HP Smart Tank Ink: Which Bottles Do You Need?
For compatible HP Smart Tank printers, HP 31 fills the cyan, magenta, and yellow tanks, while HP 32XL fills the black tank. Match the full printer model to the bottle before buying.
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HP Smart Tank ink comes in model specific bottles: HP 31 for cyan, magenta, and yellow, and HP 32XL for black on compatible printers. Check the complete printer model before you buy, since the Smart Tank name covers multiple series.
The two bottle families serve different tanks. A color bottle cannot replace black ink, and the black bottle cannot refill a color tank.
Which HP Smart Tank ink bottles do you need?
The Smart Tank Plus 651 and Smart Tank 5003 use HP 31 color bottles and an HP 32XL black bottle. For any other Smart Tank, confirm the full model against the bottle’s compatible models before ordering.
HP 31 is a three-color pack with separate cyan, magenta, and yellow bottles. HP 32XL is a single black bottle.
Check both the ink color and the printer model, especially if you're refilling only one tank.
The HP 32XL bottle is compatible with the Smart Tank Plus 551 and 651, plus the Smart Tank 7001, 7301, and 7602. The HP 31 3-pack includes compatibility with the Plus 551 and 651, along with various Smart Tank 5000, 6000, and 7000 series models.
The model number is the key detail when you shop. “HP Smart Tank” by itself is too broad to confirm a match, so check the label on your printer or its settings and compare the full name with the supported models.
How do HP 31 color and HP 32XL black differ?
HP 31 refills the three color tanks, and HP 32XL refills the black tank. Buy the color pack when cyan, magenta, or yellow is low; choose the black bottle when the black tank needs ink.
The HP 31 3-pack covers all three color tanks in one purchase. HP gives an approximate yield of 8,000 color pages for the pack, though the pages you get depend on what you print and other factors.
The HP 32XL bottle is for black ink and has an estimated yield of up to 6,000 pages. Actual yield varies with page content and other factors, so treat the figure as a comparison point rather than a refill schedule.
Choose the bottle by tank color first, then verify printer compatibility. Buying the correct color in the wrong ink family can still leave you with a bottle that doesn't fit your printer.
How can you check whether a bottle fits your printer?
Compare the complete printer model with the bottle’s compatible models before you buy. Find the model name on the printer or in its settings, then check that the bottle supports that exact model.
The Smart Tank Plus 651 and Smart Tank 5003 both use HP 32XL black and HP 31 color bottles. Their refill setup may be useful if you print in color and black, and need a device that can also copy and scan.
The Plus 651 adds faxing, an automatic document feeder, and wireless and mobile printing. Its duplex printing is manual, so it suits people who want those extra functions and can turn pages when printing on both sides.
The Smart Tank 5003 prints, copies, and scans, with wireless and mobile printing. It supports legal-size media and manual duplex printing, making it a practical fit for routine home documents if you don't need faxing or an automatic document feeder.
If you're still deciding which printer to buy, our guide to printers with cheap ink compares refillable tanks with other low-ink-cost options. The ink tank printer category also has more models to consider.
How do you refill and care for an HP Smart Tank?
Use the matching bottle and follow the refill steps for your printer model. HP describes the bottles as plug-in refills that drain into the tank without squeezing.
Before opening a bottle, check its number and color. Set it by the matching tank, and keep it upright as directed by the printer instructions.
Stop if it doesn't connect as expected. The refill system is designed to reduce spills, but careful handling still helps protect clothing and nearby surfaces.
Use the printer's own ink-level guidance to decide when to refill. Avoid topping up a different color tank just because another bottle is open, and close or store bottles according to their instructions after use.
Keep the bottle labels until the refill is complete so you can confirm the color and number if you need to pause. If you have more than one Smart Tank, check the model of the printer you’re refilling each time; a bottle that fits one model may not suit another.
What do HP Smart Tank ink yield estimates tell you?
Yield estimates give a rough way to compare bottle capacity, not a guaranteed number of pages. HP estimates up to 6,000 pages for an HP 32XL black bottle and about 8,000 color pages for the HP 31 3-pack.
Actual results vary with the content of your pages and other factors. Dense graphics and large areas of color can use ink differently from documents with mostly plain text.
The printer bundles also have different included-ink claims. HP describes the Smart Tank Plus 651 as including up to 2 years of ink.
HP describes the Smart Tank 5003 as including up to 3 years. Those bundle estimates don't tell you how long a replacement bottle will last in your home.
Some of the ink included with a printer is used to start it up. Don't assume a new printer's first refill interval will match the yield estimate for a replacement bottle.
For another refillable system, see how the Canon MegaTank G3270 and G3290 differ. Our home printer guide explains how tank printers compare with cartridge models.
Which HP Smart Tank ink should you choose?
Choose HP 32XL for a compatible black tank and HP 31 for compatible color tanks. The Plus 651 and Smart Tank 5003 use both, while the right choice for another Smart Tank depends on its exact model.
Buy the HP 31 3-pack if one or more color tanks need ink and your printer supports that bottle family. Choose HP 32XL when the black tank needs refilling; confirm model compatibility even if you already have an HP 31 bottle for the same printer.
Skip either bottle if you can't verify that the printer supports it. Check the model before checkout, and choose the matching ink color rather than buying a pack simply because the printer belongs to the Smart Tank family.
For HP Smart Tank ink, the decision is simple: match the printer model, then match the bottle to the tank color. If you're comparing refill systems across brands, our guide to Epson ET-2850, ET-3850, and ET-4850 differences covers another family of tank printers.
Frequently asked questions
Do HP Smart Tank printers use HP 31 ink?
Many HP Smart Tank printers use HP 31 bottles for cyan, magenta, and yellow, but compatibility depends on the printer model. The Smart Tank Plus 651, for example, uses HP 31 color bottles.
Check your model’s supported bottle numbers before you refill.
Which black ink bottle does an HP Smart Tank use?
The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 and Smart Tank 5003 use an HP 32XL black bottle with HP 31 bottles for cyan, magenta, and yellow. Other Smart Tank models may need a different match, so confirm the full model number before buying.
Can I use HP 31 ink in every Smart Tank printer?
No. HP 31 bottles are compatible with a range of Smart Tank models, but they aren't listed for every printer in the family.
Match your complete printer model to the bottle’s compatible models, and check whether you need black, color, or both.
How do I know when to refill my HP Smart Tank?
Refill when the printer indicates that a tank needs ink, using a bottle number and color that match that tank and printer. HP describes its bottles as plug-in refills that drain without squeezing.
Follow the printer’s refill instructions and stop if the bottle connection or color doesn't match.
