HP 62XL Black Ink Cartridge Review: High Yield, Mixed Value
The HP 62XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge has built a reputation among office professionals, remote workers, and home users for delivering long-lasting print capacity with consistently sharp results. Across Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, and HP’s own store, it scores between 4.5 and 4.7 out of 5, with users praising its high page yield and reliability. Weighting these reports, the overall verdict comes in at 8.7/10 — strong on quality and ease of use, but with persistent concerns over price and occasional yield shortfalls.
Quick Verdict
Recommendation: Conditional buy — best for frequent printers who value consistency and don’t mind paying a premium.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High page yield (~600 pages) frequently confirmed by heavy users | High cost compared to third-party alternatives |
| Crisp, fade-resistant text for professional documents | Some users report underperformance in page count |
| Easy installation and instant recognition by compatible HP printers | Price shocks for casual users printing infrequently |
| Durable pigment-based ink resists smearing | Occasional reports of defective cartridges |
| Widely compatible across popular HP Envy and OfficeJet models | Limited to black printing — separate color cartridge required |
| Environmentally friendly via HP Planet Partners recycling | May dry out if unused for extended periods |
Claims vs Reality
HP advertises the 62XL as delivering up to 600 pages based on ISO/IEC 24711 testing with continuous printing. While high-volume users regularly back up this figure, Staples reviewers show a mismatch: one user reported running out after just 50 pages, suggesting that real-world yield can collapse under certain conditions, particularly with dense printing or printer head cleanings.
Another claim centers on fade- and water-resistant text. According to Best Buy reports, users such as “zekem” found the prints crisp and long-lasting, using them for business documents over 60-day cycles without quality drop-off. However, a few Staples customers noted streaking and required switching to highest quality settings to resolve partial illegibility — hinting at occasional cartridge defects.
HP’s ease-of-use pitch is among its most consistently validated claims. Across Amazon and Trustpilot, first-time buyers cite effortless installation and immediate compatibility with printers like the Envy 5540 and OfficeJet 5740, avoiding the chip recognition issues common with third-party replacements.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Ease of installation comes up repeatedly in Best Buy and Reddit threads. Seniors and remote workers value the "click in and print" simplicity, as one user put it: “I often need someone to hold my hand with tech — this one I managed myself.” Amazon buyers echo that flawless recognition avoids the downtime of troubleshooting incompatible cartridges.
Ink longevity and quality also command strong cross-platform praise. Heavy-duty users — such as trainers printing handouts for classes — report the XL format lasting through large batches of documents, sometimes akin to “printing a book” from a single cartridge. Pigment-based formulation ensures deep black text that remains readable after long storage, making it popular for archiving legal or academic materials.
Compatibility breadth appeals to users with multiple HP devices. Office setups with both mobile OfficeJets and desktop Envys integrate the 62XL without issue, reducing inventory complexity. The cartridge also benefits those rotating through printer upgrades, as its spec covers a large family of HP machines.
Common Complaints
Price looms large in frustration reports. A Twitter user summarized: “Price makes my wallet cry, but my printer refuses to use anything else.” Many Staples reviewers call the product “too expensive for what you get,” citing $0.11 per page as costly over long-term use. This creates tension for low-volume home users who rarely print but still pay for premium cartridges.
Yield inconsistency ranks second in criticism. While HP’s claim is generally met in standard usage, underperformance complaints surface in environments with sporadic printing or high ink demand tasks. A light-use Staples customer noted their cartridge lasted a year, but heavy-format printing drastically shortened lifespan in other accounts.
Defective arrival issues — cartridges not recognized or producing streaks — are scattered but notable. Amazon’s “second order was the charm” story exemplifies this: a cartridge error on first delivery required replacement before normal function resumed.
Divisive Features
Authenticity requirements split buyer strategy. Some users view HP’s proprietary cartridge recognition as a safeguard against poor quality third-party ink. Others resent the lock-in, especially with functional remanufactured alternatives available at half the price. Staples’ eco-conscious buyers embrace remanufactured versions that match performance while reducing waste, but purists insist on brand-new HP originals for risk-free results.
Trust & Reliability
Scam-like fears emerge more around unauthorized sellers than HP itself. Amazon buyers caution against unidentified marketplaces to avoid counterfeit cartridges that printers block. Trustpilot and Staples highlight HP’s Planet Partners program as a sign of corporate reliability, offering free recycling and less landfill waste.
Long-term stories bolster durability claims. Reddit users report using the 62XL over multi-year ownership of the same printer without clogging or fade, provided they printed regularly. Conversely, infrequent users sometimes returned to find a dried-out cartridge, advising storage in climate-controlled environments.
Alternatives
Staples remanufactured high-yield cartridges show up as the primary competitor in user discussions. They win on cost and environmental benefit, but quality variance is higher — streaking and misrecognition occur more often than with HP originals. Amazon aftermarket sellers also market compatible versions with upgraded chips boasting equal yield for lower price, yet community warnings about chip updates breaking compatibility remain frequent.
Price & Value
eBay listings for genuine HP 62XL black cartridges range from $30 to $37 when new, undercutting HP Store’s $52–$65 retail. Combo packs with color ink fetch $55–$66, with resale value holding well for factory-sealed units dated years ahead. Savvy buyers recommend checking expiration dates before purchasing surplus stock online to avoid degraded performance.
For heavy users, cost per page justifies the investment: a small business printing invoices daily benefits from fewer replacements and less downtime. For occasional users, switching to standard-yield cartridges or vetted remanufactured options might halve expenses with acceptable risk.
FAQ
Q: How many pages does the HP 62XL Black yield?
Approximately 600 pages under standardized testing, though heavy or dense printing may reduce this.
Q: Which printers are compatible?
Popular models include HP Envy 5540, 5640, 7640, and OfficeJet 5740/8040, among others.
Q: Is the ink smudge-resistant?
Yes, it uses pigment-based ink designed to resist smears and fading, suitable for professional documents.
Q: Can I use third-party cartridges instead?
Technically yes, but some HP printers reject non-original chips, requiring careful selection.
Q: Does it come with a warranty?
HP warranties the cartridge against defects in materials and workmanship during its use period.
Final Verdict
Buy the HP 62XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge if you print often, need reliable performance, and have a compatible HP printer — especially for professional or archival work. Avoid if your printing is infrequent or budget-sensitive, as cost per page is high and cartridges may dry.
Pro tip from the community: Look for factory-sealed units on marketplaces like eBay to save 30% or more, and always check expiration dates to protect quality.
