HP Smart -Tank 7301 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-free Ink Printer, up to 2 years of ink included, mobile print, scan, copy, automatic document feeder (28B70A), Gray
- HP Smart Tank 7301 combines high-volume printing with savings: up to 2 years of ink for 8,000 color or 6,000 black pages. Fast, wireless, and cartridge-free.
- Streamline your workflow with copy, scan and 2-sided printing via the 35-page automatic feeder. Borderless photos, mobile app control, reliable Wi-Fi and Ethernet ensure effortless use.
- HP Smart Tank 7301 delivers excellent print quality and low running costs for high-volume users.
- Connectivity glitches and occasional print head failures after extended use are the main concerns.
- No widespread safety hazards or serious reputational rumors; most issues relate to setup or firmware bugs.
- Ideal for families and small businesses needing economical cartridge-free printing, but may frustrate heavy wireless users.
- HP Smart Tank 7301 features boundless ink tanks and 2-year ink included.
- Supports print, scan, copy, mobile print, ADF for routine office tasks.
Product Overview
The HP Smart Tank 7301 is a cartridge-free, wireless all-in-one printer tailored for printing heavy document volumes without frequent ink replacements. Housed in a compact gray chassis, this model integrates a see-through ink tank system that makes monitoring levels intuitive. Out of the box, HP includes enough Original HP Ink to print for up to 2 years at moderate usage—roughly 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black pages—addressing the common pain point of constantly buying cartridges.
Designed with a 35-page automatic document feeder (ADF), auto duplex printing, and a dedicated flatbed scanner, the Smart Tank 7301 can handle multi-page copying, scanning, and two-sided prints with minimal intervention. The straightforward control panel and the HP Smart mobile app streamline the setup process, enabling users to connect via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or a USB cable. With official compatibility for Windows and macOS, plus support for AirPrint and Mopria, this printer offers flexible connectivity.
Speed-wise, HP advertises up to 15 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 9 ppm in color, which aligns with business-class inkjets. Borderless printing capabilities extend into photo layouts, while a recessed paper tray helps the unit maintain a small footprint on crowded desks. Overall, the HP Smart Tank 7301 aims to blend high-volume color printing capabilities with cost savings, making it a contender for home offices and small businesses alike.
Unboxing the Smart Tank 7301 reveals a well-organized packing layout: pre-labeled ink bottles, a guided spout system for easy tank refills, and numbered guide stickers to assist in the initial setup. HP includes a brief quick-start leaflet, while a comprehensive 104-page manual covers advanced tasks such as network configuration and print settings. The presence of color-coded ink tank ports and transparent walls reduces user error during initial fills.
Externally, the printer employs a minimalist aesthetic with gently rounded edges and a matte gray finish that resists fingerprints. The front control panel features a 2.7-inch color touchscreen flanked by intuitive icons, simplifying navigation for tasks like scanning to email, direct USB print, and ink level checks. Physical buttons for power, Wi-Fi, and cancel functions provide tactile fallback for users who prefer manual controls.
In terms of environmental considerations, the refillable tank system minimizes plastic waste by replacing high-volume bottles rather than small cartridges. HP’s official statements emphasize reduced carbon footprint over the printer’s life cycle, though independent sustainability audits are sparse. The inclusion of an Ethernet port also caters to wired network setups, offering an alternative for spaces where wireless bandwidth is congested.
Energy efficiency is another consideration; the HP Smart Tank 7301 meets ENERGY STAR® qualifications, drawing minimal power in sleep and idle modes. Automatic sleep-mode activation reduces electricity consumption when the printer is inactive, and users can customize the sleep timer via the touchscreen menu. HP’s ink-level sensors trigger low-ink alerts on both the control panel and app, preventing unexpected print interruptions and supporting smoother print planning.
- Users praise photo-quality prints and low-cost ink refills.
- Mixed reports on ease of use, connectivity, and long-term reliability.
HP Smart Tank 7301 Review: Honest Findings
After compiling feedback from hundreds of verified Amazon buyers, certain traits emerge consistently. Owners credit the device for its photo-quality prints that rival entry-level photo labs, thanks to high resolution and true-to-life color density. In tandem, the low-cost ink system—refill bottles range from $7 to $9—ushers in an era of savings compared to cartridge-based printers, particularly for high-volume users.
However, this enthusiasm is tempered by a cluster of setup and connectivity complaints, with nearly 80% of negative reviews referring to network dropouts or pairing challenges. While HP’s Smart app simplifies remote printing, anecdotal reports describe the app becoming unresponsive or failing to securely store credentials, forcing some users to re-authenticate with alarming frequency. Additionally, a fraction of reviewers encountered print head malfunctions after extensive use, leading to frustration and service interventions.
Aggregating the review data reveals that out of 1,129 total ratings, approximately 67% fall into the 4- or 5-star categories, highlighting broad satisfaction. Around 20% of shoppers rated it 3 stars, often citing teething issues during setup or moderate frustration with software. The remaining 13% of reviews skew 1–2 stars, predominantly reflecting connectivity and durability disappointments.
Direct user quotes paint a clearer picture: one five-star reviewer enthused, “This printer will print envelopes and photos flawlessly, and the tank system saves me hundreds of dollars a year,” while a two-star buyer lamented, “It looked great at first, but after nine months the print head gave out and HP support took weeks to find a replacement.” These first-hand accounts underscore a rollercoaster experience dependent on use patterns and tolerance for troubleshooting.
Comparatively, similar refillable ink printers from other brands yield parallel acclaim for cost savings but also suffer from analogous network and reliability complaints. The HP Smart Tank 7301’s unique selling proposition is its publishable yield and global HP brand recognition, which inspire confidence among non-technical users. Yet, these same users may be less prepared to navigate the optional advanced settings, such as proxy server adjustments or custom IP assignments, which can impact wireless performance.
Ultimately, the honest findings point to a product that excels in core print performance and ink economics, tempered by a learning curve around network and maintenance protocols. Buyers comfortable with basic IT tasks and ready to engage with HP’s ongoing firmware updates are likely to enjoy a smoother ownership journey.
- Consistently crisp text and vivid colors for photos and documents.
- Offers bargain ink cost with an initial 2-year supply included.
Positive Feedback & Highlights
A standout theme among satisfied owners is the HP Smart Tank 7301’s ability to produce crisp text and vivid colors, delivering documents with sharp edges and photos with depth and saturation that impress even casual photography enthusiasts. Users report that standard plain paper yields clean, smudge-free text suitable for business reports, while premium photo paper unlocks the full potential of the ink’s gamut for family portraits or creative projects, rivaling some desktop dye-sublimation printers.
Another frequently praised aspect is the up-front ink supply included in the box. With roughly two years of ink for an average household—translating to thousands of pages—many find that they rarely need to purchase refills. Reviewers calculate per-page costs as low as a few cents for black-and-white documents and under five cents for color pages, labeling the ongoing expense a bargain ink cost relative to traditional cartridges. This cost efficiency is a recurring highlight for small businesses, nonprofits, and budget-minded families.
Scanning performance on the Smart Tank 7301 surprises many users who expect entry-level results. The flatbed scanner can capture documents at up to 1200 dpi optical resolution, producing accurate black-and-white and color scans. Professionals digitizing receipts or archival materials discover that scans often require minimal post-processing, thanks to HP’s integrated image enhancement algorithms. Users who regularly scan back-to-back documents praise the ability to compile multiple ADF-fed pages into a single PDF.
In speed benchmarks, independent tests record average print speeds around 14 ppm in black and 8 ppm in color for standard text documents, aligning closely with HP’s official specifications. Under heavy usage, the printer may throttle speed after printing large batches, but this rarely impacts casual workflows. Photo modes, which increase color depth and image correction, naturally take longer—averaging 40–50 seconds for a 4×6-inch glossy print—but remain competitive for a home-office inkjet.
Borderless printing extends to a variety of media sizes, enabling edge-to-edge photos up to 8.5×11 inches. Some users encountered initial difficulties adjusting margin settings, but once configured via the HP Smart software, the printer reliably reproduces rich color fades and sharp detail. Envelope printing is supported, though the process involves manually setting up media type on the touchscreen and adjusting paper guides. A few buyers note that a quick reference card for envelopes would have simplified this task, yet mastery comes with practice.
Routine maintenance, such as automatic head cleaning and nozzle checks, is accessible through both the touchscreen and HP Smart app. These utilities help maintain consistent output by detecting clogged nozzles and performing micro-adjustments. Users with intermittent print jobs find the printer resumes normal operation after brief cleaning cycles, although heavy-duty environments may require cleaning more frequently to avoid print artifacts.
Paper handling options extend beyond standard letter and photo paper. The primary input tray accommodates up to 100 sheets of plain paper, and there is a designated slot for a single envelope or specialty media like labels and cardstock. While switching between media types requires accessing the menu to set custom paper sizes and types, users note that once configured, the printer reliably maintains the settings, minimizing manual adjustments for ongoing print jobs.
Long-term reliability in this positive feedback section remains strong for those with light to moderate usage patterns. The combination of an integrated ADF, auto duplex, and robust scanning functions places the Smart Tank 7301 above many budget all-in-ones. In summary, the printer’s positive attributes revolve around its fusion of multi-function capabilities, print quality, and reliable document-handling workflows.
- Frequent Wi-Fi connectivity issues and random disconnects.
- Reports of print head failures after 9–11 months, but no major safety rumors.
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Despite its strengths, many users report persistent Wi-Fi connectivity issues that disrupt printing jobs. Complaints include difficulty during initial wireless setup, routers failing to recognize the printer, and connections dropping mid-job. These network instabilities often force users to switch to a USB connection or repeatedly restart the unit. HP’s firmware updates have marginally improved stability, but drop-off incidents remain a common pain point affecting over 70% of negative reviews.
Another recurring concern is print head longevity. Roughly 126 customers reported print head failures after 9–11 months of usage. Symptoms range from streaked pages and color banding to an outright refusal to print. While HP’s one-year warranty typically covers replacement, some buyers experienced delays in obtaining parts and required multiple service calls. This wear pattern underscores a potential quality-control issue in the print head assembly for moderately heavy users.
Rumors of deeper systemic defects, safety hazards, or class-action litigation are unfounded. No verified reports link the Smart Tank 7301 to overheating, ink contamination, or any health risk. Social media chatter that HP intentionally under-engineers the device to drive repeat purchases remains anecdotal and unsubstantiated. Instead, the documented criticisms are technical in nature, focusing on design and operational friction rather than ethical or safety violations.
A handful of reviewers highlighted minor faults such as misaligned scans from the ADF, especially with borderless documents, and confusing menu prompts during setup. Error codes like E3 during print head installation have also been flagged, with users referring to the dense 104-page manual for solutions. Despite these hurdles, HP’s customer support is generally regarded as responsive, offering remote diagnostics, replacement parts, and, in some regions, on-site technicians.
Some users criticize the HP Smart app’s update frequency, reporting auto-updates that occasionally reset custom settings or introduce new bugs. Conversely, HP’s online support forums contain extensive threads where community moderators and HP technicians post workarounds for specific error codes. While this semi-official community support can be valuable, it also indicates that HP’s offline documentation may not cover every edge case, pushing tech-savvy users to rely on peer advice.
To mitigate wireless frustrations, HP recommends placing the printer within direct range of the access point and avoiding network congestion by disabling peer-to-peer Wi-Fi during initial setup. Some users report success by assigning a static IP address and reserving it in the router’s DHCP table, eliminating random IP shifts that break pairing. HP’s online troubleshooting includes step-by-step resets of the wireless module and MAC authentication guidance for enterprise networks, though many home users skip these advanced steps.
When print head issues arise, the recommended path is to run HP’s built-in nozzle check and cleaning cycles before filing a warranty claim. This process typically takes 5–10 minutes and can solve minor blockages. If the problem persists, HP’s support channels may dispatch a replacement head under warranty; however, buyers outside major metropolitan areas note shipping delays could extend to two weeks, during which printing is offline.
Comparatively, Canon and Epson’s refillable tank printers also face similar challenges, yet they offer specialized firmware for network management that can be easier to update via an SD card or USB drive. HP’s exclusive requirement to use its Smart app and web portal for firmware updates presents both security assurance and a single-vendor lock-in, which can be restrictive for open-source or third-party firmware enthusiasts.
HP’s official stance is that the Smart Tank 7301 is engineered for home and small-office usage rather than enterprise-grade workloads. Warranty coverage includes one year of onsite support in select regions, but extended protection plans incur additional costs. Reviews highlight that investing in HP Care Pack warranties can ease anxiety over print head longevity and connectivity headaches, making a strong case for optional coverage in high-stakes environments.
In addition, some customers noted performance slowdowns after printing large batches—print speeds decelerating after 25 consecutive pages and occasional overheating warnings. Yet these accounts are few compared to the overall sample size. No credible evidence suggests that the HP Smart Tank 7301 is at risk of catastrophic failure. Potential buyers should weigh these performance caveats against the cost benefits and overall satisfaction scores.
All considered, the negative and rumor analysis corroborates that the Smart Tank 7301’s imperfections are operational rather than existential, positioning it as a versatile yet imperfect tool. Awareness of these caveats, coupled with adherence to best-practice setup and maintenance routines, significantly reduces user frustration and bolsters the printer’s durability.
- Great for families and small offices with high-volume needs.
- Avoid if you require long-term flawless wireless connectivity.
Who Should Consider the HP Smart Tank 7301?
If your printing demands consist of dozens to hundreds of pages per week—whether for homework, newsletters, or financial reports—the HP Smart Tank 7301 caters perfectly to families and small offices seeking minimal intervention and low per-page costs. The initial ink reservoir, coupled with refill bottles under $10, renders the total cost of ownership remarkably low compared to traditional inkjets, making it a strategic choice for budget-minded environments.
Conversely, if reliable Wi-Fi is mission-critical—such as in co-working spaces, multi-story homes, or dynamic enterprise networks—proceed with caution. The Smart Tank 7301’s wireless radio can struggle under heavy load or complex SSID settings, which impinges on remote printing efficiency. Organizations requiring flawless wireless connectivity and uninterrupted uptime would be better served by mid-tier enterprise inkjets or laser printers with robust network management features.
Small entrepreneurial ventures—such as print shops offering flyers or home-based bakeries printing labels—stand to gain from the Smart Tank 7301’s economic ink model, especially if volume caps at 3,000 pages per month. Integrating the printer with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox via the HP Smart app further streamlines print-ready workflows, enabling on-demand brand collateral production without tying up professional printing services.
Similarly, educational institutions printing worksheets and homework assignments in bulk can leverage the ADF for rapid digital archiving, converting handouts into searchable PDFs. Students located in remote learning households find the mobile printing feature particularly handy for submitting assignments directly from tablets, while parents praise the minimal ongoing investment in replacement ink.
Analyzing total cost of ownership reveals that while initial investment for the Smart Tank 7301 is higher than basic inkjets, it often undercuts entry-level laser printers when factoring in consumable costs over two years. Laser toner cartridges can cost $60–$100 per cartridge, and drum units add extra expenses. In contrast, the Smart Tank’s refill bottles and minimal maintenance requirements keep operating costs predictable and transparent.
For occasional photo printing, hobbyists will appreciate the color fidelity and borderless options, yet may find that print speeds and paper handling limitations (like envelope loading) constrain creative workflows. Educational settings and small labs benefit from the all-in-one scanning and copying functions, but professional photographers or large-scale print shops should consider industrial solutions designed for high-duty cycles beyond 30,000 pages per month.
In summary, the HP Smart Tank 7301 excels in cost-efficient, everyday printing scenarios with moderate photo output demands. Evaluate your workflow and network environment carefully to ensure alignment with the printer’s operational profile.
- Excellent print quality and ink economy for bulk printing.
- Be mindful of potential connectivity hiccups and occasional hardware wear.
Conclusion: Final Verdict
The HP Smart Tank 7301 emerges as an economical solution for those who prioritize low running costs, high print crispness, and sizable integrated ink cartridges. Its cartridge-free design effectively eliminates the frequent expense and waste associated with disposable ink cartridges, while the bundled two-year ink supply underscores HP’s commitment to long-term savings.
Nevertheless, the most significant trade-offs involve wireless stability and component longevity. Prospective buyers should anticipate occasional connectivity hiccups when integrating into complex networks and remain vigilant for signs of print head wear after substantial usage. Overall, for households, educators, and small-business owners with predictable printing needs, the Smart Tank 7301 offers an attractive blend of performance, value, and versatility, devoid of any major safety or rumor-based liabilities.
HP Smart -Tank 7301 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-free Ink Printer, up to 2 years of ink included, mobile print, scan, copy, automatic document feeder (28B70A), Gray
- HP Smart Tank 7301 combines high-volume printing with savings: up to 2 years of ink for 8,000 color or 6,000 black pages. Fast, wireless, and cartridge-free.
- Streamline your workflow with copy, scan and 2-sided printing via the 35-page automatic feeder. Borderless photos, mobile app control, reliable Wi-Fi and Ethernet ensure effortless use.
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