How to Choose the Right HP Printer for Beginners

13th Jan 2025
Simon Cross

Let’s face it. Whether you’re printing out an important work document, your kid’s homework, or some pictures for your fridge, having a good printer makes life so much easier. But if you’re new to the whole “buying a printer” thing, figuring out which one to pick can feel a little overwhelming. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

HP printers are a fantastic choice for beginners. They’re reliable, come in all kinds of models to suit different needs, and are packed with features that are easy to use for almost everyone. Basically, they’re built to make printing as simple and stress-free as possible.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the right HP printer. You’ll learn what to look for, which types of printers might be the best fit for your needs, and even how to read those complicated printer names. By the end, you’ll be all set to pick the perfect printer for your everyday tasks. Let’s get into it!

Factors to Consider When Choosing an HP Printer as a Beginner

When it comes to picking the perfect HP printer, it’s all about finding one that fits how you plan to use it. Otherwise, you could end up spending too much or with a lot of unnecessary features that you won’t use. Here’s what you need to consider.

Print Volume

This is probably going to sound obvious but a big factor to think about is your print volume. Basically, how much do you print on a regular basis? Here are some helpful guides for what is typically classed as light, moderate and heavy:

• Light User - prints up to 100 pages per month - will likely use a home printer like the DeskJet series
• Moderate User - prints between 100 and 300 pages per month - will likely use a small office printer like the Envy Series
• Heavy User - prints over 300 pages per month - will likely use a heavier duty model like the OfficeJet Pro Series

What’s the difference between Recommended Monthly Page Volume and Duty Cycle?

This is something I see people mix up all the time, so let’s clear up the difference between an HP printer’s Duty Cycle and its Recommended Monthly Page Volume. Understanding this can save you from picking the wrong printer. Or worse, accidentally overworking and damaging your new one.

Recommended Monthly Page Volume: This is the number you should focus on when choosing a printer. It represents the ideal range of pages your printer is designed to handle each month to stay in good condition.

For example, if your office prints at least 500 pages a month, you’ll want a printer with a Recommended Monthly Page Volume higher than 500. This ensures your printer can keep up with your needs without unnecessary strain or frequent maintenance.

Duty Cycle: This, on the other hand, is the printer’s maximum capacity - the absolute highest number of pages it can print in a month without technically breaking. Think of it as the printer’s “red zone.” It’s a good indicator of durability but doesn’t tell you how the printer will perform under regular use.

While the Duty Cycle can help compare how sturdy one model is compared to another, it’s not meant to guide your day-to-day printing needs. The Duty Cycle is often much higher (sometimes 20 times higher!) than the Recommended Monthly Page Volume. If you rely on this number alone, you risk picking a printer that’s not a good fit for your workload. Over time, this can lead to breakdowns, wasted money, and a lot of frustration.

The takeaway: Look at the Recommended Monthly Page Volume to work out what printer will handle your monthly printing needs. Basically, ignore the duty cycle unless you’re trying to compare the sturdiness of two HP printers.

Printer Use Case

When choosing the right HP printer, it’s not just about how much you print, it’s also about what you’re printing. Is it for personal tasks, coursework or homework, small business needs, or creative projects like photo printing? Different tasks call for different printer capabilities, so it’s important to match your printer to your specific needs.

Think about the types of documents you’ll print most often. If you mostly print text-heavy assignments or the odd concert ticket, a basic monochrome printer will do. But if you want to print high-quality photos, you’ll need a model with high resolution and support for specialty printing paper.

If you’re printing a mix, look for a versatile option that can handle everything from plain text to glossy photos.

The takeaway: Take into account the printer’s paper compatibility, printing resolution and support for different paper sizes according to your use case.

Types of HP Printers

Here’s a quick overview of the two main types of HP printers. For a more detailed breakdown outlining which type might be right for you, read my blog on Inkjet vs Laser printers.

Inkjet Printers

If you’re looking to print photos or documents in high resolution, inkjet printers are the choice. They’re affordable upfront and deliver really quality results. However, keep in mind that they are likely to have a higher cost per print because of the low page yield of ink cartridges. One way you can keep costs down is to use recycled HP ink cartridges.

• Who I recommend for: Home users, creatives, families and those who like to print photos at home.

Laser Printers

Laser printers are better known for their speed and cost-effectiveness rather than their print quality. Unlike Inkjet models, laser printers use toner cartridges. They are better suited to users who mainly print black-and-white or high-volume text documents.

They’re fast, durable, and have a lower cost per page, making them great for frequent printing. While the initial cost is higher than inkjet printers, the long-term savings on toner often make up for it. Entry-level laser models, however, may have limited colour capabilities.

• Who I recommend for: Professionals, small offices, and anyone with high-volume printing needs.

HP Printer Codes Explained for Beginners

In my experience, the hardest thing about choosing a printer as a beginner is making sense of the long printer names! 

The good news is that they aren’t difficult to de-code and, once you understand them, they’re super helpful for figuring out what a printer is designed to do. Let’s break it down so you can shop with confidence!

Printer Series

The first part of an HP printer model indicates the series. This gives you a general idea of the printer’s primary purpose:

• DeskJet: Affordable inkjet printers for home printing. Models in this series include HP DeskJet 1510, HP DeskJet 3755, and HP DeskJet 4155e
• Envy: Inkjet printers designed for home offices and families. Models in this series include HP ENVY 6055e and HP ENVY Inspire 7955e.
• OfficeJet: Business-focused inkjet models with advanced features. Models in this series include HP OfficeJet 6958, HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 and HP OfficeJet Pro 8710.
• LaserJet: Laser printers for home and office, offering efficient text and document printing. Models in this series include HP LaserJet M209dw, HP LaserJet Pro M501dn and HP LaserJet Ultra MFP M230fdw.
• Color LaserJet: Laser printers with colour capabilities for both office and home use. Models in this series include HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw and HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553dn.
• Smart Tank: Cost-effective inkjet models with refillable ink tanks. Models in this series include HP Smart Tank 790 and HP Smart Tank Plus 655.

Printer characteristics prefix

After the series, the next letters highlight the printer’s characteristics. These prefixes reveal the specific capabilities or focus of the printer:

• MFP: A multifunction printer that can print, scan, copy, and fax.
• Flow MFP: A multifunction model with HP Flow features like advanced document management and productivity features.
• M: Indicates a specific series, often seen in LaserJet models.
• P: Personal use printers for individual or light office needs.
• CM: colour multifunction printer capable of scanning, copying, and faxing.
• CP: A colour laser printer designed primarily for printing in colour.

In some cases, these features may be spelled out directly in the name.

Printer model code

The numeric code in the printer model often indicates the specific model within a series. It’s not super helpful to the buyer at the research stage, but we’ll discuss it anyway.

The model code could represent a few different things:

• Print Speed: The number of pages the printer can output per minute (ppm). For instance, the “402” in HP LaserJet Pro M402n reflects a print speed of up to 40 ppm.
• Series Identification: The numeric value can denote the printer family, such as the “400” in LaserJet Pro 400 series.
• Specific Model: It may simply identify a particular printer model without revealing specific capabilities, such as HP OfficeJet Pro 6960.

In some cases, these numbers also indicate the sequence of release within a product line.

Printer features suffix

The last part of the model code is probably the most useful part when you’re buying apart from the series name. It consists of letters that represent specific features. Here’s what they mean:

• d: Duplex printing for automatic double-sided prints.
• h: A built-in hard disk for storing documents or print jobs.
• n: Network-ready, with an Ethernet connection.
• t: Includes an additional paper tray for increased capacity.
• w: Wireless printer for connecting via Wi-Fi.
• x: Includes duplex printing and either an extra tray or networking capabilities.
• z: The high-end version within a model line, packed with advanced features.
• e: Enhanced models, often part of HP+ with features like cloud connectivity, Instant Ink, or smart app integration.
• f: Fax-enabled printers that can send and receive faxes in addition to printing, scanning, and copying.
• sdw: Denotes standard features, duplex printing, and wireless connectivity.

For example, in the model HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw, “fdw” indicates fax capabilities, duplex printing, and wireless functionality.

By understanding these codes, you can quickly identify the features you need and choose the perfect HP printer for your home or office!

As a side note, you may also see the offer of free HP Instant Ink included in the printer name. To find out if HP Instant Ink is worth it, read my blog post on it.

Comparison of Popular HP Printer Series

To help kick-start your research, I’ll give you the low-down on the most popular HP printer series.

HP DeskJet Series

If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly option, the DeskJet series is a fantastic choice. These printers are compact, easy to use, and great for occasional use. In my opinion, they’re perfect for home users or students who don’t need to print a lot.

• Unique Features: Affordable and compact with basic functionality.
• Who I recommend for: Home users, students, and occasional printers who want an easy, low-cost solution.

HP ENVY Series

The ENVY series is a step up from the DeskJet, designed with families and photo enthusiasts in mind. Unlike the DeskJet, ENVY printers specialize in photo printing, offering features like borderless printing and vibrant colour output. They’re also great for light office use.

• Unique Features: Excellent photo quality and borderless printing.
• Who I recommend for: Families, hobbyists, and anyone who wants stunning photo prints alongside basic office functionality.

HP OfficeJet Series

The OfficeJet series combines the versatility of inkjet printing with the productivity features of a business printer. Unlike the ENVY, the OfficeJet is built for heavier workloads, with faster print speeds, auto-duplexing, and higher paper capacity. In my opinion, it’s an excellent choice for home offices and small businesses.

• Unique Features: All-in-one features, fast print speeds, and durable construction for frequent use.
• Who I recommend for: Home offices and small businesses that need a reliable, versatile printer for both documents and occasional colour work.

HP LaserJet Series

The LaserJet series is all about efficiency and speed. These printers are designed for monochrome printing, making them perfect for text-heavy documents and high-volume use. Unlike the ENVY or DeskJet, LaserJets use toner instead of ink, which means lower long-term costs for frequent printing.

• Unique Features: High-speed, cost-effective monochrome printing with compact designs.
• Who I recommend for: Medium sized offices who frequently print black-and-white documents.

The Final Takeaway

Finding the right printer doesn’t have to be a confusing or overwhelming task. With HP’s variety of models, there’s genuinely a perfect option out there for everyone.

Just make sure to take into account your printing volume and the features you need most, and you’ll be able to make a smart and informed choice.

If you’re looking for a HP printer for a small business, check out our blog where we dived deep into that topic. If you still have questions, feel free to drop a comment - we’re here to help!

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.