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If you're choosing between the HP ENVY 6120e, 6122e and 6132e, you've probably noticed they look almost identical. That's because, on paper, they are.
Here's what actually separates them, how they compare with the bigger ENVY 6520e, 6530e and 6532e, what the "e" and HP+ mean for you, and how far a set of genuine HP 308 cartridges will go.
👉 Already have one? Shop genuine HP 308 ink: it fits every ENVY 6100e and 6500e model.
💡 The short answer
- The 6120e, 6122e and 6132e share the same print speeds, touchscreen, paper tray, scanner, two-sided printing and ink. The 6122e is a different colour.
- The 6520e, 6530e and 6532e are the same printer with a 35-sheet document feeder on top.
- Every one of them uses HP 308 cartridges, plus the higher-yield HP 308e EvoMore black.
HP ENVY 6120e vs 6122e vs 6132e: what's the difference?
Put HP's own specification sheets side by side and you won't find a difference in what these printers do. All three are part of the HP ENVY 6100e family:
| Feature | 6120e, 6122e and 6132e |
|---|---|
| Functions | Print, copy, scan, mobile fax (send only) |
| Print speed (ISO) | Up to 10 pages per minute black, 7 colour |
| Two-sided printing | Automatic, including two-sided photo printing |
| Borderless photos | Yes, up to A4 |
| Display | 2.4" colour touchscreen |
| Paper tray | 100 sheets in, 25 out |
| Scanner | Flatbed, up to 1200 dpi |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi, USB, HP app, Apple AirPrint, Mopria |
| Recommended use | 100 to 400 pages a month |
| Size and weight | 433 x 361 x 136 mm, 5.13 kg |
| Ink | HP 308 black and tri-colour, or HP 308e EvoMore black |
So what is different?
- The colour. The 6120e and 6132e are white with a soft beige trim. The 6122e is the same printer in a purple finish.
- Where they're sold, and what comes with them. Different model numbers tend to turn up in different shops, often with different offers. At the time of writing, for example, Currys listed the 6120e with 3 months of free HP Instant Ink and the 6132e with 6 months.
Our advice: buy whichever is cheapest on the day, or whichever colour you like best. You'll get the same printer, and you'll buy the same ink for it. You may also see the ENVY 6110e, another member of the 6100e family that takes the same HP 308 cartridges.
ENVY 6100e vs 6500e: what do the 6520e, 6530e and 6532e add?
The ENVY 6520e, 6530e and 6532e make up HP's ENVY 6500e family. On HP's specification sheets they match the 6100e models point for point: the same print speeds, touchscreen, paper tray, two-sided printing and HP 308 ink.
The one thing they add is a 35-sheet automatic document feeder. You can drop in a stack of pages to scan or copy, instead of lifting the lid for every sheet. That makes them a little taller (171 mm against 136 mm) and about a kilo heavier.
- Choose a 6500e model (6520e, 6530e or 6532e) if you regularly scan or copy multi-page documents: bank statements, school forms, receipts, contracts.
- Choose a 6100e model (6120e, 6122e or 6132e) if you mainly print, and only scan the odd page. It does the same job in a smaller box.
Going by HP's listings, the 6520e, 6530e and 6532e share the same specifications as each other too, so the same advice applies: pick on price and finish.
HP ENVY 6120e and 6132e review: our verdict
We sell ink, not printers, so this isn't a hands-on lab test. It's our view from HP's specifications, independent reviews and the questions our customers ask us about the HP 308 cartridges these printers use.
What's good
- Compact and tidy. It fits on a shelf or desk, and HP says it's made with at least 60% recycled plastic.
- Automatic two-sided printing. That includes printing on the back of photos, so you can add a message to make a personalised card.
- Good-looking photos. Borderless printing up to A4, and reviewers rate the print quality highly.
- Easy to use. The 2.4" colour touchscreen and HP app make setup, printing and scanning from a phone simple, and the dual-band Wi-Fi reconnects itself if it drops out.
What to be aware of
- It isn't fast. HP rates it at up to 10 pages a minute in black and 7 in colour. Expert Reviews measured 8.5 pages a minute in black and 3.6 in colour on the 6120e.
- It's built for home use. HP recommends 100 to 400 pages a month, and the paper tray holds 100 sheets.
- Two cartridges, one for all colours. Cyan, magenta and yellow share one tri-colour cartridge, so if one colour runs out you replace the whole cartridge. There's no higher-yield colour option.
- It needs the internet. If you choose HP+ at setup (more on that below), the printer needs an HP account and an ongoing internet connection.
Who it's for: households that print schoolwork, letters, tickets and photos, up to a few hundred pages a month. Expert Reviews called the 6120e "an excellent budget all-in-one printer" for occasional printing. If you print a lot more than that, or need faster output for a home office, compare the options in our guide to the best printers for families in the UK.
What does the "e" mean? HP+ and genuine ink
The "e" at the end of the model number means the printer is HP+ enabled. When you set it up, you can choose to activate HP+. HP's data sheet explains the deal:
"HP+ requires an HP account, ongoing connection to the internet, and exclusive use of Original HP Ink cartridges for the life of the printer."
In return, HP extends the warranty from one year to two.
Even if you don't choose HP+, HP says these printers use "dynamic security measures to block cartridges using modified or non-HP circuitry", and that firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before. Expert Reviews listed "issues with third-party ink cartridges" among the 6120e's downsides.
The simplest way to avoid problems is genuine HP 308 ink. That's all we sell: 100% original HP cartridges, never compatibles, refills or remanufactured copies.
Which ink does the HP ENVY 6120e, 6122e and 6132e use?
All of them, and the 6520e, 6530e and 6532e, use HP 308 ink: one black cartridge and one tri-colour cartridge. There's also a higher-yield black, the HP 308e EvoMore.
| Cartridge | HP Code | Approx. Pages |
|---|---|---|
| HP 308 Black | 7FP21UE | 160 |
| HP 308 Tri-colour | 7FP20UE | 120 |
| HP 308 2-pack (black + tri-colour) | 6L6S6UE | 160 black + 120 colour |
| HP 308e EvoMore Black | 7FP22UE | 320 |
Page yields are HP's own figures from the standard industry test. Photos and pages with lots of colour use more ink, so you'll get fewer of those.
💡 308 or 308e EvoMore?
Both fit the same printers. The 308e EvoMore holds enough ink for about 320 pages, twice the standard 308 black, so you change cartridges half as often. If you print black pages most weeks, it's usually the better buy. There's no EvoMore or XL version of the tri-colour cartridge.
Your new printer comes with HP 308 setup cartridges to get you started. It's worth having a replacement set ready, so you're not caught out in the middle of a print job.
How long will HP 308 cartridges last?
It depends on how much you print. As a rough guide, using HP's page yields:
| Black pages a month | HP 308 Black (~160) | HP 308e EvoMore (~320) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | About 6 months | About a year |
| 50 | About 3 months | About 6 months |
| 100 | About 7 weeks | About 3 months |
The tri-colour cartridge lasts for around 120 colour pages, but photos use far more ink than a page of colour text, so expect fewer if you print a lot of pictures.
Don't mix them up: HP 305 vs HP 308, and other ENVY models
HP has a lot of ENVY printers with similar-looking numbers, and they don't all take the same ink. This is the mix-up we see most often:
- ENVY 6100e and 6500e (6110e, 6120e, 6122e, 6132e, 6520e, 6530e, 6532e): HP 308
- ENVY 6000e and 6400e (6020e, 6022e, 6030e, 6032e, 6420e, 6430e, 6432e): HP 305
- ENVY Photo 6220, 6230, 6232 and 6234: HP 303
- The older Photosmart 6520 (not the ENVY 6520e): HP 364
Check the model number on the front or top of your printer before you order. If you're not sure, use our ink finder and it will show you the right cartridges.
Which printers use HP 308 ink?
| Printer Range | Compatible Models |
|---|---|
| HP ENVY 6100e | 6110 / 6110e, 6120 / 6120e, 6122e, 6130, 6132e |
| HP ENVY 6500e | 6520 / 6520e, 6530 / 6530e, 6532e |
| HP DeskJet | 2900, 2910, 2920, 2921, 2922, 4310, 4320, 4322, 4330 |
Shop genuine HP 308 ink at Crazy Kangaroo
We stock the full genuine HP 308 range for every ENVY 6100e and 6500e printer.
HP 308 Black & Tri-colour 2-pack
6L6S6UE · replace both at once
Shop now →
HP 308e EvoMore Black
7FP22UE · about 320 pages
Shop now →
HP 308 Black
7FP21UE · about 160 pages
Shop now →
HP 308 Tri-colour
7FP20UE · about 120 pages
Shop now →
👉 Browse the full HP 308 range at Crazy Kangaroo
Or go straight to the ink page for your printer: ENVY 6120e, 6122e, 6132e, 6520e, 6530e or 6532e.
Every eligible HP ink order also comes with a free prepaid recycling envelope, so you can send your empty cartridges back at no cost.
FAQ: HP ENVY 6120e, 6122e and 6132e
Is the HP ENVY 6132e the same as the 6120e?
In everything that matters, yes. HP's specifications list the same print speeds, touchscreen, paper tray, scanner, two-sided printing and HP 308 ink for both. The differences are the model number, where they're sold and what offers come with them.
What's the difference between the HP ENVY 6120e and 6122e?
The colour. The 6122e is a purple version of the white 6120e. They work the same way and use the same HP 308 cartridges.
What's the difference between the HP ENVY 6120e and 6530e?
The 6530e adds a 35-sheet automatic document feeder for scanning and copying several pages at once. It's slightly taller and heavier, but prints at the same speed and uses the same HP 308 ink.
What ink does the HP ENVY 6132e use?
HP 308: the HP 308 Black (7FP21UE) and HP 308 Tri-colour (7FP20UE), or the higher-yield HP 308e EvoMore Black (7FP22UE). The 6120e, 6122e, 6520e, 6530e and 6532e use the same cartridges.
Is there an HP 308XL?
No. HP doesn't offer an XL version of the 308. The higher-yield option is the HP 308e EvoMore black, at about 320 pages. The tri-colour comes in one size only.
Can I use HP 305 ink in an HP ENVY 6120e?
No. HP 305 is for the ENVY 6000e and 6400e printers, such as the 6020e, 6032e and 6430e. The ENVY 6100e and 6500e printers need HP 308.
Will compatible or refilled cartridges work?
HP says these printers are designed to block cartridges with modified or non-HP chips, and that firmware updates can stop cartridges that used to work. If you've signed up to HP+, you must use original HP cartridges. Genuine HP 308 avoids the problem.
Does the HP ENVY 6120e need an internet connection?
If you choose HP+ when you set it up, yes. HP+ needs an HP account and an ongoing internet connection.
In short
The HP ENVY 6120e, 6122e and 6132e are the same printer in different colours and retail packages, so buy whichever suits your budget or your desk. Step up to the 6520e, 6530e or 6532e if you want a document feeder for multi-page scanning. They all use HP 308 ink, and the 308e EvoMore black is the one to choose if you print a lot of black pages.
Not sure which cartridge you need? See the full HP 308 range or drop us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
