HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw review Reliable All-in-One Laser Printer for Home Office

Description

Design and Build Quality

The HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw is a sleek and efficient piece of machinery. Its compact and sturdy design makes it a great fit for both home offices and small to medium-sized businesses. I found that its 15.9 x 16 x 12.3-inch frame fits comfortably on a desk without dominating the space. While it’s primarily made of plastic, the material feels durable, and the overall construction appears solid. The 2.7-inch color touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, which I appreciated when navigating through its functions. Although the setup instructions were straightforward, I couldn’t help but feel that a slightly larger display might have made the experience even smoother.

Despite the 20.7-pound weight, moving the printer around was manageable. The automatic duplex printing feature and the 35-sheet auto document feeder are practical additions that save time and effort during busy workdays. However, the lack of color printing means this device is strictly for those who predominantly work with black-and-white documents.

Performance and Speed

When using this printer, I was impressed by its fast printing speed of up to 30 pages per minute. The first page out time of just 6.7 seconds kept me from waiting around for prints, especially during crunch times. The 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution delivers sharp text and crisp graphics, ensuring that documents look professional.

What stood out to me was the JetIntelligence Toner cartridges, which optimize performance by producing more pages with less toner. I tested its capacity with both simple text documents and more complex layouts, and the results were consistently high in quality. The 260-sheet input capacity is more than sufficient for small teams or home use, though larger offices might find themselves refilling paper more frequently.

While the printer can copy, scan, and fax, I found the scanning feature particularly reliable. The flatbed scanner produced clear, accurate digital copies, and the ability to scan directly to email or a USB drive was a time-saver. However, the fax function feels a bit outdated in today’s digital world, though it’s still a useful feature for businesses that need it.

User-Friendliness and Connectivity

I loved how easy it was to use this printer right out of the box. Its compatibility with smartphones, PCs, and laptops makes it versatile, and features like AirPrint and Wi-Fi Direct mean you can print directly from your phone without needing a network. I enjoyed testing the HP Smart app, which allowed me to manage printing tasks and monitor toner levels directly from my phone. It’s a huge help for on-the-go productivity.

The Ethernet and USB connectivity options further enhance the printer’s flexibility. Setting up a wireless connection was straightforward, and I didn’t encounter any lag or connectivity drops during my tests. However, I did notice that the NFC touch-to-print feature was a bit finicky at times, requiring a firm tap to engage. It’s a minor inconvenience, but it’s worth noting for users who might rely on this feature.

Key Benefits

• 30 pages per minute print speed keeps workflows efficient.
• Automatic duplex printing reduces paper use and saves money.
• Mobile printing options, such as AirPrint and Wi-Fi Direct, make it highly accessible.
• JetIntelligence Toner cartridges offer outstanding page yield and quality.
• Durable build and compact design fit well in small office spaces.

Areas for Improvement

• NFC touch-to-print feature can be inconsistent.
• No color printing, which limits its use for creative or marketing purposes.
• Fax functionality feels less relevant for modern users.
• Input tray capacity might not be sufficient for larger offices.

Product Contenders

In comparing this model to other all-in-one laser printers, I looked at options like the Brother HL-L2395DW and Canon imageCLASS MF267dw. The Brother HL-L2395DW offers similar print speeds but lacks some of the mobile printing features that make the HP model stand out. On the other hand, the Canon imageCLASS MF267dw boasts a slightly larger input capacity of 250 sheets, though it doesn’t match the JetIntelligence Toner efficiency of the HP LaserJet Pro.

Where this printer shines is in its intuitive mobile connectivity and energy-saving features, thanks to HP Auto-On/Auto-Off technology. However, the NFC printing issues and more limited paper capacity mean it might not be the best fit for larger teams. Both Brother and Canon alternatives are strong competitors, but HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw holds its own for small to medium-sized operations.

Quality for Price

For its features, the price-to-quality ratio of this printer is hard to beat. Its reliable performance, mobile printing options, and energy efficiency make it worth the investment for small businesses or home offices. I’ve seen other printers with similar capabilities that cost significantly more, yet they don’t include extras like JetIntelligence Toner cartridges or the HP Smart app integration. However, if you’re someone who needs color printing or higher input capacity, you might want to explore other options. For those who primarily handle monochrome documents, this model delivers excellent value.

Additional information