HP 62 Tri-color Ink Cartridge Review: Strong Colors, Mixed Yield
A surprising number of buyers report that the official page yield for the HP 62 Tri-color Ink Cartridge does not match their real-world results — yet most still award it high marks for color accuracy and ease of installation. Overall verdict: 8.4/10
Quick Verdict: Conditional — best for home users with moderate color printing needs, but heavy print users may find refill frequency and cost frustrating.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vivid, accurate colors for documents and photos | Many users report lower-than-advertised page yield |
| Easy installation and perfect fit in compatible HP printers | Can be expensive over time for heavy printing |
| Reliable performance, minimal streaking | Ink can dry out quickly if printer unused |
| Fast delivery and secure packaging | Some defective cartridges out of box |
| Works seamlessly with HP Instant Ink (for those who use it) | Occasional frustration with Instant Ink service connectivity |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets the 62 Tri-color cartridge as delivering “up to 165 pages” with fade-resistant, consistent quality. According to Amazon’s product details, it’s “engineered to work with HP printers to provide consistent quality, reliability and value” and “up to 2x more prints with original HP ink vs. non-original ink.” The official page yield is based on ISO/IEC 24711 testing.
Digging into user reports, a recurring pattern emerged: actual yields often fall short of official claims. A verified buyer on Staples noted: “This cartridge most definitely does not produce up to 200 pages before running out — maybe 50.” This gap is echoed across platforms, with some Best Buy customers commenting that their cartridge “showed empty” after minimal use. While marketing emphasizes durability, Staples reviews include cases where the ink “was all gone after 10 copies,” suggesting variability in results depending on print content and usage patterns.
HP also claims “precision output” and “brilliant images,” and many users agree on the print quality. Best Buy reviewers consistently rate color vibrancy highly, with one stating: “The colors are vibrant, and the print quality is always sharp and consistent.” This aligns with HP’s fade-resistance claims, but photo printing results vary — Staples feedback includes “bad color” when printing album photos, indicating paper choice and printer settings can influence outcomes.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, and Trustpilot, ease of installation is a standout. Best Buy customers repeatedly mention that the cartridge “fit perfectly” and was “very easy to replace.” For home users or mobile professionals, this predictability matters; a Staples reviewer shared: “Easy to install on my printer… love the true colors I get.”
Color accuracy is another point of agreement. Trustpilot reviews highlight “best ink cartridge” and “great quality for price,” while a Best Buy customer enthused: “Photos look realistic… no streaks.” For creative hobbyists, such as scrapbookers or those printing recipes and craft patterns, reliable color reproduction is a key benefit.
Fast delivery and product authenticity also earn praise. Trustpilot notes “as advertised, shipped fast,” and “exactly what I needed delivered to my doorstep.” Buyers relying on timely replenishment, such as remote workers, benefit from dependable logistics.
Common Complaints
The most frequent frustration is short lifespan relative to cost. Staples feedback includes: “Works well, could hold more ink for the cost,” and “good quality but not the high cost.” Reddit’s ShopSavvy TLDR review warns of “ink seems to dry out quicker than expected.” This disproportionately affects sporadic color users who may find cartridges drying between print jobs.
Defects out of the box appear occasionally. Best Buy customers describe “error message to reinstall” and cartridges that “show empty” immediately. Given HP’s warranty, replacements are possible, but buyers resent return windows closing before installation.
Some users struggle with HP Instant Ink integration. Reddit user reports mention “frustration… due to connectivity issues,” meaning subscription convenience can be undermined by technical hiccups, especially for those without stable internet.
Divisive Features
Page yield is divisive: light users often find the cartridge lasts “a good while” (Best Buy), while heavier users feel misled by ratings. Professional office users report rapid depletion, while casual home printers see satisfactory longevity.
Photo quality divides opinion too. While some Best Buy and Staples reviewers celebrate “excellent photo colors,” others complain of “bad color” when printing album shots. This suggests differences in expectations and media choice.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot patterns show a majority of verified buyers received genuine cartridges promptly, with quotes like “works as expected” and “better than generic.” However, scattered reports of rapid ink depletion raise questions about consistency in manufacturing or testing parameters.
Long-term durability stories hint at reliability for regular users. Best Buy’s long-time customers state: “Been purchasing this item for years… HP has not let me down once.” Conversely, Staples reviews reveal occasional mechanical or software-related printing issues even with new cartridges, pushing some to pay for external printing when quality matters.
Alternatives
Within the dataset, off-brand compatibles appear in Best Buy Q&A and Reddit comments. One Best Buy user compared HP XL to an off-brand, noting: “It worked great for half the price, and I got an honest 400 pages.” While HP warns against generics, these alternatives may suit cost-sensitive users willing to risk potential compatibility or quality issues.
The HP 62XL High-Yield Tri-color is another HP option, rated to yield up to 415 pages. For frequent printers, XL may offer better value despite higher upfront cost. As Best Buy respondent “ragnar” explained: “Standard HP 62 prints up to 165 color pages… HP 62XL yields around 450 sheets color.”
Price & Value
Current pricing shows $24.89 on Amazon for the standard tri-color, with eBay listings ranging from $9.09 (discounted/expired stock) to $25.99 for new sealed units. Staples sometimes discounts to under $20. Reddit’s ShopSavvy notes $19.89 at Staples vs. $41.50 at Amazon, underscoring the benefit of shopping around.
Resale trends on eBay indicate strong demand for sealed stock, even with near-expiration dates. Community buying tips emphasize checking yield needs before choosing standard vs. XL, and purchasing from trusted sellers to avoid expired ink.
FAQ
Q: What colors are included in the HP 62 Tri-color cartridge?
A: It contains cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, which blend to produce a wide range of colors for documents and photos.
Q: Is the ink dye-based or pigment-based?
A: For tri-color, HP uses dye-based ink, which typically provides more vibrant colors but may be less water-resistant than pigment-based inks.
Q: Will the HP 62XL work in printers that use HP 62?
A: Yes. It’s the same physical size as the standard cartridge but contains more ink for extended printing.
Q: How many pages can I expect from the standard tri-color?
A: Officially, up to 165 pages under ISO testing, but multiple users report fewer pages in real-world printing depending on content and settings.
Q: Can I use HP 65 or HP 63 cartridges instead?
A: No — they are not compatible with printers designed for HP 62 cartridges.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a home or light office user who values vivid color and easy installation, and prints moderately on compatible HP printers. Avoid if you’re a high-volume color printer sensitive to cost-per-page or prone to long idle periods, as you risk rapid depletion or drying. Pro tip from community: consider the HP 62XL for better yield, and watch for Staples or eBay deals to offset cost.
