HP Ink Cartridges | Frequently Asked Questions
HP Ink Cartridges | A Comprehensive FAQ Guide
HP and HP inkjet printers absolutely dominate the ink cartridge and printer market so it's only natural that there would be lots of questions around HP ink cartridges.
Thankfully I can answer all the burning questions HP ink cartridges related so you can make IJT Direct your one and only place to go!
Q. What is the different between HP toner and ink cartridges?
A. Toner cartridges are filled with a powder ink and ink cartridges, as per the name, are filled with a liquid ink. You'll find ink cartridges used in inkjet printers and toner cartridges used in laser printers. Inkjet printers project small droplets of ink onto a sheet of paper where laser printers coat the toner power on to a special drum which rolls over the paper to produce the printed image.
Q. Why is HP printer ink so expensive?
A. This doesn't just fall at HP's door; most of the main manufacturers original ink cartridges are pricey.
The simple answer to this question is that those manufacturers such as HP are able to maximise their profits.
But doesn't HP also make money on their printers as well?
Actually no they don't. On the face of it why on earth would anyone sell their product for a loss, surely they won't be in business very long doing that. When you look at this a bit deeper it becomes obvious that the real money is in the consumables, the HP ink cartridges because they will be purchased more often and in greater volume.
The fact is HP knows most of their customers will generally tend to stick with OEM (original) ink. Sometimes this is out of buying habits, sometimes because of suggestions that only original ink will work and recycled/compatible ink is far inferior and will end up damaging the printer.
I know through experience that this isn't the case though and that recycled HP ink is a viable option that means saving money and not compromising on quality.
There is also the argument that using original ink will lead to less printer downtime. Again I know this not to be the case as regular use and maintenance keeps your printer in full working order. I delve in to plenty of detail on how an inkjet printer works in my blog that you can read for loads more information.
Are genuine ink cartridges worth paying extra for?
Original HP ink cartridges are worth buying, they definitely have their place and purpose but they are expensive because the manufacturers dictate it so.
Q. Can you use any ink cartridges in a HP printer?
A. The simply answer here is no, you can't use any ink cartridge in a HP printer.
Firstly you need to make sure you have the correct cartridge for your HP printer. For example if you're using the HP Envy 6452 All-in-One printer you'll only be able to use the HP 305 ink cartridges. The same can be said for the other 37 HP printer models that take the 305 inks.
What about recycled ink cartridges?
Provided you buy a recycled cartridge that is designed for your HP printer you'll be able to use it.
Q. Do off brand ink cartridges work in HP printers?
A. Not only is it ok to use off brand or 3rd party recycled ink cartridges, I encourage it. Many moons ago 3rd party ink simply didn't offer the same quality as genuine HP ink.
Thankfully technology has improved so much so that the ink is the same quality as original ink and the cartridge itself is an empty original that will have been deep cleaned and rechipped.
All in all you can expect the same performance now from a non HP ink cartridge that you would if you were to use a genuine HP ink cartridge.
There are other things to consider including shelf life, warranty and guarantee. Most reputable companies will be very specific about the cover they offer and more often than not it will be the same, if not better than the manufacturer. IJT for example guarantee their ink with up to a 3 year shelf life, offer a 12 month warranty and cover against any damages caused directly by their recycled HP ink cartridges.
By choosing to use recycled HP ink cartridges you'll also contribute to a positive change in the use of natural resources that are needed to manufacture genuine HP ink. View my bin or recycle blog for more information about why you shouldn't throw away your ink cartridges.
Q. What is the best printer in terms of ink cost?
A. There just isn’t a simple answer to this question. There are plenty of factors to consider and just one of those is remembering that you won’t be buying just one set of ink cartridges for your printer over its lifetime. Depending on how much you print, you’ll likely be purchasing several sets.
This makes the price of printer ink a crucial factor, as you will be paying for it repeatedly whenever you run low on ink. Over time, these costs can add up and may even exceed the initial cost of the printer. Therefore, it's important to consider the cost of ink when buying a printer. Find out what the best printer with cheapest ink is by reading further here so you can choose for yourself.
Q. How do I know what HP ink I need?
A. There are a few options here. The first thing to do is to check the empty cartridge for the series or serial number. If you still have the outer packaging that should also indicate what HP ink cartridge you have.
Our ink cartridge finder will identify which HP ink cartridge you need. All you need is your HP printer model and our cartridge finder will do the rest.
Q. How to connect HP printer to phone?
A. Depending on which HP printer you have there will be several options including Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, NFC and a USB OTG cable. For more information you check out my blog post all about how to connect your printer to you phone.
Q. Do HP printers work with compatible ink cartridges?
A. Yes more or less all printers, regardless of brand work with compatible ink cartridges, HP are no exception to the rule. What you may find is that if your existing HP printer is rejecting non-genuine HP inks a firmware update may be required or you need to disable the HP Cartridge Protection within the settings.
Disabling HP Cartridge Protection from your PC or laptop:
Printer Settings > Estimated Ink Levels > Open HP Toolbox > Cartridge Protection > Disable HP Cartridge Protection
Following these steps will either allow you to keep using or have the option to switch to cheaper recycled or compatible HP ink cartridges.
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.