HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer Review: The Ultimate Home Office Workhorse?

In our house, the demand for a reliable printer comes in waves, but when it hits, it’s a tsunami. One minute, it’s a last-minute panic to print a 30-page report for a work deadline. The next, my son needs a high-quality colour printout of the solar system for his school project, due tomorrow. Then, we find a perfect family photo on a smartphone and wish we could just turn it into a physical memory for the mantelpiece. For years, we juggled an old, clunky machine that would jam, run out of ink at the worst possible moment, and flatly refuse to connect to any device made in the last decade. The frustration was real. A modern home doesn’t just need a printer; it needs a connected, versatile, and dependable hub for work, school, and creativity. The search for a device that could handle all of this without constant headaches led us directly to the doorstep of the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer.

What to Consider Before Buying an All-in-One Inkjet Printer

An All-in-One Inkjet Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the digital and physical worlds in your home or small office. It solves the problem of needing separate devices for printing, scanning, and copying, saving valuable space and money. Its main benefits lie in its versatility—capable of producing everything from crisp, professional text documents and vibrant school projects to stunning, borderless photo prints. For families and remote workers, it becomes the central command for all paper-based tasks, simplifying workflows and unlocking creative potential.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a constant mix of printing needs: the parent printing homework and family photos, the remote worker needing to scan receipts and print reports, or the creative hobbyist wanting to bring their digital art to life. It’s for those who value the convenience of printing directly from their phone or tablet and want a single, elegant solution. However, it might not be suitable for those who only print a handful of black-and-white documents a year, as a basic laser printer might be more cost-effective. Similarly, professional photographers requiring archival-quality, large-format prints would need to look at more specialised, high-end photo printers.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A multifunction printer is, by nature, larger than a simple print-only device. Measure your intended space carefully, accounting not just for the printer’s footprint but also for clearance to open the scanner lid and extend the paper trays. The sleek design of many modern printers helps them blend in, but physics is non-negotiable; ensure it fits your desk or shelf comfortably.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just print speed (measured in pages per minute, or PPM). Consider the paper tray capacity—a larger tray means less frequent refilling. For performance, automatic duplex (two-sided) printing is a key feature for saving paper and time. Also, check the maximum print resolution (measured in DPI, or dots per inch) as this directly impacts the quality of photos and detailed graphics.
• Materials & Durability: Most consumer printers are housed in durable plastic shells. While they are built for home use, look for sturdy construction in the paper trays and scanner lid, as these are the most frequently used mechanical parts. The overall weight can also be an indicator of the internal component quality; a heavier device often suggests more robust mechanics inside.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: In today’s connected world, setup and operation should be seamless. Check for easy Wi-Fi setup and a comprehensive mobile app for printing and scanning from your phone. Ink replacement is another critical factor; subscription services like HP Instant Ink can automate this process, ensuring you never run out, while traditional cartridges offer more manual control.

Keeping these factors in mind, the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction 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 and Unboxing the HP Envy Inspire 7220e

The HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer arrived in a sturdy, well-designed box, a detail that immediately suggests a quality product within. Upon opening it, the printer was securely nestled in protective packaging. Our first impression of the unit itself was overwhelmingly positive. The “Basalt” colour is a sophisticated, modern two-tone grey that moves away from the typical beige or black boxes of old, allowing it to blend seamlessly into a contemporary home office or living space. As one user aptly put it, it’s “super joli va bien avec ma deco” (super pretty and goes well with my decor).

Lifting its 6.91 kg weight, it felt substantial and well-built, not at all flimsy. Setup was the next step, and this is where HP’s modern approach shines. The included quick-start guide directs you to download the HP Smart app on your smartphone, and from there, the process is almost entirely guided. The app found the printer instantly, connected it to our Wi-Fi network, and walked us through installing the two ink cartridges. The entire process, from unboxing to printing the first test page, took us less than 15 minutes, a fact echoed by users who noted the “rapidité d’installation et de configuration (10 min!)”. The small, tilting colour touchscreen on the device itself is responsive and intuitive, adding to the premium feel.

A Deep Dive into the HP Envy Inspire 7220e’s Performance

A printer can look great on a desk, but its true value is revealed only through use. We put the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer through a rigorous series of tests over several weeks, covering everything from dense business reports and kids’ school assignments to a full batch of holiday photos. It proved itself to be more than just a pretty face; it’s a remarkably capable and intelligent device that has fundamentally improved our home printing workflow.

Seamless Setup and Connectivity: The HP Smart App Experience

The heart of this printer’s user experience is the HP Smart app. HP has clearly invested heavily in making the setup process painless, and it shows. As many users confirmed, getting the printer online and ready to go is “super leicht zu Installieren” (super easy to install). We simply plugged the printer in, downloaded the app on an Android smartphone, and followed the on-screen prompts. The app handled everything: connecting to Wi-Fi, checking for firmware updates, aligning the print heads, and guiding us through the HP+ and Instant Ink registration. The whole thing was a breeze.

Once set up, the app becomes your central command. Printing a document from Google Drive or a photo from your phone’s gallery is a matter of a few taps. We were particularly impressed with the ability to initiate a scan directly from the phone; place a document on the scanner glass, use the app to scan, and the PDF or JPEG appears on your device, ready to be saved or shared. This wireless freedom is transformative. As one user celebrated, “È fantastico il fatto che si possa inviare tramite Wi-fi la stampa anche da altre stanze, direttamente dallo smartphone” (It’s fantastic that you can send a print via Wi-Fi even from other rooms, directly from your smartphone). It’s worth noting, however, that this app-centric approach has its critics. One Linux user found the app’s requirement for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and geolocation to be “irritante” (irritating), preferring to control settings directly from the PC. While we found the app to be a net positive, potential buyers who prefer a more traditional, offline setup should be aware of this reliance on HP’s software ecosystem.

Print Quality and Versatility: From Crisp Documents to Vibrant Photos

This is where the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer truly earns its keep. For standard office documents, the output is exceptional. Text is sharp, clean, and legible, even at small font sizes, thanks to the 1200 dpi black and white resolution. The automatic duplex printing feature worked flawlessly in our tests, helping us save paper on multi-page reports without any manual intervention. The claimed speed of up to 22 ppm for black and white is achievable in draft mode, though for standard quality, it’s closer to a still-respectable 13-15 ppm. This is more than fast enough for any home or small office environment.

However, the real showstopper is the photo printing. This is a key “Inspire” feature, and it doesn’t disappoint. The printer boasts a dedicated tray for photo paper (up to 5×7 inch), and it automatically detects when you’ve loaded it, adjusting settings accordingly. One user was “hyper heureuse” (over the moon) with this feature, and we can see why. It eliminates the hassle of constantly swapping out A4 paper for photo sheets. Using HP’s glossy photo paper and the maximum 4800×1200 dpi colour resolution, the results were stunning. Colours were rich and accurate, details were sharp, and the final prints had a professional, lab-quality feel. It’s important to set expectations on speed here; the specs list 1 ppm for colour, which we found refers to a full-page, best-quality photo print. While slow, the quality is absolutely worth the wait for those special memories you want to preserve.

The HP+ and Instant Ink Ecosystem: A Modern Approach to Ink Management

One of the biggest anxieties of owning an inkjet printer is the cost and hassle of ink. The HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer tackles this head-on with its integration into the HP+ ecosystem, which includes a generous trial of the Instant Ink subscription service (the product title notes 9 months are included). We found the signup process to be straightforward during the initial setup. The concept is simple: you pay a small monthly fee based on the number of pages you print, not the amount of ink you use. The printer monitors its own ink levels and automatically orders new cartridges, which arrive by post well before you run out.

This system completely removes “ink anxiety.” We printed dozens of full-colour photos, which would have drained standard cartridges in no time, without once worrying about the cost. As one Italian user described the service, it’s “pazzesco” (insane/amazing) and “perfetto” (perfect). The flexibility to change or cancel plans at any time adds to the appeal. This subscription model is the future of printing, offering convenience and cost-effectiveness that traditional cartridge purchasing can’t match. If you want to experience this modern, hassle-free approach to ink management, the HP Envy Inspire 7220e is an outstanding entry point. The trade-off, of course, is that HP+ requires a constant internet connection and commits you to using only genuine HP ink cartridges, but for the vast majority of home users, the benefits of convenience and savings will far outweigh these limitations.

What Other Users Are Saying

After diving deep into user feedback, a clear picture emerges that aligns closely with our own experience. The overwhelming majority of users are thrilled with the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer. Praise for the “fantastico ed accattivante” (fantastic and captivating) design is a common theme, as is the excellent print quality for both documents and photos. One user, replacing an old Epson, declared herself “hyper heureuse” and said she didn’t regret her purchase at all, highlighting the value for money and the convenience of the separate photo tray.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. A recurring minor issue involves the starter ink cartridges shipped with the printer. A couple of users reported receiving cartridges that were either faulty or completely empty. One noted, “the included color cartridge was empty!!!!! (Shame),” though their problem was resolved by using a separately purchased replacement. Another common point of criticism is the noise level, with one review stating it’s “longue à être opérationnelle après démarrage et un peu trop bruyante” (slow to be operational after startup and a bit too noisy). While we didn’t find the noise excessive for a home office, it’s a subjective point worth considering if your printer will be in a shared living space.

How Does the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Compare to Alternatives?

While the HP Envy Inspire 7220e is a formidable all-rounder, specific needs might lead you to other options. Here’s how it stacks up against some notable competitors in the market.

1. Canon PIXMA TR150 Portable Printer

The key differentiator for the Canon PIXMA TR150 is in its name: portable. This is not an all-in-one device but a compact, lightweight printer designed for professionals on the move. It lacks the scanning and copying functions of the Envy Inspire and is built for printing documents and photos directly from a laptop or mobile device in a hotel room, client’s office, or vehicle. Someone who travels frequently for work and needs to produce hard copies on the go would prefer the PIXMA TR150. For a stationary home office hub, however, the HP Envy Inspire’s multifunctionality and features like the photo tray and automatic duplexing provide far greater value and versatility.

2. HP Deskjet 3762 All-In-One Printer

The HP Deskjet 3762 is one of the world’s smallest all-in-one printers, making it an excellent choice for those with severely limited space, such as students in a dorm room or anyone living in a small flat. It offers the core print, scan, and copy functions in an incredibly compact footprint. However, this compactness comes with compromises. It has a much smaller paper capacity, slower print speeds, and lacks the dedicated photo tray and higher-end photo print quality of the Envy Inspire 7220e. While it’s a capable budget option for light, occasional use, users who print more frequently or demand better photo output will find the Envy Inspire to be a significant and worthwhile upgrade.

3. HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer

Similar to the Canon PIXMA TR150, the HP OfficeJet 200 is a mobile, print-only solution. It’s ruggedly built for travel and boasts a long-lasting battery, making it a reliable road warrior for printing invoices, contracts, or presentations away from the office. It delivers high-quality text documents quickly for a portable device. However, it cannot scan or copy, and while it can print photos, it lacks the specialized features and colour depth of the Envy Inspire 7220e. The choice is clear: if your office is wherever you happen to be, the OfficeJet 200 is a superb tool. If your office is at home, the Envy Inspire is the more comprehensive and versatile machine.

Our Final Verdict on the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer

After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer is a triumph for the modern home and small office. It successfully balances high-end features, such as stellar photo quality and a dedicated photo tray, with the everyday practicality of fast document printing and reliable scanning. Its stylish design ensures it looks good in any room, while the HP Smart app and Instant Ink subscription bring a level of convenience that genuinely simplifies the entire printing experience.

While it can be a bit noisy and its reliance on an internet connection for full HP+ benefits may not suit everyone, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise outstanding package. It is the perfect solution for families, students, and remote workers who need a versatile, reliable, and cost-effective machine to handle a wide variety of tasks. It’s a device that just works, elegantly solving the myriad of printing needs that modern life throws at you.

If you’ve decided the HP Envy Inspire 7220e Multifunction Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.