For years, I struggled with the perennial printer problem: expensive, quickly depleted ink cartridges that made printing anything more than a handful of pages feel like a luxury. It was a constant source of frustration, especially when working from a home office and needing to print documents regularly for school projects or personal records. The high cost of replacement ink wasn’t just an inconvenience; it often led to delaying important print jobs or making compromises on quality, creating unnecessary stress and inefficiency. This persistent issue made me realize I needed a different solution, something more economical and reliable for my high-volume printing needs.
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Smart Tank Plus 651 is perfect for families printing a variety of color documents in high volumes. Print up to 11 pages per minute black and 5 pages...
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—2 years of HP Ink included; get up to 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black pages right out of the box
- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy, scan and fax, plus a 35-page automatic document feeder, borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
Key Considerations Before Investing in an All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer
Printers, particularly all-in-one models, are designed to tackle a range of common home and small office tasks, from printing documents and photos to scanning, copying, and even faxing. People typically seek to buy an item in this category to consolidate multiple devices into one efficient machine, reduce ongoing costs, and streamline their workflow. The ideal customer for an all-in-one ink-tank printer is someone who prints frequently, requires versatility (print, scan, copy, fax), and is tired of the traditional cartridge-based system’s high running costs. This includes students, small business owners, work-from-home professionals, and families with diverse printing needs.
However, if you only print once or twice a month, or only require basic printing without the need for scanning, copying, or faxing, an ink-tank printer might be overkill. Its initial cost can be higher than a standard cartridge printer, and while the ink savings are significant over time, infrequent users might not fully benefit from this. In such cases, a more basic, inexpensive laser printer for monochrome documents or a low-cost inkjet for occasional color prints might be a better fit. Before making a purchase, consider your average print volume, the types of tasks you perform most often (documents, photos, scans), your budget for initial purchase versus ongoing ink costs, and the importance of features like wireless connectivity, automatic document feeders, and mobile printing capabilities.
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Introducing the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651: What It Offers
The HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer is HP’s answer to high-volume, low-cost printing. This device promises up to two years of ink right out of the box, positioning itself as a cost-effective solution for families and home offices. It’s an all-in-one unit, meaning it handles printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, complete with a 35-page automatic document feeder (ADF). When you purchase the Smart Tank Plus 651, it comes with a full set of HP ink bottles (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), a power cord, and setup guides.
Compared to traditional cartridge printers, its main differentiator is the refillable ink tank system, which drastically reduces the cost per page. While a market leader like an Epson EcoTank might offer similar functionality, the HP 651 stands out with HP’s renowned print quality and user-friendly Smart app integration. This specific product is ideal for users who demand consistent, high-quality prints without the constant worry of running out of ink or the expense of frequent cartridge replacements. It’s also well-suited for those who value wireless connectivity and mobile printing ease. However, it might not be the best choice for those who need automatic duplex printing, as this model requires manual two-sided printing, or for those who prefer a front-loading paper tray.
Pros:
* Massive Ink Savings: Comes with up to two years of ink, significantly lowering running costs.
* Excellent Print Quality: Delivers crisp text and vibrant, true-to-life colors for both documents and photos.
* Versatile All-in-One: Offers print, copy, scan, and fax functionalities, including a 35-page ADF.
* Seamless Wireless Connectivity: Features reliable Wi-Fi and mobile printing via the HP Smart app and Alexa compatibility.
* Easy Ink Refill System: Transparent ink tanks and spill-free bottles make refilling simple and mess-free.
Cons:
* Manual Duplex Printing: Lacks automatic two-sided printing, requiring manual intervention.
* Rear Paper Feed: The paper tray loads from the rear, which some users might find less convenient than a front tray.
* Initial Setup Can Be Tricky: Some users found the initial setup process to be slightly confusing.
* Potential Wi-Fi Glitches: A few reports of intermittent connectivity issues despite strong Wi-Fi signals.
Deep Dive into Capabilities: Understanding the Smart Tank Plus 651‘s Advantages
Having used the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer for quite some time now, I can confidently say it has transformed my printing experience. It’s truly an investment that pays off, especially for a busy household or a demanding home office environment.
Unbeatable Ink Tank System and Cost Savings
The most compelling feature of the HP Smart Tank Plus 651 is undoubtedly its refillable ink tank system. Gone are the days of anxiously watching ink levels plummet and dreading the next expensive cartridge purchase. This printer ships with enough ink to last up to 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black pages, which for me, translates to nearly two years of printing without needing to buy more. The transparent ink tanks on the front of the unit are a genius addition; you can visibly monitor your ink levels at a glance, removing any guesswork and allowing you to plan refills well in advance. Refilling is a breeze with the spill-free bottles – simply invert them over the correct tank, and they automatically fill without any mess. This system isn’t just about convenience; it provides significant long-term cost savings, a benefit that directly addresses the core problem of expensive printing, making high-volume printing truly affordable.
Comprehensive All-in-One Functionality
The Smart Tank Plus 651 lives up to its “All-in-One” moniker, seamlessly integrating print, copy, scan, and fax capabilities. For my home office, this means I no longer need separate devices cluttering my space. The flatbed scanner delivers sharp, clear scans of documents and photos, perfect for digitizing important papers or sharing images. The copy function is quick and accurate, and with the ability to make up to 99 copies per run, it handles larger tasks with ease.
A standout feature in this category is the 35-page automatic document feeder (ADF). This has been a game-changer for me when scanning or copying multi-page documents. Instead of manually feeding each page, I can load a stack, and the HP 651 takes care of the rest, saving invaluable time and effort. While it offers manual duplex printing, which means you have to flip the pages yourself for two-sided documents, the convenience of the ADF for single-sided multi-page tasks largely compensates for this minor drawback. This full suite of features ensures that almost any document-related task can be handled efficiently and professionally.
Effortless Wireless and Mobile Connectivity
In today’s connected world, a printer without robust wireless capabilities is practically obsolete. The HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 excels here, offering reliable wireless connectivity that has become indispensable. Connecting it to my home Wi-Fi network was straightforward, and once set up, it maintains a stable connection, allowing me to print from any device in my home – laptops, smartphones, and tablets – without the need for cables. The absence of cords not only keeps my workspace tidy but also provides incredible flexibility.
The HP Smart app is a powerful companion to this printer. It allows for seamless mobile printing, scanning directly to my phone, and even managing printer settings remotely. I’ve often found myself printing documents from my phone while away from my desk, or even sending faxes using the app. The printer’s compatibility with Alexa further enhances its smart home integration, allowing for voice-activated printing commands. While some users have reported occasional Wi-Fi glitches, I’ve personally experienced very few issues, finding the connection to be largely dependable. This ease of access and control through wireless and mobile options significantly boosts productivity and convenience.
Exceptional Print Quality
Ultimately, a printer’s value is judged by the quality of its output, and the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 truly shines in this regard. Whether it’s a critical business report, a child’s school project, or vibrant family photos, the results are consistently impressive. Text documents come out with remarkable sharpness, featuring deep blacks and clear, legible characters that give a professional finish. For color printing, the HP Thermal Inkjet technology delivers vivid, true-to-life colors and smooth gradients, making photos frame-worthy and graphics pop. With print resolutions of up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi for color and 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi for black, the detail and clarity are superb. This high print quality ensures that every page produced meets my expectations, whether it’s for archiving or sharing, reinforcing the idea that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost savings with an ink tank system.
Intuitive Design and User-Friendly Operation
Beyond its technical specifications, the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 is designed with the user in mind. Its compact form factor (14.7″D x 17.7″W x 7.8″H) in a sleek white with black top finish blends well into any home or office setup. The 2.2-inch mono touchscreen display on the control panel provides an intuitive interface for navigating settings, initiating tasks, and monitoring printer status. This makes direct control over the printer easy, even without resorting to the mobile app or a computer.
The refillable ink tank design, as mentioned, is not just about savings but also about ease of use. The transparent windows ensure you always know your ink levels. Although the paper feed is located at the rear, which some might find less convenient than a front tray, it handles a variety of media sizes up to 8.5 x 14 inches and has a 100-sheet input capacity, sufficient for most home and small office needs. The overall ease of operation, from initial setup (despite a few minor early hiccups for some users) to daily printing, scanning, and copying, is a strong selling point. This printer genuinely simplifies the complex world of printing, scanning, and copying, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy individuals.
Speed and Efficiency
While not the fastest printer on the market, the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 offers respectable speeds that are more than adequate for typical home and small office use. It can print black pages at up to 11 ppm (pages per minute) and color pages at up to 5 ppm. For individual documents, the initial page print time is approximately 14 seconds for black and 21 seconds for color. The 35-page Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) significantly boosts efficiency when handling multi-page scanning or copying tasks, allowing you to load and forget. This combination of speed and the ADF’s capacity ensures that you can get through your daily printing chores without unnecessary delays, contributing to a more productive environment.
What Others Are Saying: Real User Experiences with the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651
I’ve scoured the internet and found that many users share my positive sentiments about the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651. Many highlight the incredible value of the included ink and the long-term savings. One user remarked how it’s one of the best quality printers they’ve ever owned, praising its ease of setup and operation. The excellent print quality is a recurring theme, with users delighted by crisp text and vibrant colors, even for specialized tasks like DTF transfers. The convenience of wireless connectivity and the HP Smart app is frequently lauded, allowing seamless printing from various devices. While a few individuals mentioned initial setup being a bit confusing or encountering occasional Wi-Fi connectivity issues, the overwhelming consensus points to this printer being a worthwhile investment for its high-volume, low-cost printing capabilities and overall reliability.
Final Thoughts: Is the HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 Right for You?
The struggle with expensive ink cartridges and the limitations of basic printers is a common woe, leading to frustration, delayed tasks, and unnecessary costs. Left unaddressed, these issues can significantly hamper productivity and convenience, especially in a busy home or small office setting. The HP Smart-Tank Plus 651 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer is an outstanding solution to these problems.
Its revolutionary ink tank system provides massive savings and peace of mind for high-volume printing. Coupled with excellent print quality and versatile all-in-one functionality including an automatic document feeder, it handles diverse tasks with ease. Finally, its seamless wireless connectivity and intuitive mobile app support make printing incredibly convenient. If you’re looking to end your ink cartridge woes and boost your home or small office efficiency, this HP ink-tank printer is a superb choice. To learn more and check out this fantastic product, Click here to check the product out!
Last update on 2025-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API