# TLDR Review: HP Smart Tank Plus 551 Printer

*Published: 2026-01-19 | Updated: 2026-01-19 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/hp-smart-tank-plus-551-printer*

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## Product: HP Smart Tank Plus 551 Printer
**Brand:** HP

## Pros
- Reliable and handles daily use well, making it great for homeschooling and home office needs
- HP Smart App simplifies printing and scanning from multiple devices with seamless integration, especially with Apple products
- Scanner delivers high-resolution scans, with smooth direct scanning to devices and excellent integration with Google Drive and Google Photos
- Very quiet operation during printing
- Consistent and good print quality for both color and black-and-white documents, suitable for professional use
- Large, mess-free ink tanks that last up to two years with normal usage, offering significant cost savings
- Fast printing speeds, even with multiple-page documents
- Easy and fast setup aided by Bluetooth connectivity, allowing flexible placement and quick device pairing
- Sleek, solid build design, with good durability and expected longevity
- Trusted brand with transparent data policies

## Cons
- Setup can be confusing, particularly for Android users, as instructions are more iOS-centric
- Wireless printing software can be buggy and unreliable, causing occasional frustration
- Printer frequently struggles to connect to Wi-Fi, creating connectivity headaches
- Paper jams occur occasionally, with some users experiencing recurrent jams over time
- Borderless printing is supported only on photo paper, not regular paper, which limits photo printing options
- Print quality and color accuracy degrade notably after several pages during photo or art printing
- Requires frequent printhead checks, alignments, and maintenance; printhead cleaning is less effective compared to competitors
- Printhead failure reported by some users after about 200 pages, necessitating replacement and adding to upkeep costs
- Some users report overall poor build and reliability issues, leading to a disappointing experience compared to other brands
- Print output varies noticeably between photo and regular paper types, sometimes affecting consistency

## Bottom Line

If you're looking for a versatile, cost-effective all-in-one printer primarily for document printing with long-lasting ink, the HP Smart-Tank Plus 551 is a solid choice, especially if you appreciate ease of use for scanning and mobile printing. However, if you're planning on heavy photo or art printing, or need consistently flawless wireless connectivity without hassle, this might not be your best bet. Consider other options if you want less maintenance and better photo print quality. Overall, it’s a great budget-friendly workhorse designed for home and small business use, but be prepared for some quirks in setup and upkeep.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Reliable and handles daily use well, making it great for homeschooling and home office needs | Setup can be confusing, particularly for Android users, as instructions are more iOS-centric |
| HP Smart App simplifies printing and scanning from multiple devices with seamless integration, especially with Apple products | Wireless printing software can be buggy and unreliable, causing occasional frustration |
| Scanner delivers high-resolution scans, with smooth direct scanning to devices and excellent integration with Google Drive and Google Photos | Printer frequently struggles to connect to Wi-Fi, creating connectivity headaches |
| Very quiet operation during printing | Paper jams occur occasionally, with some users experiencing recurrent jams over time |
| Consistent and good print quality for both color and black-and-white documents, suitable for professional use | Borderless printing is supported only on photo paper, not regular paper, which limits photo printing options |
| Large, mess-free ink tanks that last up to two years with normal usage, offering significant cost savings | Print quality and color accuracy degrade notably after several pages during photo or art printing |
| Fast printing speeds, even with multiple-page documents | Requires frequent printhead checks, alignments, and maintenance; printhead cleaning is less effective compared to competitors |
| Easy and fast setup aided by Bluetooth connectivity, allowing flexible placement and quick device pairing | Printhead failure reported by some users after about 200 pages, necessitating replacement and adding to upkeep costs |
| Sleek, solid build design, with good durability and expected longevity | Some users report overall poor build and reliability issues, leading to a disappointing experience compared to other brands |
| Trusted brand with transparent data policies | Print output varies noticeably between photo and regular paper types, sometimes affecting consistency |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| campaigngbc14547 | $79.99  | Check |
| Best Buy | $399.99  | Check |
| Walmart | $569.00  | Check |
| A Matter of Fax | $590.90  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*