Can I use cheap ink in a HP printer?

25th Mar 2025
Simon Cross

If you've ever shopped for ink cartridges, you’ve likely noticed a wide range of prices. So, what’s the real difference, and why do some cost so much less? Let’s break it down.

What are the differences between HP and Non-HP Ink? 

Cartridges that come straight from the brand you got the printer, in this case HP, are what we call Original Equipment Manufacturer cartridges (OEM). 

OEM cartridges are often the most expensive option because a lot of printer brands make their money off profits from consumables, like cartridges, rather than profits from the actual printers themselves. They hope that customers get sucked into buying a cheap printer without checking the cost of replacing the ink. 

That’s where third party companies come in. They offer recycled HP cartridges at a significantly lower price than OEM ones - sometimes up to 80% lower. 

Recycled or remanufactured cartridges start as OEM cartridges that have been professionally cleaned, refilled, rechipped, and rigorously tested for performance. Instead of being thrown away after one use, these cartridges go through a high-quality refurbishing process to ensure they function just as well as brand-new ones.

Are Cheap Ink Cartridges Bad for Your HP Printer?

One of the biggest concerns people have when considering non-OEM ink cartridges is whether they will harm their printer. HP and other printer manufacturers are always warning against using third-party or recycled cartridges, claiming they can cause print quality issues, malfunctions, or even damage the printer itself. But is this really true?

HP wants you to stick with their ink 

HP, like many other printer manufacturers, follows a well-known business model: sell printers at a low cost and make profits on ink cartridges and toners. This is why genuine HP ink is so expensive, not because it is higher quality. 

In fact, HP were actually sued in 2020 for pushing an unauthorised update that prevented the use of non-HP ink in an attempt to monopolise the consumables market. Crazy stuff, right? Luckily, there was an easy work around to prevent any unauthorised updates from HP. 

Not All Third-Party Ink Is the Same

It’s true that some cheap, low-quality compatible cartridges can cause problems like leaking, clogging, and poor quality prints. Of course, this is bad for your printer. But that’s not the case with high-quality remanufactured cartridges from trusted suppliers (like IJT! ?)

My recommendation is that, whichever third-party supplier you go for, just make sure that you check out their reviews and warranty information. 

Buying reputable third-party ink isn’t bad for your printer

The bottom line is that reputable third-party suppliers, like IJT Direct, offer the same quality ink as HP’s, and the cartridges are just as reliable. If you’re still not convinced, just check out IJT’s reviews (also on Trustpilot) and you’ll see that plenty of happy customers agree that recycled cartridges are just as good as HP’s! 

If you’re worried about reliability, I can tell you that every one of our recycled cartridge goes through a lot of testing to make sure it is reliable and compatible with your printer. We even rechip them, which a lot of other companies don’t do. That’s why we offer an industry-leading 5 year warranty on all recycled cartridges and toners. 

In my experience, so many printer users fall for the trap of buying HP cartridges and waste a lot of money doing so. It’s important to me that I educate my readers so that they can make the best decision for themselves.

Benefits of Using Recycled HP Ink Cartridges in an HP Printer

So, now you know that using recycled printers won’t damage your printer, let me take you through a few of the benefits of using them over OEM. 

You save a lot of money

Okay, this one is obvious. Recycled cartridges offer very similar quality for about a third of the price! 

Recycled cartridges are more eco-friendly

Every time you use a recycled cartridge, you’re keeping plastic waste out of landfills and reducing your carbon footprint. Ink cartridges take hundreds of years to decompose, but remanufacturing gives them a second life and helps protect the planet. 

Find out more about the benefits of recycling cartridges here. 

Recycled cartridges can actually last longer than OEM

In most cases, recycled cartridges last longer than HP’s. For example, all our recycled inkjet and toner cartridges are filled as much as possible, whereas HP only partially fills their printer cartridges, especially those included with the printer.

Should You Use Recycled Ink in Your HP Printer?

Ultimately, the choice is up to you whether you use cheap ink or HP branded ink. Here’s what you should keep in mind.

HP cartridges are known for:

✔ Reliable performance – Less risk of print errors or compatibility issues.

✔ Warranty and support – HP provides customer service and guarantees on their products.

❌ Higher cost – You pay a premium for the brand name, often making these cartridges far more expensive than alternative options.

Recycled ink cartridges are known for: 

✔ Lower cost – A much more affordable option, especially for high-volume printing.

✔ Eco-friendly – Reduces plastic waste and keeps cartridges out of landfills.

✔ Comparable quality – Modern remanufacturing processes ensure crisp, vibrant prints.

✔ Warranty and support  – reputable third-party suppliers (like IJT Direct) offer guarantees on their cartridges

❌ Risk of choosing low-quality cartridges - there are a lot of third-party suppliers for HP recycled cartridges, so make sure you do your research to check that your purchase won’t disappoint. 

I hope this has given you the confidence to make a decision on where to buy your next cartridges for your HP printer! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.

And if you’d like to learn more about HP consumables, check out my blog on HP instant ink and whether it’s worth it. 

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.