Best Reviewed
Printers
- Basic inkjet printer HP Deskjet 1000 *Est. $30
- Best family printer for documents, photos Canon Pixma iP4820 *Est. $80
- Wireless home-office printer HP Officejet 6000 Wireless *Est. $80
- Enthusiast photo printer Epson Stylus Photo R1900 *Est. $300
- Pro-quality photo printer Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II *Est. $445
Get info about new reports and updates
- Very accurate color on photos
- Ethernet networking
- Longer-lived pigment ink
- Will switch nozzles if one is blocked
- Not a great text printer
- Expensive
- Can't print on paper roll
- No LCD preview screen
The HP Photosmart Pro B9180's $650 price tag limits its appeal to casual users, but the printer offers features you won't find in a good general-use inkjet printer like the Canon Pixma iP4700 (*Est. $100). The B9180 has eight ink colors, three more than the Canon, and all are the longer-lived pigment ink rather than dye-based ink. That will result in better color photos on good photo paper, reviews say, although text printing is not as impressive. The HP Photosmart Pro B9180 is also capable of detecting a blocked nozzle and automatically switching to another one, and there's an Ethernet connection for networking. Reviews say the HP Photosmart Pro B9180's color accuracy makes it a good value for advanced amateurs or professional photographers on a budget, though the latter should note it can't print from a roll of paper. Although reviewers agree that the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 is excellent, the Epson Stylus Photo 1400 (*Est. $275) remains the value choice when it comes to semiprofessional printers.
The HP Photosmart Pro B9180's relatively high price means fewer reviews. Nevertheless, we found great coverage based on solid testing at PCMag.com. O'Reilly Digital Media usually fails to offer clear buying advice, but the review for the B9180 is very helpful. About 75 owner reviews are posted at Amazon.com, where some note that Vista users will need an extra download.
Our Sources
After extensive testing, PCMag.com gives the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 an Editors' Choice, award, saying it delivers high-quality photos on good paper, but subpar images on plain paper. The B9180 is called an attractively priced choice for experienced amateurs or for pros on a budget.
Review: HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer, M. David Stone, July 11, 2007
Veteran reviewer Derrick Story likes the HP Photosmart Pro B9180, but does note some problems with paper jams, availability of ink and paper (except online), and five-minute reboots when using the specialty media tray.
Review: The HP Pro B9180 Inkjet Printer -- Pro Quality at an Enthusiast's Price, Derrick Story, Feb. 15, 2007
Macworld does thorough testing and scores the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 a 4.5 out of five. Editors say it has no significant defects and did well in ink-usage tests. The B9180 "sits at an amazing price point for what you get," says reviewer Rick LePage.
Review: HP Photosmart Pro B9180, Rick LePage, Dec. 6, 2006
As is usually the case with TrustedReviews.com, there's good testing and the assigning of scores (nine out of 10 overall for a Recommended tag), but no direct comparisons with competing products. Color is judged very good, with some darkening of black and white.
Review: HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Review, Simon Williams, Jan. 5, 2007
This is a good run-through of features and performance issues, but there's no comparative rating. The bottom line is performance is fine, including economy of ink use, but reviewer Jon Canfield wishes a roll of paper could be used instead of just sheets.
Review: HP's Photosmart Pro B9180; HP Tosses Its Hat Into The Fine Art, Pigment Ink Printer Ring, Jon Canfield, Nov. 2006
6. Amazon.com
More than 75 owners give the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 mixed ratings overall. The printer earns a score of 3.5 stars out of five. Some reviews say the printer is expensive to run, and Vista users cite initial problems (there's a firmware update).
Review: HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Printer, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Oct. 2009
Printers Runners Up:
5 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Advisor…
4 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Pro…
4 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Pro…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, PrinterInfo.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com…
3 picks including: HardwareCentral.com, PC World…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, PCPro.co.uk…
2 picks including: photo-i.co.uk, Technical Image Press Association…
