For those seeking the Best Multifunction Printer that balances ease of use, excellent print quality, and cost-efficiency, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e stands out as a top contender. This inkjet all-in-one device simplifies printing, scanning, and copying tasks, making it an ideal choice for both home offices and small businesses. Its user-friendly software, affordable ink options, and a generous warranty offer a less frustrating experience compared to many competitors in the market. While factors like HP+ and Instant Ink require careful consideration, the core functionality and performance of the 9125e are undeniably impressive.
An HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e printer showcasing its sleek design and user-friendly interface.
Setting up the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is remarkably straightforward. The on-screen keyboard facilitates effortless Wi-Fi connection, streamlining the entire installation process. During testing, setup was completed in under 10 minutes, including ink cartridge installation. This seamless and modern approach significantly surpasses the often clunky installation processes of other printer manufacturers.
The HP Smart app (available for Android and iOS) further simplifies operation, allowing users to add the printer from their smartphones in just a few steps. This mobile integration underscores the printer’s modern design and user-centric functionality, key aspects of a best multifunction printer.
However, the app-guided installation does come with persistent prompts to enroll in HP+ and Instant Ink. While these services can offer benefits, it’s crucial to understand their implications before committing, as declining these offers requires navigating repeated solicitations.
Instant Ink and HP+: Weighing Your Options for Cost Savings
HP’s Instant Ink subscription service presents a potentially cost-effective solution for regular printing needs. This tiered program is designed to accommodate various printing volumes, ranging from 10 to 700 pages per month. A three-month trial is included with printer purchase upon HP+ enrollment, allowing users to experience the service firsthand.
Instant Ink offers a compelling cost per page, ranging from 4¢ to 14.9¢, regardless of whether you’re printing in color or black and white. This consistent pricing for both color and monochrome prints is a notable advantage. The service automatically dispatches new ink cartridges when levels are low, eliminating the need for manual ink monitoring and purchases. Unused pages roll over for up to three times your plan amount, and additional pages are available in sets of 10 to 15 for $1 each if you exceed your monthly allocation. Enrolling in Instant Ink also extends the printer’s warranty to two years, adding further value.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e's intuitive menu screen, highlighting its ease of navigation.
Before committing to Instant Ink or HP+, careful consideration is advised. The three-month Instant Ink trial necessitates signing up for HP+, which unlocks advanced features such as an enhanced HP Smart app, cloud connectivity, security features, and the extended two-year warranty.
However, HP+ locks the printer to exclusively using original HP ink cartridges. This restriction prevents the use of third-party or remanufactured cartridges, limiting user choice and potentially increasing long-term ink costs. HP+ also requires a constant internet connection for the printer to function; lack of connectivity can halt printing and display error messages. This internet dependency can be problematic for users with unreliable internet access. Furthermore, canceling an Instant Ink subscription renders any remaining ink in the cartridges unusable. These factors are crucial to consider when evaluating if this is the best multifunction printer option for individual needs.
User-Friendly Maintenance and Software
The HP Smart software suite, accessible on both computers and mobile devices, simplifies printer maintenance. Users can easily monitor ink levels, order replacement ink, adjust settings remotely, and access the printer’s Embedded Web Server for advanced configurations. This comprehensive software integration ensures that essential functions are readily accessible, enhancing the overall user experience of this multifunction printer.
Cost-Effective Printing
The OfficeJet Pro 9125e includes enough ink in the box for approximately 800 black-and-white pages or 420 color pages. High-yield HP 936e EvoMore cartridges, priced around $240 for a full set, yield approximately 2,500 monochrome pages or 1,650 color pages. This translates to a reasonable cost per page of 3.2¢ for black printing and 12.8¢ for color. While its predecessor, the OfficeJet Pro 9015e, offered slightly lower per-page costs, the 9125e remains a cost-effective choice compared to most non-ink-tank all-in-one printers, solidifying its position as a strong contender for the best multifunction printer in its class.
Print Quality and Speed
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e delivers impressive print quality. Text output is sharp and dark, remaining legible even at small font sizes. Graphics are vibrant and crisp on default settings, with minimal banding evident when printing full-page graphics on standard copy paper. Glossy photos printed on the “Best quality” setting exhibit excellent detail and vibrancy, although colors may lean slightly blue and exhibit increased contrast compared to the original images.
In terms of speed, HP rates this model at up to 22 monochrome pages per minute (ppm) and 18 color ppm. Real-world testing yielded speeds of 12 ppm for grayscale and 8.1 ppm for color documents (PDFs). Duplex printing speed is also commendable, at approximately 8 ppm for both grayscale and color. Printing text-only Google Docs files reached speeds closer to HP’s estimates, clocking in at a respectable 21.4 ppm.
Scanning speeds are similarly efficient, averaging 9.2 ppm in grayscale and 6.5 ppm in color. Two-sided scanning reduces speeds to 4.5 ppm and 3.9 ppm, respectively. For users with high-volume scanning needs, single-pass duplex scanning printers might be preferable, but for typical home and office use, the 9125e’s speed is more than adequate.
Reliable Paper Handling and Design
Paper handling is a key strength of the 9125e. It performed flawlessly in tests, handling both full and nearly empty paper trays without issue. It also reliably scanned crumpled paper and consistently fed single pages without misfeeds. The automatic document feeder produces scans that are remarkably straight, a notable advantage over many tested printers, including some other HP models.
The OfficeJet Pro 9125e boasts a clean, modern aesthetic, a welcome departure from bulkier designs of previous OfficeJet models. While aesthetics are secondary to performance, the printer’s attractive design makes it a pleasant addition to any home office environment.
Minor Drawbacks
Despite its strengths, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e has a few minor drawbacks. Its single 250-sheet paper tray necessitates manual paper swapping for different media types like legal paper, labels, or photo stock. The 2.7-inch touchscreen, while functional, can be small for some users, potentially leading to occasional mis-taps on smaller on-screen buttons. Color accuracy is not perfect, with glossy photos exhibiting a slight blue and magenta shift and increased contrast, making it less ideal for professional photographers. Finally, the HP+ ink lock-in and internet dependency are limitations to consider for users seeking maximum flexibility and control over their printer usage.
Conclusion
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e excels as a versatile and user-friendly multifunction printer. Its combination of excellent print quality, efficient speed, cost-effective operation (particularly with Instant Ink considered carefully), and reliable performance make it a strong recommendation for home and small office users. While minor flaws like the small touchscreen and paper tray capacity exist, and the HP+ and Instant Ink ecosystem requires careful consideration, the overall package positions the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e as a top contender for the title of best multifunction printer in its category for most users.
