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HP Smart Tank 7301 Review: 8.1/10 - High-Volume Color on a Budget

HP Smart Tank 7301 Review: 8.1/10 - High-Volume Color on a Budget

8.1/10

Overview

The HP Smart Tank 7301 is a high-capacity refillable tank inkjet all-in-one printer designed for families and home offices that print large volumes of color documents. With up to 6,000 black or 8,000 color pages included in the box and a refillable tank system that drastically reduces ongoing costs, it offers one of the lowest total cost of ownership figures in its class. It competes directly with the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 and Canon MegaTank G3270 in the growing supertank printer segment.

Design & Build

The Smart Tank 7301 measures 445 by 482 by 280 mm and weighs approximately 5.5 kg, with a white-and-blue design that clearly shows the large translucent ink tanks on the right side of the front panel for easy ink level monitoring. The control panel features smart-guided illuminated buttons rather than a full touchscreen, which helps visually guide users through print, scan, and copy tasks with step-by-step indicators. Paper handling includes a 100-sheet input tray, a 35-sheet automatic document feeder for multi-page copying and scanning, and a rear feed for photo paper and envelopes.

Performance

Print speeds reach 15 ppm for black and 9 ppm for color documents, which is competitive for the supertank category but slower than laser printers for text-heavy office work. HP’s thermal inkjet technology delivers 4800 by 1200 optimized dpi resolution for color output, producing vibrant documents and photos suitable for school projects, family newsletters, and basic marketing materials. The scanner offers 1200 dpi optical resolution with the ADF supporting multi-page scanning, and automatic duplex printing helps save paper on two-sided documents.

Features

The headline feature is the included ink supply: HP Original ink bottles provide up to 6,000 black pages and 8,000 color pages before needing a refill, with the spill-free refill system making replenishment clean and simple. Wi-Fi connectivity includes HP’s self-healing technology that automatically detects and resolves common network issues for reliable wireless printing. The HP Smart app enables mobile printing, scanning, and monitoring from anywhere, while AI-powered formatting helps optimize document layouts for professional-looking results even from mobile devices.

Pros

  • Up to three years of ink included in the box
  • Very low cost per page with refillable tank system
  • Self-healing Wi-Fi for reliable wireless connectivity
  • AI-powered print formatting in the HP Smart app
  • Spill-free ink refill system is clean and easy to use

Cons

  • Print speeds are slower than laser alternatives
  • No touchscreen display, only illuminated buttons
  • Build quality feels less robust than business-class printers
  • Occasional printhead clogging with infrequent use
  • 100-sheet input tray is smaller than some competitors

Verdict

The HP Smart Tank 7301 earns an 8.1 out of 10, delivering exceptional value for families and home offices that print high volumes of color documents thanks to its generous included ink supply and refillable tank system. It loses points for slower print speeds, the lack of a touchscreen display, and a relatively small paper tray, but the sheer volume of ink included in the box makes it one of the most economical color printers available. If you print frequently and want to avoid the recurring cost of cartridge replacements, the Smart Tank 7301 is an excellent choice.

Technical Specifications

Release 2023
Rating 8.1/10
Price $280
Category printers
Status Available

How We Rate Products

Every product on ComfyTechCheck is scored on a 1 to 10 scale based on a structured evaluation framework. We assess products across five core criteria:

  • Performance (30% weight): Speed, responsiveness, and real-world capability in its category.
  • Build & Design (20% weight): Material quality, ergonomics, and aesthetic appeal.
  • Features (20% weight): Breadth and usefulness of included functionality.
  • Value (20% weight): Price-to-performance ratio relative to direct competitors.
  • Battery Life or Reliability (10% weight): Endurance testing for portable devices, or long-term dependability for stationary gear.

Scores are assigned by our editorial team after hands-on testing or extensive research using verified user reports, expert analysis, and technical specifications. The weighted average produces the final rating you see on each review. This methodology is inspired by established consumer review standards from organizations such as Consumer Reports and Which?, adapted for the tech product categories we cover.

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