HP Printers Under $100 | Entry-Level Deskjets Compared

Finding an HP printer under $100 that actually handles your basic color documents without breaking down matters for home offices and small budgets. The DeskJet 4255e, 4355, and 2855e keep showing up in HP’s US store at this price point, and they share more than you’d expect. This breakdown covers what each one offers, what the Instant Ink and HP+ fine print means, and where you should spend your money. For a tested list of models we’ve compared side by side, our computer printer under 100 roundup covers real-world performance. All three of these machines run around $70 to $99 when HP’s under-$100 pages show stock.

What You Get With An HP DeskJet Under $100

Every current HP printer under $100 in the US store is a DeskJet all-in-one. That means you get print, copy, and scan in color from one compact unit, plus mobile and wireless printing built in. These aren’t office workhorses — they’re designed for basic color documents like recipes, forms, and travel documents, not for heavy daily output.

All three current models ship with free wireless connectivity and work with HP’s mobile app. The core difference you’ll notice first is the feature set. The 4255e adds an auto document feeder, which the 2855e skips to keep costs down. The newer 4355 carries the AI-capable label in HP’s listings, which mostly means HP Smart software handles scan cleanup and document organization on your phone.

Here’s the key spec breakdown from the current listings:

Each model’s product page states these are “designed for basic color documents like recipes, forms, and travel documents.” If you need to print school forms, shipping labels, or the occasional color handout, any of these will get the job done.

What Instant Ink and HP+ Actually Mean For The Price

The $70 to $99 sticker price on these HP printers isn’t the whole story. All three current under-$100 models include 3 months of Instant Ink for free with HP+, HP’s subscription toner service. That’s real value, but it’s conditional.

HP+ is a set of cloud-connected features that requires you to keep an active internet connection and use an HP account. Enrolling in HP+ is what unlocks the free Instant Ink trial. The catch: after the three months end, you’re paying a monthly fee based on pages printed, unless you cancel. The service is genuinely useful if you print regularly — HP’s site positions it as a way to avoid buying cartridges at retail — but if you print rarely, the subscription cost can outweigh the savings on the printer itself.

You can use these printers without HP+ or Instant Ink entirely. Buy a standard HP cartridge at retail, and the printer works normally. Just note that these models are listed as “dynamic security enabled” printers, which means HP’s firmware can block cartridges it considers non-genuine. If you’ve used refilled or third-party ink in the past, check that policy before you buy. The current printers under $100 selection at HP’s US store changes frequently, so availability shifts week to week.

Which Under-$100 HP Printer Should You Choose?

The right pick depends on how you print. The 2855e is the budget-first option — compact, easy to use, and fine for a light home workload. The 4255e is the value standout, because the auto document feeder saves you from hand-feeding multi-page forms and contracts one page at a time. The 4355 is the newest model, carrying HP’s AI-capable tag for better scan-to-digital workflows.

One piece of practical advice: the under-$100 price bracket on HP’s store pages can show zero results at times, so if you see a model in stock at your price, it’s worth acting. These entry-level Deskjets sell quickly when the Instant Ink promotion is active.

Our tested list of best computer printers under $100 ranks these against other brands if you want to compare before committing.

Setup Tips For Your New HP Printer

HP’s official setup guidance across all three models recommends the same path: install the HP Smart app on your phone first. The setup documentation says the app gives you the fastest setup experience, scans the QR code on the printer, and walks you through connecting to Wi-Fi. HP Smart is also available for Windows and macOS, so you can manage the printer from your computer after the phone setup is done.

Your connection options depend on your home network. HP’s support site covers printer setup using Wi-Fi, a wired network, or a USB cable. For these Deskjets, Wi-Fi works in minutes. The most common hiccup on these models is the printer and phone landing on different network bands — keep both on the same 2.4GHz network during setup to avoid connection drops.