HP Smart Tank 5101 Printer Review
Living in New York City means convenience is key.
As a busy New Yorker who lives on my phone, I don’t print every day, but when I do, I need a printer that makes the process as seamless as possible. From printing last-minute concert tickets to annoying tax documents and all my travel papers (I need to travel with hardcopies, what can I say?), I need a reliable printer that’s easy to use.
Enter the HP Smart Tank 5101, an all-in-one printer promising to meet my sporadic yet crucial printing needs.
When it comes to printers, different people have different needs. Whether you’re a student printing essays, a parent printing worksheets, or need to print photos, the common denominator here is convenience.
And let’s face it; nothing screams printing inconvenience quite like running out of ink in the middle of an important print job. Providing a unique solution to that problem is what makes the HP Smart Tank 5101 stand out. It comes with two years of ink included in the box so you don’t have to worry about running out of ink for a while.
HP Smart Tank 5101 first impressions
The HP Smart Tank 5101 makes a solid first impression with its sleek design and compact size. At just over 11 pounds and dimensions of 17.1 x 14.2 x 6.2 inches, it fits easily on a desk or a shelf without taking up much space, and the off-white and gray color scheme is unobtrusive, blending well with most modern home decor.
At first glance, the standout feature is its tank-based ink system, clearly visible through four translucent windows on the front panel at the left, which show the levels for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink. Having this visual confirmation is a nice touch.
Additional key features include a flatbed scanner, Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, and a user-friendly setup process guided by the HP app.
With the HP app you can print, scan, and copy from anywhere. The 100-sheet input tray and manual duplex printing capability add to its versatility.
The refillable ink tank
Unlike traditional cartridge-based printers, this printer uses original HP ink bottles, which promise a mess-free and easy refill experience.
Simply fill the tanks with ink from bottles when needed, and you’re done. The printer comes with enough ink to last two years, depending on your usage, which is a major plus for anyone tired of running out of ink at the most inconvenient times.
Worried about leaving behind a mess? Don’t be; these resealable bottles come with a spill-free design, ensuring you won’t end up with ink-stained hands or a messy workspace.
Our review
So, the HP Smart Tank 5101 looks great, but how does it work IRL?
Setting up this printer is straightforward, thanks to the HP app. However, if you prefer a USB connection instead of Wi-Fi, you can refer to the online user guide to assist in set up.
Once the Smart Tank 5101 is connected, which, for the record, was easy via a wireless connection, the printer performs well in various scenarios.
Printing text documents is a breeze, with the printer churning out pages at a respectable speed of 12 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white and 5 ppm for color. The quality of text prints is impressive, with dark, crisp text that remains readable even at smaller font sizes.
Color printing is where the Smart Tank 5101 shines. While it doesn’t quite match the output of high-end photo printers, that’s OK because that’s not the primary focus of its function. However, it produces vibrant, sharp images on plain paper, making it an excellent option for everyday at-home color printing.
If you’re looking for gallery-quality photo prints, you might notice faint lines in glossy photos. To print high-quality images, we recommend the HP Envy Inspire All-in-One Printer.
Scanning with the Smart Tank 5101 is efficient but limited by its flatbed design. Scanning single pages or photos is easy and yields good-quality results, but the lack of an automatic document feeder means scanning multi-page documents can be time-consuming. However, with the HP app’s camera scan feature, you can scan multi-page documents directly from your mobile device.
There are a few cons to consider. The button interface can be confusing, especially when troubleshooting issues. Paper jams, while rare, can be challenging to clear, requiring patience and dexterity.
Although I think this is a common trait of any at-home printer, I don’t consider this a unique issue for any one brand, especially a brand with the quality reputation of HP.
Pros:
- Extremely low cost per page
- High-quality text and color printing
- Easy, spill-free ink refills
- Compact and stylish design
- Two-year supply of ink included
- Mobile printing via Wi-Fi Direct
Cons:
- Clearing paper jams can be difficult
- No auto document feeder
The final verdict
The HP Smart Tank 5101 is an excellent choice for home users who print frequently. Its low running cost and high-quality output make it a standout in the budget-friendly printer market.
If you prioritize low-cost, high-volume printing, the HP Smart Tank 5101 is definitely worth considering.
How we tested
To test the HP Smart Tank 5101, we put it through a series of real-world printing tasks. We printed documents ranging from single-page text files to multi-page reports, both in color and black and white. We also tested photo printing on plain and glossy paper, paying close attention to print quality and color accuracy.
To assess speed and quality, we evaluated scanning capabilities using various documents, including text pages and photos. We also tested the printer’s connectivity via the HP app, including Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile printing.
Throughout testing, we monitored ink usage to validate HP’s claims about the ink bottles’ longevity and cost efficiency. The printer was used in different scenarios, from light, everyday printing to more intensive tasks, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of its performance and reliability.
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