For some time now, we have seen technology advance at such a rate, but many have thought that printers have been a little bit slower in catching up. Finally, we are seeing printers that have all the modern features we want to see without sacrificing any quality.
HP is a leader in printing solutions and today we are going to look at two printers that tick all of the boxes. We are going to look at the specifics of the HP 8720 and the HP 8740. We will concentrate on their appearance, functions, and value for money. We will put all of the details in a comparison chart and finish off with some pros and cons.
The HP 8720 and the HP 8740 have a great number of similarities, so let’s begin here.
HP 8720 vs 8740 – Similarities
HP OfficeJet Pro 8720
- Size: 20.9 x 19.7 x 13.4 inches
- Weight: 33lbs
- Functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, HP ePrint App, NFC
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Paper Tray Capacity: 250 sheets
- 2-sided printing: Yes
- 2-sided scanning: Yes (2 passes)
- Automatic Doc Feeder: 50 sheet capacity
- Printing Speed: 24 PPM black, 20 PPM color
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited
HP OfficeJet Pro 8740
- Size: 20.9 x 19.7 x 19.7 inches
- Weight: 40.6 lbs
- Functions: Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, HP ePrint App, NFC
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Paper Tray Capacity: 250 sheets
- 2-sided printing: Yes
- 2-sided scanning: Yes (2 passes)
- Automatic Doc Feeder: 50 sheet capacity
- Printing Speed: 24 PPM black, 20 PPM color
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited
Printer Abilities
If you choose the HP 8720 or the HP 8740, you will be able to print, copy, scan and fax. All of the settings and options are controlled via the 4.3-inch touchscreen. They are suitable for printing 20,000 pages per month and with up to 5 users at the same time.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The HP 8720 and the HP8740 are wireless printers. They can be used with Wi-Fi direct, Airprint, the HP ePrint app, and NFC. If you own an Alexa, you will be able to control the printer with your voice. Both of the printers are compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can print from desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
Automatic Document Feeder
For convenience, the HP 8720 and the Hp 8740 have automatic document feeders for a 50-sheet capacity. Not only can you make double-sided copies, but you can also make double-sided scans.
Ink Cartridges
The HP 8720 and the HP 8740 are compatible with HP’s high-yield cartridges for 1,000 black prints and 700 color prints. They are linked with Amazon Dash Replenishment so you will never run out of ink. These printers will use approximately 50% less ink than standard laser printers.
Printing Speed
The printing speed of the HP 8720 and the HP 8740 are amazing. The average printing speed for black copies is between 13 and 15 pages per minute and from 11 to 13 in color. These HP printers will print 24 black pages per minute and 20 color pages per minute.
Read next: HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 vs 6968: Which Printer is Better?
Paper Type
There is no difference in the size of the documents you can print. The HP 8720 and the HP 8740 can print Letter, Legal, Government Legal, Executive, Statement, 3×5 inches, 2×6 inches, 5×7 inches, 8 x 10 inches, Envelope. You can print on paper, card, and glossy paper and enjoy borderless printing. They have a legal-size scan bed.
Now that we have covered the similarities, let’s see how the HP 8720 and the HP 870 are different.
Differences Between HP 8720 and HP 8740
Appearance
Both are extremely smart looking printers and we do like the white against the black. There is only one button, the power button, everything else is controlled from the touchscreen. There is a slight difference in their sizes.
HP 8720
It measures 20.9 x 19.7 x 13.4 inches and weighs 33 pounds.
HP 8740
This printer is a couple of inches higher with the dimensions at 20.9 x 19.7 x 19.7 inches. It weighs 40.6 pounds.
The Winner Is- The HP 8720
Paper Trays
The size of your paper tray will determine how often you have to refill the trays.
HP 8720
This has one paper tray with a capacity of 250 pages.
HP 8740
This has dual paper trays with a total of 500 sheets.
The Winner Is- The HP 8740
Scanning
As we mentioned, both have the ability to scan double-sided.
HP 8720
Documents are scanned with the usual 2 passes.
HP 8740
This will scan documents in just one pass.
The Winner Is- The HP 8740
Read next: HP 8710 vs 8720: Which OfficeJet Pro is Better?
Pros and Cons
Before we offer our final verdict, here are some pros and cons of the HP 8720 and the HP 8740.
HP 8720
Pros:
- It has features to scan to email
- Wireless set up is incredibly simple on a range of devices
- Printing quality is good and fast
Cons:
- The HP Instant Ink program isn’t reliable
HP 8740
Pros:
- Great functions for home and small office use
- Double-sided printing is also very quick
- Excellent print quality
Cons:
- The software could be improved
The Final Verdict
We loved the HP 8720 and the HP 8740. Both printers have an excellent range of functions that suit the needs of most people whether for home or small office use. The wireless connections work very well, and we had no issue with printing from all of the devices we connected.
The speed of the printing was well above average and along with the double-sided, we felt that the HP 8720 and the HP 8740 are great for saving time.
The decision between the HP 8720 and the HP 8740 required a lot of research regarding the price. When comparing two printers with very similar characteristics, it often comes down to value for money. We were expecting the HP 8740 to be more expensive due to the single-pass scanning and larger paper tray capacity. Surprisingly, the Hp 8740 was considerably cheaper, so our decision was made much easier. The HP 8740 came out on top today for its quality, high-speed printing, reliable connectivity and excellent value for money.