HP Smart Tank 6001 review high-volume wireless ink tank printer with 2 years of ink

Description

The Versatile Capabilities of the HP Smart Tank 6001

Testing the HP Smart Tank 6001 Wireless Cartridge-Free All-in-One Printer was an interesting experience. Right off the bat, the multifunctional design stood out to me. This isn’t just a printer; it’s also a scanner and copier, all bundled into a compact device. The automatic duplex printing feature was a game-changer, especially when working on lengthy documents. I mean, who doesn’t love saving paper? The borderless printing option also caught my eye as it made photos and creative projects look incredibly professional.

Another feature I found impressive was the refillable ink tank system. It eliminates the need for those annoying, expensive cartridges. The inclusion of up to two years’ worth of ink – with a capacity to print up to 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black pages straight out of the box – is an undeniable highlight. That’s a lot of mileage for a home office printer.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing I noticed about this printer is its sleek, modern design. It’s compact enough to fit on my desk without taking up unnecessary space, which is a big deal as I juggle multiple devices. Despite its smaller footprint, the 14.07-pound weight gives it a sturdy feel. The simple LCD screen and touch controls were intuitive, even for someone who isn’t particularly tech-savvy.

One slight downside is the plastic build, which didn’t feel as premium as I expected. However, the design is practical, with an easily accessible 150-sheet input tray and a 100-sheet output tray. It’s clear that HP focused on functionality here.

The Key Benefits

• Cartridge-free design minimizes ongoing costs.
• Automatic two-sided printing saves time and resources.
• Up to two years of ink included, making it extremely cost-efficient.
• Wireless connectivity options, including app support, Alexa compatibility, and Bluetooth.
• High resolution for both color (4800 x 1200 dpi) and black-and-white (1200 x 1200 dpi) prints.

Performance and Print Quality

Performance-wise, this printer does exactly what it promises. The 12 pages per minute for black and 7 pages per minute for color printing speeds were adequate for my needs. While it’s not the fastest printer out there, it balances speed with reliability. I used it to print everything from text-heavy documents to vibrant photos, and the crisp text and vivid colors didn’t disappoint.

The scanner is a flatbed type, and while it’s not the most advanced scanner in the world, it handles regular scanning tasks without issues. The maximum color resolution of 600 x 600 dpi is decent, though not outstanding, for a printer in this range.

Caveats

• Plastic materials make it feel less durable than metal-bodied competitors.
• Initial setup was slightly more time-consuming than I expected.
• The wireless connection occasionally dropped, which required resetting.
• It’s not the quietest device when printing at full speed.

Competing Products

Comparing this printer to some of its market rivals, the Epson EcoTank series immediately comes to mind. While both offer refillable ink tank systems, the Epson models tend to have a slightly faster print speed. However, I found the HP Smart Tank 6001 to have a more user-friendly app and better mobile integration. Canon’s PIXMA Megatank series is another competitor, known for its photo printing capabilities. That said, the borderless printing on this HP model easily holds its own against Canon’s photo-centric printers.

In terms of price-to-performance, the HP Smart Tank 6001 positions itself as a great all-in-one solution for families and home offices, especially since it includes a significant amount of ink upfront.

Quality for Price

While this isn’t the cheapest printer in its category, it offers a lot of value in the long run. The ink cost savings alone make it worth considering. I found the mobile app integration, which supports printing from smartphones, tablets, and laptops, a standout feature in terms of convenience. It’s rare to find such a well-rounded device at this price point.

Would I recommend this to someone looking for a reliable home office printer? Absolutely, especially for families or small businesses that need an affordable, high-volume printing solution. While it’s not perfect, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and practical features make this printer a solid choice for everyday use.

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