individually.
Technical Specifications
| Print speed | 10ppm black / 7ppm color |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4800 × 1200 dpi |
| Functions | Print, Scan, Copy |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth, HP Smart app |
| HP+ | Required for 2-year warranty (limits to HP genuine ink) |
| Ink system | HP 67 / 67XL cartridges |
| Dimensions | 17.5 × 14.3 × 5.6 in |
Print Quality and Performance
Print quality is adequate for everyday home use. Text documents are clean and legible, color output is acceptable for web pages and simple graphics, and photos printed on HP photo paper look decent — not professional, but fine for home use. At 4800×1200 dpi, the ENVY 6055e produces output comparable to other printers in its price range. Speed is reasonable at 10ppm black and 7ppm color — a 10-page document takes about 90 seconds, which is fine for occasional printing.
HP Instant Ink — The Real Value Proposition
HP Instant Ink is a subscription where you pay a flat monthly fee based on how many pages you print, and HP automatically ships you ink before you run out. The value is compelling: $3.99/month for 10 pages, $5.99/month for 50 pages, or $9.99/month for 100 pages. Unused pages roll over. For someone printing 50 pages a month, that's $0.12 per page all-in — color or black, doesn't matter. Compare that to buying HP 67 cartridges at retail ($15 black, $20 color) yielding only 120 and 100 pages respectively, and the subscription makes sense for most home users.
The catch: if you cancel Instant Ink, the cartridges HP sent you stop working. You're locked into the subscription as long as you're using HP-provided cartridges. This bothers some people; others see it as a fair trade for dramatically lower ink costs.
HP+ Ecosystem
The ENVY 6055e requires HP+ enrollment to access its 2-year warranty (vs 1 year without). HP+ is free but comes with trade-offs: the printer will only accept genuine HP ink cartridges, you must maintain an internet connection, and HP collects usage data. For users committed to HP Instant Ink anyway, this is a non-issue. For anyone who wants flexibility to use third-party ink later, it's a dealbreaker.
Pros
- Affordable upfront (~$89)
- HP Instant Ink makes per-page cost very low
- Wireless setup via HP Smart app is simple
- Compact and quiet
- Good value for moderate home printing
Cons
- HP+ locks you into genuine HP ink only
- Plastic build quality feels budget-tier
- Print quality is average, not exceptional
- Requires internet connection for HP+
Should You Buy the HP ENVY 6055e?
Buy it if: You print 50–200 pages per month, you're comfortable with HP Instant Ink, and you want a simple wireless printer that just works. At $5.99/month for 50 pages, it's genuinely one of the cheapest ways to run a home printer if you stay within the subscription limits.
Skip it if: You hate subscriptions, want to use third-party ink, or print more than 200 pages per month. For heavy users, an Epson EcoTank ET-2803 or ET-4850 offers better long-term value with no subscription lock-in.
Our Verdict: SOLID HOME PICK
A good wireless all-in-one for home users who embrace HP Instant Ink. Low monthly costs, simple setup. Just understand the HP+ terms before buying.
Check Price on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use HP Instant Ink with the ENVY 6055e?
No, but it's strongly recommended. Without Instant Ink, you'll pay retail prices for HP 67 cartridges (~$15 black, $20 color), which works out to much higher cost per page. Instant Ink at $5.99/month for 50 pages is far cheaper for most users.
What happens if I cancel HP Instant Ink?
Any cartridges HP sent you as part of Instant Ink will stop working. You'll need to buy retail HP 67 cartridges to continue printing. Instant Ink cartridges are subscription-locked and only function while you maintain an active subscription.
Can I use third-party ink with the ENVY 6055e?
Not if you're enrolled in HP+. HP+ locks the printer to genuine HP cartridges only. If you skip HP+ enrollment, you can use compatible cartridges, but you lose the 2-year warranty (only get 1 year instead).
Is the ENVY 6055e faster than the DeskJet 4155e?
Slightly. The ENVY 6055e prints at 10ppm black vs 8.5ppm for the DeskJet 4155e. Both are in the same product family and share similar features — the ENVY is positioned as the slightly more premium model with marginally better build quality.
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