The HP DeskJet 4120e is a compact, entry-level all-in-one for occasional home-office printing, copying and scanning. Its 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) is unusually useful at this price tier, but modest speeds, a small paper tray and manual two-sided printing make it a poor fit for busy workloads. It can make sense if you print lightly and value the ADF; check your local ink costs and the exact regional model before buying.
What the HP DeskJet 4120e does
HP lists the DeskJet 4120e as an inkjet multifunction printer with print, copy, scan and send-only mobile fax functions. It connects over Wi-Fi or USB 2.0, and HP lists support for AirPrint, Mopria, Chrome OS and the HP app. Its flatbed scanner is paired with a 35-sheet ADF, so you can feed a stack of pages for scanning or copying rather than placing each sheet on the glass.
The input tray holds 60 sheets and the output tray 25, according to HP’s specifications. That is enough for light use, but frequent printing means refilling the input tray regularly. HP recommends a monthly print volume of 100–300 pages. Its separate maximum duty-cycle figure is up to 1,000 pages per month; that ceiling is not a recommended sustained workload. HP’s support specifications provide the detailed figures, while its regional product page covers the 26Q94A version.
How fast is it, and how good are the prints?
HP rates the printer at up to 8.5 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 5.5 ppm for colour under ISO A4 conditions. These are modest entry-level speeds, particularly if you regularly print multi-page colour documents.
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- The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm color, 7.5 ppm black
- PERFECTLY FORMATTED PRINTS WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- KEY FEATURES – Color printing, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable Wii-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues.This printer is only 2.4 ghz capable.
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled
In a test published on 25 May 2022, Stuart Andrews of IT Pro measured 10.5 ppm after the first page on a 24-page black-text job at normal quality. Draft mode reached 14 ppm after a 16-second first page. Those test results are not directly interchangeable with HP’s ISO ratings because the test conditions and settings differ. In IT Pro’s five-page mixed black-and-colour test, the first page took 44 seconds and subsequent output ran at 3 ppm.
That review found default-quality text crisp and black, but described photo prints as flat rather than true photo quality. Its results describe a single test from 2022, not a guarantee for every paper, setting or unit. For letters and routine documents, text quality may be adequate; if vivid photos or quick colour handouts matter, this is not a strong match. Read the IT Pro review for its full test context.
Rank #2
- HP Ink Cartridges are engineered to work with HP printers to provide consistent quality, reliability and value
- Works with these HP Printers: DeskJet 1255, 2710e, 2720e, 2721e, 2722, 2722e, 2723e, 2724, 2725, 2732, 2742e, 2752e, 2755, 2755e, 4110e, 4120e, 4121e, 4122e, 4123e, 4130e, 4132e, 4152e, 4155e, 4158e; DeskJet Plus 4122, 4132, 4155
- Works with these HP Printers: ENVY 6010e, 6020e, 6022e, 6030e, 6032e, 6034e, 6050e, 6052e, 6055, 6055e, 6075, 6075e, 6420e, 6422e, 6430e, 6432e, 6450e, 6452e, 6455e, 6458e, 6475e; ENVY Pro 6455, 6458, 6475
- Cartridge yield (approx.): 120 pages black, 100 pages tri-color
- Trusted HP Printer Ink Cartridges for every printing need: Perfect for everyday home, office, and small business printing needs — choose HP 67 Ink Cartridges for reliable printing
Does it print double-sided automatically?
No. HP specifies manual duplex printing with driver support. To print on both sides, you must reinsert the sheets for the second side, following the driver’s prompts. If you print double-sided often, an automatic-duplex model will be more convenient and less prone to handling mistakes.
Is the ADF useful?
Yes, if you scan or copy multi-page documents. The 35-sheet ADF can take a stack of originals, while the flatbed accommodates individual pages or items that should not be fed through rollers. The cited specifications establish ADF capacity but do not establish automatic duplex scanning, so do not assume it can scan both sides of a double-sided original in one pass.
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- UPC: 198828789662
- Weight: 10.450 lbs
Which ink cartridges does it use?
Cartridge compatibility varies by regional version. HP’s US support listing identifies HP 67 and HP 67XL black and tri-colour cartridges. A separate HP datasheet identifies HP 305 setup cartridges for another regional SKU. Check the full product number and the local HP compatibility listing before ordering; the “4120e” name alone is not enough to confirm the right cartridge family. HP’s support page lists supplies for the US version, and the HP datasheet covers the other cited regional version.
Will HP Instant Ink make it cheaper to run?
That depends on your location, print volume and the current plan and cartridge prices. IT Pro cited UK Instant Ink examples of £4.49 for 100 pages and £9.99 for 300 pages in its 2022 review; those are historical prices, not current offers. Compare current local subscription terms with the cost of cartridges you would otherwise buy, using your actual monthly pages and colour use. A subscription is not automatically the cheaper option simply because the printer is inexpensive upfront.
Rank #4
- AFFORDABLE COLOR PRINTING – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, a 35-sheet auto document feeder and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
The 26Q94A regional HP product page says that choosing HP+ at setup requires an HP account, an ongoing internet connection and exclusive use of Original HP Ink cartridges for the printer’s life. Those terms are specific to that regional page and should not be assumed to apply identically everywhere. Instant Ink eligibility by itself does not establish that a plan is available or economical in your region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should buy the DeskJet 4120e?
- Consider it if you print occasionally, want basic print/copy/scan functions in one compact device, and will make use of the ADF for multi-page documents.
- Look elsewhere if you routinely print near or above HP’s recommended monthly volume, need automatic duplex printing, want fast colour output, or prioritize photo quality.
- Work out the running cost first if minimizing long-term ink spending is more important than the initial purchase price. Compare current local cartridge costs and any subscription against your expected pages per month.
IT Pro also contrasted a low upfront price with the higher purchase cost of an Epson EcoTank ET-3850 in its 2022 review, but that is not a current like-for-like ownership-cost comparison. Without current printer and ink prices, there is no sound basis for naming a cheaper option over a particular ownership period.
Verdict
The DeskJet 4120e is a reasonable basic home-office MFP when the ADF and low-volume convenience matter more than speed, automatic duplex or photo output. Its 100–300-page recommended monthly volume is the sensible workload guide; the 1,000-page duty-cycle maximum should not be treated as a target. Decide only after confirming the regional cartridge type and checking present-day ink or subscription costs.
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