Answering common buyer questions: which ink cartridges deliver reliable print quality, good yield, and compatibility across popular HP and Canon printers? This guide highlights five well-matched options. Best for home offices needing steady color and daily document printing; better for students who print occasional color photos; choose this if you own an all-in-one printer; avoid this if your device is not on the compatibility list. Each option is evaluated for compatibility, yield, and practical limitations to help you pick confidently.
| Product | Brand | Printer Compatibility | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 64 Black & Tri-Color Ink Cartridges (Combo Pack) | HP | Inspire 7950e, Envy Photo 6200/7100/7800, Tango | Black ~200 pages, Tri-Color ~165 pages |
| HP 67 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridges (2-Pack) | HP | DeskJet 1255/2700/4100; Envy 6000/6400; DeskJet Plus 4122/4132/4155 | Standard yield per cartridge varies by color |
| HP 67XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge | HP | DeskJet 1255/2700/4100; Envy 6000/6400 Series | Higher yield than standard HP 67 |
| HP 62 Black Ink Cartridge | HP | Envy 5540/5640/5660; OfficeJet 5740/8040 | Approximately 200 pages |
| Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Value Pack (2 Cartridges) | Canon | iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 | Black ~100 pages, Color ~100 pages |
HP 64 Black & Tri-Color Ink Cartridges (Combo Pack)
Best for mixed print tasks on HP Inspire and Envy/Tango series. The combo pack includes black and tri-color cartridges designed to work with listed HP models. The yield is about 200 pages for black and 165 pages for tri-color, offering balanced cost per page for typical home use. This option is ideal for households that print both documents and photos occasionally. Caution: only compatible with specifically listed models; using with unsupported devices may affect print quality.
HP 67 Black/Tri-Color Ink Cartridges (2-Pack)
Best for staple home printers like DeskJet 1255/2700/4100 and Envy 6000/6400. The 2-pack provides both black and color cartridges, with reliable HP-engineered performance for everyday documents and basic color prints. The listing notes broad compatibility, which helps reduce guesswork. Limitation: yields vary by color and usage, so occasional color-heavy printing will consume ink faster.
HP 67XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge
Best for high-volume printing users with DeskJet 1255/2700/4100 and Envy 6000/6400 series. The XL designation offers a higher page yield than standard HP 67 cartridges, which can lower the cost per page for busy households or small offices. Caution: yield estimates are approximate and depend on print content and frequency; high photo usage may consume color faster than expected.
HP 62 Black Ink Cartridge
Best for older Envy 5540/5640/5660 and OfficeJet 5740/8040 models. The HP 62 provides reliable black text on standard paper and is commonly used in business-like document printing. Limitation: color cartridges are not included in this option, so you’ll need separate color cartridges for color prints, increasing total cost if you print color often.
Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Value Pack
Best for Canon printers like iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320. The two-cartridge set includes black PG-243 and color CL-244, offering a ready-to-use solution for printing documents and images. Caution: lower yields per cartridge (~100 pages each) compared to some HP options, so more frequent replacements may be needed with heavy use.
Canon PG-275 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge
Best for Canon TS3520/3522, TR4720/4722, TS3720/3722 printers. The PG-275 yields about 100 pages and is designed to work with compatible Canon models for crisp text and reliable performance. Choose this if you own newer Canon all-in-ones and want authentic Canon internal-grade ink. Limitation: lower page yield means more frequent replacements for high-volume print tasks.
HP 923 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink Cartridges 4-Pack
Best for OfficeJet 8120 and OfficeJet Pro 8130-series printers. The 4-pack covers black and color inks, offering a complete color set for office-level color printing. Caution: higher total upfront cost may be a consideration for very light color that only requires occasional prints; verify exact model compatibility to avoid waste.
Buying Guide
Key purchase considerations for ink cartridges include compatibility, yield, and cost-per-page. Ensure the cartridge is listed as compatible with your exact printer model to avoid printing issues. Consider the page yield relative to your typical usage, especially if you print documents daily or photos weekly. For mixed color and black printing, a multi-pack can reduce per-page costs and ensure you always have the right cartridge on hand. Instant Ink eligibility matters for HP users who prefer cartridge subscription pricing and auto-shipping workflows. For Canon printers, consider genuine Canon inks for color accuracy in photos and documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does “yield” mean on an ink cartridge? – Yield indicates the approximate number of pages the cartridge can print before needing replacement, based on standard printing conditions.
- Are third-party cartridges safe for HP and Canon printers? – Third-party cartridges may work, but compatibility, print quality, and warranty implications can vary. Use authentic or well-reviewed cartridges from reputable brands when in doubt.
- Can I mix brands in a single printer? – It is best to use cartridges from the same brand and compatibility list for each printer to avoid performance issues.
- What is Instant Ink and who should use it? – Instant Ink is a subscription program by HP that auto-ships ink based on usage. It is suitable for users with predictable printing and consistent color needs.
- How do I know which cartridge to buy for my Canon printer? – Check your printer model in the Canon compatibility list and match it to the cartridge part number recommended by Canon for that model.
- Do these cartridges affect photo print quality? – Some brands and models are optimized for text, while others are designed for color photos; choose accordingly for photo-heavy printing.