HP 564 Black Ink Cartridge Review: Worth It? 7.5/10
A “250-page” cartridge that some people say dies after 50–75 prints sets the tone for how polarizing the HP 564 Black Ink Cartridge feels in real life. Across major retail sites, the cartridge maintains strong average ratings—Amazon lists it around 4.4–4.5 stars with thousands of reviews—but a recurring undercurrent of frustration centers on lifespan, price, and confusing product variants. Verdict from the data: reliable print quality when it works, but value depends heavily on usage patterns and whether you buy the right black cartridge. Score: 7.5/10 based strictly on aggregated user sentiment.
Quick Verdict
Conditional yes.
| What users like | What users dislike |
|---|---|
| Clean, “pure black” text and photos | Page yield often below HP’s 250-page claim |
| Easy install and recognition in compatible printers | High cost per page vs. third-party ink |
| Genuine OEM reliability vs. knockoffs | Occasional defective or “dry on arrival” cartridges |
| Multipacks convenience | Confusing “photo black” vs. regular black labeling |
A large share of Amazon and Best Buy buyers describe the cartridge as dependable and straightforward. A verified buyer on Amazon wrote: “Easy to install… good quality… works great.” Another Amazon reviewer emphasized authenticity: “Real deal… so much better than the knock-off.” But a noticeable minority say the cartridge empties too quickly or arrives faulty. One Amazon verified buyer complained: “After 77 colored pages… black ink level as low… I printed less than a dozen all black documents.”
Claims vs Reality
HP’s marketing leans on three promises: about 250 pages per standard black cartridge, “up to 2x more prints than refill cartridges,” and “dependable performance.” Official listings for the HP 564 Black Ink Cartridge repeat a ~250-page yield and stress reliability.
Digging deeper into user reports, yield is the biggest reality check. A reviewer (from Amazon, also surfaced in community feeds) said: “I am experiencing roughly 50–75 prints before the printer tells me it’s time to replace the cartridge… HP advertizes up to 250 yield. I’m getting nowhere near that claim.” Another Newegg buyer echoed a similar theme: “Printed a few pages… only lasted a few months, and I rarely print.” While HP rates the cartridge for ~250 pages, multiple users report running out far earlier, especially if they print images or mixed content.
The “2x more prints vs refills” claim is harder for users to validate directly, but several comments imply a preference for OEM despite cost. One Amazon reviewer said: “Works as expected and so much better than the knock-off. Some things are just worth it.” However, others feel price overwhelms any advantage. A Best Buy customer summarized it bluntly: “HP ink, but ink is too expensive everywhere.”
Finally, “dependable performance” lands as a split experience. Many users say it installs easily and prints consistently. Yet defect stories recur in review analysis and retail feedback. A Best Buy reviewer reported: “All the colors worked except for black… it does not work… very disappointed.” The ReviewIndex snippets also capture users saying “the ink was dry and did not work” or “there was no ink in it.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
One recurring pattern emerged around print quality. Users who get a good cartridge tend to describe deep blacks and crisp text. An Influenster reviewer highlighted the tone: “A pure black colour, not grey or mucky colour, just pure black colour.” For home-office users printing forms or schoolwork, that steadiness matters; they don’t want streaks or fading on important pages. Another verified buyer on Amazon kept it simple: “Just what I needed… easy to install.”
Ease of installation and compatibility in supported printers is another near-universal positive. Multiple Amazon buyers mention that it “worked great” right away, and Best Buy reviews often echo “easy to order online and have delivered” and easy setup. For casual printers—people who print “those occasions when something needs to be printed”—this low-friction experience is a key reason they stick with OEM cartridges.
A third praised theme is trust in genuine HP ink. Several users contrast OEM with cheaper third-party replacements, even if they resent the price. An Amazon reviewer wrote: “Real deal… so much better than the knock-off.” Another Best Buy buyer noted reliability versus other stores: “We’ve purchased from other big box stores and found inferior to Best Buy… our ink stays good until used up.” For users who print infrequently, avoiding clogs or drying out is part of that trust.
Common Complaints
Longevity complaints show up everywhere, particularly about black ink draining faster than expected. The harshest account comes from Amazon feedback: “Replacing these cartridges way, way too often… roughly 50–75 prints.” A verified Amazon buyer similarly said the black level dropped after minimal black-only printing. These stories matter most for high-volume users—students, small offices, or anyone printing daily—because yield shortfalls translate straight into high running costs.
Price frustration is tied to that yield gap. Even positive reviewers often insert a cost caveat. One Influenster user praised performance but added, “the price is in my eyes too high… I must print a lot.” A Best Buy reviewer put it more plainly: “Ink is too expensive everywhere. Would love a lower price.” When people feel they are paying premium prices for inconsistent lifespan, satisfaction drops sharply.
Defective or dry cartridges are another repeated complaint, though clearly a minority compared to the total review volume. The ReviewIndex quotes capture users saying “black is dry,” “dried up when it arrived,” or “this cartridge is empty.” Best Buy includes an explicit failure story: “All the colors worked except for black… are these cartridges brand new?” These experiences disproportionately affect low-frequency users who may install a cartridge weeks after buying it.
Divisive Features
The most divisive issue isn’t the ink itself but product labeling around “photo black” vs regular black cartridges. On HP’s support forum (captured under Twitter/X reactions), multiple users vent about buying the wrong black cartridge despite matching “564” on the box. One user wrote: “Why are there 2 types of 564 black cartridges?… there is nothing in the manual that states the difference.” Another added: “If it is a 564 XL, then it should fit… HP shouldn’t package stuff like that.” For owners of printers that only accept the standard black (not photo black), this confusion leads to wasted money and lost goodwill.
At the same time, some buyers never encounter this, especially if they order by exact part number online. Those users focus on “works as described” and don’t see the numbering problem. The split is sharp: users who buy in-store without guidance feel burned, while online OEM buyers report smooth experiences.
Trust & Reliability
Scam or “used cartridge” worries come up in retail reviews and aggregated analysis. Best Buy’s low-rating example asks, “Are these cartiages brand new? Or do they fill the used one.” ReviewIndex snippets include comments like “there was no ink in it,” and “the ink was dry.” These aren’t dominant themes in raw star averages, but they create a background anxiety that some shipments may be old stock or mishandled.
Long-term durability stories are mostly about shelf life and drying. Some users say HP ink holds up if you don’t print often. An Influenster reviewer noted: “I don’t print too often, and find that they also do not dry out.” Best Buy buyers similarly say their ink “stays good until used up.” In contrast, others report cartridges failing after sitting unused. The reliability narrative is therefore conditional on storage time and usage frequency.
Alternatives
Competitors only appear implicitly in user chatter. Several people threaten switching brands after cartridge confusion. One support-forum user said: “Next time… I’ll just… buy another brand of printer.” Another wrote: “Next printer? not hp for sure!” No specific competitor model is named in the data, so the only alternative path captured here is brand switching driven by frustration with HP’s cartridge ecosystem, not a clearly preferred rival.
Third‑party compatible cartridges are also discussed indirectly. Some users compare OEM to “knock-offs,” with one Amazon reviewer saying OEM is “worth it.” Yet price-sensitive buyers in eBay listings show a thriving market for cheaper compatibles and expired stock, implying a common workaround for cost issues. The data doesn’t provide specific third‑party brand endorsements, only the general tradeoff between OEM trust and cheaper refills.
Price & Value
Official pricing on HP’s store lists the standard black around $19.99, with multipacks higher. eBay market snapshots show genuine 564 black cartridges often reselling in the $5–$15 range, including many “expired” or open-box listings. That resale spread reinforces why some users hunt for discounts, but also increases the chance of old stock and the “dry on arrival” complaints.
Value depends on whether you hit HP’s rated yield. When users get close to 250 pages, they call it fair. An Influenster reviewer said after “printing 100 pages, I still have over 3/4 of the ink left.” But for those seeing 50–75 prints, the cost per page becomes unacceptable. The same angry Amazon reviewer concluded, “Overall, this product is horrible,” tying low yield to poor value.
Community buying tips revolve around verifying the exact black type needed. Support-forum users repeatedly stress that “photo black” is only for five‑ink systems and doesn’t fit some Photosmart models. Their implied advice: check printer compatibility beyond just “564” on the box, especially when buying in-store multipacks.
FAQ
Q: How long does the HP 564 Black Ink Cartridge last in real use?
A: HP rates it for about 250 pages, but real-world reports vary widely. Some users say it lasts months with light printing, while others report “50–75 prints” before replacement. Heavy photo or mixed printing seems to reduce lifespan.
Q: Is print quality consistently good?
A: Most users who receive a working cartridge describe crisp, dark output. One reviewer called it “pure black colour, not grey.” A smaller group report faint prints or no output due to defective or dried cartridges.
Q: What’s the difference between HP 564 black and HP 564 photo black?
A: Users on HP’s support forum say there are two black variants, and “photo black” only fits certain five‑ink printers. Several buyers accidentally purchased the wrong one because both are labeled “564,” leading to fit issues and wasted money.
Q: Are OEM HP 564 cartridges worth it over third‑party refills?
A: Many buyers trust OEM for reliability and recognition, calling it the “real deal” compared to knock-offs. However, price and yield complaints drive some users to seek cheaper compatibles or resale options.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a light-to-moderate printer who wants dependable, sharp black text and prefers genuine HP supplies, and you confirm you need the regular HP 564 Black Ink Cartridge (not photo black). Avoid if you print high volume and routinely miss the 250-page yield, or if you’re buying in-store without checking black-type compatibility. Pro tip from community: double‑check whether your printer uses standard black or photo black before opening the package—multiple users say the “564” label alone isn’t enough.
