For years, my home office felt like a battleground, and the enemy was my printer. It was a constant, frustrating cycle: a critical document needs printing, and inevitably, the “Low Ink” warning flashes. This was always followed by a frantic search for the correct, ridiculously expensive cartridge model, a trip to the store, and a bill that felt like a subscription fee I never willingly signed up for. The promise of convenient home printing was overshadowed by the reality of high costs, wasted plastic, and the anxiety of always being one print away from an empty cartridge. This isn’t just an inconvenience; for a home business, a student, or a busy family, it’s a productivity killer. I knew there had to be a better way than the traditional cartridge model, a solution that prioritized volume, value, and peace of mind.
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Smart Tank 7602 is perfect for families printing a variety of color documents in high volumes. Print up to 15 pages per minute black and 9 pages per...
- FULLY LOADED WITH SAVINGS – Best for low-cost, high-volume printing—2 years of HP Ink included; get up to 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black pages right out of the box
What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
An inkjet printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bringing digital creations into the physical world, whether that’s a child’s school report, a professional business proposal, or a frame-worthy family photograph. The primary benefit of modern inkjet printers, especially ink tank models, is their ability to produce high-quality color prints at a fraction of the long-term cost of their cartridge-based predecessors. They solve the problem of exorbitant running costs and the environmental waste associated with disposable cartridges, making vibrant, frequent color printing accessible and affordable for everyone.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing high-volume printing needs. This includes homeschooling parents printing daily worksheets, small business owners creating marketing materials, students printing research papers, or creative professionals who need reliable color proofs. It’s for anyone tired of the “razor-and-blades” business model of cheap printers and expensive ink. Conversely, it might not be the most suitable choice for those who print only a few black-and-white pages a month. For such users, a basic laser printer might be more cost-effective upfront and less prone to issues like clogged printheads from infrequent use. If portability is the absolute priority, a dedicated mobile printer would be a better alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: An all-in-one printer can be a sizable piece of equipment. Measure your intended space carefully. The HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer has a relatively compact footprint for its capabilities, but ensure you have adequate clearance for the paper tray, scanner lid, and ventilation. Consider its dimensions of 42.8 x 24.3 x 36.4 cm and its weight of nearly 17 pounds when planning its placement.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the purchase price to the cost per page. Ink tank printers like this one excel here. With up to 8,000 color or 6,000 black pages from the included ink, the long-term savings are substantial. Also, evaluate print speed (PPM), paper capacity (this model holds 250 sheets), and essential features like automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, which saves paper and time.
- Materials & Durability: A printer should be a long-term investment. While most are constructed from plastic, look for signs of thoughtful design and robust build quality. We appreciate that the HP Smart Tank 7602 is made with over 25% recycled plastic by weight, indicating a commitment to sustainability without compromising on a solid feel. The moving parts, like the paper tray and scanner hinge, should feel sturdy and not flimsy.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A complicated setup or messy maintenance can ruin the user experience. Look for printers with guided, app-based setups and simple, foolproof refill systems. The spill-free design of HP’s ink bottles is a standout feature. However, be aware that all inkjets require some maintenance, such as occasional printhead cleaning, especially if left unused for extended periods. You can explore its user-friendly features and current price to see if it meets your long-term needs.
Ultimately, choosing the right printer means aligning its features with your specific printing habits and volume requirements.
While the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Print, Copy, Scan: The PIXMA TS3720 is a true colour printer scanner copier all in one that is compact, versatile and easy-to-use with a 60 sheet rear tray that reduces the need to refill paper as...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
First Impressions: A Thoughtful and Modern Design
Right from the unboxing, the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer impressed us. HP has clearly put thought into the user experience, as one user also noted, by packaging the printer in a plastic bag with sturdy handles, making it surprisingly easy to lift the 17-pound unit out of the box. Gone are the days of awkwardly wrestling a large electronic device from its styrofoam coffin. The printer itself has a sleek, modern aesthetic with a clean two-tone color scheme that looks professional in a home office. It feels substantial and well-built, and we were particularly drawn to the MGD (Magic Touch Panel), an integrated touch display that only illuminates the buttons you need for a given task, reducing clutter and simplifying operation. This context-sensitive interface is a premium touch that makes navigating its many functions feel intuitive and futuristic. Setting it up was a guided process we’ll detail later, but the initial physical impression is that of a high-quality, thoughtfully designed machine ready for serious work, and you can see its full feature set and user reviews online.
Key Benefits
- Massive amount of ink included (up to 2 years), offering incredible value out of the box.
- Clean, simple, and truly spill-free ink refill system.
- Excellent all-around print quality for crisp text and vibrant color photos.
- Full suite of features including automatic duplex printing, scanning, copying, and fax.
- Robust connectivity with self-healing dual-band Wi-Fi and an Ethernet port.
Potential Drawbacks
- Potential for printhead clogging after long periods of inactivity, a common inkjet issue.
- Some users report minor setup hurdles, like a tight power cord connection or software quirks with older operating systems.
- Can be finicky with certain specialty papers like glossy photo or sticker sheets.
A Deep Dive into the HP Smart Tank 7602’s Real-World Performance
A printer’s value is ultimately determined by how well it performs day-to-day. We spent weeks putting the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer through its paces, tackling everything from multi-page business reports and homeschooling worksheets to borderless 4×6 photo prints. We evaluated it on the key pillars that matter most: setup and usability, print quality and speed, and the revolutionary cost-effectiveness of its ink tank system.
Setup and Usability: A Guided, Modern Experience
HP has clearly invested heavily in making the setup process as painless as possible, a fact echoed by numerous users who found it remarkably easy. We opted for the guided setup via the HP Smart App on a smartphone, which we highly recommend. The app provides step-by-step instructions with clear animations for every stage, from removing the protective packaging to installing the printheads and filling the ink tanks. This visual guidance removes any guesswork and builds confidence, especially for those less technically inclined. The moment of truth—filling the ink tanks—was a revelation. The ink bottles are designed with a keyed, no-squeeze, spill-free valve. You simply uncap a bottle, invert it onto the corresponding color tank, and it drains cleanly without a single drop being spilled. It’s a foolproof design that completely eliminates the mess and anxiety associated with older refillable tank systems. We did encounter the same minor issue one user reported with the power cord; it requires a very firm, assertive push to click securely into place. While initially alarming, it’s a one-time issue that ensures a solid connection once seated. The entire process, from unboxing to printing the alignment page, took us about 25 minutes, which is very reasonable for a full-featured All-in-One. This is a feature that truly simplifies the ownership experience from day one.
Print Quality and Performance: More Than Just Documents
Once operational, the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer consistently delivered impressive results across a variety of media. Black text on plain paper is sharp, dark, and rivals the quality you’d expect from a laser printer, making it perfect for professional documents. Print speeds are respectable, hitting the advertised 15 ppm for black and 9 ppm for color in our tests on standard documents. Where it truly shines for a home or small business setting is with color. We printed educational materials, charts, and presentations, and the colors were consistently vibrant and accurate without being oversaturated. As one homeschooling parent noted, the images are “so clear and crisp, and the colors are very vivid.” We tested its photo printing capabilities on 4×6 glossy paper and were pleased with the results. Family photos came out detailed and frame-worthy, with good color balance and the option for borderless prints. However, we also confirmed a user’s report that the printer can be finicky with specialty paper. We experienced one misfeed with letter-sized glossy photo paper, which required re-adjusting the paper guides and trying again. Similarly, another user’s tip to print sticker paper one sheet at a time proved wise to avoid potential jams. The automatic duplex printing is a fantastic, paper-saving feature. We were particularly impressed that the printer’s display shows a message that it’s “pausing to let the ink dry” before flipping the page—a small but incredibly thoughtful detail that prevents smudging on ink-heavy prints. The scanner and copier functions are equally robust, producing clear scans and fast copies via the sheetfed document feeder.
The Smart Tank System: The True Cost-Saving Revolution
This is the core reason to buy the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer. The initial purchase price is higher than a basic cartridge printer, but the value proposition is astronomical. HP includes enough ink in the box for a claimed 6,000 black pages and 8,000 color pages. This isn’t a “starter” amount; it’s a massive supply that, for an average family or small office, genuinely could last up to two years. This completely changes your printing mindset. You no longer hesitate to print in color, worrying about the cost. You can print school projects, photos, and flyers with freedom. This eliminates what we call “ink-xiety”—the constant background stress of managing expensive, low-yield cartridges. One user summed it up perfectly: “This is the first time I’m just not worried about using too much ink.” When you finally do need to refill, the cost of replacement bottles is significantly lower per page than cartridges. However, it’s important to set realistic expectations for long-term maintenance. One user provided a valuable 1.5-year update, noting a clogged magenta printhead after a period of disuse. While they were able to fix it with a DIY method, it serves as a crucial reminder that, like all inkjet printers, the Smart Tank benefits from regular use (at least one color print per week) to keep the ink flowing and the printheads clear. This is not a flaw of the model but a characteristic of the technology. For any high-volume user, the long-term savings on ink are simply undeniable.
What Other Users Are Saying
After analyzing dozens of user experiences, a clear consensus emerges. The overwhelming majority of owners are thrilled with the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer, specifically celebrating the end of their reliance on expensive cartridges. One user, who previously juggled a laser and an inkjet printer, exclaimed, “FINALLY, FINALLY I have 1 printer to replace both… and the ink refills MAKE SENSE!” This sentiment is echoed by students, teachers, and parents who praise the “amazing” print quality for everything from math worksheets to family photos. The ease of setup, particularly the guided HP Smart App process and the clean ink filling, is another point of frequent praise.
However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which provide a balanced view. The most significant long-term concern comes from a user who experienced a clogged printhead after 18 months, a known risk with any inkjet printer if not used regularly. Other minor frustrations include the aforementioned tight power cord connection and occasional software compatibility issues, with one user noting the HP app wouldn’t work on their 12-year-old MacBook that couldn’t be upgraded to the latest OS. These points don’t detract from the printer’s core strengths but are important considerations for potential buyers.
How the HP Smart Tank 7602 Compares to the Alternatives
The HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer is a fantastic all-rounder for a stationary home or office. But depending on your specific needs, particularly portability or a singular focus on photo printing, other options might be a better fit.
1. HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer
- Main functions of this HP all-in-one portable printer: scan, copy, easy portable printing wherever you need it, wireless print from your laptop or mobile devices, 2.65" color touchscreen, auto...
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, Android users can easily detect and connect to a nearby OfficeJet 250 and print using Wi-Fi Direct
The HP OfficeJet 250 is not a direct competitor but rather a specialized alternative for a different user entirely. Its defining feature is portability. It’s compact, lightweight, and has a built-in battery, making it the ideal choice for mobile professionals, field sales reps, or anyone who needs to print, scan, and copy on the go. If your office is your car or a different client site each day, this is your machine. However, it uses traditional ink cartridges, meaning its long-term running costs will be significantly higher than the Smart Tank 7602. It sacrifices paper capacity and print speed for mobility, making it ill-suited for the high-volume daily printing the Smart Tank 7602 is designed for.
2. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless Photo Printer
- Epson printing system is specifically designed to be used with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
- Brilliant, borderless photos up to 11" x 17" — 6-colour Claria Photo HD Inks deliver smooth gradations and amazing skin tones
The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 is geared toward photo enthusiasts and creatives. Its primary advantage is its six-color Claria Photo HD ink system, which is designed to produce superior, professional-quality photos with smoother gradations and a wider color gamut than a typical four-color office printer. It can also handle larger media sizes, making it a better choice for scrapbooking or printing larger photos. The trade-off is that it uses a six-cartridge system, which, while producing stunning photos, will be more expensive to maintain for general document printing. For those whose priority is printing gallery-quality photographs above all else, the XP-970 is a strong contender, but the HP Smart Tank 7602 offers far better value for mixed-use document and photo printing.
3. HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer
- Main functions of this HP color portable printer: easy portable printing wherever you need it, wireless print from your laptop or mobile devices, 2" display and more
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP reprint app, print even without a network using Wireless Direct printing
The HP OfficeJet 200 is a more streamlined version of its portable sibling, the OfficeJet 250. This device focuses exclusively on printing. It sheds the scanner and copier functions to be an even more compact and lightweight mobile printing solution. It’s for the professional who only needs to produce hard copies of contracts, invoices, or presentations while traveling. Like the 250, it runs on a battery and uses standard ink cartridges, so it shares the same benefits of portability and the same drawbacks of higher running costs and lower capacity. It’s a purpose-built tool for printing on the road, whereas the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer is a comprehensive productivity hub for a fixed location.
Our Final Verdict: Is the HP Smart Tank 7602 Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is a resounding yes. The HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer is an outstanding machine that directly solves the biggest pain point of home printing: the exorbitant cost and hassle of ink cartridges. It’s an investment upfront, but the sheer volume of ink included in the box provides incredible long-term value and grants you the freedom to print in vibrant color without hesitation. It combines this revolutionary cost-effectiveness with excellent print quality, a full suite of all-in-one features, and a modern, user-friendly experience from setup to daily operation.
We recommend it wholeheartedly for busy families, homeschooling parents, students, and small business owners who have moderate to high printing volumes. While it may have minor quirks with specialty paper and requires regular use to keep the printheads healthy, its core benefits far outweigh these considerations. If you’re ready to break free from the cartridge cycle and embrace affordable, high-volume color printing, the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer is one of the best choices on the market today. You can check the latest price and availability to make this smart investment for your home or office.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API