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HP Smart Tank Printers: Which is Best for Your Needs?
Kirstyn Amanda
|
March 28, 2024
In today’s modern office, the need for reliable and cost-effective printing solutions persists for small- to medium-sized businesses aiming to trim operational costs. This is the concern our HP Smart Tank Printers aim to address.
Unlike conventional printers, we’ve built our HP Smart Tank Printers with ink tanks, which are cost-efficient alternatives to traditional cartridges. These ink tanks have a huge capacity, meaning you can print high workloads before you need a refill. Thus, you can print more for less with them.
We'll discuss everything you should know about our HP Smart Tank Printers, including print performance, ease of use, and cost efficiency. But first, let’s look at the best HP Smart Printer models.
Comparing models: Key features and specifications
HP SMART TANK 5101 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER
Key specifications
- Up to 3,000 pages monthly duty cycle
- 400 to 800 recommended monthly page volume
- Print, copy, scan
- Print speed (black): Up to 12 pages per minute (ppm)
- Print speed (color): Up to 5 ppm
- Print resolution (black): Up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi
- Print resolution (color): Up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi
Are you a small business owner needing a home printer with low running costs? Then, check out our HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer.
What’s so cool about it? We give you enough ink to print for up to two years. That means you can print up to 6,000 pages in black or standard colour before even thinking about refilling.
It also has fantastic photo print quality, even on plain paper. So, you can print important documents like bills and invoices or even your kid’s adorable drawings and school projects.
HP SMART TANK 6001 ALL-IN-ONE
Key specifications
- Print, copy, scan, wireless
- Up to 3,000 pages monthly duty cycle
- 400 to 800 recommended monthly page volume
- HP Thermal inkjet print technology
- Connectivity: USB and WiFi Direct
- Automatic duplex printing
- Flatbed scanner
If you love the high page yield and the ultra-low operating costs of the 5101 model but want more features, then our HP Smart Tank 6001 All-in-One Printer is the way to go. It allows for automatic two-sided printing, a practical and time-saving feature, as you don’t have to keep flipping pages, especially when you want to print a large document.
This printer also integrates well with our HP app, which you can configure to create customizable shortcuts to eliminate steps in repetitive tasks. For example, you can set up a shortcut to print or share a document with a tap.
Plus, we’ve added smart guided buttons that light up to guide you through the printing process.
HP SMART TANK 7602 ALL-IN-ONE
Key specifications
- Print, copy, scan, fax, ADF, and wireless
- Print speed (black): Up to15 ppm
- Print speed (color): Up to 9 ppm
- Up to 6,000 pages monthly duty cycle
- 400 to 1,200 recommended monthly page volume
- Type of scanner: ADF and flatbed
- Fax resolution: Up to 300 x 300 dpi
Our state-of-the-art HP Smart Tank 7602 All-in-One is one of the best ink tank printers on the market.
What sets this printer apart is how fast it is. It has an impressive print speed of up to 15 ppm for black and white documents and up to 9 ppm for colour prints. And the best part is that the speed doesn’t compromise print quality. Text prints are crisp, colour documents maintain consistent hues, and photo prints boast vibrant colours.
HP LASERJET TANK MFP 2604SDW PRINTER
Key specifications
- Up to 25,000 pages monthly duty cycle
- 250 to 2,500 recommended monthly page volume
- Print, scan, copy, wireless
- Automatic paper sensor
- Laser print technology
- Security management software
- HP Printer Assistant (UDC)
Our HP LaserJet Tank MFP 2604sdw Printer is a monochrome printer with incredible print speeds of up to 23 ppm and print quality that delivers crisp and legible text.
We’ve leveraged HP Wolf Essential Security so you can rest easy knowing that your passwords, scans, and prints will remain confidential and secure within your home or work network.
We’ve also gone the extra mile to equip it with handy management tools like HP Printer Assistant and HP Device Toolbox. These tools allow you to troubleshoot issues, run diagnostics, update firmware, and manage network and security settings effortlessly.
Ease of use and maintenance
Setting up your HP Smart Tank Printer is straightforward. Inside the box, you’ll find a handy manual with step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow.
You can easily find an online version, in case yours gets lost or damaged, by searching for your printer model followed by “manual.” For instance, if you have the HP Smart Tank 6001 All-in-One, simply search “HP Smart Tank 6001 All-in-One manual.”
Navigating your printer is simple. The 5101 ink tank printer has an LCD Display, the 7602 model comes with a touch screen mono graphics display, the LaserJet tank features an LCD display, and the 6001 model boasts LCD smart guided buttons.
Now, let’s talk maintenance. For the 5101, 6001, and 7602 HP Smart Tank Printers, keep in mind that they are inkjet printers, so they share similar care tips:
- Use the HP app for routine printhead cleaning and alignment to prevent clogging.
- Avoid completely draining the ink tank to prevent air bubbles that could harm the printer.
- If you face a paper jam, lift the scanner to access the sheet rollers.
- If you’re low on ink, you can refill the ink tanks without making a mess using spill-proof bottles.
Use HP Printer Assistant for routine checks and firmware updates for your LaserJet printer. Only authorized service providers should replace the drum. If paper jams occur, consult an expert for assistance.
Printing performance: Quality, speed, and volume
PRINT QUALITY
Our ink tank printers don’t compromise when it comes to print and photo quality. They produce sharp, clear, and legible texts. The LaserJet printer stands out for its superb quality in black and white documents with discernible shades of grey.
The 7602 AIO printer impresses with well-rendered texts, detailed images, and superior colour accuracy for colour documents and photos.
PRINT SPEED
The 5101 and 6001 AIO printers share similar print speeds, reaching 12 ppm for black text and 5 ppm for standard colour text. These moderate speeds make them ideal for users with an average printing workload for home or small office use.
The 7602 boasts faster print speeds, reaching 15 ppm for black text and 9 ppm for coloured text. This makes it ideal for users dealing with longer documents or a small office with multiple occasional users.
The LaserJet takes the lead with the fastest print speeds, reaching 23 ppm for black text. This printer is best suited for busy offices with more users.
PRINT VOLUME
All models on this list come with a 2-year supply of ink, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle substantial amounts of document or photo printing.
Cost efficiency and environmental sustainability
COST EFFICIENCY
Ink tank printers may have a higher upfront cost than cartridge printers due to their larger ink tanks. However, the advantage lies in the infrequency of ink refills. With the added perk of a complimentary two-year ink supply in our HP Smart Tank Printers, you can enjoy up to two years without spending on ink.
In contrast, cartridge printers require more frequent changes, increasing ownership costs over time. Additionally, purchasing ink for ink tank printers is more economical than replacing cartridges. Ink tank printers provide significantly lower printing costs per page, particularly for high-volume printing.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Our commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in our Smart Tank printers. They contribute to waste reduction as we’ve constructed them using 25% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Furthermore, our FSC®-certified HP Papers exemplify our dedication. The certification ensures that the wood pulp used comes from responsibly managed forests that adhere to stringent environmental and social standards. This reflects our commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.
User scenarios: Matching the printer with your needs
HOME USE
Verdict: HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer
Best for: Families, students, and personal use
Why:
- Good print speeds, legible texts, and consistent photo colours.
- Easily managed with the HP app to automatize task simplification.
- Budget option.
SMALL OFFICE/HOME OFFICE (SOHO)
Verdict: HP Smart Tank 6001 All-in-One
Best for: Small business owners, families, and students
Why:
- Similar speed to the 5101 but better print quality with finer details.
- Automatic duplex printing saves you from flipping pages for double-sided prints.
SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS
Verdict: HP Smart Tank 7602 All-in-One and HP LaserJet Tank MFP 2604sdw Printer
Best for: Small business owners
Why:
- Both offer fast print speeds.
- Suitable for busy offices with regular printing needs.
- Choose 7602 for color printing.
- Opt for LaserJet if you prefer monochrome.
Summary
Are smart ink tank printers worth it? Absolutely. Despite having a higher upfront cost, they prove cost-effective in the long run, especially for those who print a lot. When choosing an ink tank printer, it’s crucial to understand your printing requirements before deciding. You'll also want to determine your budget and stick to it. Consider factors like print speeds, quality, and privacy or security concerns, and you should be set to make the best choice of Smart Tank printer for your needs.
