At a Glance
Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a high-quality photo-printer that will primarily be used for printing selfies and other postcard-size photos from your mobile devices on a regular basis then the Tango is an absolute bargain. It’s stylish too, so not one that needs hiding away. It’s not, however, a good option if you just need a general-purpose printer for use with a Mac or PC.
Best Prices Today: HP Tango
Price
To be honest, that seems more of a gimmick than a really useful innovation for a printer, but the Tango has more attractive features as well. It’s neatly designed and well suited for use at home, and HP even dangles the tempting possibility of free photo prints for Instagram junkies if you’re not using an instant camera .
In other respects, though, it’s actually pretty limited, and its starting price of £129/$149 is relatively high for a home printer, so you’ll need to think carefully about whether the Tango meets your personal needs before buying. Check out best printers chart to see a full range.
Features & Design
The Tango isn’t much to look at, consisting of little more than a rectangular slab of white and grey plastic. There’s no LCD control screen at all, as you’re expected to control the printer from HP’s Smart app on your Android or iOS mobile devices most of the time.
It’s admirably compact, though, measuring just 389mm wide, 246mm deep and 91mm high, so it’ll fit even onto a small desk or a shelf if you’re a bit tight for space at home. The top cover folds out to act as the input tray, and holds 50 sheets of A4 paper, or 20 sheets of photo paper, and the basic version of the Tango also includes a small output tray that you can attach to the front of the printer.
However, there’s a second model called the Tango X, which costs £180 / $199 , and replaces the output tray with a wrap-around protective linen cover. So it can even look pretty stylish and trendy sitting on a shelf.
The Tango weighs 3.4kg, and its compact design means that you could easily slip it into a backpack and carry it to a friend’s house if you want to spend an evening experimenting with Instagram filters.
The compact design does have its drawbacks, though. The Tango doesn’t include a scanner, and although it supports dual-band Wi-Fi it doesn’t even have a USB port for quickly connecting it to a PC or Mac. In fact, HP’s web site states that the Tango “is designed exclusively for mobile devices”, as it requires the Smart app to handle the initial set-up and installation.
The Smart app can also use your smartphone camera to provide limited scanning and copying features. That’s a little misleading, though, as it only took us a couple of minutes on HP’s web site to locate driver software for Windows and Macs, so you can still use it with a computer if you need to.
Performance
The Tango isn’t particularly fast for a printer in this price range. HP quotes speeds of up to 11 pages per minute for plain black text, 8ppm for colour documents, and 37 seconds for a 10x15cm postcard print.
However, our tests produced more modest results, at around 7ppm for text documents, 5ppm for colour, and a rather leisurely 70 seconds for postcards.
Print quality isn’t disappointing though, with smooth, sharp text that can give a laser printer a run for its money, and bright, colourful graphics and photos. It’ll do the job, then, as long as you’re not in too much of a rush.
Running Costs
In the past, we’ve not been too impressed by the Instant Ink scheme, as its flat-rate printing costs were good for colour and photo output, but actually quite expensive for simple text documents. However, the Tango throws in an extra option that might make it a good choice for people who like to print a lot of photos – see below.
There are two ‘setup cartridges’ provided with the Tango – a black cartridge that lasts for a mere 125 pages, and a ‘tri-colour’ cartridge that contains cyan, magenta and yellow inks, and lasts for just 110 pages. It won’t be long, therefore, before you find yourself forking out for replacement cartridges.
When bought direct from HP, the standard-size black cartridges cost £13.49 and last for 200 pages, while the standard-size colour cartridge costs £17.09 and lasts for 165 pages. Those costs work out at around 6.5p per page for mono printing – which is well above average for an inkjet printer – and a just-about-acceptable 10.4p for colour printing.
HP also sells high-yield XL-size cartridges, although the black XL cartridge still works out relatively expensive at 4.5p per page. The XL colour cartridge is much better, though, working out at a competitive 7.6p per page, so it’s clear that the Tango is very much designed for printing photos and colour graphics, rather than boring old office documents.
Instant Ink
Whenever the printer starts to run low on ink the HP Smart app will automatically order new inks to be sent in the post, with the cost of the inks included in your monthly subscription.
The other subscription options cost £3.49 per month for 100 pages (3.49p per page) and £7.99 per month for 300 pages (2.7p per page – but watch out for the extra costs that start running up if you go over your monthly page limit).
In the past, we’ve criticized the Instant Ink schemes as they’re good value for printing colour graphics and photos, but less attractive for simple text documents. However, the Tango throws in an extra bonus, as photo prints up to 13x18cm that are printed from the HP Smart app on an Android or iOS device are free, and don’t count towards your monthly allocation of pages.
In effect, this means that you can print unlimited postcards (10x15cm) and other small-format photos from your mobile devices – but not Macs and PCs – completely free of charge (although the small print on HP’s web site does state that it can withdraw that offer with 30 days notice).
Verdict
The HP Tango might not be the fastest or cheapest printer around, and it doesn’t have the usual things you’d expect like a screen, card reader and USB port.
However, the target market is unlikely to care because this smart printer is aimed at those wanting to print from mobile phones or even using their voice via smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. For this, the Tango is brilliant and provides high quality results.
It’s good looking though so you won’t want to hide it away and the Instant Ink scheme that offers free printing makes it even more tempting.
Specs
HP Tango: Specs
- A4 inkjet printer with 1200x1200dpi resolution
- Supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant voice controls
- 50-sheet A4 tray, 20-sheet photo tray
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi, with Apple AirPrint, HP Smart app (iOS/Android)
- Dimensions – 389x246x91mm, 3.4kg
Best Prices Today: HP Tango
Printers might not be as exciting as a new smartphone but it’s likely we all need one at some point in our lives, even if it’s just occasionally. Whether you’re working from home or need an office printer for many people to use, we have reviewed and ranked ten of the best you can buy from tank system inkjets to large laser printers.
You might want to print a calendar, gig tickets, a boarding pass or some photos you’ve taken on your phone. Many printers are multi-function and therefore also handy for scanning and copying, too.
Whatever your needs, buying a new printer can be a confusing process. Not only do you have to worry about the upfront cost and whether it can print a good photo, but you’ve also got to consider print speeds, ongoing costs and a host of potential features.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the printer market moves slowly, and the latest printers aren’t always the best. Printer tech moves slowly so reviews might not be from this year or even the year before that but they stay on sale for a long time unlike phones or laptops .
Read on below our chart for more in-depth printer buying advice on things like whether to choose inkjet or laser.
Best printers 2023
1. Canon Pixma TS7450/1 – Best Overall
Pros
- Prints quickly
- Excellent quality
- Inexpensive to buy and run
Cons
- Mobile apps aren’t always intuitive
- Bulky design
- Photos need glossy paper
Printers are hard to even find in stock right now so a great value all-rounder from Canon at under £100 is worth snapping up, even though it is quite heavy.
This is a great value all-in-one printer that’s easy to set up and use. It’s also no slough with lots of features and versatile printing including documents and photos. Cheaper printers can be expensive to run but the TS7450 doesn’t even fall into this category.
The mobile apps are a little frustrating at times but print quality is good, although you’ll want to stick to proper glossy paper for photos. Note that the TS7451 is the same printer, only in white.
Read our full Canon Pixma TS7450 review
2. HP Envy Inspire 7220e – Best Compact Family Printer
Pros
- Attractive price
- Fast printing speeds
- 2-sided printing
- Good text and photo quality
Cons
- No ADF
- Can’t print on A4 glossy paper
Those looking for a compact and easy-to-use printer for the whole family might have just found it.
The Envy Inspire 7220e is an excellent all-rounder for those needing to regularly print text and photos at good speeds and affordable costs. The printer looks nice, has wide support for different wireless printing services and offers high-quality results.
It doesn’t have an automatic document feeder but that’s normal, so as long as you don’t need to print on A4 glossy paper, it’s a bit of a steal.
Read our full HP Envy Inspire 7220e review
3. Canon Pixma TS3350 MkII – Best Budget Printer
Pros
- Cheap
- High quality printing
- Connectivity
Cons
- Slow printing
- Expensive ink
If you’re looking for a cheap printer to handle day-to-day tasks then the TS3350 MkII (or TS3320 in the US) is an excellent choice.
This is not only affordable but offers great quality printing for a range of jobs, including colour images. This is even a copier and scanner too so you’re getting a lot for your money.
It’s quite slow so isn’t a workhorse and you’ll want to get XL cartridges to keep running costs down. For printing the occasional letter, boarding pass or family photo without breaking the bank it’s perfect.
Read our full Canon Pixma TS3350 MkII review
4. HP DeskJet Plus 4120 – Excellent Value Inkjet
Pros
- Very cheap
- Easy to use
- Good photo & graphics quality
Cons
- Average text quality
- Needs Instant Ink to keep running costs down
Those on a budget needing a printer for a mix of different tasks should consider the DeskJet Plus 4120 – known as the 4155 in the US.
It’s basic in style and design with things like a simple LCD display but keeps costs down, especially if you use HP’s Instant Ink subscription service.
Read our full HP DeskJet Plus 4120 review
5. Epson EcoTank ET-3850 – Best Ink Tank Printer
Pros
- Cost per page is very low
- Good print speed
- Excellent print quality
Cons
- Pigment black isn’t ideal for photos
- Lack duplex copying
- One year warranty
Anyone against traditional cartridges should consider this EcoTank model from Epson. The ET-3850 offers high-quality printing at decent speeds while keeping the cost down, even if you’re printing A4 colour pages on a regular basis.
It’s more expensive to buy the device itself than cartridge rivals but may well work out better value in the long run. And it has virtually the same specs as higher-end EcoTank models, including the PrecisionCore print head.
One of the main practical downsides is that it doesn’t offer duplex printing and Epson only offers a one year warranty or 50,000 pages – whichever comes first.
Read our full Epson EcoTank ET-3850 review
6. HP Smart Tank 7605 – Best Small Office Printer
Pros
- Fax function
- Dual-band WLAN
- Touch display
- Additional XL-BK ink bottle
Cons
- Limited USB host functions
- No real off switch
If you’re looking for a great all-rounder then the Smart Tank 7605 is a hot contender with its wide range of functions and large amount of ink included in the box – enough for up to 12,000 pages.
It’s highly suitable for home or small office use, even if there’s a slight overreliance on the HP Smart app. Still, it can wirelessly print, copy, scan and fax, plus has an automatic document feeder.
The compact printer looks stylish and has a 3in touchscreen, the tank system keeps costs low and print quality is good. There’s little more we could ask for at this price.
Read our full HP Smart Tank 7605 review
7. Epson EcoTank ET-18100 – Best Photo Printer
Pros
- Inexpensive photo prints
- Great print quality
- Mess-free ink refills
Cons
- No display
- No scanner / copier
- Expensive to buy
The ET-18100 has niche appeal because it’s been designed with a particular user in mind.
If you want to print a lot of photos at up to A3 sizes without breaking the bank, then you’re the target market. The printer itself is costly, but the ink tank design keeps running costs down.
The mess-free design is great and refill bottles are better for the environment, too. Print quality is excellent but as mentioned, you will need to print a lot of photos to justify this model.
With no display or copier/scanner functions, this isn’t an all-rounder.
Read our full Epson EcoTank ET-18100 review
8. HP Smart Tank 5105 – Best Value Ink Tank Printer
Pros
- Cheap running costs
- Borderless on A4, A5
- Ink tank sensors
- Affordable printer
Cons
- Flimsy
- Awkward paper path
- Only 50ml coloured inks included
- No display
It’s great to see HP taking on Epson at ink tank printers and the 5105 is a practical solution for any home or small office customer that would like to worry less about the cost of printing.
Normally there’s a high initial price for the printer with an ink tank model but HP offers good value here, even if the supplied colour bottles are only 50ml and the build quality is on the flimsy end of the scale.
There’s also no display and this isn’t the fastest printer around either, but the quality is good for a range of tasks including surprisingly vibrant photos, and you can print borderless on A4 and A5 sheets.
It’s not all singing, all dancing but if a value for money ink tank printer is what you need then the 5105 is worth a look.
Read our full HP Smart Tank 5105 review
9. Epson Ecotank ET-8500 – Best Value Photo Printer
Pros
- Very high print quality
- Top for greyscale photos
- Processes many types of material
- Very low cost per page despite 6 colours
Cons
- No real off switch
- High purchase price
If printing photos is your thing, then the EcoTank 8500 is an excellent choice as this printer is designed for the task, although it can do regular printing and scanning as well.
It’s a fairly expensive printer at first but if you’re planning to print a lot of images then it should work out as a good investment in the long term with reliability and print costs.
Importantly, print quality is excellent and you can print on a variety of materials including fine art paper. It’s also got a large 10cm screen and no less than three different paper feeds.
Read our full Epson Ecotank ET-8500 review
10. Brother DCP-L3510cdw – Best Laser Printer
Pros
- 2-sided printing
- Decent performance
Cons
- Single-sheet scanning
- No colour screen
- Running costs
If you don’t need to print photos on photo paper but instead need a printer primarily for documents then a laser is a great choice.
The Brother DCP-L3510cdw uses LEDs instead of a laser, but it’s very similar and can reliably handle lots of printing with crisp quality at a decent speed.
You’ll need more room for it than a typical inkjet printer but running costs over the long term are more affordable and with Brother’s EcoPro subscription you get the printer for just £1.20!
This model has a basic LCD screen but still has useful features including 2-sided printing, a single-sheet scanner and Wi-Fi, complete with AirPrint support.
Read our full Brother DCP-L3510cdw review
How to choose a printer
There’s no single printer that will suit everyone, so while the list below is ordered it’s best not to worry too much about the number beside it. We’ve mixed together home and business printers, multifunction, colour and mono.
Inkjet vs laser
Printers come in two main forms: inkjet or laser, with colour and mono flavours of each. Lasers tend to be more expensive to buy, but provide better quality output, particularly where lots of text is involved. And they can be faster. Notice we said ‘tend’ – lasers aren’t always best.
As a basic rule, if you need to print only text, and a lot of it, a mono laser printer will offer the crispest text output and the best combination of fast page-per-minute output and low ink costs. If you need to print photos, choose an inkjet printer. A dedicated photo printer with individual cartridges for each colour will suit those who print only photos.
If you’re working from home and need to print a lot, a laser printer is likely going to be a better option.
You can also read our more in-depth comparison of the pros and cons of each type of printer .
What are printer running costs?
When buying a printer, remember that the price you pay in the store is just the beginning. Be sure to consider the cost of replenishing toner and other consumables over the lifetime of the printer. This is particularly important if you print a lot. A set of toner cartridges can easily approach the cost of a colour laser printer.
Most manufacturers quote a ‘page yield’ estimate for their ink cartridges, which is the typical number of pages you can expect to print before the cartridge runs out of ink. You can use the page yield to calculate the average cost per page and you’d be surprised to find how much this can vary from one printer to another.
Of course, if output quality matters more to you than cost, scoot over to the other end of the cost spectrum where there are more specialised printers that use five or even six inks for printing photographs. Those additional inks can produce excellent results for your photo prints, but they add to the cost, sometimes pushing the cost for photos up to 10p or more per page.
Some brands offer a cartridge subscription service, like HP’s Instant Ink , to keep costs to a minimum.
What is a multifunction printer?
Most modern printers are multifunction ‘all-in-one’ devices that include a scanner too. This allows you to scan photos and other documents and convert them into digital files that you can store on your computer or share with friends or colleagues. You can also print copies of your scanned documents, allowing the printer to stand in for a photocopier too.
Some models even include a fax machine. If you require a scanner and a photocopier as well as a printer, you’ll save money by buying in all-in-one – but if a standalone printer suits your needs, you may be able to spend less.
What about print speed and features?
Speeds quoted by manufacturers are almost never matched by real-world performance. If you often need to print in a hurry, look for independent reviews when choosing your printer.
Other useful features to look out for include additional USB ports and memory card slots that will allow you to print photos direct from a camera.
High-capacity paper trays capable of holding hundreds of sheets of paper, or an automatic document feeder that can handle scanning and copying work while you go and do something more important, might be worth looking out for.
Double-sided printing is handy for halving your paper usage.
It’s also worth thinking about the bundled software that comes with your printer. Some printers include software that provides basic editing features, such as red-eye removal or adjusting the colour balance – some even allow you to perform simple editing tasks using controls on the printer itself.
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
Recent stories by Chris Martin:
- Canon Pixma G4510 review
