An In-Depth HP Smart Tank 5000 Review

An In-Depth HP Smart Tank 5000 Review

The HP Smart Tank 5000 All-in-One Printer is designed to offer cost-effective printing, scanning, and copying solutions. Competing directly with the Canon Pixma G3270, this model stands out for its low running costs, making it a viable option for homes and small offices that print frequently enough to benefit from the inexpensive ink.

Extensive Ink Supply Included

Much like its competitors, the HP Smart Tank 5000 is a three-function all-in-one (AIO) device. The physical setup is straightforward, as outlined in the included setup guide. Weighing just 11.1 pounds and measuring 6.2 by 17.1 by 14.2 inches (HWD) with closed trays, it easily fits on a desk.

For driver installation, the process can be simple if you follow the instructions. While the setup guide covers Wi-Fi connections, those opting for a USB connection must refer to the downloadable user guide available online. Despite this minor inconvenience, the USB setup is user-friendly with the HP Smart app.

Mobile printing via Wi-Fi Direct is equally accessible once you locate the instructions in the user guide. Regardless of how you connect, keep the printer within easy reach. The 100-sheet input tray requires frequent reloading if you print often. Switching paper types or sizes also demands manual intervention. The printer supports up to legal-size paper and manual duplexing, enhancing its paper handling capabilities slightly beyond typical entry-level AIOs.

Scanning Capabilities

For scanning, the HP Smart Tank 5000 is limited to a letter-size flatbed, meaning legal-size documents cannot be scanned in one go. Each page must be placed manually, which can be tedious for scanning multipage documents.

Although fax functionality is absent, the HP Smart app provides an online fax feature. Using the iOS or Android version, you can use your device’s camera to capture and fax documents without a scanner. Faxing through the app is currently free, though HP plans to charge for this service in the future.

Cost Efficiency

A major advantage of the Smart Tank 5000 is its low running cost. It comes with enough ink to last approximately two years, depending on usage. The full set of ink bottles—black, cyan, magenta, and yellow—yields about 6,000 mono text pages and 8,000 color pages. The initial set of bottles might yield slightly fewer pages, but replacement ink remains affordable, with costs per page around 0.3 cents for mono text and 0.9 cents for color pages.

However, focus on the total cost of ownership rather than just the cost per page. The savings from low ink costs will offset the higher initial price of the Smart Tank 5000 only if you print enough to make it worthwhile compared to printers with a lower upfront cost but higher running costs.

Performance Testing: Speed and Quality

When evaluating the HP Smart Tank 5000, we compared it with the Canon G3270, HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e, and Brother MFC-J4335DW. The 5000 and G3270 were slower in most tests compared to the other models. However, the Smart Tank 5000 was marginally faster for a 12-page Microsoft Word text file but slower for the remaining test suite.

The Brother MFC-J4335DW had the fastest first-page-out time, making it notably quicker for short text files. For longer files, the speed difference was less significant. The 8035e and MFC-J4335DW were faster for files containing color graphics. In terms of overall performance, the MFC-J4335DW led, followed by the 8035e, with the Smart Tank 5000 and G3270 trailing closely behind. The 5000 averaged 53 seconds for 4-by-6-inch photos.

Output Quality

The HP Smart Tank 5000 delivers good output quality for an entry-level inkjet. Text is dark and clear, making small fonts easy to read. Most business fonts were legible at 4 points, though some stylized fonts were less clear at smaller sizes. Graphic prints showed reasonably saturated colors with minor banding in solid fills. Thin lines and details were well-represented.

Photo prints on HP Premium Plus Photo Paper were of drug-store quality, with some colors slightly oversaturated. In smudge tests, black text showed minor smudging from highlighting and more significant smudging from water. Color graphics resisted water better but showed water stains after drying.

Conclusion

For those who prioritize budget-friendly printing but require more advanced features, the HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e or Brother MFC-J4335DW might be better alternatives. These models offer faster print speeds, higher paper capacities, auto duplex printing, and ADF for multipage scanning. The 8035e has a larger paper tray, while the MFC-J4335DW boasts lower per-page costs and a one-page bypass tray.

However, if these extra features are not essential and low running costs are your primary concern, the HP Smart Tank 5000 is a strong contender. It offers similar cost-efficiency and features as the Canon G3270, with some differences in output quality. For instance, the 5000 produces darker, more readable text, while the G3270’s text is less prone to smudging. Photo quality is slightly higher on the G3270, but the differences are minor. Ultimately, choosing between the Smart Tank 5000 and the G3270 will depend on specific needs and preferences in output characteristics.

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