HP 8158 Ink
Photosmart 8158 Ink Cartridges

HP 8158 Printer Review

If the design of the HP Photosmart 8158 inkjet printer looks overwhelming, that is likely because it is so chock full of features. Able to handle standalone printing and even editing, it is great for photo enthusiasts, and it can print documents at up to 20 pages per minute. Optional colors of HP 8158 printer ink are a blessing and a curse, however, improving the quality but also inflating costs.

There are a number of ways to get photos into the 8158. It connects to a computer via USB 2.0 for the more traditional route, taking advantage of the included Image Zone Software and Instant Share. In standalone mode, however, users can use the memory card slots or PictBridge port to load images into memory, perform edits like cropping and sharpening right from the 2.5-inch LCD screen, and print.

The downside of all this functionality is that the control panel is quite busy, and may be intimidating for some users. Still, considering its excellent 4800x1200 optimized dpi resolution with color Photosmart 8158 printer ink for photo printing and its quick speeds, it is worth noting that users can simply skip the extras and use it in the more traditional way, still reaping the quality benefits.

The standard paper tray holds 100 sheets of plain paper. A second 20-sheet photo tray can hold smaller media and uses a straighter paper path. An optional 250-sheet tray can be added for more capacity as well.

In addition to using one black and one tricolor Photosmart 8158 ink cartridge, the black supply can be swapped for either a photo gray or photo color HP 8158 ink cartridge. These enhance black-and-white and color photos, respectively. Of course, this means spending more on HP 8158 printer ink overall.

The most appealing feature of the Photosmart 8158 is its kiosk-like control panel, and the ability to manipulate and print photos without a computer. For buyers who don't need this feature, they can get similar quality from less expensive models.