HP Smart-Tank 5000 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer Pros, Cons & Review

Home and small office users looking for an affordable, high-volume color printer with key functionality may want to consider the HP Smart-Tank 5000 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank model. This recently released printer promises ultra low-cost printing along with convenient wireless connectivity and print/copy/scan versatility. In this article we talk about HP Smart-Tank 5000 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer Pros, Cons & Review.

But does the Smart-Tank 5000 deliver on its promises?

Which users will benefit most from this printer, and where might it fall short? This detailed review will examine the key specs, features, real-world performance and potential drawbacks of the HP Smart-Tank 5000 to help you determine if it’s the right affordable wireless AIO (all-in-one) for your needs.

Key Features and Benefits

Ultra Low Printing Costs
The standout feature of the Smart-Tank 5000 is the included 6,000 page ink supply, which can print thousands of pages in black or color without needing a bottle refill. Two full black and color 135 ml HP ink bottles come in the box for under $0.01 per color page and $0.03 per black page printing costs. This allows high volume color printing at a fraction of the cost of standard ink cartridge printers.

Wireless Connectivity
Built-in Wi-Fi provides cable-free printing from anywhere in your home network for smartphones, tablets, laptops and more. HP’s Self Healing Wi-Fi promises to detect and automatically resolve connection issues for smooth wireless performance.

Print/Copy/Scan Versatility
As an all-in-one printer, the Smart-Tank 5000 lets you print documents and photos, make copies and scan to your device or cloud services. An easy-to-use control panel with smart-guided buttons simplifies completing everyday tasks.

Vibrant, High-Quality Prints
HP’s thermal Inkjet technology allows the printer to produce 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi color prints and up to 1200 x 1200 dpi black text. The result is vibrant graphics and crisp, laser-quality black text suitable for all your home printing needs.

Mobile Printing Capabilities
The free HP Smart app facilitates printing directly from iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. You can print from the cloud, social media, camera roll and documents without needing a computer.

Compact Size
At just 17.1 inches deep and 14 inches tall, the Smart-Tank 5000 has a smaller footprint than many all-in-one printers so it can sit comfortably on your desk without occupying too much space.

Drawbacks and Limitations

Slow Print Speeds
While print quality impresses on the Smart-Tank 5000, print speeds leave something to be desired. Expect only 5 pages per minute in color and 10 ppm in black. Large print jobs will take quite awhile. The printer lacks automatic two-sided printing as well.

Limited Paper Handling
With only one 100-sheet main tray, you’ll have to refill paper somewhat frequently, and there’s no option to add extra trays. An auto document feeder for convenient scanning and copying would also be useful but is not included.

Basic Feature Set
As an affordable model, the Smart-Tank 5000 sticks to the printing basics without extra features like faxing, document printing from a USB thumb drive or Ethernet connectivity. The LCD display and controls are also rather basic.

Ink Bottles Can Get Messy
While HP’s ink refill system beats replacing cartridges, some users may find the included bottles messy to handle. Take care when puncturing the foil seals and refilling ink tanks to avoid accidental spills. An ink bottle storage tray would have been useful but is not included.

Recommendations and Conclusions
With ultra low-cost ink supplies, wireless connectivity and print/scan/copy versatility, the HP Smart-Tank 5000 delivers excellent value for homes and small offices with high print volumes. It produces vibrant color graphics and crisp text well suited for everyday documents, photos and more. Just be prepared for slower print speeds, limited paper handling, a basic feature set and somewhat messy ink refills.

If you need a faster performer for big print jobs, consider a bulk ink printer like the Epson EcoTank ET-5800 instead. But for most home and home office users seeking affordable wireless printing with key functionality, the Smart-Tank 5000 gets the job done. HP’s trusted brand and product quality also inspires confidence in long term reliability.

Overall, the HP Smart-Tank 5000 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer warrants consideration for shoppers focused on maximizing value and print volume. Just be realistic about its speed and paper handling capabilities before purchase. Within its limitations, it delivers outstanding functionality and ultra low cost operation ideal for many home and small business settings. I sincerely hope you find this “HP Smart-Tank 5000 Wireless All-in-One Ink-Tank Printer Pros, Cons & Review” article helpful.