HP Smart Tank Plus 551 Ink Bottles
Your HP Smart Tank Plus 551 uses the 31XL, 32XL ink bottles. We have been supplying replacement consumables for this printer since Jul 2025, helping small businesses maintain an uninterrupted workflow. This high-capacity tank system requires bulk ink replenishment rather than traditional cartridge swaps. Our 4.8 Google Star rating shows that our customers consistently receive high-quality cartridges backed by reliable performance.
Expected page output and replenishment cycles
Refill ink bottles offer vast printing intervals compared to standard cartridges. HP measures these ink bottle yields using the ISO/IEC 24711 standard for continuous inkjet printing, ensuring consistent tracking across text and graphics.
What to know about compatible options
Choosing compatible refill bottles significantly reduces ongoing printing costs without impacting performance. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. Every compatible bottle delivers the same capacity as its genuine counterpart. For an in-depth look at how these options compare, view our genuine vs compatible cartridges comparison guide.
Managing print head replacements
In addition to refill bottles, this printer utilises individual M0H50AA and X4E75AA print heads to transfer ink onto the page. Over extended use, these components can wear down or clog.
Experience Tip: If you notice horizontal banding even after refilling your tanks, running a print head alignment or cleaning cycle through the software often restores crisp lines before a physical replacement is required.
Best way to stock your printing supplies
If you primarily print multi-page text documents, keeping an extra 32XL black bottle on hand prevents unexpected downtime. For teams printing full-colour brochures or flyers, a full multi-pack ensures you do not get caught short when one colour depletes. All compatible alternatives come backed by a money-back guarantee, which you can review in our returns policy. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply). We ship directly from our local warehouses in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to ensure prompt arrival of your HP ink bottles.
Pro Tip
Always wait until the ink level falls below the lower line on the physical tank window before refilling, but never let it empty completely, as drawing air into the internal ink lines can damage the print heads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix a genuine black ink bottle with compatible colour bottles in the tanks?
Yes, each tank is entirely independent. Pouring compatible ink into one tank will not affect the chemistry or performance of the genuine ink residing in the adjacent chambers.
Why is my printer showing an ink low warning after I just refilled the tank?
Unlike traditional cartridges with built-in microchips, tank printers often rely on internal electronic counters or manual confirmation. You may need to access the printer menu or software to manually reset the ink levels after a top-up.
How do I know whether I need to replace the M0H50AA print head or just refill the ink?
If the external ink reservoirs are visibly full but your pages are completely blank or severely streaked after multiple deep clean cycles, the physical print head nozzles have likely reached the end of their operational lifespan.
