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HP Ink Tank / Smart Tank Printer Power Consumption: How Many Watts Do HP Ink Tank Printers Use, and What Size Inverter or Generator Is Required?

HP Ink Tank and newer HP Smart Tank printers are widely used in homes, small businesses, schools and offices because they provide low printing cost per page ...

Bison Technical Team Enterprise IT specialists

Updated 21 Aug 2026 19 min read 0 total views

HP Ink Tank and newer HP Smart Tank printers are widely used in homes, small businesses, schools and offices because they provide low printing cost per page while consuming comparatively little electrical power.

One of the most common questions when installing these printers in locations having frequent power cuts is:

Can an HP Ink Tank or Smart Tank printer be operated from an inverter, UPS or generator?

In most cases, yes.

In fact, an ink-tank/inkjet printer is generally much easier to operate from an inverter or generator than a laser printer because it does not contain the high-power fuser heater found in laser printers.

This difference is extremely important when calculating backup-power requirements.

1. HP Ink Tank vs HP Smart Tank – Understanding the Terminology

HP has sold refillable ink-tank printers under different product families.

Older models may carry names such as:

HP Ink Tank 115
HP Ink Tank 310 series
HP Ink Tank 315
HP Ink Tank 319
HP Ink Tank Wireless 410 series
HP Ink Tank Wireless 419

Newer generations are primarily sold under the HP Smart Tank brand, including models such as:

HP Smart Tank 520
HP Smart Tank 525
HP Smart Tank 580
HP Smart Tank 585
HP Smart Tank 670 series
HP Smart Tank 720
HP Smart Tank 750
HP Smart Tank 790

Exact model availability varies by country and over time.

2. How Much Electricity Does an HP Ink Tank Printer Use?

There is no single wattage applicable to every HP Ink Tank or Smart Tank printer.

Power consumption also changes according to the operating state.

A printer may have several electrical states:

Printer State	Typical Meaning
Off	Printer connected but manually switched off
Sleep	Printer powered but in low-power sleep
Ready	Printer awake and waiting
Printing	Printhead and paper-feed mechanism operating
Scanning	Scanner mechanism operating
Copying	Scanner and printer working together

HP's published specifications for current Smart Tank models demonstrate just how low their idle electrical consumption can be.

For example, HP specifies the Smart Tank 580 at approximately 0.109 W in manual-off, 3.023 W ready and 1.096 W sleep.

For the Smart Tank 520, HP lists approximately 0.11 W manual-off, 2.588 W ready and 0.984 W sleep.

These figures should not be misunderstood as the maximum electrical load during active printing. Motors, printhead electronics, Wi-Fi, scanner and other components can cause active consumption to be higher.

3. Popular HP Smart Tank Models and Published Power Figures

The following table provides useful examples based on HP specifications.

HP Printer	Type	HP Published Power Information
HP Smart Tank 520	All-in-One	2.588 W Ready, 0.984 W Sleep, 0.11 W Manual-Off
HP Smart Tank 580	Wireless All-in-One	3.023 W Ready, 1.096 W Sleep, 0.109 W Manual-Off
HP Smart Tank 720	Duplex All-in-One	2.00 W Sleep, 0.10 W Off
HP Smart Tank 750/720 family	Duplex All-in-One	Around 2.00 W Sleep, 0.10 W Off on cited configuration
HP Smart Tank 790	AIO with ADF/Fax	1.10 W Sleep, 0.1 W Off on cited configuration

HP's Smart Tank 720 specifications, for example, state an input requirement of 100–240 VAC ±10%, 50/60 Hz ±3 Hz, with approximately 2 W sleep consumption and 0.10 W off consumption.

The Smart Tank 790 is a more feature-rich unit with print, copy, scan, fax, ADF, automatic duplex, Wi-Fi and Ethernet; HP's cited specification lists approximately 1.10 W sleep and 0.1 W off.

Important: Specifications can vary by exact model number, SKU, region and revision. Always check the rating label and HP specification sheet for the exact printer being installed.

4. Why an Ink Tank Printer Uses Much Less Power Than a Laser Printer

This is the most important technical distinction.

Laser Printer

A laser printer normally contains a fuser assembly.

The fuser heats to a high temperature so toner can be permanently fused to the paper.

Consequently, a laser printer can suddenly demand hundreds of watts while printing.

This can cause problems for:

small UPS systems,
undersized inverters,
low-capacity generators,
poor-quality modified-wave inverters,
heavily loaded electrical circuits.

Ink Tank / Inkjet Printer

An ink tank printer does not require a high-temperature toner fuser.

Its major electrical loads are generally:

printhead electronics,
printhead carriage motor,
paper-feed motor,
control electronics,
display/control panel,
Wi-Fi module,
scanner lamp/sensor and motor in AIO models,
automatic document feeder where provided.

Therefore, its electrical requirement is dramatically lower than that of a typical laser printer.

5. Can an HP Ink Tank Printer Run on an Inverter?

Yes. HP Ink Tank and Smart Tank printers can generally be operated from a properly designed inverter.

Because their power requirements are relatively small, even a normal home or office inverter usually has ample capacity for the printer itself.

However, inverter capacity is not the only consideration.

The quality of the AC output also matters.

6. Pure Sine Wave Inverter Is Recommended

For computers, printers, routers and other electronic equipment, a pure sine wave inverter is preferable.

A good-quality pure sine wave inverter produces AC power that more closely resembles utility mains power.

Benefits include:

better compatibility with electronic power supplies,
lower electrical noise,
reduced possibility of buzzing,
better operation of motors,
less stress on power-supply components,
better compatibility with computers and other office equipment.

A modified sine wave inverter may operate some printers successfully, but it is not the preferred choice when purchasing a new inverter specifically for IT equipment.

7. What Size Inverter Is Required for One HP Ink Tank Printer?

This question needs to be understood carefully.

You should not buy an inverter based only on the printer's sleep or ready wattage.

For example, seeing 3 W in an HP specification does not mean that a 10 W inverter would be appropriate.

The inverter needs sufficient capacity for:

active printer operation,
temporary peaks,
power-supply losses,
other connected equipment,
future expansion.

For a standalone Ink Tank/Smart Tank printer, the printer itself is normally such a small load that inverter sizing is usually determined by the other equipment connected to the inverter.

Practical Recommendation

For a normal workstation consisting of:

HP Smart Tank printer,
desktop/laptop,
monitor,
router/ONT,

a 600 VA to 1 kVA pure sine wave inverter/UPS may be a practical starting range depending on the computer's actual consumption.

For an office with several devices, calculate the total load instead of selecting capacity based on the printer alone.

8. Example Inverter Load Calculation

Suppose an office has:

Equipment	Assumed Running Load
Desktop PC	150 W
LED Monitor	30 W
HP Smart Tank Printer	Allow 30 W for sizing
Router + ONT	20 W
Miscellaneous allowance	20 W
Total	250 W

Add approximately 25% headroom:

250 × 1.25 = 312.5 W

Therefore, an inverter capable of comfortably supplying more than 313 W continuously would be required.

A quality 600 VA or larger unit may be suitable depending upon its actual rated watt output.

Remember:

VA and watts are not necessarily the same.

Always check the manufacturer's rated W output, not just the VA number.

9. Can HP Ink Tank Printers Run on a Generator?

Yes.

HP Ink Tank and Smart Tank printers can normally operate from a generator provided that the generator supplies voltage and frequency within the printer's acceptable limits.

For example, HP specifies a broad input range of approximately 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz for several current Smart Tank models.

This wide-range power supply makes these printers relatively tolerant of normal regional mains differences.

However, it does not mean they should be connected to a generator producing unstable or excessively high/low voltage.

10. Generator Capacity Required for an HP Ink Tank Printer

If the generator is powering only the printer, virtually any normal small household/office generator with stable output should have more than enough wattage capacity.

The more important question is:

What else is connected to the generator?

For example:

Device	Example Load
Desktop computer	150 W
Monitor	30 W
Smart Tank printer allowance	30 W
Router	10 W
ONT	10 W
Two LED lights	30 W
Total	260 W

Adding 25–30% reserve gives approximately:

260 × 1.30 = 338 W

Even then, a generator should not normally be selected at the absolute calculated minimum. Starting loads from fans, refrigerators, pumps, compressors and other devices connected to the same generator must also be considered.

11. Generator Quality Is More Important Than Printer Wattage

A 2 kVA generator with poor voltage regulation can potentially be worse for electronic equipment than a smaller but well-regulated generator.

Look for:

stable output voltage,
correct frequency,
AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation),
proper earthing,
good-quality wiring,
correct neutral/earth arrangement,
surge protection where appropriate.

An inverter generator generally provides particularly clean power suitable for sensitive electronics.

12. Should We Use a UPS Between Generator and Printer?

It can be beneficial, particularly in an office.

A practical arrangement is:

Generator → UPS/Inverter → Computer + Printer

The UPS provides continuity while:

utility electricity fails,
generator starts,
generator stabilizes,
mains returns,
generator shuts down.

This can prevent interruption during an active print job.

However, UPS compatibility with generator output should also be checked because some UPS units reject generator input if voltage or frequency fluctuates excessively.

13. HP Smart Tank 580 Example

The HP Smart Tank 580 is a popular wireless refillable-tank multifunction printer.

HP specifies approximately:

Manual Off: 0.109 W
Ready: 3.023 W
Sleep: 1.096 W

It accepts approximately 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz according to HP's specifications.

Therefore, the Smart Tank 580 is a very small electrical load compared with a desktop PC or laser printer.

A normal home inverter that is already capable of running a computer generally has little difficulty accommodating this printer, provided sufficient unused capacity remains.

14. HP Smart Tank 520 Example

HP specifies the Smart Tank 520 at approximately:

Manual Off: 0.11 W
Ready: 2.588 W
Sleep: 0.984 W

Its specified supply range is approximately 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.

Again, this demonstrates the extremely low standby consumption of modern ink-tank printers.

15. HP Smart Tank 720 Example

The Smart Tank 720 includes features such as automatic duplex printing.

HP lists approximately:

Off: 0.10 W
Sleep: 2.00 W

with a 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz input specification on the referenced model.

Automatic duplexing and other mechanical operations may increase active consumption temporarily, which is why inverter calculations should never be made using sleep wattage alone.

16. HP Smart Tank 790 Example

The Smart Tank 790 is a more sophisticated office-oriented model.

It can include:

printing,
copying,
scanning,
fax,
automatic document feeder,
automatic duplex printing,
Wi-Fi,
Ethernet.

HP's specification for the referenced Smart Tank 790 configuration lists approximately:

Off: 0.1 W
Sleep: 1.10 W.

Even this feature-rich ink-tank machine remains dramatically different electrically from a laser printer containing a high-power fuser heater.

17. Standalone Ink Tank vs All-in-One Power Requirement

A standalone printer only performs printing.

An All-in-One may perform:

printing,
scanning,
copying,
faxing,
ADF operation.

Therefore, an All-in-One can have additional electrical loads.

However, these additional components generally consume relatively little power compared with the heating system of a laser printer.

For practical inverter sizing, the difference between an Ink Tank standalone printer and Ink Tank AIO is usually much less significant than the difference between Ink Tank and Laser technology.

18. Ink Tank vs Laser Printer – Inverter Perspective

Characteristic	Ink Tank / Inkjet	Laser
High-temperature fuser	No	Yes
Typical electrical requirement	Low	Significantly higher
Startup/printing surge	Relatively small	Can be substantial
Small UPS compatibility	Generally better	Often problematic
Home inverter compatibility	Generally excellent	Requires careful sizing
Generator requirement	Small	Higher capacity advisable
Battery backup duration	Generally longer	Shorter for same battery
Power quality importance	Important	Important

This is why an inverter that comfortably operates an Ink Tank printer may not necessarily operate a laser printer.

19. Never Size an Inverter Using Sleep Wattage

This deserves special emphasis.

Suppose HP specifies:

Sleep = 1.1 W

That does NOT mean:

"The printer needs only a 2-watt inverter."

Sleep consumption only describes the low-power state.

During printing, paper movement, carriage movement, printhead firing, Wi-Fi activity and control electronics are operating.

Always provide sufficient headroom.

20. Suggested Practical Inverter Capacities

These are conservative system-planning recommendations, not HP-mandated ratings.

Installation	Practical Starting Point
Smart Tank printer only	Small UPS/inverter with comfortable watt headroom
Laptop + Smart Tank	600 VA class or above
Desktop + Monitor + Smart Tank	600–1000 VA depending on PC
Two PCs + Printer	1 kVA+ after actual load calculation
Small office equipment	Calculate combined wattage
Multiple computers/printers	Professional load calculation recommended

A pure sine wave design is preferable.

21. Battery Capacity Is Different from Inverter Capacity

Users frequently confuse these two specifications.

Inverter VA/W Rating

Determines how much equipment can operate simultaneously.

Battery Ah Rating

Primarily influences how long the equipment can operate.

For example, increasing from a 100 Ah battery to 200 Ah generally increases backup duration, but it does not automatically increase the inverter's maximum output rating.

22. Approximate Battery Backup Calculation

A simplified calculation is:

Battery Energy (Wh) = Battery Voltage × Battery Capacity (Ah)

Example:

12 V × 100 Ah = 1,200 Wh theoretical

But the entire 1,200 Wh should not be treated as usable AC energy.

Losses occur because of:

inverter efficiency,
battery characteristics,
discharge rate,
battery age,
wiring losses,
permitted depth of discharge.

Therefore, actual backup time will be lower.

Because Ink Tank printers consume relatively little power, the computer often dominates total battery consumption.

23. Example: Laptop + Smart Tank

Assume:

Laptop = 65 W
Printer sizing allowance = 30 W
Router = 10 W

Total:

65 + 30 + 10 = 105 W

With 30% headroom:

105 × 1.30 = 136.5 W

Therefore, the printer itself presents no major inverter-sizing challenge.

Battery runtime will depend primarily upon the laptop's actual consumption and battery/inverter configuration.

24. Example: Desktop + Smart Tank

Assume:

Desktop = 200 W
Monitor = 35 W
Printer allowance = 30 W
Router = 10 W

Total:

275 W

Add 30% headroom:

275 × 1.30 = 357.5 W

A UPS/inverter capable of delivering comfortably more than 358 W would therefore be desirable.

This is why checking the inverter's actual watt rating is important.

25. Do You Need a 1 kVA Inverter Just for an Ink Tank Printer?

Usually, no.

A 1 kVA inverter would be excessive if literally nothing except one small Ink Tank printer were connected.

However, users generally connect:

computer,
monitor,
router,
printer,
CCTV,
lights,
network switches,
other office equipment.

Therefore, 800 VA, 1 kVA or larger systems are often selected based on the combined office load, not because the Ink Tank printer itself requires that much capacity.

26. Is a 600 VA UPS Enough?

For the printer alone, generally yes from a capacity perspective.

For printer + computer, it depends.

A 600 VA UPS may have an actual output rating somewhere substantially below 600 watts.

Therefore, check:

UPS VA rating AND UPS watt rating.

For example, never automatically assume:

600 VA = 600 W

The actual specification of the particular UPS determines the usable watt capacity.

27. Can a Smart Tank Printer Damage an Inverter?

Under normal conditions, no.

A properly functioning HP Smart Tank printer represents a comparatively light electronic load.

Problems are more likely to result from:

overloaded inverter,
poor-quality inverter output,
defective inverter,
loose electrical connections,
low/high voltage,
incorrect earthing,
damaged printer power supply,
severe electrical surges.

28. Can an Inverter Damage the Printer?

A correctly functioning, good-quality inverter should not.

However, poorly regulated or defective equipment could produce:

excessive voltage,
abnormal waveform,
frequency instability,
spikes,
electrical noise.

Therefore, use a reputable inverter/UPS, preferably pure sine wave.

29. Can a Generator Damage an HP Ink Tank Printer?

A correctly functioning generator should not.

The risks occur when generator output is unstable.

Examples include:

sudden over-voltage,
under-voltage,
unstable frequency,
poor AVR performance,
heavy motor loads causing voltage dips,
improper grounding,
sudden switching transients.

This is why sensitive IT equipment should preferably receive stable, regulated power.

30. Generator + Refrigerator + Printer Example

Imagine a generator supplying:

computer,
Smart Tank printer,
refrigerator,
air cooler,
fans,
lights.

The printer may be one of the smallest loads.

The refrigerator compressor could create a much larger starting surge.

Therefore, generator capacity must be calculated for all connected equipment, particularly devices containing compressors or large motors.

Do not size the generator based only on the printer.

31. Should We Connect the Printer Through a Surge Protector?

A good surge-protection device can provide an additional layer of protection where mains or generator quality is questionable.

However, surge protection is not a substitute for:

proper earthing,
correctly regulated voltage,
quality UPS/inverter,
generator AVR,
proper electrical installation.

32. What Happens During a Power Failure While Printing?

If the printer loses power during printing:

the current print job may stop,
paper may remain inside,
the computer may report a printing error,
the job may need to be resent.

An inverter or UPS prevents this interruption by maintaining power.

This is particularly useful in business environments.

33. Recommended Power Arrangement for a Small Office

A practical arrangement can be:

Utility Mains
↓
Quality UPS / Pure Sine Wave Inverter
↓
Computer + Monitor + Router + HP Smart Tank Printer

If generator backup is also installed:

Utility / Generator Changeover
↓
UPS / Inverter
↓
IT Equipment

This provides a much smoother transition during power failures.

34. Important Difference from HP Laser Printers

Users should never assume that because an inverter runs an HP Smart Tank printer, it will also run an HP LaserJet.

A Smart Tank printer might represent only a small additional load.

A laser printer's fuser, however, can create a substantial instantaneous demand.

Therefore:

Ink Tank inverter sizing and Laser printer inverter sizing should be treated separately.

35. Recommended Rule for Offices

When installing an HP Ink Tank/Smart Tank printer on backup power:

Find the exact printer model.
Check the electrical label on the printer.
Check HP's official specifications.
Calculate the computer load.
Add monitor load.
Add router/network equipment.
Add printer allowance.
Include any other devices.
Add approximately 25–30% capacity headroom.
Select a good-quality pure sine wave UPS/inverter.
Calculate required battery backup time separately.

36. Important Note About Manufacturer Specifications

HP itself warns on applicable specification pages that power requirements depend on the country/region in which the printer is sold and that operating voltages should not simply be converted, as inappropriate voltage can damage the printer and affect warranty coverage.

Therefore, always follow the rating label and documentation supplied with the exact printer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How many watts does an HP Ink Tank printer consume?

It varies by model and operating state. Modern HP Smart Tank printers have extremely low sleep/ready consumption. For example, HP specifies the Smart Tank 580 at approximately 3.023 W ready and 1.096 W sleep. Active printing consumption is higher, so do not use the sleep figure for inverter sizing.

Q2. Can I use an HP Ink Tank printer on an inverter?

Yes. HP Ink Tank/Smart Tank printers can generally be operated from a properly sized, good-quality inverter.

Q3. Which inverter is best for an Ink Tank printer?

A pure sine wave inverter is preferable for computers, printers and other electronic equipment.

Q4. Is a 600 VA inverter sufficient for an HP Smart Tank printer?

For the printer itself, normally it provides ample capacity. If a computer and other devices are connected, calculate their combined load and check the inverter's actual watt rating.

Q5. Can I use a 1 kVA inverter?

Yes. A 1 kVA inverter provides substantial capacity for a Smart Tank printer and may support other devices as well, subject to its watt rating and total connected load.

Q6. Does an HP Smart Tank require a special inverter?

Normally no. A good-quality pure sine wave home/office inverter is generally suitable.

Q7. Can an HP Smart Tank run on a generator?

Yes, provided the generator produces stable voltage and frequency within the printer's electrical requirements.

Q8. What generator capacity is required?

The printer itself represents a relatively small load. Generator sizing should normally be based on the total connected equipment rather than the printer alone.

Q9. Is a 1 kVA generator enough for an Ink Tank printer?

From the printer-load perspective, generally more than enough. But other connected loads and their startup surges must be included.

Q10. Does an Ink Tank printer have a large startup surge?

It generally has a much smaller electrical demand than a laser printer because there is no high-power fuser heater.

Q11. Why does a laser printer require a larger inverter?

Laser printers use a heated fuser to bond toner to paper. That heater can require substantial power during printing.

Q12. Does scanning increase power consumption?

Yes, somewhat, because the scanner electronics and mechanism operate. However, it is still generally a relatively small load.

Q13. Does copying use more electricity?

Copying activates both scanning and printing mechanisms, so consumption can be higher than idle operation.

Q14. Does Wi-Fi increase printer electricity consumption?

Slightly. Wireless circuitry consumes some power, but it is a small part of the overall load.

Q15. Can I connect the printer and computer to the same inverter?

Yes, provided their combined load remains within the inverter's continuous watt capacity with adequate headroom.

Q16. Is modified sine wave safe?

Some equipment may operate on modified sine wave output, but pure sine wave is preferable for computers, printers and sensitive electronic equipment.

Q17. Is pure sine wave compulsory?

Not necessarily for every printer/power supply, but it is the recommended choice when selecting backup equipment for IT systems.

Q18. Can I run the printer from a normal home inverter?

Generally yes, provided the inverter is functioning correctly and has sufficient spare capacity.

Q19. Does battery Ah determine whether the printer will work?

Not directly. Inverter watt/VA capacity determines how much load can operate, while battery Ah primarily affects backup duration.

Q20. Will a 150 Ah battery run an Ink Tank printer?

Yes, when paired with a suitable inverter. Actual backup duration depends on all connected loads, inverter efficiency, battery condition and allowable depth of discharge.

Q21. Can I connect an HP Smart Tank 580 to an inverter?

Yes. Its electrical requirement is relatively low. HP specifies approximately 3.023 W ready and 1.096 W sleep for this model.

Q22. Can Smart Tank 720 work on an inverter?

Yes, assuming a compatible, adequately sized inverter and correct voltage.

Q23. Can Smart Tank 790 operate from generator power?

Yes, provided the generator produces stable, correctly regulated power.

Q24. Do I need an AVR for a generator?

A generator with good automatic voltage regulation is preferable when operating computers, printers and other electronic equipment.

Q25. Should I use a UPS between generator and printer?

It can be beneficial because it provides continuity during generator startup/changeover and can help isolate equipment from brief disturbances.

Q26. Can a voltage fluctuation damage the printer?

Severe over-voltage, under-voltage or repeated unstable power can potentially damage electronic equipment.

Q27. Can I connect a printer to a computer UPS?

Usually yes if sufficient watt capacity is available. Calculate the combined PC, monitor and printer load.

Q28. Why shouldn't I calculate inverter capacity from the 1 W sleep rating?

Because active printing requires more power than sleep mode. Sleep consumption represents only the printer's low-power idle state.

Q29. Is an Ink Tank printer better than a laser printer for inverter use?

From an electrical-load perspective, generally yes. Ink tank printers typically place a much smaller demand on backup power systems.

Q30. What is the safest recommendation?

Use a quality pure sine wave UPS/inverter, keep at least 25–30% capacity headroom, ensure proper earthing, and verify the exact printer's voltage and power requirements from its rating label and HP documentation.

Conclusion

HP Ink Tank and Smart Tank printers are among the easier printers to operate from inverter, UPS and generator power because their electrical requirements are relatively small.

Modern models such as the HP Smart Tank 520, 580, 720 and 790 demonstrate very low sleep and standby consumption in HP's published specifications.

The key point, however, is:

Do not select an inverter according to the printer's 1–3 watt sleep/ready specification alone.

Instead calculate:

Computer + Monitor + Printer + Router + Other Equipment + 25–30% Safety Margin

For most home and small-office installations, the Ink Tank printer itself contributes only a small portion of the overall inverter or generator load.

A 600 VA–1 kVA quality pure sine wave UPS/inverter is often a practical range for a single-computer workstation, but the correct size depends on the total connected load and the unit's actual watt output.

For generators, available wattage is normally not the primary concern for one Ink Tank printer. Voltage stability, frequency stability, AVR quality, earthing and total generator load are more important.

Finally, always verify the exact electrical specifications printed on the printer's rating label because model, SKU and regional electrical requirements can differ.

Disclaimer

The wattages, load calculations and inverter/generator capacities discussed in this article are intended for technical guidance and educational purposes. Exact power consumption varies by printer model, operating mode, regional version and connected equipment. Before installing a printer on an inverter, UPS or generator, verify the manufacturer's specifications and consult a qualified electrical/UPS professional where necessary.