Is HP Instant Ink A Good Deal or Not

TECH TIP: HP OfficeJet Printhead Cleaning: • HP OfficeJet Pro 8020 ...
---
One of the most common #printer related complaints is that ink is too expensive.
Is refilling your HP ink cartridges, purchasing aftermarket 3rd party cartridges or signing up for HP’s #Instant #Ink #program the better deal? Let’s look at the #HP Instant Ink program and real world numbers based on my own experience over the past few years.
So, is HP Instant Ink worth it?
People who buy an HP printer most of the time find the HP Instant Ink program thrust upon them since it’s now included as part of the default printer setup…most folks skip the research on what it really is along with the monthly bill that regularly hits your check book.
The HP Instant Ink program is #monthly #service jumping on the #subscription bandwagon (similar to Netflix, Amazon’s Subscribe-and-Save, etc.), and with it they are reinventing the way customers buy ink.
Instead of #buying and owning a #cartridge outright and printing when needed, Instant Ink requires that you pay to print a predetermined amount of pages each month depending on what package you choose. These are special ink cartridges that are loaded to the maximum amount of ink and only work with the printer once the HP Instant Ink program is initiated.
Instant Ink is offered at four different price points. Regardless if you print in #color or #black and white, any page that comes out of your printer counts as one print. If you don’t print your allotted page amount every month, HP rolls over a select number of unused pages.
What does HP Instant Ink Ready mean?
You’ll see the phrase “HP Instant Ink #Ready” on most HP printers out in the market today. This only means that the printer can take HP Instant Ink cartridges. Older HP models aren’t programmed to use HP Instant Ink cartridges so you can’t sign up for HP instant ink if it’s for use on older printer models. HP instant ink cartridges do not look like regular HP ink cartridges. Instant Ink cartridges are visibly bigger and contain more ink than standard and even high yield HP ink cartridges.
Replacement cartridges may take up to 10 days to arrive.
HP sends #replacement #cartridges via standard shipping, noting that it could take up to 10 days for a new set of cartridges to arrive. Luckily for most, the wait time probably won’t be quite that long. When tested, an order of instant ink cartridges arrived relatively quickly.
A printed page may not be what you expect.
HP defines a printed page as “a page upon which any amount of ink is placed by your printer” 2. Meaning if you print a page with just one line of text on it, it counts towards your monthly total.
Does HP Instant Ink really save money?
It depends on what you print and how often. If you are able to comfortably stay within HP’s monthly preset page limit and don’t mind being tied to the whims of their subscription service, it might make sense for you (Check out our customer comments at the bottom of this article!). Keep in mind, anything you print counts as one printed page, so if your printing needs change from month to month, you’ll need to stay on top your subscription and map out your expected print volume in advance.
Instant Ink is definitely cheaper than buying most original HP ink cartridges every few months, but if you print a lot, a laser printer or ink tank printer might be a better fit for you. Laser printers and ink tank printers can cost a bit more up front but they print thousands of pages and you don’t have to worry about counting each page.
Your printer must be connected to the internet to accurately monitor your use.
If you decide to terminate the program in the first year you will likely have to back pay for the first 3 or 4 months they provided you “the free ink”. Be forewarned and watch out for the fine print before you subscribe. Oh, these special “INSTANT INK” cartridges will need to be shipped back to HP, they cannot be refilled and will not function in the printer once the Instant Ink program is deactivated, however Instant Ink Ready cartridges can sometimes be refilled and will function in the printer…results will vary.
Based on my own experience and after being in the Instant Ink program myself for 3 years, if you only print one or twice a month, i.e. 15-20 pages, or only print for a major holiday or special event during the year, then you are far better off with #refilling your regular ink cartridges or purchasing #aftermarket 3rd party cartridges on-line from a reputable vendor. On the other hand if you run a business and print in excess of 600 pages/month on average, then moving to a black and white laser printer is usually the most economical choice.
---
TECH TIP: HP OfficeJet Printhead Cleaning: • HP OfficeJet Pro 8020 ...
For additional printer usage and troubleshooting tips, for example observed ‘cartridge problem’ or ‘printer failure’ errors, refer to my other videos.

[@homegrownpyrotechnics70-30]

I just don't like how they stop your printer from working even if you have plenty ink left. Just because you miss one monthly payment. You can't even use the ink you paid for prior to missing the payment! Really!! That right there makes it more of a scam in my opinion!! I'll be cancelling soon!

[@LaurralynMike]

Yes, most large companies (including Canon and Brother now) have migrated to subscription based ink programs these days. You could get aftermarket/3rd party cartridges (i.e. 123Inkjet), although you need to be careful since every so often HP will roll a new software/firmware version which requires new 'chip version code' in order for the cartridges to function correctly. ;). UH

[@bgregg55]

It's just another way to pick your pocket & most wont even realize it.

[@LaurralynMike]

Indeed, however the program does serve that customer segment that prefers not to go thru the hassle of shopping for cartridges & providing they only print inside the quantity levels as specified by the Instant Ink program they subscribed to (of course, you can easily upgrade or downgrade the program on the fly....I have done this and it works well for me at times). UH

[@LaurralynMike]

TIP: HP 902 Ink Cartridges - Printhead Cleaning Instructions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX-YgKKJjZiefLc

[@catherinekargher978]

The HP Printer Ink Class Action Lawsuit is Rose v. HP Inc., Case No. @-cv-02450-NC, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This printer will not print well if you don't sign up for the instant ink. The machine will waste ink and produce poor quality when you buy HP ink. I don't print much but ran out of ink within 2 months and the printing is poor quality. When used free 8 months of instant ink didn't go through much ink for that time and printing was good quality. However, the more you print the more you pay if you go over your months allotment. Would never recommend this product.

[@LaurralynMike]

Unfortunately, revolving monthly subscription-based programs seem to be dominating the landscape more and more. First Microsoft, then Adobe, Netflix (& many others) and now the home printer market. Regardless of what HP says, aftermarket ink cartridges will work just fine in the HP printer, you just need to disable the HP Instant Ink program and return all of the special 'Instant Ink' only marked cartridges. UH

[@Jedi-Nite]

I stayed with the free plan, since I barely print, $1 per 15 pages when I do print heavily is still cheaper over the year

[@LaurralynMike]

Free plan?..... you must be referring to the $2.99/month plan....correct? UH

[@vBDKv]

@@LaurralynMike I'm also on the free plan. It's 15 pages per month for exactly $0.0. I *think* I joined back in 2019 or 2020 - So naturally the free plan is long gone for new customers, however HP sent out an email that the free plan would still be active for the remaining life of the printer. I've personally saved a ton of money. It costs $1 for an extra 10 pages, and they do rollover indefinitely so that's nice.

[@taylorwaters13]

When I installed the 1st package of instant ink, the yellow ink ran out of the cartridge on my desktop & my hand. It still works in the printer, but I don't know for how long. When I bought the printer, I bought an extra package of ink, not knowing if I was going to sign up for instant Ink.

[@LaurralynMike]

Hello. Yes, you can install 'regular' or 'XL' cartridges (i.e. original cartridges from HP or aftermarket cartridges via on-line vendors) but be advised that the page count will still go against your monthly page allotment (for whichever plan you signed up for). With respect to the leaking ink cartridge, yup, better throw that one away! Good luck! :). UH

[@esexavo]

so basically they lock up your printer so that you cant print unless you pay them, they are so smart to lease their printers to paying customers.

[@LaurralynMike]

Well, yes and no. You can still install regular HP cartridges (or refilled / aftermarket cartridges) into the printer and it will function, with warning errors, but your pre-designated monthly page count will still go against you. :( UH

[@esexavo]

@@LaurralynMike so why sign up, giving up control as a customer and handing it over to corporations seems insane. crapple, john deere etc.. doing their best to bang customers while customers bend over and take it with out lube products O.o whats this about.

[@monique.110]

Just another subscription that you have to stay on top of when you need things printed, finding out how much you print... is it worth it? Can you downgrade? How good is the quality? Locks up when you do finally decide to cancel and didnt take out, and return the odd cartridge that still has ink in it! What a hassle when you are trying to cut all unnecessary costs and subscriptions.

[@LaurralynMike]

Yes, a few pluses but also a few negatives if you don't print that much. Good for some, but not good for others. UH

[@Ginam3939]

I just bought and set my printer today. I’m having a hard time understanding the ink subscription. Do I pay just the monthly fee only? Or do I pay that plus the Cost of the ink?

[@LaurralynMike]

Hi, just the monthly fee (i.e. $2.99 for 50 pages per month), no other charges incur unless you go over the additional 10 or 15 extra rollover pages they give you...then it's $1.00 for every 15 pages printed (in sets of 15). When the 'official' HP Instant Ink cartridges arrive you will be instructed to install them, system will recognise them - once these are used up you will be instructed to ship these particular cartridges back to HP in the provided plastic shipping pouch (prepaid). I do not believe the initial SETUP OR STARTER cartridges need to be shipped back to HP, so hang onto the original set. UH

[@aracelli3875]

@@LaurralynMike oh so if I have this plan I have to be careful counting the pages or just to put 50 pages on my printer so I don't want to use more than 50 pages and don't be charged extra right? Sounds good is like just to be careful not printing more than 50 pages

[@aracelli3875]

@@LaurralynMike oh but is only $1 for 10 or 15 pages is you rollover the 50 pages?

[@LaurralynMike]

@@aracelli3875 Yes, for the baseline plan ($2.99) you get 50 pages per month. Then at 51 pages, they automatically debit your card $1.00 for another 15 pages (or so). However, if you don't use all of your monthly page allotment of 50 pages, they will usually roll a portion of them over for use in the next month. The program works well if you stay close to your limits...cartridges are delivered relatively quickly and they provided a prepaid return box/cartridge envelopes for the used cartridges. :). UH