Printer ink is a considerable expense that rapidly accumulates. Your affordable $200 printer costs you that same amount every few months in ink – or more, depending on your model.
Canon and HP printers are two of the most popular brands in the industry, each with different ink pricing models. You’ll need to understand the differences in HP vs Canon printer ink cost to get the most value for your money in the short- and long-term.
We’ll show you the intricacies behind the Canon vs HP printer ink cost debate. You’ll learn the differences between upfront cost and prices over time so you can save more money with every page you print.
Feel free to chat with our team here at Selltoner.net after you finish this guide. We’re happy to answer any questions on topics like ink compatibility, what to do with unused cartridges, and how to choose the right model for your home or office.
Overview of HP Printer Ink
We’re going to dive deep into the Canon vs HP printer ink cost debate in this guide. However, you’ll need to know how each brand approaches ink before comparing the two.
HP, or Hewlett-Packard, is one of the giants of the printing industry. They sell a range of printer models from basic home office machines to enterprise solutions. You can find their printer ink everywhere, from office supply stores to some local pharmacies or grocery stores.
HP ink cartridges rely on smart chip technology. This is a double-edged sword for you as a customer. It helps promote better print quality, but also prevents you from using off-brand ink. That means you can’t try to save money with a generic brand.
HP Ink cartridges offer both standard and high-yield setups. The former can give you 2-300 pages, while the latter can go up to 800.
Overview of Canon Printer Ink
Let’s look at the other half of the Canon vs HP printer ink cost debate. Canon is a Japanese brand with worldwide renown. They got their start in camera equipment, later expanding into the world of office supplies.
That legacy of photography remains in their products today. Canon printers and ink offer some of the best color accuracy. Some of their models, like the PIXMA line, use multiple color cartridges for vibrant photo prints.
The multi-cartridge setup lets you replace ink individually, which can save you money in the long run. Standard Canon cartridges last for around 200 pages, while high-yield cartridges can reach 600. That’s slightly below HP ink.
Canon also has standard inkjet and laserjet models without the added complexity, so that you can find the perfect printer for your needs.
We mentioned that HP printers only use their brand inks. But is the opposite true? Can you use HP ink in a Canon printer, or any other type of generic ink?
The answer is also typically no. Each brand uses unique cartridges. Try to jam the wrong brand into your model, and you could void your warranty and damage the printer.
That means that regardless of which brand you choose, you’re stuck with their cartridges. Therefore, you need to compare HP vs Canon printer ink costs before you buy.
HP vs Canon Printer Ink Cost
So, which printer has the cheapest ink? It’s not as simple as looking at price tags to find a winner between Canon vs HP printer ink costs. You need to explore the long-term effects of ink prices, including cost per page, replacement frequency, and payment plans.
Cost Per Page Comparison
Price per page is an essential metric to understand when comparing Canon vs HP printer ink costs. Every single sheet that goes through your printer uses ink, which brings you closer to the next refill.
HP’s black-and-white ink cartridges usually last longer than Canon’s for similar printer models. HP gets around $0.08-$0.10 per page, while Canon is in the $0.10 to $0.12 range.
Color cartridges can flip the dynamic. Canon’s multi-cartridge setups allow for dynamic ink usage. You don’t need to throw out a tri-color cartridge just because all of the blue ink is gone – you simply replace the single container.
That can make Canon’s color cartridges cheaper than HP over time. However, HP is overall more affordable, especially with black-and-white use cases.
Ink Longevity and Frequency of Replacement
Longevity is another vital factor in the Canon vs HP printer ink cost debate. This is where the initial price tag may hide the actual cost. You might pay more up front for an HP cartridge, but get 200 extra pages.
HP ink lasts longer than Canon ink for black-and-white printing. Each brand’s standard models sit in the 200-page range, with a slight edge to HP. High-yield or XL cartridges for HP last up to 800 pages, while Canon’s equivalent only go to 600.
That means you’ll replace Canon cartridges 25% faster than HP, which means extra money spent. For example, printing 4800 pages a year will require 8 Canon cartridges but only 6 from HP.
However, Canon makes up for it with its PIXMA line. You can get more efficiency out of your color cartridges by only replacing the empty cartridges. It still requires replacement, but you can save money over the long term.
Upfront Printer Cost vs Long-Term Ink Cost
Canon vs HP printer ink costs are an essential choice. You can’t just look at the initial sticker price of your model and go for the cheapest option. Ask yourself: how much does an ink cartridge cost for this brand? What’s the cost per page you will pay?
Canon and HP’s printer models have similar prices. You can find entry-level home office models for $200 or less, and enterprise machines over $1,500.
Ink is the difference maker. HP ink is more expensive for color printing, while Canon ink is more expensive for black-and-white printing.
Third-Party Ink Compatibility and Savings
Can you use HP ink in a Canon printer or vice versa? What about generic brands?
Both brands are difficult to use with generic ink. HP uses smart chips and internal software. Many of their printers won’t even start with third-party ink. This encourages better print quality but also locks you into high prices.
Canon is slightly more forgiving, but you still can’t use HP ink in most of their machines. Using non-OEM cartridges is frowned upon and can void your warranty, but it might be worth the potential cost savings.
Third-party ink can cost less than 50% of OEM ink. We recommend you research your specific model and consider all the risks to minimize potential damage.
More Things to Consider in Comparing Canon and HP Printer Ink
HP vs Canon printer ink costs are relatively comparable. HP ink is cheaper for black-and-white document printing, while Canon is more efficient for color, especially with photo prints.
But there’s more to consider before you buy a new printer, which can impact your ink costs and overall user experience.
Print Quality Differences
Beyond Canon vs HP printer ink costs, you need to know what to expect in terms of printing results. HP and Canon are both massive brands with an excellent reputation, but each one excels in different areas.
HP printers are the classic workhorse models. They are ideal for office settings, outputting crisp and sharp documents. HP colors are good, but not the best available.
Canon’s photography roots are clear as day in their print quality. Canon models produce vibrant tones and smooth gradients. The PIXMA line is one of the best overall choices for professional photographers, marketers, and other creatives.
Subscription Plans
Subscriptions are a new twist on the Canon vs HP printer ink cost debate. HP created Instant Ink in 2013. It is a per-page subscription model that delivers ink directly to your door. HP Instant Ink has one significant drawback, however – you can’t keep your ink once you cancel. Your printer will reject the ‘expired’ ink due to the intelligent chip technology.
Canon has PIXMA Print Plan, a similar subscription model. You pay a monthly fee depending on your print volume. You get a set amount of ink (and pages) per month, plus a small rollover amount.
Canon’s ink carts are not usable after cancelling the subscription, just like HP Instant Ink. We recommend buying cartridges individually for either brand. The subscription services lead to unusable old cartridges or running out of pages.
Once you determine your typical monthly printing volume, you can always set up delivery through an office supplies store to replicate the value of a subscription without the extra baggage.
Ink Waste and Cleaning Cycles
Printers run cleaning cycles frequently to prevent clogging and buildup. Cleaning frequency strikes a careful balance. Clean too little and you will experience nozzle blockages, clean too much and you’ll waste ink.
HP falls on the ‘too little’ side. It won’t clean as frequently, which can save you ink. You can always manually run a cycle to help prevent clogs.
Canon runs cycles more often than HP does. Your printhead will remain clean, which helps create those vibrant prints. However, this will also waste ink even if you aren’t using it often.
Availability and Accessibility of Refills
It might always seem like you run out of ink at the worst possible time. Having quick access to refills can be a lifesaver for your business or home office.
HP is the most convenient option. Their ink is everywhere, including places you may not expect, like pharmacies and grocery stores. Canon is widely available, too, though not quite as common as HP.
You may need special orders for either brand if you’re using a printer for specialized purposes. For example, high-end photo-quality ink may leave you waiting on a delivery.
Another consideration is ease of use. Thankfully, learning how to change ink on Canon printers is just as easy as figuring out how to change ink in HP printers. You just pop open your printer, remove the old ink, and follow the instructions and graphics to place the new cart.
Both brands have reliable customer support teams to help you with any questions you may have, whether that be ordering refills or figuring out how to use your printer.
Can You Use HP Ink in a Canon Printer or Vice Versa?
Can you use HP ink in a Canon printer to save money? What about third-party ink?
Printer ink costs are expensive, and you want to save money wherever possible. But the truth is that each printer brand is incompatible with the other. The cartridges won’t physically fit. You also can’t pour ink from one brand into another’s container.
The chemical properties are too different from one another. Using the wrong ink can lead to poor print quality, damage, and voided warranties. Both brands have some third-party options. Newer HP models are more likely to reject non-OEM ink due to their smart chip technology. Canon is more flexible, but it will still give you some trouble.
Closing Thoughts on Canon vs HP Printer Ink Cost
Ultimately, HP and Canon are both fantastic options for home and office printing. Cost is a crucial factor to weigh when deciding between the two brands.
HP is better for black-and-white documents and text printing. It’s cheaper per page and has better availability. Conversely, Canon is the better option for color printing due to its multiple cartridges and vibrant photo quality. Canon also has slightly better compatibility with third-party ink.
Consider long-term costs per page rather than just the sticker price. The cheaper brand may end up costing you more in the long term due to ink waste, higher cost per page, or upkeep problems. This approach gives you a more accurate picture of your costs.
Printer ink is expensive, no matter how you slice it. It makes it all the more frustrating when you’re sitting on a pile of unwanted ink cartridges after switching brands.
Did you know you can sell ink cartridges for cash? Selltoner.net is the #1 ink and toner reverse logistics company in the world. We buy unused ink cartridges from all major brands, including HP and Canon, as well as Brother, Konica Minolta, Epson, Dell, and more. We give you instant cash offers and even pay for the shipping.
Whether you’re upgrading printers or switching to third-party ink, we’ll help you recoup value on your unwanted ink. Talk to our team today to get a free quote!
