Epson Expression Photo XP-55 Wi-Fi Printer, White

An unusual but most worthwhile printer, it is a printer and not a multifunction device, for all of us out there that do not need or already have a scanner. It is first and foremost a very high quality photo/art output printer, text quality is fine but not its forte. Paper handling is generally excellent with two trays and a manual feed (for those that complain about low tray capacity, it is not an office printer (buy something more suitable for the task at hand) and for those that moan about how to use the manual feed slot, read the instructions its not hard to use really.) It also prints on to CD/DVD etc (using the supplied adaptor tray, usefully stored under the machine and again easy to use once you have read the instructions). The output tray is annoying however, it has to be withdrawn by hand and requires that you open the little flap on the lower paper tray to do so. Why this has not been automated as on other models is beyond belief. Start up is reasonably quick, paper handling is on the clunky side but once printing is very quiet. Duplex printing a nice added feature (although again this is not an office printer and its worth on this printer slightly lost). Cannot comment on wireless situation, connected via usb with no problems whatsoever. Order a new set of cartridges almost immediately, the supplied set do not last long due to the initial charging of the heads. Watch out when buying replacement inks, double check they are the larger XL variety. Many are mis-advertised !!It will be expensive to run on original epson cartridges and paper/card, but guarantees exceptional output quality and thats what I bought this printer for.

Having had several Epson colour printers before (A4 and A2+ large format), I've always been impressed with their quality of print. I've currently got a Canon B&W laser printer for standard prints but needed a 'simple' A4 for colour output. Having reviewed all the current A4 colour printers on sale by both Epson and Canon, I've realised that the replacement inks are horrendously expensive, or the current generic versions haven't yet made it to affordable prices.So, I searched for a year or two older design still on sale and for which there are good quality generic refill inks available. The XP-55 has satisfied that requirement. The six inks will provide somewhat higher quality photo prints. This is an old-school print-only printer - I don't need any scan/fax (fax!) feature since I already have that on my Canon laser printer.I downloaded the drivers from the Epson website. I did have some issue with connecting the printer to my house wifi, but I now think it wasn't the printer's fault. I have a mesh wifi system, which the printer couldn't connect to, unless I disconnected all the wifi disks other than the one directly connected to my router. Once I did that, the printer connected (then I could re-power up the other disks), and has stayed connected ever since upon turning on.Other thoughts so far: I do like the compact footprint of the printer. I'm glad of the concealed paper-tray, though it's a little fiddly to have to pull out the output tray each time, but I'd getting used to that now. I've managed to place the printer within an enclosed cabinet, and in due course would have to remove it from the cabinet should I want to use the rear-feeder; but I won't have to use that paper feed option much anyway.Quality so far of the printouts is excellent on somewhat higher gsm plain paper. Photo (pearl/oyster) paper output is excellent.So, a happy customer.Update: 12 July 2020.Printer working excellently. The Epson starter cartridges lasted about one month. Bought generic cartridges (Colour Direct) which are working just fine and so much cheaper than Epson. Daily weekday usage, single- and double-sided all output well. Glad I went with a year-or-two old model that not only does everything new models do, but importantly has been out long enough for the generic ink manufacturers to make their versions of the cartridges.

Liked the overall quality of the printed images, quality of the text printing, individual ink cartridges, the ability to print on CD’s, smaller sizes of paper, envelopes and the reasonable footprint for the complexity of the printer to print not just A4 but other smaller paper sizes, the fact it is just a dedicated printer as opposed to a multi printer. The availability of compatible third party ink cartridges.Disliked the complexity to set it up, without some computer and previous printer knowledge then you may find it difficult to get working properly, it really is more for an advanced user I would say. The paper feeding and working it out is taxing, so read the manual well would be my advice. Having to have the printer paper tray pulled out to print and to receive the printed paper means it sticks out into your workspace. It does not work if you have failed to do this. The cost of Epson inks is very prohibitive for large volumes of printing.There is a lot to like about this printer and though it is an old design it is one of the only few left being a pure photo/text printer, not everyone requires the latest multifunction printers that are scanners and printers which does make them less dedicated as a photo printer at a reasonable price to obtain photo image quality which the XP-55 achieves.Please note: if you have problems with PrintCD the software is available at Epson.co.uk support to download. it is version 2.41.00 4/9/2015.The Epson New software updater indicates there is a new version 2.50.00 but on my windows 10 and windows 11 PC's it fails to download indicating a communication error when you try to run the downloaded file PCD_25001_W.exe this file says the publisher is not verified but you can click run to run it but it fails still fails.

Nice Printer if you only want to print 20 pages a yearI have printed around 400 A4 colour pages it now is telling me Ink Pad Full send off for a serviceThis is a Joke printer Not Recommended unless you are prepared to spend a lot of moneyYou Have Been Warned