Original HP Printer Ink Cartridges (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth buying original ink cartridges? ›

No matter what you print we recommend using one original cartridge every 3-4 compatible sets to clean and lubricate your print heads. Normal-Frequently: compatibles will save you a huge amount of money. They typically contain more ink than originals, at a lower price, so your costs drop considerably.

Can you use generic ink in HP printers? Yes, you can use generic ink in HP printers. Try to disable the HP Cartridge protection as this will help with preventing the printers from being blocked with updates. On the printer menu, go to settings and you will see an option there for you to disable it.

HP effectively monopolized the aftermarket for replacement ink cartridges in violation of federal and state antitrust laws, which forced HP printer owners to purchase only HP-branded ink at high prices and lose the value of any non-HP branded replacement ink cartridges.

Will I get the same page yield and print quality as a name brand printer cartridge? Yes, an aftermarket cartridge from a reputable supplier will print the same number of pages and offer a similar print quality as a brand name cartridge.

Shelf Life of Sealed Ink Cartridges

Sealed ink cartridges, when stored properly, can have a shelf life of approximately 24 to 36 months from their manufacturing date. Numerous elements, such as the kind, producer, and storage circ*mstances, can impact an ink's shelf life.

Unfortunately, it is generally not possible to extract ink from one ink tank and transfer it to another in most consumer inkjet printers. The inks are specifically formulated for each color, and mixing them can result in poor print quality or damage to the printer.

These are known as 'compatible' or 'generic' ink cartridges. Compatible ink cartridges are usually much cheaper than the premium priced genuine cartridges. Compatible ink cartridges use brand new high quality ink which in a new casing.

Use the Manufacturer's Ink to Avoid Potential Problems

If you're considering using third-party ink cartridges in your HP printer, you're better off avoiding these alternatives. They're often of lower quality and are incompatible with your printer, potentially costing you more money and frustration in the end.

Why are genuine ink cartridges so expensive? ›

Supply & Demand

That's a lot of demand for printer ink. As a result, ink manufacturers can keep prices high because they know consumers have no other choice. Yes, there are compatible and remanufactured cartridges on the market, but the ink is of a much lower quality that can damage your printer.

Research and development are often cited as the main reason for the high cost of supplies for inkjets and laser printers. HP claims it invests $1 billion annually in ink research and development, holding 9,000 patents related to imaging and printing, including 4,000 for consumables like ink and cartridges.

Each remanufactured ink cartridge may not appear exactly like the originals, but they are fully compatible with the same printers, contain higher ink levels, and use the same high quality ink as the OEM.

But opting for third-party ink cartridges can do more harm than good. You might believe you're saving money by purchasing and installing a generic ink cartridge. But the potential damage these cartridges may cause could actually cost you more.

If you are going to be printing lots of pages regularly, high yield cartridges can offer significant cost savings. However, standard ink cartridges can be more practical for infrequent low-volume printing.

Genuine cartridges are where a manufacturer can make more of a profit. Since manufacturers invested so much into research and development of their products, they need to somehow make their money back. Compatible cartridges makers, on the other hand, don't have the same research and development costs on the line.