The HP Smart Tank 5101 and HP Smart Tank 5103 are two very closely matched refillable all-in-one printers. Both are designed for home users who want cartridge-free printing, wireless connectivity, long-lasting ink, and simple day-to-day operation. Looking at their core specifications, there is very little separating the two models.
The main difference I notice is what comes with the printer rather than how the printer performs. The Smart Tank 5103 includes 100 sheets of photo paper, while the supplied specifications for the 5101 do not list that extra paper. Both models have the same listed print speeds, weight, connectivity, ink capacity, AI features, and core printing functions, so the choice comes down largely to the included extras and overall value.
Key Difference Between HP Smart Tank 5101 vs 5103 Printer
The HP Smart Tank 5103 includes 100 sheets of photo paper, while the supplied specifications for the Smart Tank 5101 do not list the photo-paper bundle. Their core printer specifications are otherwise essentially identical.
HP Smart Tank 5101 vs 5103 Comparison Table
| Feature | HP Smart Tank 5101 | HP Smart Tank 5103 |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | HP Thermal Inkjet | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Black Speed | 12 ppm | 12 ppm |
| Color Speed | 5 ppm | 5 ppm |
| Auto Power On | Yes | Yes |
| Borderless Printing | Yes | Yes |
| Ink Tank | Refillable | Refillable |
| Ink Included | Up to 2 years | Up to 2 years |
| Page Yield | Up to 6,000 | Up to 6,000 |
| Weight | 11.09 lbs | 11.09 lbs |
| Photo Paper | Not listed | 100 sheets |
| Check Latest Price on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
This is one of those printer comparisons where the specifications tell a very clear story. Unlike comparisons where one model has a faster engine, larger paper tray, better connectivity, or additional hardware, the Smart Tank 5101 and 5103 share almost everything that matters for everyday printing.
Both use HP Thermal Inkjet technology. Both connect wirelessly. Both print up to 5 pages per minute in color and 12 pages per minute in monochrome. Both weigh exactly 11.09 pounds, and both include up to two years of ink.
So instead of trying to manufacture a major performance difference between them, I think the smarter way to compare these printers is to look at their practical ownership experience and the one clearly stated bundle difference.
HP Smart Tank 5101 Ink Tank Printer | 2 Years of Ink Included | All-in-One
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
Design: My Take on the Two Printers
From the supplied specifications, there is essentially no meaningful physical difference between these two printers.
Both are listed at 11.09 pounds, which makes them fairly manageable for a home printer. I like this weight because it doesn’t make the printer feel excessively difficult to reposition if I need to change its location.
The 5101 is listed in OOV White / Portobello, while the 5103 is listed simply as white. That is a minor distinction rather than something I would use to decide between the models.
Both have refillable ink tanks, borderless printing, and Auto Power On. Their overall design is clearly aimed at users who want an all-in-one printer without the constant hassle of conventional cartridges.
If I were choosing strictly on physical design, I would call this a tie.
Ease of Use: What I Notice in Everyday Operation
The biggest advantage of both models is the refillable ink system.
HP describes the Smart Tank refill process as mess-free. The ink bottles can be placed into the tank and allowed to drain without squeezing, which should make routine refilling much less frustrating. For me, that is one of the most useful features of this printer family because ink refilling is an unavoidable part of owning a tank printer.
Both models also support wireless connectivity, making them suitable for a typical home environment where the printer may not be positioned directly beside the computer.
Another feature shared by both is HP AI-assisted formatting. According to the supplied information, HP AI can help format web pages and emails, removing unwanted content so the printed result is cleaner and avoids unnecessary pages.
I particularly like the idea of this feature for casual home printing. If I frequently print information from websites or emails, I would rather have the printer intelligently handle unnecessary content than waste paper on things I don’t need.
Again, I don’t see a meaningful usability winner here. The two models are essentially tied.
HP Smart Tank 5103 Ink Tank Printer | 2 Years of Ink Included | All-in-One
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
Functions: Almost Identical Performance
The printing specifications are exactly the same.
Both the HP Smart Tank 5101 and 5103 are rated for up to 5 pages per minute in color and 12 pages per minute in monochrome.
That means neither model has a speed advantage. If I print primarily text documents, both offer the same listed black printing speed. If I print color documents, both are rated at the same 5 ppm.
The feature lists are also remarkably similar. Both models include:
- Refillable ink tanks
- Wireless connectivity
- Auto Power On
- Borderless printing
- Network-ready functionality
- Print, scan, and copy capability
- HP AI-assisted formatting
- Up to two years of included ink
- Up to 6,000 color or black pages
This is important because I wouldn’t recommend paying significantly more for the 5103 expecting it to print faster or deliver a larger ink yield. The supplied specifications don’t show any such advantage.
The one clear functional difference is the bundle.
The HP Smart Tank 5103 includes 100 sheets of photo paper. That is not listed for the 5101.
If I already plan to print photos or want some photo paper available immediately after setup, I find the 5103 more appealing. If I already have paper at home and don’t need the additional photo sheets, this difference becomes much less important.
Maintenance: My Experience With the Refillable System
Both printers are designed to reduce the maintenance associated with cartridge-based printing.
Instead of replacing small cartridges, I can refill the ink tanks when necessary. HP states that both models come with up to two years of ink, and both are designed to provide up to 6,000 color or black pages according to the supplied information.
That makes the two printers practically identical from an ink-management perspective.
HP also emphasizes reduced interruptions and simpler maintenance with its Smart Tank system. The mess-free refill design is useful because handling ink bottles can otherwise be one of the less pleasant parts of owning a tank printer.
The important thing for me is that there is no maintenance-related advantage in the supplied specifications that would make me choose the 5103 over the 5101—or vice versa.
If maintenance is the deciding factor, I would consider this a complete tie.
HP Smart Tank 5101 Ink Tank Printer | 2 Years of Ink Included | All-in-One
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
HP Smart Tank 5103 Ink Tank Printer | 2 Years of Ink Included | All-in-One
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
What Actually Separates the HP Smart Tank 5101 and 5103?
After comparing the specifications closely, I don’t think it makes sense to treat these as two substantially different printers.
Their:
- Print speeds are identical.
- Weight is identical.
- Connectivity is identical.
- Printing technology is identical.
- Ink system is identical.
- Listed ink capacity is identical.
- Core features are nearly identical.
- AI printing capabilities are shared.
- Refill system is shared.
The 100 sheets of photo paper included with the 5103 are the main stated distinction.
That means the buying decision should be based on the price difference and whether the included photo paper has value for you.
If the 5103 costs only slightly more and I want the extra paper, I would take the 5103. If the 5101 is cheaper by a meaningful amount and I don’t need the photo-paper bundle, I would save the money and choose the 5101.
HP Smart Tank 5101 Printer
HP Smart Tank 5101 Ink Tank Printer | 2 Years of Ink Included | All-in-One
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
Pros:
- Same 12 ppm black speed
- Same 5 ppm color speed
- Refillable ink system
- Up to 2 years of ink
- Up to 6,000 pages
- Wireless connectivity
- Borderless printing
- Auto Power On
- HP AI-assisted formatting
- Lightweight 11.09-lb design
Cons:
- No photo-paper bundle listed
- No major performance advantage over 5103
- Wireless connectivity only in supplied specifications
HP Smart Tank 5103 Printer
HP Smart Tank 5103 Ink Tank Printer | 2 Years of Ink Included | All-in-One
- SET IT UP ONCE AND PRINT WITH CONFIDENCE. No complicated maintenance. Just easy, reliable printing you can count on.
- INK FOR YEARS. NOT MONTHS. Up to 2 years of ink included. Get thousands of pages of cartridge-free printing. More pages, less hassle
Pros:
- Same 12 ppm black speed
- Same 5 ppm color speed
- Refillable ink system
- Up to 2 years of ink
- Up to 6,000 pages
- Wireless connectivity
- Borderless printing
- Auto Power On
- HP AI-assisted formatting
- 100 sheets of photo paper included
- Lightweight 11.09-lb design
Cons:
- No major performance advantage over 5101
- Same listed ink yield
- Same listed print speeds
- Wireless connectivity only in supplied specifications
Which One Would I Choose?
This is an unusually easy recommendation because I don’t see a meaningful printer-performance difference between the two models based on the supplied data.
I would choose the HP Smart Tank 5103 if the price difference is small. The reason is simple: I get essentially the same printer plus 100 sheets of photo paper. If I’m already considering the 5101, the additional paper gives the 5103 a little more immediate value.
However, I would choose the HP Smart Tank 5101 if it is noticeably cheaper. I wouldn’t pay a substantial premium for the 5103 just because it has a different model number. The actual printer specifications are almost identical, and the supplied data doesn’t show faster printing, higher ink capacity, a different connectivity system, or additional core printing functions.
For everyday home printing, either model should provide essentially the same experience. The 5103 wins on the included bundle, while the 5101 can be the smarter purchase if its lower price outweighs the value of the extra photo paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between HP Smart Tank 5101 and 5103?
The clearest difference in the supplied specifications is the included bundle. The Smart Tank 5103 comes with 100 sheets of photo paper, while the 5101 does not list photo paper as an included extra.
Is the HP Smart Tank 5103 faster than the 5101?
No. Both models are listed at up to 12 ppm for monochrome printing and 5 ppm for color printing.
Do both HP Smart Tank models include two years of ink?
Yes. Both the Smart Tank 5101 and 5103 are listed with up to two years of ink included.
Which HP Smart Tank has the higher ink yield?
Neither has an advantage based on the supplied information. Both are listed with up to 6,000 color or black pages.
Should I buy the HP Smart Tank 5101 or 5103?
I would choose the 5103 if its price is close to the 5101, because the 100 sheets of included photo paper add extra value. If the 5101 is considerably cheaper and I don’t need the photo paper, I would choose the 5101 because its core printer specifications are essentially the same.
