Printer ink is an essential part of the daily routines in your home office or business. Yet, between constantly running out and spending a sizable chunk of your budget, printer ink feels like a constant frustration.
Printer companies like HP have created a possible solution to this issue in the form of XL cartridges. They offer hundreds more pages and value for money on the surface level. Are they really worth it, though? We’ll compare HP printer ink XL vs regular cartridges to find out.
XL cartridges offer better value for printing large amounts of pages and reduce the frequency of replacements. Regular cartridges have a cheaper upfront cost and are an excellent choice for low-volume printing.
By the end of this guide, you may need to switch to a different cartridge type for your HP printer. But what should you do with your unused and unwanted old cartridges?
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Benefits of Regular HP Printer Ink Cartridges
Regular HP ink cartridges are a trusted and reliable product. Companies and homeowners have relied on standard ink for decades, and HP has remained one of the top brands in the industry.
Lower Upfront Cost for Occasional Printing Needs
Price is integral for comparing HP printer ink XL vs regular cartridges. Regular-sized ink offers an affordable upfront cost relative to larger sizes. You get what you need without putting a massive hole in your budget, which gives you flexibility.
Better for Low-Volume Users or Infrequent Printing
More isn’t always better. HP’s regular ink cartridges offer a good page yield, making them suitable for occasional printing needs. A typical ink cartridge may provide around 100 to 200 pages.
This makes them an excellent choice for printing out the occasional recipe, directions, or form. It is essential to monitor your printing volume over time. Regular cartridges become less cost-effective as your monthly volume increases.
More Widely Compatible With Entry-Level HP Printers
Printers can be fickle in terms of ink compatibility. Many entry-level HP printers only accept standard ink. They won’t have a suitable slot for XL cartridges. This gives regular HP cartridges more versatility in the event you own multiple printers.
However, this isn’t always applicable to your situation. HP’s newer models tend to work well with both low-yield and high-yield cartridges. Research your specific model and all compatible HP cartridges to get a better idea of your options.
In niche cases, the opposite may be true – some enterprise models may only accept high-yield cartridges!
Benefits of HP Printer Ink XL Cartridges
Let’s shift our focus to the opposing side of the debate between HP printer ink XL vs regular cartridges. XL cartridges, also known as high-yield cartridges, offer extra value per page. They let you print more with fewer replacements.
XL is the go-to choice for business and home owners printing hundreds of pages per month. It’s easy to see why when you take a closer look at the benefits.
Lower Cost Per Page Over Time
XL cartridges make up for their higher initial cost by saving you money per page. Most stores list a price per page, allowing you to quickly verify that an XL cartridge will save you money in the long run compared to regular ink.
You often hit this break-even point around 200 to 300 pages. It’s like buying a 6-pack of soda compared to an individual bottle – higher cost upfront but better long-term value.
Reduced Cartridge Replacement Frequency
Swapping out old cartridges can disrupt your workflow. You don’t want to fumble around with ink when you’re trying to quickly print out an order for your business or a boarding pass the day of your big vacation.
XL cartridges require less frequent replacement than standard ink cartridges. You typically get 2 to 3 times the printing volume, providing a convenient solution for managing ink.
Ideal for Offices, Families, and High-Volume Users
Which side of the HP printer ink XL vs regular cartridges debate is right for you? You don’t have to be a megacorporation to take advantage of the value of XL ink. Printing any more than a couple of hundred pages every few months is enough for you to get value out of XL ink.
XL is convenient and saves money for medium-volume families and small businesses. Additionally, XL cartridges are essential for high-volume users, such as photographers and large offices.
HP Printer Ink XL vs Regular: Key Differences to Consider
Now that you know how each type of ink works individually, let’s compare them directly.
This comparison applies to most printer ink brands with high-yield options.
For example, there are several similarities between Canon vs HP printer ink. A high-yield cartridge from either brand will consistently deliver better value per cost than a low-yield cartridge.
Page Yield Comparison
The primary difference between XL and regular ink cartridges is the number of pages each can produce. You may see this referred to as page yield.
XL cartridges deliver 2 to 3 times the page volume of standard cartridges. For example, the HP63 color cartridge prints 150 pages, while the HP63XL color cartridge produces 300 or more.
You may notice higher ratios between black and white cartridges. The 63 standard line produces 170 black pages, while the 63 XL can reach 430 black pages, which is nearly three times the yield.
Price Difference
Let’s look at prices. How much does an ink cartridge cost compared to an XL model?
The HP printer ink XL vs regular cartridges debate isn’t just about upfront cost. XL takes the lead when you consider the cost over time. They are often 2 to 3 times cheaper per page than standard ink.
This can create an exponential gap in cost as you increase printing volume. For example, the HP63XL has an average price of $0.23 per page, while the HP63 costs $0.27 per page. The 63XL costs a little less than double up-front.
Once you reach 1,000 pages, you’re saving $40 compared to standard ink. At 10,000 pages, that number increases to $400 saved.
For a standard home, you may not see those cost savings for years. Conversely, a high-volume office setting may hit 10,000 pages within a few weeks.
However, upfront cost does matter. You want to be budget-conscious where possible. A home office that prints a few pages per year doesn’t need an XL cartridge – the ink may dry out and expire before you even finish it all.
Cartridge Size and Printer Compatibility
You also need to consider your specific printer model. Some printers may be incompatible with regular or XL cartridges. Entry-level HP printers are the most susceptible to this issue, as they often lack the space to accommodate XL ink cartridges. Conversely, some high-end enterprise printers require high-yield cartridges.
Be sure you know how to change ink in an HP printer as well. XL cartridges generally follow the same process, but they may require a slightly different process for installation and replacement. Ask HP customer support for help as needed.
Instant Ink and Subscription Contexts
Subscription ink has become a popular option in recent years. HP’s Instant Ink program is a prominent example. You pay a monthly fee for a certain number of pages, which saves you from having to order ink yourself or visit a store.
Instant Ink offers extra convenience, but it can overlap with XL cartridges. You receive fresh ink from HP when you’re running low. Regular cartridges are just as convenient in a subscription model as XL ink.
However, you still have to deal with higher ink costs per page. Plus, there are additional subscription fees that can further increase your price per page. We recommend sticking with XL ink cartridges for the best cost savings.
Environmental Impact
Fewer cartridges create less waste. XL cartridges last longer than standard ink cartridges. You lower the amount of plastic in the trash and have fewer shipping boxes or trips to the store. XL cartridges are the better option for the planet and your own peace of mind.
Is it Worth Buying HP XL Ink Cartridges?
We’ve gone through the entire comparison between HP XL and regular ink. Should you make the switch?
In most cases, our answer is yes. XL ink cartridges offer better value per page. They require fewer frequent replacements and have a better environmental footprint.
However, there are a few scenarios where regular ink wins out. Low print volumes of fewer than 100 pages per year are better suited to regular ink. XL ink’s higher upfront cost doesn’t start paying itself off until around 200 pages.
Additionally, some printer models may not be compatible with XL cartridges. This is especially true of HP’s entry-level line. It’s critical to research your ink options to ensure you find a suitable cartridge.
Tips on Finding the Right Ink Cartridge For Your HP Printer
Before you rush to upgrade your ink cartridges, let’s show you how to find the right fit for your specific model.
Using the Cartridge Number
Every HP ink cartridge has a unique number that you can use to determine its compatibility. For example, the HP63 line works with more than 20 different models, including the DeskJet, ENVY, and OfficeJet lines.
Cross-verify your printer number with the numbers on the ink cartridge, and you should be all set.
Check the Printer Compatibility Chart
Another way to check compatibility is to research your model online. HP has a printer compatibility chart for each of its models. You can look for specific ink lines to see if they match up with your model.
It’s essential to look for both regular and XL cartridges here. Don’t just take the ink cartridge number at face value – HP63 and HP63XL are not interchangeable with every model.
Consider Instant Ink vs Buying Individual Cartridges
HP’s instant ink subscription model helps you bypass all the legwork of researching ink compatibility. You can sign up for their service and have them send you the exact ink you need without fuss.
However, this comes at an extra subscription cost, so we encourage you to perform your own research.
Parting Thoughts on HP Printer Ink XL vs Regular
Printer ink is expensive. You want to take advantage of any cost savings you can find to get the most value for your dollar. XL cartridges offer a better cost per page, are more eco-friendly, and require fewer replacements.
The only question is – what do you do with your unused regular cartridges after making the replacement? The great news is that you can sell ink cartridges online!
Selltoner.com is the #1 ink and toner reverse logistics company with over 600 5-star reviews. We buy all unused ink and toner from every major brand, including HP, Epson, Dell, Brother, and Canon. We give you fast offers on your ink at the best rates.
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