Verdict
Head-to-head · Best All-in-One Printers Under $300

Brother MFC-J1360DW vs HP Envy 6555e

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

HP Envy 6555e comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about first-time printer buyers who want plug-and-print simplicity via the HP Smart App — read the strengths below before deciding.

Brother MFC-J1360DW
Ranked #3 in Best All-in-One Printers Under $300
Brother MFC-J1360DW
$110

The MFC-J1360DW is the entry-level Brother pick. Brother's reliability at sub-$120 makes it the right buy for households that print monthly, not daily. Trade-offs are smaller paper tray and basic display.

Strengths
  • Cheapest pick by a wide margin — under $120
  • Consumer Reports recommended for budget buyers
  • Full all-in-one feature set (print, scan, copy, fax)
Watch-outs
  • Smaller paper tray (100 sheets vs 150)
  • Print speed (12 ppm) slightly slower than MFC-J4355DW
  • Smaller 1.8" LCD (not touchscreen)
HP Envy 6555e
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best All-in-One Printers Under $300
HP Envy 6555e
$150

The Envy 6555e is the simplicity pick. HP Smart App + Instant Ink trial is the most beginner-friendly setup in this lineup. Trade-off is the Instant Ink subscription model that activates after the trial.

Strengths
  • HP+ Smart App integration for mobile printing
  • Quiet mode for shared/home offices
  • 6 months Instant Ink trial — free during evaluation
Watch-outs
  • Instant Ink subscription model after trial — ongoing cost vs Brother cartridges
  • Slower than Brother MFC-J4355DW (10 ppm)
  • HP+ ties printer to HP-brand ink (third-party cartridges restricted)

How they stack up

Brother MFC-J1360DW

Cheapest pick. Same Brother reliability as MFC-J4355DW at half the price. Smaller paper tray.

HP Envy 6555e

Cheapest HP pick. Subscription ink (Instant Ink) vs Brother cartridges. HP Smart App easier than Brother iPrint.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBrother MFC-J1360DWHP Envy 6555e
Print Speed12 ppm10 ppm
Display1.8" LCD2.4" LCD
ConnectivityWi-Fi, USBWi-Fi, USB
Paper Tray100 sheets
Ink ModelInstant Ink subscription
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