HP 2573 Ink
Photosmart 2573 Ink Cartridges

HP 2573 Printer Review

With its affordable price tag as one of its best features, the HP Photosmart 2573 is not slouch when it comes to photo quality either. With multiple direct printing options and maximum speeds of up to 30 pages per minute in black and 24 pages per minute in color, it has a lot to offer home users on a budget, and third-party HP 2573 printer ink is very inexpensive.

Home office users might be tempted by the 2573's ability to scan and copy, even without a computer, but it isn't necessarily made for office use. Although its maximum speeds seem fast, quality settings of Normal and above are quite a bit slower, with the highest setting producing less than one page per minute. It also includes only a flatbed scanner, without an ADF for more serious copying and scanning tasks. Its ethernet port is a nice touch when it comes to sharing, however.

When it comes to photo features, however, the 2573 delivers. It includes multiple media card slots and a USB port with PictBridge support on the front, and the 2.5-inch LCD screen makes direct printing very easy. Expert tests noted good photo quality and crisp text, due in part to its 1200 dpi PhotoREt III technology and high-quality Photosmart 2573 printer ink.

Photosmart 2573 ink cartridges come in three capacities of tricolor, at 220, 330, and 560 pages, with only one size for black, at 420 pages. An optional photo color HP 2573 ink cartridge allows for 6-color photo printing and a photo gray supply enhances black-and-white images. Remanufactured HP 2573 ink is available from third-party sellers to keep costs under control.

With scanning and copying included for only a little higher price than the average inkjet photo printer, the Photosmart 2573 is an easy purchase for home users on a limited budget. It doesn't have the fastest print speeds in its class, but it is easy to share, and its direct printing features are simple to use.