The HP Smart Tank 5105 is HP's entry into the refillable ink-tank space, aimed at families, students, and small home offices tired of cartridge sticker shock. Positioned below the Smart Tank 7000 series and against Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank rivals, it promises thousands of pages per refill, HP+ style wireless printing, and a compact footprint. In this 2026 review, we cover specifications, current pricing, real user feedback from Reddit and YouTube, pros and cons, best time to buy, and worthy alternatives. Recommendations are based on manufacturer specs, expert reviews, and public user feedback—not first-hand lab testing.
Quick Answer: Yes, if you want ultra-low ink costs and mostly print at home. No, if you need fast auto-duplex, a document feeder, or heavy monthly volume.
1.1 Core Specs
1.2 What's in the Box
1.3 Technical Highlights
2. Price & Value Analysis
2.1 Current Pricing
At launch, the HP Smart Tank 5105 retailed around $199. In September 2026, most listings hover between $149 and $179, with sale prices dipping to $129–$139 during promotional periods. Bundled ink refills (GT52/GT53) usually add $30–$50 for a full color + black set, keeping the running cost around $0.002 per page for black text—among the lowest in class. Compare prices on ShopFox to spot the current lowest offer across major retailers.
2.2 Is It Worth Buying?
On value, the Smart Tank 5105 is compelling: the included ink is rated for up to two years of average family printing, and refills cost pennies compared to cartridge printers like the HP DeskJet line. Versus rivals such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2400 and Canon PIXMA G3270, the 5105 is competitive on ink economy but trails on print speed and lacks auto-duplex. Public user feedback rates the 5105 highly for cost per page, and moderately for speed and build. Verdict on value: excellent, provided your monthly volume is moderate.
See where the HP Smart Tank 5105 is cheapest today. Compare it on ShopFox and set a drop alert.
3. Real User Experience
3.1 Video Reviews Summary
Popular YouTube tech reviewers covering budget printers, including channels like Printer Guides and PC Monkey, generally frame the Smart Tank 5105 as a "set-and-forget" printer for families. Reviewers praise the transparent ink windows, straightforward priming process, and low-noise printing. Common criticisms include the small 2-line LCD (no touchscreen), lack of automatic duplex, and reliance on the HP Smart app for advanced tasks. Most reviewers rate it 4/5 for home use, calling it a strong value pick if you can live without a document feeder or fast two-sided printing.
3.2 What Reddit Users Are Saying
On r/printers and r/HomeOffice, owners commonly report that the Smart Tank 5105 handles school assignments, shipping labels, and occasional photo prints without complaint. Several threads highlight the initial ink priming taking longer than expected but note the tanks lasting many months of moderate use. A recurring complaint is HP Smart's mandatory account setup for full features, which some users describe as intrusive. A few Redditors mention Wi-Fi reconnection quirks after router changes, usually solved via the HP Smart app's reset flow.
3.3 Key User Feedback Themes
4. Performance & Everyday Use
In everyday scenarios—printing homework, tax documents, shipping labels, and occasional 4x6 photos—the Smart Tank 5105 performs reliably. Text is crisp at default settings, and color graphics look punchy on plain paper. Photo prints on glossy paper are acceptable but not gallery-grade; buyers seeking premium photo output should look at dedicated photo printers. Scanning at 1200 dpi is adequate for archiving receipts and forms, though the flatbed-only design means multi-page scans require manual page-flipping. Overall, it's an easygoing daily driver for light-to-moderate households.
Scores reflect editorial judgment based on public reviews, specifications, and community feedback—not first-hand testing.
5. Pros & Cons
- Refillable tanks last months of average use
- Compact enough for shelves and small desks
- Solid text quality and reliable Wi-Fi setup
- HP Smart app makes mobile printing simple
- Includes generous starter ink supply
- No ADF for multi-page scans/copies
- Small 2-line mono LCD feels dated
- HP Smart account setup is required for full features
6. Best Time to Buy
6.1 Historical Price Trends
Since its introduction, the Smart Tank 5105 has dropped roughly 20–30% off MSRP during major sale windows. Back-to-school (late July–August) and holiday sales are historically the deepest cuts, with occasional bundle deals adding extra ink at no cost. Track the trend via Set a price alert with ShopFox so you don't overpay between sale periods.
6.2 Upcoming Sales Events
Watch for Amazon Prime Day (July), Back-to-School (August), Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November), and post-holiday clearance (January). HP's own store frequently runs "Save on Smart Tank" promos, and big-box retailers like Best Buy and Walmart bundle ink refills during these windows. If you're not in a rush, waiting for Q4 typically pays off with the lowest all-in price.
7. Top Alternatives
If the Smart Tank 5105 isn't a perfect match, consider these popular refillable-ink alternatives. Explore more options in the Printers category on ShopFox.
Epson EcoTank ET-2400
Best RivalSimilar tank capacity with excellent color output; ideal for users who prefer Epson's app and driver ecosystem. Lacks auto-duplex like the 5105 but offers a slightly larger LCD.
Canon PIXMA G3270
Best for PhotosCanon's MegaTank all-in-one shines with borderless 4x6 photo prints and hybrid pigment/dye inks. Slightly slower for black text but produces richer photos than the 5105.
HP Smart Tank 7301
Step UpAdds automatic duplex, a 35-sheet ADF, and a larger color touchscreen. Costs more but is far better for home offices printing multi-page documents regularly.
How We Researched This Review
This review is based on HP's published specifications, editorial commentary from independent tech reviewers, and aggregated public user feedback from forums, retailer reviews, and community discussions. We did not perform first-hand lab testing. Scores reflect editorial judgment—not measured user ratings—and pricing reflects publicly listed offers as of September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HP Smart Tank 5105 good for home offices?
It's suitable for light home-office use—expect to comfortably handle 200–500 pages per month. However, it lacks an ADF and automatic duplex, which slows down multi-page scanning and double-sided printing. Businesses printing large volumes daily or relying on multi-page contracts and invoices should consider the Smart Tank 7000-series or a laser alternative.
How long does the included ink actually last?
HP rates the starter ink at up to 6,000 black and 8,000 color pages under ISO test conditions. Real-world yields vary by document complexity and photo printing, but many owners on Reddit report the initial supply lasting 12–24 months of average family printing. Photo-heavy usage drains color bottles noticeably faster.
Does the HP Smart Tank 5105 support automatic duplex printing?
No. The 5105 supports manual two-sided printing only, meaning you must flip pages yourself between passes. If automatic duplex is important, look at the HP Smart Tank 7301 or Epson EcoTank ET-4850, both of which include automatic two-sided printing plus higher-capacity paper trays.
Do I have to use the HP Smart app to set it up?
Yes, HP funnels initial setup through the HP Smart app on iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS. Advanced features—like scanning to cloud services or wireless firmware updates—also live inside the app. You can print via standard drivers afterward, but the initial account and Wi-Fi setup step is essentially mandatory.
Can it print quality photos?
Photo output on 4x6 and letter-sized glossy paper is acceptable for casual family use, thanks to the 4800 x 1200 dpi color print resolution. However, colors and gradients don't rival dedicated photo printers like the Canon PIXMA G3270 or Epson SureColor models. For occasional prints it's fine; for a photo hobbyist, look elsewhere.
How does the Smart Tank 5105 compare to the Epson EcoTank ET-2400?
Both are entry-level refillable tank printers with similar prices. The HP 5105 edges ahead on rated black-text speed and integration with HP Smart, while the Epson ET-2400 offers slightly richer color output. Ink pricing is comparable. Choose based on the app ecosystem you prefer and current promotional pricing on ShopFox.
Does it work with Chromebooks and Linux?
Yes. On Chromebooks it works via native Chrome OS printing over Wi-Fi. On Linux, HPLIP (HP's open-source Linux driver suite) supports the Smart Tank family, though feature coverage—especially for scanning—can lag behind Windows and macOS. Basic printing and network setup generally work out of the box on modern Ubuntu and Fedora releases.
What's the cheapest time to buy the HP Smart Tank 5105?
The lowest prices historically appear during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, followed by Amazon Prime Day and back-to-school sales. Expect discounts of 20–30% off MSRP, sometimes bundled with extra ink refills. Use ShopFox price history to confirm you're getting a true low before checking out.
Conclusion
The HP Smart Tank 5105 remains one of the most compelling entry-level ink-tank printers heading into 2026. Its ultra-low cost per page, generous starter ink, and dependable Wi-Fi setup make it a smart pick for families, students, and light home-office users who don't need automatic duplex or an ADF. Speed, LCD design, and app dependency are minor annoyances, but they rarely outweigh the savings on ink. Before you buy, always compare current prices on ShopFox and set a drop alert—this printer regularly slips below $140 during peak sale seasons.
The Verdict
Buy the HP Smart Tank 5105 if you want the lowest possible ink cost for a home printer and can live without auto-duplex or a document feeder. Skip it if you need faster office throughput or built-in multi-page scanning.
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