Quick takeaway
HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw leads this matchup 0 to 0 on measured spec rows and by 100 points overall. HP Smart Tank 7301 is also about $140.00 cheaper at the latest tracked price.
HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw vs HP Smart Tank 7301
Choose HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw if...
Pick HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw if its current price, brand, or design fits your shortlist better than HP Smart Tank 7301. It currently costs about $140.00 more, so make sure those wins matter to you.
Choose HP Smart Tank 7301 if...
Pick HP Smart Tank 7301 if its current price, brand, or design fits your shortlist better than HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw.
Side-by-side specs
This is the raw comparison view. It is there for the rows that actually decide the purchase, not just the headline winner badge.
Performance
| Spec | HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw | HP Smart Tank 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Print Speed | Up to 30-40 ppm | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi | - |
Display
| Spec | HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw | HP Smart Tank 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | - | Black 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi; Color 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi color (When printing from a computer and 1200 input dpi) |
Connectivity
| Spec | HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw | HP Smart Tank 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity Technology | - | Wireless |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AirPrint | - |
Dimensions
| Spec | HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw | HP Smart Tank 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Item Dimensions D X W X H | - | 14.33"D x 16.83"W x 9.46"H |
| Paper Size | - | 3 x 5 to 8.5 x 14 Inches |
General
| Spec | HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw | HP Smart Tank 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| ASIN | - | B09CJ2V6WM |
| Built In Media | - | HP Smart Tank 7301 All-in-One Printer; HP 32XL Black Original Ink Bottle; HP 31 Cyan Original Ink Bottle; HP 31 Magenta Original Ink Bottle; HP 31 Yellow Original Ink Bottle; Ink caution flyer; Setup guide; Reference guide; Regulatory flyer; Power cord |
| Color Pages Per Minute | - | 9 ppm |
| Compatible Cartridge | - | HP 32XL 135-ml Black bottle (~6000 pages), HP 31 70-ml Cyan bottle (~8000 pages), HP 31 70-ml Magenta bottle (~8000 pages), HP 31 70-ml Yellow bottle (~8000 pages) |
| Compatible Devices | - | Laptops, PC, Smartphones, Tablets |
| Controller Type | - | Amazon Alexa, Android, Hand Control, iOS |
| Duplex | - | Automatic |
| Initial Page Print Time | - | A4 Black 14 sec; A4 Color 16 sec Seconds |
| Ink Color | - | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow |
| Item Type Name | - | Inkjet Printer |
| Max Printspeed Monochrome | - | 15 ppm |
| Maximum Print Speed (Color) | - | 9 ppm |
| Other Special Features Of The Product | - | Auto Document Feeder, Borderless Printing, Display Screen, Double Sided Scanning, Refillable Ink Tank |
| Print Media | - | Card stock, Envelopes, Glossy photo paper, Labels, Paper (plain) |
| Printer Output | - | Color |
| Printing Technology | - | Inkjet |
| Scanner Type | - | ADF, Flatbed |
| UPC | - | 195908302407 |
| Brand | HP | - |
| Category | Printer | - |
| Color | Color | - |
| Type | Color laser | - |
Other
| Spec | HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw | HP Smart Tank 7301 |
|---|---|---|
| Model Name | - | ST 7301 AIO |
| Model Series | - | Smart Tank 7301 |
| Warranty Description | - | One year limited hardware warranty from the date of purchase; user replaceable parts have separate warranty periods. |
| Warranty Type | - | Limited Warranty |
The verdict
Based on 34 spec comparisons plus user ratings, the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw comes out ahead with a stronger overall score.
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Comparison FAQ
These answers explain how the score is built, when the lower-scoring option still makes sense, and what to confirm before you buy.
What is the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw vs HP Smart Tank 7301 score measuring?
VSFinder compares 34 visible spec rows, then blends those wins with current price and Amazon rating signals so the page reflects both raw specs and real shopping context.
When does the lower-scoring option still make sense?
The lower-scoring model can still be the better buy if the few areas where it wins line up with how you shop. That matters most when those wins cover the exact features you care about more than the overall leader.
What should I confirm before I buy?
Confirm the live Amazon listing for price and availability, then double-check the few spec rows that matter most to your use case. We currently track $389.99 for HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw and $249.99 for HP Smart Tank 7301.