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HP Smart Tank 7301 — Inkjet EcoTank · 2022
HP

HP Smart Tank 7301

Inkjet EcoTank · 2022

84
/ 100
From $399
VS
HP Smart Tank 7301 wins by 2
Brother MFC-J4540DW — Inkjet AIO · 2023
Brother

Brother MFC-J4540DW

Inkjet AIO · 2023

82
/ 100
From $229
Specdex verdict

HP Smart Tank 7301 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, HP Smart Tank 7301 lands at 84 and Brother MFC-J4540DW at 82. That puts HP Smart Tank 7301 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick HP Smart Tank 7301 if…

  • ✓Wireless printing (most)
  • ✓Current-gen firmware
  • ✓Mature driver support

Pick Brother MFC-J4540DW if…

  • ✓Wireless printing (most)
  • ✓Current-gen firmware
  • ✓Mature driver support
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Quality

HP Smart Tank 7301

Compared on the quality sub-score

HP Smart Tank 7301 leads on quality (84 vs 82).

Reliability

HP Smart Tank 7301

Compared on the reliability sub-score

HP Smart Tank 7301 leads on reliability (82 vs 80).

Cost

Tie

Compared on the cost sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Brother MFC-J4540DW

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Brother MFC-J4540DW more score per dollar ($229 vs $399).

HP Smart Tank 7301 84
vs
82 Brother MFC-J4540DW

Score breakdown

HP Smart Tank 7301
84
speed 80
quality 84
cost 80
reliability 82
Brother MFC-J4540DW
82
speed 78
quality 82
cost 80
reliability 80

Specs side-by-side

HP Smart Tank 7301 versus Brother MFC-J4540DW — full spec comparison
Spec HP Smart Tank 7301 Brother MFC-J4540DW
Type
Inkjet EcoTank
Inkjet AIO
Release year
2022
2023

HP Smart Tank 7301

Pros
  • +Wireless printing (most)
  • +Current-gen firmware
  • +Mature driver support
Cons
  • −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
  • −Noisy under heavy loads
  • −Paper path varies

Brother MFC-J4540DW

Pros
  • +Wireless printing (most)
  • +Current-gen firmware
  • +Mature driver support
Cons
  • −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
  • −Noisy under heavy loads
  • −Paper path varies

FAQ: HP Smart Tank 7301 vs Brother MFC-J4540DW

Which is better, HP Smart Tank 7301 or Brother MFC-J4540DW? +

HP Smart Tank 7301 scores 84 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is HP Smart Tank 7301 worth the price? +

At $399, HP Smart Tank 7301 delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in quality.

Is Brother MFC-J4540DW worth the price? +

At $229, Brother MFC-J4540DW delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in quality.

Does HP Smart Tank 7301 or Brother MFC-J4540DW last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for quality, HP Smart Tank 7301 or Brother MFC-J4540DW? +

HP Smart Tank 7301 — leads on quality (84 vs 82). Compared on the quality sub-score.

Which is better for reliability, HP Smart Tank 7301 or Brother MFC-J4540DW? +

HP Smart Tank 7301 — leads on reliability (82 vs 80). Compared on the reliability sub-score.