Best HP Printer for Photos: Envy Picks & Smart Tank Alternative

Updated 4 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

For the best HP printer for photos, the HP Envy 6400e series is a top choice for everyday photo printing, offering excellent color quality and affordable 4×6 prints. However, if you print photos frequently or in high volume, the HP Smart Tank 720 is a superior alternative that delivers comparable quality with drastically lower ink costs. This article explains what makes each model good for photos, how they compare, and which one fits your specific needs.

Background: HP’s Photo Printer Lines

HP offers two main printer lines that are relevant for photo printing: the Envy series and the Smart Tank series. The Envy line is designed as an all-in-one inkjet printer for home use, with a focus on everyday document printing, scanning, copying, and occasional photo printing. The Smart Tank line uses a continuous ink tank system, where you refill liquid ink from bottles rather than replacing cartridges. This makes Smart Tank printers much cheaper to operate per page, especially for high-volume printing.

Both use HP’s thermal inkjet technology, which sprays tiny droplets of ink onto paper. The key difference is the ink delivery system: Envy uses replaceable cartridges, while Smart Tank uses refillable internal tanks. For photo enthusiasts, the choice often comes down to print volume, cost per print, and whether you need borderless printing.

How Photo Printing Works in These Printers

Photo printing relies on the printer’s ability to lay down multiple colors accurately and consistently. HP’s Envy and Smart Tank models use a four-ink system (CMYK: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) for standard printing. Some higher-end Envy models, like the Envy Inspire series, add a fifth photo black ink for improved contrast in black-and-white photos.

When you send a photo to print, the printer driver converts the image data into a series of dots of each ink color. The printer then places these dots on the paper in a specific pattern to recreate the original colors. The quality of this process depends on the print head resolution (measured in dots per inch, DPI), the ink formulation, and the type of paper used. HP’s photo papers have a special coating that absorbs ink and prevents bleeding, which is essential for sharp, vibrant prints.

Both Envy and Smart Tank printers can produce lab-quality photos when used with genuine HP photo paper and the correct print settings. The main difference is that Envy printers often have a dedicated photo tray for 4×6 inch paper, while Smart Tank models typically require you to load photo paper into the main input tray.

How to Choose Between Envy and Smart Tank

Your choice depends on how often you print photos and your budget. Consider these factors:

Print volume: If you print fewer than 20 photos per month, the Envy’s cartridge system is fine. If you print more than that regularly, Smart Tank’s low ink cost wins.
Cost per print: Smart Tank printers have a much lower cost per photo. For example, a 4×6 photo on a Smart Tank might cost a few cents in ink, while on an Envy it could be 20-30 cents.
Borderless printing: Most Envy models support borderless 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10 printing. Smart Tank models also support borderless, but you need to select the correct paper size in the driver.
Print quality: Both produce excellent color photos. For black-and-white photos, some Envy models with a photo black ink produce deeper blacks.
Upfront cost: Envy printers are cheaper to buy, but Smart Tank printers cost more upfront and save you money over time.

If you are a casual photo printer, the Envy is simpler and cheaper to start with. If you are a photo enthusiast who prints regularly, the Smart Tank is the better long-term investment.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that Smart Tank printers cannot print high-quality photos because they are designed for documents. This is not true. The Smart Tank 720 uses the same thermal inkjet technology as the Envy and produces vibrant, detailed photos. The main limitation is that it lacks a dedicated photo tray, so you must manually switch paper types.

Another issue is ink drying out. With Envy printers, if you don’t print for weeks, the ink in the cartridges can dry and clog the print head. Smart Tank printers have a similar issue, but because the ink is in a sealed tank, it lasts longer. However, if you leave a Smart Tank unused for months, the print head can still clog. To prevent this, print a test page every couple of weeks.

Some users report that HP’s default print settings are not optimized for photos. To get the best results, you need to select “Best” quality and choose the correct paper type (e.g., HP Advanced Photo Paper) in the print dialog. Many people skip this step and get mediocre results, leading to the misconception that the printer is bad for photos.

Comparison: Envy 6400e vs. Smart Tank 720

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two most relevant models:

Print speed: Envy 6400e prints about 10 pages per minute (ppm) for documents, while Smart Tank 720 prints about 11 ppm for documents. For photos, both take about 30-60 seconds per 4×6 print.
Ink system: Envy uses cartridges (e.g., HP 67 or 67XL). Smart Tank uses refillable bottles (HP GT53 and GT52).
Cost per page: Smart Tank is significantly lower. For a 4×6 photo, Smart Tank ink cost is roughly 3-5 cents, while Envy is 25-35 cents.
Paper handling: Envy has a 100-sheet input tray and a dedicated photo tray for 4×6. Smart Tank has a 100-sheet input tray but no photo tray.
Connectivity: Both have Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile printing via HP Smart app.
Display: Envy has a 2.7-inch touchscreen; Smart Tank has a 1.3-inch LCD with buttons.

For photo quality, both are comparable when using the same paper and settings. The Smart Tank’s advantage is purely economic for high-volume printing.

Costs: Ink and Paper

Ink costs are the biggest long-term expense. With Envy, a standard cartridge yields about 120 pages of documents, but for photos, the yield is lower because photos use more ink. A 4×6 photo might use 0.5-1 ml of ink, so a standard cartridge with 5 ml of ink might only print 5-10 photos. In contrast, Smart Tank bottles come in 70 ml (black) and 50 ml (color) sizes, and a full set can print up to 6,000 color pages or 8,000 black pages (based on HP’s standard yield). For photos, you might get around 1,500-2,000 4×6 prints per set of bottles, depending on the image.

Paper also matters. Use genuine HP Advanced Photo Paper for best results. It comes in glossy, matte, and soft gloss finishes. The cost per sheet is higher than plain paper, but it is necessary for durable, high-quality prints. For 4×6, a pack of 100 sheets costs around $10-15, depending on the retailer.

Alternatives and What to Avoid

If you are considering other HP models, the HP Envy Inspire 7900e is a step up from the 6400e, with a larger touchscreen and a built-in photo tray. However, it uses the same cartridge system, so ink costs remain high. If you want the best photo quality from HP, the HP Photosmart Plus (older model) or the HP Tango (discontinued) were known for excellent photo output, but they are no longer sold new.

Avoid HP printers that are not designed for photo printing, such as the DeskJet series, which uses a single tri-color cartridge and produces washed-out colors. Also, avoid using third-party ink or refill kits, as they can cause clogs and void the warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the HP Smart Tank 720 print borderless photos?

Yes, the Smart Tank 720 supports borderless printing for 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10 photos. You need to select the correct paper size and type in the print settings, and ensure the paper is loaded correctly in the input tray.

Which HP Envy model is best for photo printing?

The HP Envy 6400e is a solid choice for casual photo printing. If you want a dedicated photo tray and a larger touchscreen, the Envy Inspire 7900e is better. For the best photo quality, look for an Envy with a photo black ink cartridge, like the Envy Photo series, but those are older models.

How do I get the best photo quality from my HP printer?

Always use genuine HP photo paper, select “Best” quality in the print dialog, and choose the correct paper type (e.g., HP Advanced Photo Paper). Also, make sure your printer drivers are up to date. For black-and-white photos, choose the grayscale option to use the black ink only.

Is it cheaper to print photos at home or at a store?

At home, the cost per 4×6 photo is about $0.10-0.30 including ink and paper for an Envy, and about $0.05-0.10 for a Smart Tank. A store like Walmart charges about $0.25-0.35 per 4×6. So, if you print a lot, a Smart Tank is cheaper than a store, while an Envy is comparable or slightly more expensive.

Can I use regular inkjet paper for photos?

You can, but the results will be poor. Regular paper absorbs ink unevenly, causing colors to look dull and bleed. Use photo paper with a glossy or matte finish for vibrant, sharp prints.

How long do HP photo prints last?

With genuine HP inks and photo paper, prints can last for decades without fading, especially if stored in an album or frame. However, exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading over time. HP rates their photo prints for 100+ years of fade resistance when stored properly.

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