Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer Review: The Photographer’s Choice for Flawless Prints?

In our hyper-digital world, we capture thousands of memories—sunsets, birthdays, candid smiles—that end up relegated to the digital graveyard of a hard drive or cloud storage. I’ve been there. As a photography enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours editing a shot to perfection, only to have it never see the light of day as a physical print. The vibrancy of a scene, the subtle tones in a portrait, they all lose a bit of their soul when viewed on a backlit screen. The problem is that standard home printers often fail to do these images justice, producing washed-out colours, visible banding, and a general lack of professional polish. This gap between the digital image and the printed reality is what sends photographers and creatives on a quest for a dedicated photo printer, a machine built not for printing boarding passes, but for transforming pixels into tangible, breathtaking art.

What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Photo Printer

An inkjet photo printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for anyone who values the archival and aesthetic quality of a physical photograph. It bridges the final, crucial gap between capturing a moment and preserving it in a form that can be held, framed, and cherished for generations. The main benefit lies in its ability to reproduce a wider colour gamut and finer detail than a standard office printer, thanks to specialised ink systems and higher resolutions. For hobbyists, semi-professionals, and families alike, it means bringing a photo lab into your own home, offering unparalleled control and convenience over the final output.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the frustration of subpar photo prints from all-in-one devices. This includes amateur photographers looking to create their first portfolio, crafters who need high-quality prints on various media like cardstock, or families wanting to create durable, heirloom-quality albums. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who primarily print text documents, spreadsheets, or monochrome reports. If your printing needs are 90% text-based, a more cost-effective laser printer or a standard all-in-one inkjet would be a much better fit, as a dedicated photo printer’s running costs, particularly with multi-cartridge ink systems, can be higher.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Photo printers, especially those with multiple paper trays and rear feeds, can have a larger footprint than you might expect. Before purchasing, measure your intended desk or shelf space. Consider not just the printer’s static dimensions (13.3D x 15.4W x 5.6H cm for the XP-55), but also the clearance needed for paper trays to extend and for accessing the rear media feed.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just pages per minute (ppm), which is often misleading for photo printing. Key metrics for a photo printer include maximum print resolution (measured in dpi—dots per inch), the number of ink cartridges (more inks generally mean better colour accuracy), and the types of media it can handle. The Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer boasts a stellar 5760 x 1400 dpi resolution and a six-colour system, which are strong indicators of its photographic prowess.
• Materials & Durability: The printer’s build quality speaks to its longevity. While most consumer printers are made of plastic, look for sturdy construction in the paper trays and moving parts. More importantly, consider the “durability” of the prints themselves. The type of ink used (dye-based vs. pigment-based) and its compatibility with archival-quality photo paper will determine how long your photos resist fading.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great printer is one you actually use. Check for intuitive controls, straightforward software, and reliable wireless connectivity. Long-term care involves head cleaning cycles and ink replacement; consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges. Features like automatic ink replenishment services can simplify this process significantly.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer stands out in several areas, particularly its ink system and media flexibility. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Sleek Specialist That Means Business

Unboxing the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer, the first thing we noticed was its clean, compact design. Finished in a crisp white, it avoids the bulky, corporate look of many office-oriented printers, fitting neatly into a modern home or studio environment. Despite its relatively small footprint, it feels solid and well-constructed. The layout is logical, with two front-loading paper trays—a thoughtful design choice that keeps A4 paper and photo paper separate and ready to go without constant swapping. This is a huge convenience that many other printers in its class overlook.

Setting up the printer was, as one user aptly put it, “simplicity itself.” The initial process requires a USB connection to a computer to configure the Wi-Fi settings via the included software CD. While some may prefer a completely wireless setup from the get-go, we found this method to be foolproof and reliable, eliminating any potential network discovery headaches. Once the Wi-Fi was configured, the USB cable was no longer needed, and the printer seamlessly connected to our network. From there, printing from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet using Epson’s iPrint app was completely effortless. It’s a specialist device, and from the moment you power it on, it’s clear its focus is singular: producing stunning photos with minimal fuss.

A Deep Dive into the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer’s Performance

A photo printer lives and dies by the quality of its output. It can have all the bells and whistles in the world, but if the final print is disappointing, none of it matters. We spent weeks putting the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer through its paces, printing everything from vibrant landscapes and detailed macros to subtle, monochrome portraits. Our verdict? This machine is a formidable tool for any serious photography enthusiast, delivering results that genuinely rival professional lab prints.

The Heart of the Matter: Six-Colour Claria Photo HD Ink

The standout feature of the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is undeniably its six-colour Claria Photo HD ink system. Unlike standard printers that use four inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black), this model adds Light Cyan and Light Magenta to the mix. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick; it makes a profound difference in the final print. During our testing, this expanded colour palette was most noticeable in skin tones and subtle gradients, such as a blue sky fading to the horizon. Where a four-colour printer might show stepping or banding, the XP-55 produced flawlessly smooth transitions. Portraits looked more natural and lifelike, avoiding the reddish or blotchy casts that can plague lesser printers.

We printed a series of high-resolution landscape photos on Epson’s own Premium Glossy Photo Paper, and the results were stunning. The 5760 x 1400 dpi resolution ensures that every tiny detail is rendered with crisp precision. Colours were rich and saturated without being overblown, and blacks were deep and true, giving the images incredible depth and contrast. Epson claims these inks produce photos that can last up to 300 years in a photo album, and while we can’t test that claim, the initial quality and stability of the dye-based inks certainly feel archival. This is the kind of performance that gives you the confidence to frame and display your work, knowing it accurately represents your creative vision. The quality is so impressive, it transforms a digital file into a true work of art, making it a fantastic choice for those who value getting the absolute best quality from their photos.

Masterful Media Handling and Creative Versatility

A printer’s versatility is measured by what it can print on, and the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is exceptionally flexible. The dual front-loading paper trays are a masterstroke of convenience. We kept the main tray loaded with A4 plain paper for occasional documents and the secondary photo tray stocked with 4×6″ glossy paper. This meant we could switch between printing an email and a snapshot without ever having to get up and swap media—a small but significant quality-of-life improvement.

Where the XP-55 truly shines, however, is with its speciality media support. A single-sheet, rear-feed slot is designed specifically for thicker media. We successfully tested it with heavy 280gsm matte cardstock, which it handled without any jamming or misfeeds. This opens up a world of possibilities for creative projects like printing custom greeting cards, invitations, or art prints. But the most unique feature is the included tray for printing directly onto inkjet-printable CDs and DVDs. For photographers delivering work to clients, videographers creating custom discs, or anyone wanting to create professional-looking backups, this is an invaluable tool that is incredibly rare to find on a printer at this price point. This level of media flexibility elevates the XP-55 from a simple photo printer to a comprehensive creative hub.

Seamless Connectivity and User Experience

In 2024, clunky connectivity is a deal-breaker. Epson has clearly put a lot of thought into making the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer as accessible as possible. After the initial guided setup, the Wi-Fi connection proved to be rock-solid throughout our testing. We sent print jobs from multiple devices on our network—a Windows PC, a MacBook, an Android phone, and an iPad—and the printer woke from sleep and started printing reliably every time. The inclusion of an Ethernet port is also a welcome addition for those who prefer the stability of a wired network connection in a busy office or studio.

Epson’s mobile ecosystem is robust. The Epson iPrint app is straightforward, allowing you to easily print photos and documents directly from your smart device. For the more creatively inclined, the Epson Creative Print app lets you print photos from social media, create collages, and design custom greeting cards. We were also impressed with its support for PictBridge, which allows you to print directly from a compatible camera via USB—a useful feature for getting quick prints in the field or away from a computer. The only minor gripe is the lack of a large colour LCD screen for navigation; instead, it relies on a simpler button-based interface with LED indicators. However, given that most interactions happen via a computer or mobile app, we didn’t find this to be a significant limitation in practice.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with the setup and performance of the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is widely echoed by other users. The feedback consistently praises the straightforward installation process. One user, a long-time Epson customer, noted the transition from a four-colour to this six-colour model was a significant upgrade, highlighting that the “wi-fi configuration just works” as long as you follow the instructions patiently. This aligns perfectly with our own findings; the guided setup is designed to be methodical and effective.

The primary praise, unsurprisingly, is reserved for the print quality. Many reviewers express surprise and delight at the professional-level output, stating that the photos are vibrant, detailed, and far superior to anything they’ve achieved with standard all-in-one printers. The most common criticism, when it appears, revolves around the cost of the six individual ink cartridges. While some see this as a drawback, many others appreciate the ability to replace only the colour that has run out, which can be more economical in the long run than replacing a single tri-colour cartridge that is low on just one colour.

How Does the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer Compare to Alternatives?

The Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is a specialist, but how does it stack up against other popular models? We looked at three key competitors to see where it fits in the market.

1. Epson WorkForce WF-2860 All-in-One Wireless Printer

The Epson WorkForce WF-2860 is built for a completely different purpose: productivity. As an all-in-one, it includes scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities that the print-only XP-55 lacks. It uses a four-colour ink system designed for crisp text and business graphics. While it can print photos, it cannot compete with the nuance and colour fidelity of the XP-55’s six-colour system. Someone who runs a home office and needs a versatile machine for documents, reports, and occasional photo prints would be better served by the WF-2860. However, for a photographer or artist, the XP-55 is the clear winner for its superior print quality.

2. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 A3 Inkjet Printer

The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 can be seen as the XP-55’s bigger, more ambitious sibling. It uses a similar six-colour Claria Photo HD ink system and also includes scanning and copying functions. Its killer feature, however, is the ability to produce borderless prints up to A3 size (11.7 x 16.5 inches). This makes it the obvious choice for serious enthusiasts or semi-professionals who want to create large-format prints for portfolios or exhibitions. The trade-off is a significantly larger footprint and a higher price tag. If you only plan to print up to A4 size, the XP-55 offers the same stunning quality for less money and space.

3. Epson Expression Premium XP-6105 Wi-Fi Printer

The Epson Expression Premium XP-6105 strikes a balance between the two worlds. It’s an all-in-one with print, scan, and copy functions, but it uses a five-colour ink system (including a dedicated ‘Photo Black’ ink) that offers better photo quality than a standard four-colour printer. It’s an excellent jack-of-all-trades for a family or creative household that needs to print homework assignments one minute and holiday photos the next. However, for the discerning eye, the XP-55’s six-colour system still provides that extra level of quality, with smoother gradients and more accurate skin tones, making it the superior choice for dedicated photo printing.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer for You?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is a phenomenal choice for any photography enthusiast who prioritizes print quality above all else. Its six-colour Claria Photo HD ink system delivers rich, vibrant, and incredibly detailed photos that truly honour the effort put into capturing and editing them. The superb media handling, including dual trays and the rare ability to print on CDs/DVDs, adds a layer of creative flexibility that is hard to find in this price range.

While it lacks the scanning and copying functions of an all-in-one, this is a deliberate choice. The XP-55 is an unapologetic specialist, focusing all of its engineering on one task: creating beautiful prints. If you already have a scanner or simply don’t need one, and your primary goal is to bring your digital photos to life with breathtaking quality, this printer is an outstanding investment. It empowers you to create tangible art from your digital files, and for that, it earns our highest recommendation.

If you’ve decided the Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer is the right fit for your creative projects, you can check its current price and purchase it here.