HP Smart Tank 5101 Wireless All-in-One Refillable Printer, Scanner, Copier (Ink Tank)

What buyers think

Buyer-review evidence is mixed, with a clear split between people who are focused on ink savings and usability, and people who were disappointed by print quality consistency and formatting around photos. Several reviews emphasize ink economy, noting that ink levels stay strong after months of moderate use and that black-only printing can help control costs. On the performance side, multiple reviews call the experience “easy to use” for day-to-day tasks. However, some reviews raise concerns about color vibrancy (described as too dark) and about cropping at the edges when printing from mobile devices. A smaller number of reviewers also mention wireless drop-offs during sleep and occasional paper feeding or pickup problems. Overall, the feedback pattern suggests this model can work well for routine documents, but buyers who print lots of photos or require perfect edge-to-edge output may want to compare more carefully.

What the HP smart tank 5101 is for

The Smart Tank 5101 is an ink tank all-in-one aimed at households that want fewer interruptions from cartridge changes. With refillable ink tanks (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) and wireless printing, it’s designed for everyday color documents, school work, and home office tasks where you don’t want the printer to behave like a “replace cartridges constantly” device.

Key features that matter in daily use

Refillable ink tanks for lower running costs

This model uses a refillable ink tank system, and it includes original HP ink intended to last up to 2 years. If you print regularly, the cartridge-free approach can reduce the friction of maintenance and cut down per-page cost versus cartridge-based inkjets.

Wireless printing plus scan and copy

It’s built as a multifunction printer, so you get printing along with a flatbed scanner and copy capability. Buyers who want one device for home documents tend to like having those core functions in a single setup.

Auto power on and borderless printing

For home users, features like auto power on can reduce waiting, and borderless printing supports edge-to-edge output on supported media. That said, some buyers report mobile photo output that cuts off part of the image area, which is something to consider if borderless photo framing is critical to you.

Print quality, wireless performance, and paper handling

Print quality: Review feedback about quality is not uniform. Some users describe text and everyday color printing as fine and not a big downgrade from cartridge-era expectations. Others report darker colors than expected and cropping or edge cutoffs on photo prints, particularly when using a mobile workflow.

Wireless behavior: A recurring theme is that wireless performance may vary. Some users report it can enter an internet sleep state or drop the wireless connection at a distance (around the mid-range of a typical home). A power cycle can restore connectivity.

Paper handling: While many buyers find it straightforward, there are also reports of paper pickup or loading issues. If you often print many pages in one session, or if you use different paper types frequently, it’s worth paying attention to feeding behavior once you set it up.

Who should buy this ink tank all-in-one

• Home printers with steady volume: You print enough to benefit from refillable tanks and included ink longevity.
• People who prioritize running cost: If cartridge replacement cost is a pain point, the ink tank approach is the main reason to consider this model.
• Shoppers who want an all-in-one: Printing plus scanning and copying in one wireless device.
• Document-focused users: If your priority is text and everyday color documents, buyers’ experiences are generally more favorable than for photo perfection.

Who should avoid it

• Photo-heavy printing: If you routinely print images and need consistent edge framing with no cropping surprises, the reported cutoffs and darker color complaints are important signals.
• Anyone who needs rock-solid wireless uptime: If your workflow depends on never losing Wi-Fi connectivity, you may want a model with stronger, more consistent wireless feedback.
• Users who are picky about paper pickup: If you require dependable feeding for different media types, consider comparing alternatives with more consistently reported paper handling.

Price and value

The Smart Tank 5101 is positioned as an ink tank alternative that can look appealing when you factor in refillable ink and included ink for a long interval. Even though purchase price alone is not the full story, buyer feedback suggests that the real value comes from reducing cartridge-related spending over time, especially when you print regularly.

Verdict

The HP Smart Tank 5101 is a practical home ink tank all-in-one for people who print often and want to move away from cartridge replacements. It has enough positive feedback around ease of use and ink economy to earn consideration. Just go in with realistic expectations for photo output and wireless stability, since some buyers report darker colors, photo edge cutoffs, and occasional connectivity or paper-feeding issues. If your printing is mostly documents, this can be a sensible way to lower your cost per page.

View latest price on the product listing: Buy on Amazon

FAQs

Is the HP Smart Tank 5101 good for home use?

It’s designed for everyday home printing, scanning, and copying, especially if you print regularly enough to benefit from refillable ink tanks and included ink duration. If your printing is mostly documents, many buyers find it fits well.

How long does the included ink last?

The setup includes original HP ink intended to provide “up to 2 years” of ink included (based on HP’s claim). Your actual timeline depends on how frequently and what you print.

Does the HP Smart Tank 5101 print photos without cropping?

Some reviewers report that photo output can be cropped at the edges when printing from a mobile device, while others focus on general print quality for everyday use. If photo-edge accuracy matters, plan to test your typical paper and printing method after setup.

Is wireless printing reliable?

Wireless reliability appears mixed. Some buyers note it can enter an internet sleep state or drop connection at certain distances, with reconnection after a power cycle. If wireless uptime is critical, consider your home Wi-Fi setup and plan to troubleshoot if needed.

Does it require messy ink refills?

It uses a refillable ink bottle system intended to be mess-free, using an easy-access refill mechanism that lets the bottles drain into the ink tank.

What kinds of pages is it best for?

It’s best for text and everyday color documents for home and light office use. If you frequently print high-demand photo work, consider this an area where feedback is less consistent.

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