HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e Review – Best All-in-One Printer?
Comprehensive review of the HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e: specs, features, pros & cons, printing performance, and user experience. Is this the best printer for your home office?
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced world, reliable printing is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. From critical documents to important presentations, the ability to produce high-quality prints quickly and efficiently is paramount. Many home offices and small businesses grapple with high ink costs, frustratingly slow speeds, and lackluster color accuracy, hindering productivity and impacting the bottom line. The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e aims to solve these challenges, offering a blend of speed, efficiency, and smart features designed for the demands of modern workflows.
Overview
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e is a versatile all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home offices and small businesses seeking a blend of speed, functionality, and cost-effectiveness. This printer combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities into a compact and user-friendly package. Powered by HP Thermal Inkjet technology, it delivers crisp text and vibrant colors, complemented by a responsive 2.7-inch capacitive touchscreen for intuitive control. Boasting a fast print speed and a suite of smart connectivity options, including HP+ enabled features and wireless capabilities, the 8138e provides a streamlined printing experience.
Features
High-Yield Ink System: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e utilizes a high-yield ink system, significantly reducing the frequency of cartridge replacements and minimizing ongoing printing costs. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with consistently high printing volumes.
Automatic Duplex Printing: Save paper and reduce your environmental impact with the integrated automatic duplex printing feature. This eliminates the need for manual flipping, streamlining your workflow and conserving resources.
Wireless Smart Connectivity: Stay connected and productive with a host of wireless connectivity options, including dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct Printing, Apple AirPrint, and HP Smart app compatibility. This allows you to print seamlessly from a variety of devices, both at home and on the go.
Precision Color Printing Engine: The printer’s 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution ensures exceptional print quality, delivering crisp text and vibrant, accurate colors for all your documents and photos.
Benefits
Reduced Printing Costs: The high-yield ink system and automatic duplex printing dramatically lower your overall printing costs, freeing up resources for other critical business needs.
Increased Productivity: Fast print speeds (up to 20 ppm in black) and a user-friendly touchscreen interface accelerate your workflow, allowing you to accomplish more in less time.
Seamless Wireless Printing: Print effortlessly from smartphones, tablets, and laptops without the hassle of cables or complicated setup procedures. Enjoy flexibility and convenience wherever you work.
Exceptional Print Quality: Produce professional-quality documents and photos with vibrant colors and sharp details, enhancing your brand image and impressing clients.
Time-Saving Features: The automatic document feeder (ADF) and wireless capabilities streamline your printing process, saving you valuable time and effort.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices: The compact design and versatile functionality make it an ideal choice for home offices seeking a powerful and reliable all-in-one printer.
Ideal for Small Businesses: The fast print speeds, duplex printing, and wireless connectivity empower small businesses to manage their printing needs efficiently and cost-effectively.
Great for Students and Frequent Document Printing: Students can benefit from the fast print speeds, wireless connectivity, and automatic duplex printing for tackling assignments and research papers.
Useful for Photo Printing Enthusiasts: The precision color printing engine delivers vibrant and accurate colors for producing high-quality photos and creative projects.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast print speeds
- Automatic duplex printing
- Wireless connectivity options
- User-friendly touchscreen interface
- High-yield ink system for reduced costs
- Compact and stylish design
Cons
- Print quality may not be suitable for professional photographers.
- Durability concerns, as some customers have reported issues with longevity (though this is often tied to usage patterns).
- Ink costs can still add up with very high-volume printing.
FAQs
What is the average cost per page?: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e offers a remarkably low cost per page thanks to its high-yield ink cartridges. With responsible use, the cost per black page is approximately $0.04 and for color, it’s around $0.07.
How fast is the printing speed?: The printer boasts a black print speed of up to 20 pages per minute (ppm) and a color print speed of up to 10 ppm, enabling efficient document production.
How easy is it to set up the wireless connection?: The wireless setup is straightforward. The printer guides you through the process via the touchscreen display, and you can also use the HP Smart app for a seamless connection.
Are third-party ink cartridges compatible?: While third-party cartridges may be available, HP strongly recommends using genuine HP cartridges to ensure optimal print quality and protect your printer warranty.
What is the warranty on this printer?: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e comes with a 6-month limited warranty, providing peace of mind and ensuring reliable performance.
Product Specifications
| Print Technology | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| DPI Resolution (Color) | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Ink Type | HP 923 Ink Cartridges |
| Page Yield (Black) | 700 pages |
| Print Speed (Black) | 20 ppm |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.29″D x 18.12″W x 9.17″H |
| Weight | 20.4 pounds |
| Duty Cycle | Up to 10,000 pages/month |
| Warranty | 6-month Limited Warranty |
Ratings
| Print Quality | 4.3 |
| Connectivity | 4.6 |
| Speed & Efficiency | 4.1 |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 |
| Value for Money | 4.2 |
Recommendation
This printer is ideal for home offices and small businesses looking for a balance of speed, functionality, and cost-effectiveness.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e is a particularly good choice for users who print frequently and prioritize wireless convenience and automatic duplex printing.
Conclusion
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8138e is a solid all-in-one printer that delivers a compelling combination of speed, efficiency, and convenience. The high-yield ink system and automatic duplex printing significantly reduce printing costs, while the wireless connectivity options and user-friendly touchscreen interface streamline your workflow. While not a professional-grade photo printer, its versatility and overall performance make it a worthwhile investment for home offices and small businesses.
