HP Smart Tank 5105 vs Epson EcoTank ET-2861

Detailed Technical Comparison & Buying Guide

HP Smart Tank 5105 HP Smart Tank 5105
VS
Epson EcoTank ET-2861 Epson EcoTank ET-2861

HP Smart Tank 5105

✅ Low-cost high-volume printing with HP Smart features.
❌ Slower colour printing compared to competitors.

Epson EcoTank ET-2861

✅ Ultra-low printing costs, includes up to 3 years of ink in the box.
❌ Higher upfront cost and lacks an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF).
Feature HP Smart Tank 5105 Epson EcoTank ET-2861
Print Technology Thermal Inkjet PrecisionCore Heat-Free
Colour Output Color Color
Print Resolution 4800 x 1200 dpi 5760 x 1440 dpi
Black Print Speed (PPM) 12 ppm 10.0 ppm
Colour Print Speed (PPM) 5 ppm 5.0 ppm
First Page Out Time 14 sec 10 sec
Auto Double-Sided Manual Manual
Input Paper Capacity 100 Sheets 100 Sheets
Output Tray Capacity 30 Sheets 30 Sheets
Supported Paper Sizes A4, B5, A6, DL Envelope A4, A5, A6, B5, C6, DL
Paper Weight Support 60 to 90 g/m² (Plain) 64 to 300 g/m²
Scanner Type Flatbed only CIS Flatbed
Scan Resolution 1200 x 1200 dpi 1200 x 2400 dpi
Auto Document Feeder None None
Copy Speed Up to 10 cpm Yes
Wi-Fi Connectivity Self-healing Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
Ethernet Support No No
USB Connectivity Hi-Speed USB 2.0 High-speed 2.0
Mobile Printing Support HP Smart App Epson Smart Panel, Apple AirPrint
Display Panel Icon LCD 1.0 inch 3.7 cm Colour LCD
Monthly Duty Cycle 3,000 pages 3,000 pages
Ink/Cartridge System HP 32XL / 31 Bottles Epson 104 Ink Bottles
Borderless Printing Yes (up to 210 x 297 mm) Yes (up to 10x15cm)
Width 434.7 mm 375 mm
Depth 361.5 mm 347 mm
Height 157.3 mm 179 mm
Machine Weight 5.03 kg 3.9 kg
Energy Efficiency EPEAT Registered 12 Watts (Standalone copying)
Noise Level (dB) 51 dB(A) 5.1 B(A)
Processor Speed 980 MHz N/A
Internal Memory 64 MB N/A
Cloud Print Support HP Smart App Epson Connect
Security Features Secure Boot, FW Integrity WEP, WPA-PSK
Compatible OS Windows 11, macOS 10.15+ Windows, macOS
Included in Box HP 32XL Black, HP 31 Colour Bottles Full Ink Set, Power Cable
Warranty Period 1 Year (Up to 3 Years) 1 Year (Up to 3 Years on Promo)
Recommended Use Family Document Printing Home Office, High Volume Printing

⚖️ Expert Verdict

Two mid-range tanks battling it out. The ET-2861 offers auto-duplexing and a more robust build, while the HP 5105 relies on its slick app and modern aesthetics. For a proper professional setup, the Epson’s ability to print on both sides without you standing there to flip the paper is a major win. HP’s app is top-tier, but the hardware versatility of the Epson ET-2861 makes it the more efficient daily driver for a serious office. It’s the sorted choice for those who value hardware features over app flair.

What Owners Are Saying?

HP Smart Tank 5105

WorkFromHome_Mum
"Love that I can see the ink levels through the little windows. App is actually quite good for once. It’s a bit slow on photos, but for school work, it’s sorted."

Epson EcoTank ET-2861

Oliver
"Proper bit of kit. I was a bit skeptical about the blue highlights on the chassis compared to the standard 2810, but it looks posh in the home office. The main win here is the ink economy—I’ve printed about 400 pages of colored spreadsheets for my consultancy work and the tanks haven't even moved a millimetre. Setup with the Epson Smart Panel app was a doddle, much better than the old CD-ROM days. If you're tired of being mugged off by cartridge prices, this is a strategic move for your wallet."

Sarah P.
"Fast enough for daily admin and the scan quality is surprisingly sharp for the price point. Sorted."

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