🖨️ Review: HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e Wide Format All-in-One – A Versatile Workhorse for the Modern Office
The modern office, whether a bustling small business or a high-demand home setup, requires a printer that is as versatile as it is reliable. Enter the HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e Wide Format Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer (53N95A). This machine is designed to be a comprehensive solution, offering printing, scanning, and copying up to A3/11x17-inch wide format, coupled with modern features like wireless connectivity, automatic duplexing, a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), and HP's integrated AI-Enabled technology and Instant Ink service.
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| Review: HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e Wide Format All-in-One – A Versatile Workhorse for the Modern Office |
Let's dive into an in-depth review of this printer, examining its core performance, key features, and overall value proposition for its target audience.
Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification | Note |
| Functions | Print, Copy, Scan (All-in-One) | Fax is not included. |
| Max Print Size | Wide Format (up to A3 / 11 x 17 in) | This is the printer's standout feature. |
| Max Scan/Copy Size | Legal (A4 / 8.5 x 14 in) | Flatbed/ADF scanning is limited to A4/Legal size. |
| Print Speed (ISO) | Up to 22 ppm (Black), 18 ppm (Color) | Fast speeds for an inkjet. |
| Duplex Printing | Automatic (up to A4/Letter size) | Saves paper and time. |
| Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) | 35 Sheets (Simplex Scan/Copy) | Great for multi-page documents. |
| Paper Capacity | 250-sheet Input Tray (Single Tray) | Only one tray, requires manual switching between A4/A3. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (Dual-Band, Self-Healing), Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 | Excellent modern connectivity options. |
| Included Services | 3 Months of Instant Ink, HP+ Enabled | Requires HP account and exclusive use of Original HP Ink. |
🚀 Performance: Speed, Quality, and Wide Format Capability
Print Speed and Daily Output
The OfficeJet Pro 9720e delivers respectable speeds for an inkjet in its class. With ISO speeds of up to 22 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 18 ppm for color, it is certainly capable of handling the daily demands of a small office or busy home user. The large 250-sheet input tray and the recommended monthly page volume of 250 to 1,500 pages (with a maximum duty cycle of 30,000 pages) solidify its position as a true workhorse.
Print Quality and The P3 Standard
HP has heavily marketed the print quality, claiming the 9720e is the world's first wide format printer with P3 Color support. P3 (Display P3) is a wider color gamut than the standard sRGB, meaning prints can achieve more vibrant and screen-accurate colors, especially crucial for graphic designers, architects, and marketing materials. For standard text documents, the 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi produces sharp, professional-grade text. When printing high-quality photos on HP Advanced Photo Paper, the resolution can reach up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi, resulting in richly detailed and vibrant images.
The Wide Format Promise (and Caveat)
The primary reason to purchase the 9720e is its wide format (A3/11x17-inch) printing capability. This feature is a massive asset for businesses that need to create spreadsheets, blueprints, presentation charts, or large-format marketing flyers in-house.
However, a significant caveat noted by multiple users is the single paper tray. To switch between printing A4/Letter documents and A3/11x17-inch documents, you must manually remove the A4 paper and adjust the tray guides to load the A3 paper. Furthermore, while it prints A3, the flatbed scanner and the ADF are limited to Legal/A4 (8.5 x 14 inches), meaning you cannot scan or copy a full A3 document. This limitation is a key factor to consider if large-format copying/scanning is essential for your workflow.
💡 Modern & Smart Features
Wireless Connectivity and HP Smart App
Connectivity is a strong suit. The printer features dual-band Wi-Fi with self-healing technology, which automatically detects and resolves minor connectivity issues, ensuring a more reliable connection. Standard connectivity also includes Ethernet and USB. The HP Smart App is the hub for mobile printing and advanced scanning, allowing users to print from anywhere, and perform 'Smart Tasks'—custom shortcuts to automate repetitive workflows (e.g., scanning a document and automatically sending it to a specific cloud storage or email).
The AI-Enabled Experience
The "AI-Enabled" descriptor relates primarily to the HP+ ecosystem. This technology is designed to make the printer more intuitive and secure:
Perfectly Formatted Prints: HP claims the AI helps ensure prints are correctly formatted, adapting to different paper sizes and types to reduce errors.
Security: HP Wolf Pro Security is integrated to monitor and help protect the network from cyber threats, ensuring the connected printer doesn't become a vulnerability.
Proactive Management: It intuitively manages maintenance cycles and optimizes performance over time.
HP Instant Ink and HP+
The printer comes with 3 Months of Instant Ink included when you enroll with HP+. Instant Ink is a subscription service that delivers new cartridges to your door before you run out, based on your printing volume, not the amount of ink used.
It is important to understand the HP+ requirement: choosing HP+ during setup activates benefits like Instant Ink, but it requires an ongoing internet connection and the exclusive use of Original HP Ink cartridges for the life of the printer due to dynamic security measures. For users who prefer third-party ink, this printer and the HP+ service are not compatible with that choice.
⚖️ Conclusion: Who Is the HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e For?
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9720e (53N95A) is a powerful, feature-rich All-in-One designed squarely for the small business or home office that occasionally requires high-quality, wide-format (A3/11x17-inch) color printing.
👍 Pros:
Wide-Format Printing: A key differentiator for producing professional-grade large documents and media.
Excellent Print Quality: Supports P3 color for vibrant, true-to-screen results.
Fast and Efficient: Quick print speeds (up to 22 ppm Black) and an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for productivity.
Robust Connectivity: Self-healing Dual-Band Wi-Fi and Ethernet provide reliable networking.
HP Smart App Features: Includes productivity-boosting Smart Tasks and mobile printing.
👎 Cons:
Single Paper Tray: Requires manual paper swapping when alternating between standard (A4/Letter) and wide (A3) formats.
A4/Legal Scan/Copy Limit: Cannot scan or copy documents larger than A4/Legal size, despite printing up to A3.
HP+ Ink Restriction: Enrollment in HP+ (for Instant Ink and extended features) binds the user to exclusively using Original HP Ink cartridges.
Physical Size: As a wide-format printer, it is physically large and requires dedicated office space.
Final Verdict: If your primary need is a reliable All-in-One that can handle occasional A3 color prints with professional quality and you are comfortable with the HP Instant Ink ecosystem, the 9720e is an excellent choice. However, if frequent A3 scanning or copying is a necessity, or if you prefer the freedom to use third-party ink cartridges, you should explore other options with a larger flatbed/ADF or without the HP+ restriction.