HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer Review: Your Portable Office Powerhouse?

There’s a scenario every modern professional, student, or small business owner knows all too well. You’re at a client’s site, about to close a deal, and they ask for a physical copy of the contract right now. Or perhaps you’re working from a café, finalising a report, and realise you need to scan a signed receipt for expenses. Maybe you’re a family on the road, needing to print out worksheets for the kids. In these moments, the sinking feeling hits: the office, with its bulky, reliable printer-scanner, is miles away. This dependency on a fixed location can be a frustrating bottleneck in a world that increasingly demands flexibility and mobility. We’ve been there, tethered to a desk, wishing we could bring the full functionality of our office with us. The inability to print, scan, or copy on the fly isn’t just an inconvenience; it can be the difference between a closed deal and a missed opportunity, a submitted assignment and a late one.

What to Consider Before Buying a Mobile All-In-One Printer

An All-In-One Printer, especially a mobile one, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for untethering your productivity from a single location. It solves the fundamental problem of needing comprehensive document management—printing, scanning, and copying—wherever your work takes you. The main benefits are profound: unparalleled convenience, the ability to respond to immediate client needs, and the creation of a truly portable office. It empowers field agents, consultants, students, and digital nomads to operate with the same efficiency on the road as they would at a traditional desk, eliminating frantic searches for a print shop in an unfamiliar city.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenges of a mobile work life. This includes real estate agents who need to print contracts in a client’s home, insurance adjusters documenting claims in the field, or university students needing to print an essay from a library study room. It’s for the small business owner who works from their vehicle or the family that wants a printer for their caravan without sacrificing space. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who run a high-volume office. If you need to print hundreds of pages daily, require duplex (double-sided) printing, or need an automatic document feeder for multi-page scanning, a larger, stationary desktop all-in-one printer would be a more economical and efficient choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The primary appeal of a mobile printer is its size. You must evaluate its true portability. Consider not just the width and length, but the height and weight (3.06 kg for this model). Will it fit comfortably in your laptop bag, backpack, or the passenger seat of your car without being a burden? Its compact design should allow it to be stored away in a cupboard or drawer when not in use, a feature many users find brilliant.
• Capacity/Performance: Mobile performance has different metrics. For printing, look at pages per minute (PPM) but be aware these speeds are often lower when running on battery. More importantly, assess the battery life—how many pages can it print on a single charge? For scanning, check the feeder type; most mobile units like this one have a single-sheet manual feeder, which is great for receipts but slower for multi-page documents.
• Materials & Durability: A portable device is subject to more bumps and knocks than its desktop counterpart. The chassis should be made of robust, high-impact plastic that can withstand the rigours of travel. Check the hinges on the lids and paper trays, as these are common points of failure. The goal is a build quality that feels solid and ready for the road, not flimsy or delicate.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: In a mobile environment, setup needs to be fast and intuitive. Look for seamless wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi Direct is a huge plus, as it doesn’t require a router) and a powerful companion app for printing from smartphones and tablets. For maintenance, consider the cost and availability of ink cartridges. Some users note that mobile printer ink can seem to drain quickly, so this is a crucial part of the long-term cost of ownership.

Keeping these factors in mind, the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer is an excellent choice for portability, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including stationary powerhouses for home use, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Complete Office That Fits in a Backpack

Unboxing the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer is an experience in itself. Our immediate reaction was one of surprise at its compact and sleek form factor. It feels less like a traditional, clunky printer and more like a high-tech piece of modern equipment. Weighing just over 3 kg with the battery installed, it has a satisfying heft that implies durability without being overly burdensome. The black and white finish is professional, and every lid and flap clicks into place with reassuring precision. Inside the box, we found the printer, a rechargeable battery, one HP 62 black ink cartridge, one HP 62 tri-colour cartridge, the power cord, and setup guides.

Setting it up was remarkably straightforward. After snapping the battery into place and plugging it in to charge, we installed the ink cartridges and powered it on. The 2.65-inch colour touchscreen guided us through the initial steps, including connecting to our Wi-Fi network. We also tested the Wi-Fi Direct feature, which allows you to connect a device directly to the printer without needing a shared network—a game-changer for working in client offices or hotel rooms. Pairing it with the HP Smart app on both an iPhone and an Android tablet was seamless, giving us full control over printing, scanning, and copying functions directly from our mobile devices. It was ready to print its first page within 15 minutes of being unboxed.

A Deep Dive into the HP Officejet 250’s On-the-Go Performance

A mobile all-in-one printer lives or dies by its ability to perform reliably outside of a traditional office setting. It’s not enough to simply be small; it must deliver quality and convenience without compromise. We put the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer through its paces over several weeks, using it in a variety of environments—from our office to a local café and even from the passenger seat of a car—to truly understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Unmatched Portability and Design: Your Office, Anywhere

The core promise of this device is freedom, and in this regard, it delivers spectacularly. Its design is a masterclass in engineering efficiency. When closed, it forms a neat, rectangular block that slides easily into a backpack or a larger briefcase. We found it no more cumbersome to carry than a large textbook or a second laptop. This was a sentiment echoed by users who praised its compact size, with one noting it “could easily be put away in a cupboard and brought out when needed.” The ability to run completely untethered on battery power is its defining feature. We were able to print shipping labels in a warehouse and scan documents in a meeting room with no power outlets in sight. One user perfectly captured this freedom, explaining they could bring it “wherever needed, for example, on the floor or in another room with ease.” The build quality feels solid enough for travel; the plastic housing resists flexing, and the lids covering the paper feed and scanner feel secure. It’s clear that HP designed this not as a fragile gadget, but as a robust tool for the working professional on the move. For anyone whose work isn’t confined to a single desk, this level of portability isn’t just a feature—it’s transformative.

All-in-One Functionality on the Go: Print, Scan, and Copy Performance

Having a portable box is useless if the output is subpar. We were highly impressed with the print quality from the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer. Text documents were crisp, sharp, and indistinguishable from those produced by our larger office printers. Using the maximum 4800 x 1200 optimised DPI on photo paper, colour prints were vibrant and detailed, making it perfectly suitable for printing client presentations or family photos while travelling. While HP claims speeds up to 20 ppm, we found real-world speeds on battery power were closer to 9 ppm for black and white and 6 ppm for colour, which is still incredibly respectable for a mobile unit. The most significant concern we shared with other users is the ink consumption. It does seem to drain ink more quickly than a desktop equivalent, a trade-off for the compact cartridge size. We recommend carrying a spare set of HP 62 cartridges if you plan on a long trip with heavy printing needs.

The scanning and copying functions are equally competent. The scanner is a 10-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), which is a fantastic inclusion for a mobile device. However, our testing confirmed a user’s observation: for best results and to avoid potential jams, it’s wiser to feed pages individually, especially with thicker paper stock. Scan quality is excellent, with clear, legible results up to 600 DPI, which is more than sufficient for digitising contracts, receipts, and IDs. We successfully scanned documents directly to our smartphone via the HP Smart App, a feature that streamlines expense reporting immensely. We did note one power user’s detailed report of a software quirk where the scan-to-email function’s date defaulted to 1970, requiring a manual fix. While this is an edge case, it highlights that some advanced network features may require a bit more configuration than a casual user might expect. Copying is simple and effective, managed directly from the touchscreen without needing a connected device.

Seamless Connectivity and Software Experience: The HP Smart App

A mobile printer’s usability hinges on its connectivity, and the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer excels here. The setup on our local Wi-Fi network was painless. More importantly, Wi-Fi Direct is the star of the show. This feature allows the printer to create its own wireless network, letting you connect your phone, tablet, or laptop directly to it without an external router. We tested this in a park, far from any network, and were able to print a document from our phone in under a minute. It’s a robust and essential feature for true mobility.

The entire experience is unified by the HP Smart app. This app is polished, intuitive, and powerful. From the app’s main screen, you can print documents and photos, check ink levels and battery status, and initiate scans. We found the mobile scanning feature particularly useful, as it leverages your phone’s camera to capture a document, automatically straightens it, and then sends it to the printer. As one user happily stated, “We largely print from the HP app from our phones which works great — scanning too.” While our connection was stable throughout testing, we did see one user mention that it can disconnect sometimes, but a simple restart of the printer quickly resolves the issue. This seems to be a minor, infrequent hiccup in an otherwise flawless wireless experience. The combination of versatile hardware connectivity and a powerful software hub makes this one of the easiest-to-use printers we’ve ever tested, mobile or otherwise. If you’re looking for a device that just works, especially when you’re away from the structured environment of a home office, you can find out more about this printer’s impressive capabilities online.

Battery Life and Long-Term Reliability: A Note of Caution

While the performance and features are outstanding, our analysis wouldn’t be complete without addressing the concerns raised in several user reviews regarding long-term reliability. During our testing period, the battery performed admirably. We were able to print approximately 100 mixed text and colour pages on a single charge, which should be more than enough for a typical day of mobile work. The battery also charges relatively quickly, and the printer can be used while plugged in.

However, we must acknowledge a recurring theme in user feedback: battery and hardware failure. Several users reported receiving units with defective batteries that failed to charge right out of the box or died after just a month of use. Another critical report mentioned a catastrophic carriage jam after the printer was left unused for three months, rendering the device inoperable. While these negative experiences appear to be in the minority, they represent a potential risk for buyers. Our unit showed no signs of these issues, but it’s crucial for a potential owner to be aware of them. We recommend regularly using the printer, even if it’s just to print a test page once a week, to keep the internal mechanisms and ink flowing. While its performance is stellar, the spectre of these reliability issues is the one significant mark against an otherwise near-perfect mobile printing solution.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing feedback from a wide range of users gives a well-rounded picture of the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer in the real world. The overwhelmingly positive sentiment centres on its core mission: portability and convenience. One user perfectly summarised this, calling it a “bijou of practicity” (a jewel of practicality) that “does everything: prints, scans, copies.” Another was delighted with how it solved their need for an occasional printer that could be easily stored, calling the device “brilliant” for printing shipping labels and school worksheets. The portability and battery function are consistently highlighted as game-changing features.

On the other side of the coin, the negative feedback clusters around two main issues: ink consumption and hardware reliability. “The only concern I have is how the ink drains, it seems quick,” one user noted, a finding that matched our own experience. More troubling are the reports of critical hardware failures. Multiple users from different countries reported receiving printers with defective batteries, with one stating, “After a month of use, the battery on this new product is defective.” Another detailed a frustrating experience with a jammed print carriage after a period of inactivity. These reports, while not universal, suggest a potential quality control issue that prospective buyers should consider.

How Does the HP Officejet 250 Compare to the Alternatives?

The HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer exists in a unique niche, but for those not strictly requiring battery-powered mobility, there are excellent stationary alternatives that may offer better value or more features for home or small office use.

1. HP ENVY Inspire 7220e All-in-One Wireless Printer 2-sided printing

The HP ENVY Inspire 7220e is a fantastic choice for a modern home office where portability is not a priority. Its key advantage over the Officejet 250 is automatic duplex (2-sided) printing, a feature that saves paper and is incredibly useful for reports and documents. It’s designed for higher volume printing and often comes with HP+ and Instant Ink trials, which can make ongoing ink costs more manageable. If your “office” is a fixed desk and you need efficient, double-sided printing for work or school, the ENVY Inspire 7220e offers more traditional office features for a lower initial investment. It sacrifices mobility for enhanced stationary productivity.

2. HP DeskJet 2820e All-in-One Wireless Printer

The HP DeskJet 2820e represents the budget-friendly end of the all-in-one spectrum. It’s a perfect fit for users who print, scan, and copy infrequently and are primarily concerned with cost. Compared to the Officejet 250, it is far less expensive to purchase and is designed for simple, no-fuss home use like printing homework, recipes, or the occasional concert ticket. It lacks the robust build, speed, and advanced features of the Officejet 250, and most critically, it is not portable. If your printing needs are minimal and you just want a reliable device tethered to your desk at the lowest possible price point, the DeskJet 2820e is a much more economical choice.

3. HP ENVY Inspire 7920e All-in-One Wireless Printer ADF

The HP ENVY Inspire 7920e is a step-up from the 7220e and a true productivity workhorse for a home office. Its most significant advantage over the Officejet 250 is the 35-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). This allows for effortless scanning and copying of multi-page documents, a task that would be tedious with the Officejet 250’s manual single-sheet feed. Like the other ENVY model, it supports automatic 2-sided printing. This model is for the serious home office user or small business that handles a lot of paperwork and needs to digitise or copy documents efficiently. It is the antithesis of the Officejet 250: powerful, feature-rich, and completely stationary.

The Final Verdict: Is the HP Officejet 250 the Right Printer for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer is clear: it is a phenomenal, best-in-class product for a very specific user. If your profession or lifestyle demands the ability to print, scan, and copy high-quality documents anywhere, at any time, then this device is not just a good choice; it is arguably the only choice. Its combination of true portability, excellent all-in-one functionality, and seamless wireless connectivity is unmatched in the market. It successfully shrinks an entire office down into a package you can carry in one hand.

However, this specialisation comes with trade-offs. The higher ink consumption and the worrying user reports of reliability issues with the battery and internal mechanics cannot be ignored. It is not the right printer for a high-volume, stationary office, nor is it the most economical choice for casual home use. But for the road warrior, the field agent, the consultant, and the digital nomad, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It is a powerful tool that delivers on its promise of ultimate professional freedom.

If you’ve decided the HP Officejet 250 Mobile Multifunction Printer is the right fit for your mobile work needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.