HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 4278 All‑in‑One Printer Review — Best Budget Wi-Fi Printer with ADF for Home & Small Office

Printers that do everything — printing, scanning, copying, and handling multi-page jobs — are hugely useful in today’s hybrid work and study world. If you’re looking for an affordable, wireless all-in-one that won’t break the bank yet covers most essential tasks, then the HP Ink Advantage 4278 All-in-One Wi-Fi Colour Printer is a strong contender worth your attention.

It is #7 on the top 10 Amazon best-sellers list in the Ink Cartridge Printers category. This model brings together core features like wireless printing, mobile app support, a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning/copying, and colour printing, targeting home users, students, and small offices who want reliable everyday productivity without premium pricing. In this review, we’ll step through what it does well, where it shows limitations, how it compares with alternatives, and practical tips to get the most out of it.

📌 What Makes the HP Ink Advantage 4278 Worth Considering?

The HP Ink Advantage 4278 aims to strike a balance between features and affordability. Key highlights include:

Print, Scan & Copy in one compact machine
Wi-Fi & USB connectivity (plus mobile printing)
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) — saves time on multi-page scanning/copying
Decent print speeds and resolution for home use
Easy wireless setup with the HP Smart app
Supported on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS systems
Compact footprint with ADF for enhanced productivity at this price point

At its price point (around ₹6,000–₹7,000), this printer packs surprising value compared to many basic models that lack ADF and mobile printing features.

🖨️ Design & Build Quality: Compact Yet Functional

The HP Ink Advantage 4278 is relatively compact, making it suitable for a home desk, study corner, or small office countertop without hogging space. Here’s what stands out:

35-sheet ADF — ideal for batch scanning and copying
Flatbed scanner under the top lid for single pages or photos
Front paper tray and top output tray for easy handling
Simple button panel with LED indicators for basic operations

The design focuses on function over flair — it’s not a premium build with touchscreens, but it’s sturdy enough for regular use. The ADF feature, in particular, adds real productivity over budget all-in-one printers that rely only on flatbed scanning.

📡 Connectivity & Wireless Printing: Truly Flexible

One reason the 4278 is appealing is its broad wireless capability:

Wi-Fi printing — connect from your home network
Wi-Fi Direct — print without a router in some setups
Bluetooth support for easy pairing
HP Smart app — setup, print, scan, and manage tasks from your smartphone
Apple AirPrint support for iPhones/iPads
Works with Android and Windows devices

Once connected, printing, scanning, and copying tasks can be sent from virtually anywhere in the house — a big convenience over USB-only models.

🖨️ Print Quality & Everyday Use

🧾 Print Performance

Black print speed: up to ~8.5 pages per minute (ppm)
Colour print speed: up to ~5.5 ppm
Max resolution: up to 1200 × 1200 rendered dpi (black), up to 4800 × 1200 optimized dpi (colour)
First page out: quick on most standard prints

This makes it suitable for:

Assignments and school projects
Work documents and reports
Colour flyers and charts
Household forms and labels

The colours are adequate for everyday prints (not lab-grade photos), and black text appears crisp and readable.

📑 ADF Advantage

The 35-page Automatic Document Feeder is a rare feature at this price point and helps speed up scanning or copying of multi-page documents — a real productivity booster compared to flatbed-only counterparts.

📊 Handy Comparison Table: How It Stacks Up

Feature	HP Ink Advantage 4278	Canon PIXMA E470	Epson EcoTank L3150
Print/Scan/Copy	✔️	✔️	✔️
Wi-Fi	✔️	✔️	✔️
Automatic Document Feeder	✔️ (35 sheets)	❌	❌
Colour Print	✔️	✔️	✔️
Print Speed (Black)	~8.5 ppm	~8–10 ppm	~8–10 ppm
Best For	Home + Small Office w/ ADF	Home/Students	Home w/ low running costs
Running Cost	Moderate	Moderate	Low
Mobile App Support	HP Smart	Canon PRINT	Epson Smart Panel

Bottom line: The standout here is the ADF feature, which many alternatives in this segment don’t offer. The trade-off is running cost — inkjet cartridges generally cost more per page than tank systems like Epson’s.

🛠 Installation Tips

Getting your HP Ink Advantage 4278 ready for action is straightforward, but these setup tips can save time:

1) Unbox & Place Strategically

Put the printer on a stable, flat surface close to your Wi-Fi router for best wireless performance.

2) Install Cartridges Carefully

Use the recommended HP 682 cartridges — both Black Original Ink Advantage and Tri-Colour Cartridge — to avoid clogging and ensure quality prints.

3) Connect via HP Smart App

Download the HP Smart app on your phone or tablet — it guides you through Wi-Fi setup step by step and lets you print or scan right from the app.

4) Utilise ADF for Multipage Jobs

Load multiple pages into the ADF tray with edges aligned — this makes batch scanning/copying more efficient.

⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid

Even a capable printer can be finicky if mishandled. Avoid these common mistakes:

❌ Ignoring Wi-Fi Setup

Skipping proper network configuration can lead to dropped connections or failed prints. Ensure your network name and password are correctly entered.

❌ Using Off-Brand Cartridges

Cheaper, non-HP cartridges might seem economical but can cause poor print quality, smudging, or nozzle clogging.

❌ Overloading ADF

Don’t load more pages than the ADF’s 35-sheet limit — this leads to jams and poor scanning.

❌ Forgetting Firmware Updates

Occasionally check for updates via the HP Smart app — these can improve performance and fix bugs.

🔧 Maintenance: Keep It Working Smoothly

Taking care of your printer doesn’t need to be complicated:

Run print head cleaning occasionally if prints look faded or streaky.
Check ink levels regularly via the HP Smart app.
Wipe the paper feed rollers and scanner glass gently with a soft cloth every few months.
Store unused cartridges in a cool, dry place to prevent drying.

Routine checks and light cleaning can extend the life of your printer and reduce print issues.

⚡ Electricity Cost (Real-World)

Inkjet printers are energy-efficient compared to larger laser or multifunction units:

Power usage during printing: moderate
Idle/standby: very low
Overall impact on monthly electricity bill: minimal

Even with daily printing, this printer’s electricity consumption remains low — unlikely to noticeably increase your home energy costs.

🛠 Troubleshooting Tips

Running into issues? Here are quick fixes:

Problem: Printer Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

Solution:

Restart printer and router.
Re-run setup in HP Smart app.
Check if your network is 2.4 GHz — some printers don’t support 5 GHz.

Problem: Paper Jam

Solution:

Gently remove the jammed page.
Realign the paper and reload.

Problem: Faded Prints or Smudges

Solution:

Run a print head clean cycle via app.
Replace old or low cartridges.

Problem: ADF Feeds Unevenly

Solution:

Ensure pages are neatly aligned.
Don’t overfill the ADF tray.

📌 Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If your top priorities are affordable wireless printing, basic colour output, and easy multi-page scanning/copying, the HP Ink Advantage 4278 All-in-One Wi-Fi Printer is a very practical choice at its price point. Its Automatic Document Feeder sets it apart from many rivals in the sub-₹10,000 segment, saving time on longer scan/copy tasks.

It won’t match high-end ink-tank models for running cost over heavy use, but for home, study, and light office workloads, it’s a capable, easy-to-use option that delivers real everyday value.

🛍 Buy Link (Only Here)

Check current price and offers for the HP Ink Advantage 4278 Wi-Fi Colour Printer here:
👉 HP Ink Advantage 4278 WiFi Colour Printer - Print/Scan/Copy with ADF Ideal for Home/Small Office at the cheapest and lowest price with bank offers, if you compare with similar products and sites.

🤔 FAQs (8–12)

1) Does this printer scan and copy automatically?

Yes — it includes a flatbed scanner and a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for multi-page scanning/copying.

2) Can I print from my smartphone?

Yes — use the HP Smart app, Apple AirPrint, or compatible Android print services.

3) What is the print speed?

It prints up to about 8.5 ppm black and 5.5 ppm colour (ISO standard).

4) Does it fax?

Yes — supported via mobile fax through the HP Smart app.

5) Is it good for photos?

For everyday colour images and school projects, yes — but it’s not a dedicated photo printer.

6) How often should I clean print heads?

If prints start to fade or streak, run a cleaning via the printer utility — a few times a month is usually enough.

7) Does it support duplex printing?

Automatic duplex (double-sided) isn’t built in — manual duplex may be possible via driver settings.

8) Can it connect to Wi-Fi Direct?

Yes — it supports wireless direct printing without a router.

9) What ink cartridges does it use?

It typically uses HP 682 Black and HP 682 Tri-Colour Original Ink Advantage cartridges.

10) Is it suitable for light office use?

Yes — especially if you need scanning, copying, and occasional colour printing.

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