Our take
HP's U.S. materials identify the base Color LaserJet 3550 as product Q5990A#ABA and distinguish it from the 3550n. The base model is a color laser printer rated up to 16 pages per minute in both black and color. Its paper path includes a 250-sheet main tray and 100-sheet multipurpose tray, while two-sided printing is manual. The checked source packet does not establish networking or a recommended monthly volume. Treat this as a basic color print-only machine and verify any offered configuration rather than transferring suffix-specific features.
A buyer who wants a basic color print engine and accepts manual two-sided handling and local verification of the exact configuration..
Choose another printer if built-in networking, automatic duplex, copy or scan functions, or a documented monthly recommendation is required.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP documents color output at up to 16 ppm in both black and color.
- A 250-sheet tray and separate 100-sheet multipurpose feed allow two paper paths.
- The exact Q5990A#ABA identity is kept separate from the networked 3550n model.
What to weigh up
- Duplex work is manual, so users must turn or reload pages between sides.
- The reviewed sources do not establish built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi for this base model.
- HP's maximum duty figure is not a routine workload recommendation.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | Color LaserJet 3550 (Q5990A#ABA) |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color laser print-only model; base 3550 configuration |
| Print output | Up to 16 ppm black and color; 250-sheet tray plus 100-sheet multipurpose feed |
| Two-sided printing | Manual duplex; networking and recommended monthly range unknown |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 14, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
Does the base model provide the color you need?
HP identifies the Color LaserJet 3550 as a color laser printer with black and color ratings up to 16 pages per minute. That is relevant for business forms, marked-up documents and simple graphics where color output is needed, while its print-only role avoids adding a scanner or copier. The 3550n is a related configuration, but the base 3550 should remain its own identity. Confirm the product number Q5990A#ABA on an offered unit before applying any feature claim from a family listing.
What does manual duplex require?
The checked HP materials specify manual duplex rather than an automatic duplexer. A user can produce two-sided pages by handling the sheets between passes, but that adds work and attention for every job. Short forms may make this acceptable; longer reports can turn it into a recurring interruption. If automatic duplex is a hard requirement, the base 3550 does not meet it based on the reviewed source packet. Do not transfer the 3550n's features to this model.
How can two paper feeds help?
HP lists a 250-sheet primary tray and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray. Keeping a second feed available can help when an office alternates between ordinary pages and another supported size or stock, though the exact supported media should be checked in the manual. The capacity may be adequate for a modest queue but does not provide a monthly output recommendation. Tray size reduces refill work; it should not be used to infer how many pages HP considers suitable each month.
How should you compare its speed?
HP rates the base 3550 at up to 16 ppm for both black and color pages. These are manufacturer ratings and do not promise a measured result for a used printer or a complex color job. They do give the buyer a reasonable comparison point with models whose color rate trails their black rate. In practice, first-page timing, graphics and setup matter too. Use the speed as one part of the decision alongside manual duplex and the unknown network configuration.
Is it ready for a shared network?
The reviewed packet does not establish Ethernet or Wi-Fi for the base 3550, and the related 3550n must not be used to fill in that gap. If a shared network is important, verify the exact ports and the seller's configuration against HP's model-specific documentation before planning installation. USB or a separate print server should not be assumed from the family name. A buyer who only needs a local connection should still confirm driver compatibility for the computer and operating system in use.
What does the duty-cycle number tell you?
HP's specifications give a 45,000-page maximum monthly duty figure, but the checked source packet does not establish a recommended monthly range. A maximum is a design limit used for comparison, not a sensible target for continuous routine printing. Keep monthly fit unknown and compare another model if a maker-stated recommendation is essential. Because this is an older configuration, inspect the exact machine and confirm the condition of its trays and consumables rather than drawing conclusions from the model's original specifications.
Compare for your needs
Choose a networked color model if the printer must be shared, or an automatic-duplex model if two-sided printing is frequent.
Find the undefined that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Is this the networked Color LaserJet 3550n?
No. This record is for the base 3550, Q5990A#ABA; the 3550n is a separate configuration.
Does it turn pages for duplex automatically?
No. The checked HP material specifies manual two-sided printing for the base 3550.
What monthly volume does HP recommend?
A recommended range was not established in the reviewed source packet; the maximum duty figure is not a recommendation.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP U.S. Color LaserJet 3550 specifications ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP U.S. Color LaserJet 3550 product page identifying base model Q5990A#ABA ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
- HP U.S. Color LaserJet 3550 speed, paper handling and duty-cycle specifications ↗ — checked October 14, 2026.
The decision
The base Color LaserJet 3550 is a narrow fit for color printing where manual duplex is acceptable and network and workload details are verified separately.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.