HP Smart Tank 7602 review High-Volume Wireless Inkjet Printer for Home and Small Business

Description

A Practical Look at the HP Smart Tank 7602 Wireless All-in-One Printer

Design and Build Quality
This printer’s design immediately stood out to me. The compact yet durable build makes it a practical choice for home or small office setups. It doesn’t scream “office equipment,” which is great if you’re trying to maintain a modern and sleek workspace. The 16.98-pound frame feels sturdy, and the minimalistic control panel is intuitive to use. What I appreciated most was the automatic duplex printing feature, which eliminates the hassle of manually flipping pages for double-sided printing. The 35-page automatic document feeder (ADF), while not the largest capacity out there, is a lifesaver for those mid-sized scan or copy jobs.

One minor gripe, though, is the single paper tray. With a max input capacity of 250 sheets, it’s decent, but if you’re someone who regularly swaps between photo paper and standard sheets, it might feel a bit limiting.

Performance and Print Quality
As someone who prints a lot of documents and photos, I was genuinely impressed by the 4800 x 1200 dpi color resolution. The text output is sharp, and the frame-worthy photos come out vibrant and true-to-life. I tested the printer with a mix of media types—plain paper, glossy photo paper, and even labels—and the results were consistently excellent. The printing speed isn’t lightning-fast but still respectable, clocking in at 15 pages per minute for black and 9 pages per minute for color.

One standout feature for me was the borderless printing capability, which added a professional touch to personal projects like invitations and photo albums. However, the initial page print time of 14 seconds for black and 16 seconds for color might feel sluggish for those accustomed to faster printers.

Key Benefits

• 2 years of ink included, which equates to up to 6,000 black pages or 8,000 color pages, is an absolute game-changer for anyone tired of frequent cartridge replacements.
• Mobile and wireless printing via the HP Smart App makes it incredibly convenient to print directly from your phone or tablet.
• The automatic two-sided printing saves both time and paper, which is a win for the environment and your wallet.

Weaknesses

• The single tray design makes it less ideal for users who need to switch paper types frequently.
• While the ADF is helpful, its 35-sheet limit might not cut it for bulk scanning or copying tasks.
• The 1.1-watt power consumption in idle mode is efficient, but I did notice the printer taking a few seconds to “wake up” when left idle for an extended period.

Ease of Use and Setup
Getting this printer up and running was seamless. The step-by-step setup guide and the HP Smart App made the process straightforward, even for someone who (admittedly) struggles with tech at times. I especially appreciated the refillable ink tank system, which is simple to use and mess-free. The app also offers a ton of functionality, from monitoring ink levels to scanning directly to your device.

That said, I ran into a minor hiccup with the Wi-Fi setup. It took a couple of attempts to get it connected to my network, and I’ve seen others mention similar issues. Once connected, however, the reliable Wi-Fi and Ethernet options ensured a stable connection without any interruptions.

Product Comparisons
I’ve tried other tank printers like the Epson EcoTank ET-2760 and Canon PIXMA G6020, and each has its strengths. The Epson model offers a faster initial page print time, but the ink costs over time were notably higher. Canon’s offering excelled in photo quality, especially for professional photographers, but it lacked the intuitive app integration that this printer has.

What makes the HP Smart Tank 7602 stand out is the balance between cost-efficiency and performance. The inclusion of two years’ worth of ink is a massive advantage, and the automatic two-sided printing feels like a premium feature at this price point. Of course, if you’re someone who prints photos exclusively, Canon’s PIXMA series might suit you better.

Affordable Quality
Given its features, this product offers solid value for money. The upfront cost might seem steep to some, but when you factor in the ink savings and the low cost per print, it pays for itself in the long run. I’ve spent more on cartridge replacements for other printers than I care to admit, so having a reliable tank system is a refreshing change.

This printer is best suited for families and small businesses that require a dependable, high-volume printer. While it might not cater to heavy-duty office needs, it strikes a good balance between performance, usability, and cost-efficiency.

Whether you’re printing everyday color documents, photos, or labels, this product gets the job done with minimal fuss. The HP Smart Tank 7602 proves that you don’t need to compromise on quality or features to save on printing costs.

Additional information