The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e emerges as a compelling option in the realm of inkjet all-in-one devices, designed to simplify your home or office tasks. This Scanner Printer Copier aims to deliver a blend of print quality, speed, and consistent performance that sets it apart from many competitors. Its modern design is a welcome change from bulkier models, almost making you overlook minor drawbacks like the small touchscreen and somewhat fragile output tray.
With the 9125e, users have the option to enroll in HP’s Instant Ink subscription and the HP+ membership, each offering potential benefits such as extended warranty and reduced ink costs. However, these options also introduce limitations on printer usage, making it crucial to consider your needs before committing. Let’s delve into a comprehensive review of this scanner printer copier to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
An HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e printer showcasing its sleek design, ideal for modern home offices, emphasizing its all-in-one scanner, printer, and copier functionalities.
Effortless Setup and User Experience
Setting up the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is remarkably straightforward. The integrated on-screen keyboard simplifies connecting to Wi-Fi, making the initial setup process exceptionally user-friendly. During tests, the device was fully operational, including ink cartridge installation, in under ten minutes. This smooth, contemporary setup experience contrasts sharply with the often cumbersome installers of older generation printers, highlighting HP’s focus on user convenience right from the start.
Further enhancing user experience, the HP Smart app (available on both Android and iOS) streamlines printer management from your smartphone. Adding the printer is a quick, guided process taking just a couple of steps. This mobile integration underscores the printer’s modern approach, allowing for seamless control and monitoring.
However, the app-driven setup isn’t without its drawbacks. Users are persistently prompted with offers to join HP+ and Instant Ink. While these services might be appealing, the aggressive promotion can feel pushy, especially if you are undecided or uninterested. It’s important to be prepared for these prompts to avoid accidentally enrolling in services you might not need.
Instant Ink: Cost Savings or Catch?
HP’s Instant Ink program presents a tiered subscription model based on monthly print volume, ranging from 10 to 700 pages. A three-month trial is included with printer purchase upon HP+ signup. This program aims to offer cost savings on ink, with per-page costs ranging from 4¢ to 14.9¢. A notable advantage is the uniform cost for both black and color printing. The service automatically dispatches new ink cartridges when levels are low, at no additional charge. Unused pages roll over up to three times your plan amount, and exceeding your limit incurs a small fee per extra set of pages.
Furthermore, enrolling in Instant Ink extends the printer’s warranty to two years, adding an extra layer of security and value.
However, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the Instant Ink and HP+ options. The free Instant Ink trial requires signing up for HP+, a service that unlocks advanced features like a more sophisticated HP Smart app, enhanced cloud connectivity, and the extended two-year warranty.
The catch with HP+ is that it permanently locks the printer to original HP ink cartridges. This restriction prevents the use of third-party or remanufactured inks, limiting user choice and potentially increasing long-term running costs as you become reliant on HP’s ink pricing.
HP+ also necessitates a constant internet connection for the printer to function. Disruptions in internet connectivity can render the printer unusable until reconnection, which could be a significant inconvenience for users with unstable internet. Loss of connectivity results in printing being disabled and an error message displayed, potentially disrupting workflow.
Lastly, canceling the Instant Ink subscription means any remaining ink in the cartridges becomes unusable, a factor to consider when evaluating the long-term commitment.
Maintenance and Management Made Easy
The HP Smart software suite, accessible on computers and mobile devices, simplifies printer maintenance. Users can easily monitor ink levels, order replacements, adjust settings remotely, and access the Embedded Web Server for advanced configurations. This all-encompassing approach ensures that essential functions are readily accessible, often just a click or two away.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e's user-friendly menu screen, highlighting the ease of navigation and access to various scanner, printer, and copier functions.
The OfficeJet Pro 9125e features a capacitive touchscreen. While smaller than ideal, its user interface remains more intuitive than many competitors, offering a relatively smooth navigation experience for daily scanner, printer, and copier tasks.
Cost-Effectiveness and Print Quality
The initial ink cartridges included with the 9125e are sufficient for approximately 800 black-and-white pages or 420 color pages. High-yield HP 936e EvoMore cartridges, while costing around $240 for a full set, offer approximately 2,500 monochrome or 1,650 color pages. This translates to a reasonable per-page cost of about 3.2¢ for black printing and 12.8¢ for color. While slightly more expensive per page than its predecessor, the OfficeJet Pro 9015e, the 9125e remains a cost-effective option compared to most non-ink-tank all-in-one scanner printer copiers, excluding budget models.
In terms of print performance, the 9125e excels. Text output is sharp and legible even at small font sizes. Graphics are vibrant and crisp on default settings, with minimal banding observed in full-page graphics on standard paper. For glossy photo prints, the “Best quality” setting enhances output significantly, producing fridge-worthy borderless 8.5×11-inch photos, albeit with a slight blueish tint and increased contrast compared to original photos.
Speed and Efficiency
HP rates the 9125e at speeds up to 22 ppm for monochrome and 18 ppm for color printing. Real-world testing using PDFs showed speeds of 12 ppm for grayscale and 8.1 ppm for color. Duplex printing remained efficient at about 8 ppm for both grayscale and color. Printing text-only Google Docs files pushed the speed closer to the claimed rate, reaching 21.4 ppm.
Scanning speeds are also commendable, averaging 9.2 ppm for grayscale and 6.5 ppm for color. Duplex scanning reduces these speeds to 4.5 ppm and 3.9 ppm, respectively. For users with high-volume scanning needs, printers with single-pass duplex scanning might be more suitable. However, for typical home or small office use, the 9125e’s speed is more than adequate.
Reliable Paper Handling and Design
Paper handling on the 9125e proved nearly flawless in testing. It managed both full and nearly empty paper trays without issue, handled slightly crumpled paper during scanning, and consistently fed single sheets without misfeeds. The automatic document feeder produced scans that were remarkably straight, a notable improvement over many tested printers, including some other HP models.
Aesthetically, the OfficeJet Pro 9125e presents a clean, modern design, a departure from the bulkier aesthetics of previous OfficeJet models. While design is a secondary consideration for office equipment, a visually appealing printer is a welcome addition to any home office environment.
Minor Drawbacks
Despite its strengths, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e has a few shortcomings. Its single 250-sheet paper tray means users must manually switch paper types for different print jobs. The 2.7-inch touchscreen, while functional, can be a bit small, making precise taps on smaller on-screen buttons challenging. Color accuracy isn’t perfect, with glossy photos exhibiting a slight blue and magenta shift and increased contrast, making it less ideal for professional photographers needing precise color reproduction. Finally, the HP+ ink lock-in and mandatory online connectivity are significant limitations for some users.
Conclusion
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e stands out as a top-tier inkjet all-in-one scanner printer copier, offering a blend of user-friendliness, robust performance, and cost-efficiency. Its easy setup, excellent print quality, and reliable operation make it a strong contender for home and small office environments. While the HP+ and Instant Ink programs offer potential benefits, the associated restrictions, particularly the ink lock-in and online dependency, require careful consideration. If these limitations are acceptable, the OfficeJet Pro 9125e is an outstanding choice for a versatile and efficient scanner printer copier.
