# HP ink cartridges **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 9, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820 "2010-05-09T17:21:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/1 "2010-05-09T17:21:37Z")
Do remanufactured hp ink cartridges really use more ink so there is no significant savings when buying them, as HP claims? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/2 "2010-05-09T17:33:27Z")
I haven’t noticed that to be the case. I have had problems with refilled toner, though. The connections on the back of a cart wear out over time, though. I don’t know how many refills a cart is good for, nor if the company examines them. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/3 "2010-05-09T17:58:08Z")
It’s been YEARS since I used cartridge refills, but my experience at the time was that the cost savings were definitely there. The quality suffered, since I’d get an occasional page with streaking or misprints, but the ink usage definitely went down. I’ve heard from a few guys who use inkjet printers professionally or for serious hobbyist projects that the aftermarket ink systems save a bundle and print perfectly well. ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/4 "2010-05-09T18:18:47Z")
been refilling my laser jet hp printers for years with toner (and empty cartridges) bought online, the savings have been more than enormous. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@Simple\_Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Mind)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/5 "2010-05-09T23:10:55Z")
Hi, i am refilling my empty HP 60 Ink Jet cartriges at a local Store and the printing has been the same as with the original. The original HP cartrige cost 700.-Peso (i am in the Philippines) about 15$, the refill is 150.-Peso =3$ and now i bought a whole Bottle 100ml. of HP compatible Ink for 85.-Peso, 1.30$ which will give me 20 refills a 5ml. It’s a saving alright!!! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/6 "2010-05-10T16:17:00Z")
I tried to refill my HP inkjet cartridges, but my fancy new printer doesn’t recognize them after they’re refilled. Jerks. ETA: So to tie it back to the OP, I haven’t really noticed any difference in ink usage because the printer manufacturer has hamstrung me right out of the gate. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MsChilePepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MsChilePepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsChilePepper)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/7 "2010-05-11T09:35:21Z")
I have an HP PSC 1210 All-In-One, which is a great workhorse for my needs. I’ve tried remanufactured cartridges I bought at Staples or [Overstock.com](http://Overstock.com), and I’ve also tried having Walgreen’s refill the cartridges I took in. I had no success with any of them; couldn’t get the printer to work at all. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-ink-cartridges/538820/8 "2010-05-11T10:47:40Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I tried to refill my HP inkjet cartridges, but my fancy new printer doesn’t recognize them after they’re refilled. Jerks. > [@MsChilePepper](#): > > I’ve tried remanufactured cartridges I bought at Staples or [Overstock.com](http://Overstock.com), and I’ve also tried having Walgreen’s refill the cartridges I took in. I had no success with any of them; couldn’t get the printer to work at all. Many newer printers have logic in them that recognizes their brand of cartridges, and refuses to work with anything else. Even though the refilled/remanufactured/generic brand ink will be similar quality to the name brand ink. It’s a way for them to force you to buy their overpriced cartridges.