HP Smart Tank Plus 551 vs 571 (Discontinued Stock): Which One Fits Your Home or Small Office?
If you’re after an affordable ink tank printer that can handle regular home or small office printing without constant cartridge replacements, the HP Smart Tank Plus 551 and HP Smart Tank Plus 571 remain two of the most practical choices. Both models are now discontinued, but they’re still a smart buy when your priority is high page volume and low running cost.
This guide is not about “which is better” — it’s about helping you choose the right fit. The 551 and 571 share the same Smart Tank concept, but they suit different workflows depending on how often you scan, copy, and handle multi-page documents.
Quick Overview: Why Smart Tank Plus Still Makes Sense
Smart Tank printers are designed for people who print more than “occasionally”. Instead of traditional cartridges, you refill ink tanks — which typically means:
- Fewer supply changes (less interruption)
- Lower cost per page for everyday documents
- Better fit for school printing, home offices, and small businesses
If you’re comparing Smart Tank to cartridge models, the biggest practical win is usually predictability: more pages between refills, and less “printer panic” when ink runs out mid-task.
HP Smart Tank Plus 551 vs 571: Key Differences That Matter
The most important difference is how you scan and copy multi-page documents. If you rarely scan, both models can work well. If you scan regularly, the workflow difference becomes obvious fast.
| What you care about | Smart Tank Plus 551 | Smart Tank Plus 571 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-page scanning / copying | Flatbed workflow | ADF workflow | If you scan stacks of pages, the 571’s ADF saves time and reduces manual effort. |
| Best for day-to-day printing | ✅ | ✅ | Both are excellent for homework packs, invoices, admin forms, and general colour documents. |
| Setup & ease of use | Simple, minimal workflow | Extra workflow tools (ADF) | Choose 551 if you want “print first, scan occasionally”; choose 571 if scanning is part of your routine. |
| Bottom line | Value choice for print-heavy users | Workflow choice for scan-heavy users | The right choice depends on how often you scan/copy multi-page documents. |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose the HP Smart Tank Plus 551 if you…
- Print a lot (school + home office) and want a simple “set and forget” routine
- Scan only occasionally (IDs, a few forms, single pages)
- Prefer the best value for print volume and everyday documents
Choose the HP Smart Tank Plus 571 if you…
- Scan/copy multi-page documents often (work forms, invoices, school packs)
- Want an easier workflow for paperwork-heavy households or small offices
- Like the idea of saving time with ADF-style document handling
Recommended Customer Categories (Buyer Personas)
- Families / school households: frequent printing of worksheets, reading packs, colour handouts, assignments
- Home office users: invoices, quotes, shipping labels, basic admin documents
- Micro businesses: appointment sheets, forms, simple marketing flyers and signage
- Paperwork-heavy users: anyone scanning multi-page documents regularly (the 571’s workflow is typically smoother)
Because these models are discontinued, the key advantage today is simple: strong value for a proven ink tank platform while stock is still available.
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Shop HP Smart Tank Plus 551 & 571 on OzToner.au
Not sure which one fits your workflow? Tell us how often you scan multi-page documents and roughly how many pages you print per month — we’ll point you to the right model while discontinued stock is still available.
View HP Smart Tank Plus 551 View HP Smart Tank Plus 571 (ADF)*Discontinued stock. Availability may change quickly. Please check the product page for current pricing and bundles.
