HP Ink and Toner Cartridges: How to Choose Between Standard and High Capacity (XL) Options

If you’ve ever shopped for HP ink cartridges you’ve probably experienced this dilemma: what size cartridge do I need? I get this question from customers all the time, so I thought it was time I shared my advice with you all!

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Standard and High Capacity or XL cartridges—what they are, how many pages they’ll give you, and which type will save you the most in the long run.

Whether you’re printing work reports, family photos, or just the odd boarding pass, there’s a cartridge option that fits your needs—and your wallet.

Before we get stuck in to this blog feel free to read my previous blog on  HP Envy vs HP OfficeJet printers and which series is right for you.

Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

What is the difference between Standard and High Capacity (XL) cartridges?

So, you're probably wondering what the deal is with these different cartridge types – Standard and XL. Let’s break it down in a simple way.

Standard cartridges are the "regular" ones. They hold less ink, and naturally, print fewer pages. Think of them as your basic option, perfect if you don’t print a lot or just need ink for occasional use.

The XL cartridges are sometimes called “high-yield” or “high-capacity” but they actually all mean the same thing. These cartridges are filled with more ink or toner, allowing you to print a lot more pages than the standard versions.

But, how many pages are we talking about here? Well, that brings us to…

How many pages do HP printer cartridges yield?

Not all  HP toners cartridges last for the same amount of prints. To know exactly how long a cartridge will last, you’ve got to check the page yield – basically, the number of pages you can expect to print before the ink or toner runs out.

You'll find each and every HP cartridge has an estimated page yield provided by HP. But wait, there’s a catch! It's important to note that these page yields are based on a total page coverage of 5%. That simply means that only 5% of the page is covered. The image below gives you an idea of what 5% - 80% page coverage looks like:

So if you’re printing full-colour photos or text-heavy reports, you’ll end up going through cartridges far quicker than that estimated yield suggests. Still, it’s a handy way to compare how long different cartridges last. Let’s look at some examples!

Estimated page yield for standard cartridges

When you go for a standard HP cartridge, you can expect to print around 150 to 300 pages, depending on your model. For example:

• HP 304 Ink: Approx. 100-120 pages
• HP 301 Ink: Approx. 165-190 pages
• HP 305 Ink: Approx. 100-120 pages

Remember, this is based on that 5% coverage we talked about. If you print more than the typical school essay or invoice, your yield will be less.

Estimated page yield for XL cartridges

With XL or High Yield cartridges, you’re looking at a much bigger page yield – often two to three times more than the standard versions. Here’s a look at what you get:

• HP 305XL Multipack Ink (High Yield): Approx. 200-240 pages
• HP 207X Black Toner (High Yield): Approx. 3150 pages
• HP 304XL Colour Ink (High Yield): Approx. 300 pages

So, if you're a frequent printer or don’t want to be constantly replacing cartridges, XL is the way to go. You’ll pay a bit more upfront, but with the extra pages you get, it’s usually a better deal in the long run.

How to choose the right cartridge

Benefits of XL cartridges

Convenience

XL cartridges are all about convenience. Since they have a far higher capacity, you won’t need to change them as often. Perfect if you print frequently and want to avoid the hassle of constant replacements. Fewer trips to the shops mean less disruption to your day. Of course, you can also buy cartridges online from IJT Direct, which customers often find way more convenient!

Value for money

While XL cartridges cost more upfront, they usually offer a better cost-per-page than standard cartridges. You’re paying less per printed page, which means more bang for your buck in the long run. If you're printing regularly, the savings add up, making XL a more economical choice.

Less package waste

If you’re conscious of the amount of packaging you throw away, XL cartridges can reduce your environmental impact too. Since you’re not replacing cartridges as often, there are fewer plastics, cardboard, and physical cartridges to dispose of. Good for your wallet, and better for the planet!

Cons of XL cartridges

Possible consumable wastage

The biggest drawback to high capacity ink cartridges is that ink doesn't last forever. If you leave your cartridges in the printer for too long, the ink will dry up. And that’s true for any brand, not just HP. There is less of a danger of this happening with toner cartridges but it can still happen.

The other thing to keep in mind here is that the printheads can get blocked if they’re not used frequently. This happens when an inkjet printer hasn’t been used for a while and the residual ink dries up and clogs the opening.

Since the printhead is a part of the cartridge, you’ll usually need to replace the whole thing to fix the issue, which of course means any ink left in the cartridge is wasted. It's true that this can happen even with standard cartridges, but at least you’ll be wasting less than you would with an XL.

Higher upfront cost

While XL cartridges do offer better value for money in the long run, the upfront cost can feel like a bit of a splurge. If you're used to standard cartridges or are on a tight budget, it might not always be feasible to invest in an XL cartridge. Sure, they last longer, but sometimes you simply don’t have the extra cash.

If you’re struggling with cash flow, the standard cartridges might be better for you!

Common misconceptions

High capacity cartridges are too big for my printer

Ah, this one comes up all the time! People hear "XL" or "High Yield" and immediately think the cartridge must be the size of a brick, but that’s simply not true. The “XL” just refers to the amount of ink inside, not the size of the cartridge itself.

So, no matter what type of HP printer you have, no need to worry about whether it’ll fit—it’s designed to slot perfectly into the same spot as the standard one.

High capacity cartridges are only worth it for big offices

I get why people think this, but XL cartridges aren’t just for big offices cranking out thousands of pages. They can actually be cost effective for moderate users too.

Even if you're printing semi-regularly - say, a few reports for work, some photos for the family album, or the occasional project - an XL cartridge saves you time and money. It lasts longer, so you won’t have to run out to grab new ink every couple of weeks. You don’t have to be a printing powerhouse to reap the benefits!

High capacity cartridges have better quality ink

This is a big one, and sorry to burst the bubble, but no—the ink or toner in high yield cartridges is the exact same as in the standard ones. The only difference is you get more of it, which is what makes them last longer.

If you’re thinking the XL or high yield cartridge will give you sharper prints or richer colours than a standard cartridge, it’s just not the case. They’re all filled with the same good stuff—it’s just a matter of how much!

Final Thoughts

So, which cartridge should you go for? Well, it all comes down to how much you print and what you're looking for in terms of convenience and cost.

Some customers just use their printer as a ‘just in case’ - maybe for concert tickets, boarding passes or the odd document. This customer will get their photos printed by an online company or at a professional printing place and use their work printer for everything else.

If this sounds like you, go for the standard cartridge. Chances are, the XL one will dry up before you can use it and it’ll be a waste.

On the other hand, if you use your printer for anything more than those small jobs I talked about before, I’d strongly recommend going with an XL or high capacity cartridge. If you use your printer for work, school or creative projects, you probably print on almost a weekly (or daily!) basis.

Printing multi-page documents, photos or anything with a lot of colour is going to burn through a standard cartridge pretty fast. You’ll save yourself the time and money of constantly replacing cartridges by just going for the XL!

I hope this has cleared up any confusion between which size cartridge you should choose! If you’re looking to buy some more ink cartridges now, we sell both XL and standard sizes for a range of HP printers. Just get in touch! 

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.