HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge Review: 6/10 Conditional Verdict
Digging into user experiences reveals a stark divide: while many praise the HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge for its reliable print quality, a significant number report crippling compatibility issues and surprisingly short lifespans, casting doubt on its value proposition. The cross-platform consensus suggests this is a product where success depends heavily on your specific printer model and where you buy it, earning it a conditional 6/10.
Quick Verdict: Conditional. Buy only if you have a non-HP+ printer and purchase from an authorized retailer. For HP+ (e-model) printers, this cartridge is often blocked, and third-party sellers on Amazon have a high rate of reported failures.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent Print Quality: Users on Best Buy and Staples consistently report vibrant colors and crisp text. | Severe Compatibility Issues: Amazon reviews are flooded with reports of cartridges not being recognized, especially on HP+ (e-model) printers. |
| High-Yield Value (When It Works): For users with compatible printers, the XL yield provides good longevity for everyday printing. | Inconsistent Lifespan: Many users, even on Best Buy, report the color cartridge running out far faster than the advertised ~200-page yield. |
| Easy Installation: The physical installation process is universally described as simple and straightforward. | High Cost of Genuine HP: The price of official cartridges is a major pain point, driving users to seek cheaper, riskier alternatives. |
| Reliable from Authorized Sellers: Purchases from Best Buy, Staples, or HP directly show dramatically higher satisfaction rates. | Risk of Counterfeits on Marketplaces: Amazon reviews indicate a serious problem with cartridges sold as "genuine HP" that are defective or fake. |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets the HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge as a reliable, high-yield solution designed for seamless compatibility with their printers. However, user data from multiple platforms exposes significant gaps between this promise and the lived experience.
The claim of "seamless compatibility" is perhaps the most contested. According to HP, the cartridge is designed to work with a long list of Deskjet and Envy models. Yet, a recurring pattern on Amazon shows a different story. Users with printers that have an "e" suffix (like the 2755e or 4152e) and are enrolled in the HP+ service frequently encounter complete failure. One Amazon reviewer, Jennifer Jenkins, detailed purchasing a new HP printer thinking her old one was broken, only to find the new one also rejected the cartridge. This points to firmware locks that actively prevent the use of certain cartridges, a reality not clearly communicated in marketing.
Another major claim is the high-yield page count of approximately 200 pages. While some users on Best Buy confirm getting good longevity, a vocal cohort reports the opposite. An Amazon reviewer named Erin Cork stated they "was only able to print 20 pages with this cartridge before the color quality quickly declined," achieving just 10% of the claimed yield. This inconsistency suggests yield is heavily dependent on print content, but also raises questions about ink capacity consistency across production batches. For a home user printing occasional photos or school projects, a cartridge that dies after 20 pages transforms a value purchase into an expensive frustration.
Cross-Platform Consensus
The user feedback landscape for the HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge is a tale of two extremes, heavily influenced by the source of purchase. Investigating across platforms reveals clear patterns of praise, frustration, and critical divisive factors.
Universally Praised: Print Quality and Ease of Installation When the cartridge functions correctly, users are overwhelmingly positive about the output. On Best Buy, with over 1,100 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, the ink quality is the most frequently cited pro. Customers report "vibrant and accurate colors" and "crisp, sharp prints" perfect for documents and family photos. This sentiment is echoed on Staples, where one user called it "the greatest ink," praising the deep blacks and vivid colors. The benefit for specific users is clear: small business owners printing marketing materials or parents printing school projects rely on this consistent, professional-grade color to make a good impression. The physical installation is also consistently described as hassle-free across all platforms, removing a common point of friction for non-technical users.
Common Complaints: Compatibility Nightmares and Short Lifespan The most severe and frequent complaints center on the cartridge not being recognized by the printer. This issue dominates Amazon reviews, where users report endless error messages like "replace cartridge" or "cartridge not recognized." The data suggests this is particularly acute for two groups: owners of HP+ (e-model) printers and those who purchased from third-party Amazon sellers. A user named Rob O. on Amazon reported buying a cartridge sold as "genuine HP" that created endless alignment errors, leaving them out of money after the return window closed. This isn't just an inconvenience; it renders the printer unusable. Furthermore, the advertised page yield is a major point of contention. Beyond the extreme case of 20-page life, many users feel the color cartridge depletes too quickly for the price, leading to a perception of poor value and pushing some, like a Staples reviewer, to "hope to get rid of hp printer soon."
Divisive Features: The Source of Purchase and Firmware Locks The single most divisive factor is where you buy the cartridge. Purchases from authorized retailers like Best Buy and Staples show high satisfaction. In stark contrast, the Amazon marketplace is a minefield. Reviews there are filled with warnings about counterfeit or "remanufactured" cartridges being sold as new, defective units, and expired stock. This creates a high-risk buying environment. The other major division is between HP+ and non-HP+ printer owners. For standard printer models, compatibility is generally good. However, for users who subscribed to HP+'s ink subscription service, firmware updates can lock the printer to only accept HP-approved cartridges, turning a standard HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge into a useless brick. This practice, called out by a Staples reviewer as a "clear racket," fundamentally changes the product's value proposition based on a user's service contract.
Trust & Reliability
Trust in the HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge is severely undermined by the marketplace ecosystem, particularly on Amazon. The platform's data shows a troubling pattern of what users believe to be "genuine HP" products failing immediately or containing non-HP circuitry. One reviewer received a cartridge that worked initially, but a second from the same order had different chips and was rejected by the printer. This points to inventory commingling or fraudulent sellers, eroding consumer confidence. The risk isn't just a dud cartridge; it's the potential for the cartridge to cause printer errors or alignment problems that waste time and ink.
Long-term reliability stories from satisfied users do exist, but they come with a caveat: they almost always involve buying directly from HP or major brick-and-mortar retailers. A Best Buy user reported the cartridge lasting 3 months with everyday printing, a significant improvement over standard-yield cartridges they used previously. However, the specter of HP's firmware strategy looms large. The community awareness, as seen on Reddit and in review sections, of HP using updates to disable third-party or even certain genuine cartridges adds a layer of planned obsolescence anxiety. Users don't just worry about the cartridge failing; they worry about HP remotely disabling it.
Alternatives
The user data consistently points to two main alternatives: switching printer brands or using third-party compatible cartridges. Frustration with HP's pricing and compatibility locks leads many to consider Brother printers, as suggested by an Amazon reviewer named David, who cited the ability to use cheaper OEM or refillable ink. For those committed to their HP printer, third-party cartridges from brands like Ubin KI and Teckkin are popular, lower-cost options. Walmart reviews show users are "quite pleased" with compatible cartridges that perform well at half the price. However, this path has its own reliability gamble, with some users reporting issues like frequent realignment or shorter lifespans. A newer category, "firmware-safe" compatibles like those advertised on Quora, explicitly market themselves as resistant to HP's blocking updates, directly addressing the core complaint of HP+ users.
Price & Value
The value equation for the HP 67XL Tri-color Ink Cartridge is complex. At authorized retailers like Best Buy, the price is around $37, which satisfied users find reasonable for the print quality and yield when it works. However, the high rate of failure, especially from unauthorized sellers, destroys any perceived value. The eBay market data shows a wide range, from $12 for open-box or expired cartridges to $45 for sealed genuine packs, highlighting the buyer-beware nature of the secondary market.
Community buying tips are clear: avoid third-party marketplace sellers for this product. The consensus is to purchase only from HP, Best Buy, Staples, or Costco to ensure authenticity. For users with non-HP+ printers, buying multi-packs or combo packs can offer better per-unit value. For those trapped in the HP+ ecosystem, the value is dictated by the subscription plan, making the standalone cartridge price largely irrelevant—and often non-functional.
FAQ
Q: Why won't my HP printer recognize the new 67XL cartridge I bought?
A: The most common reasons are using an HP+ (e-model) printer, which blocks non-subscription cartridges, or purchasing a defective/compatible cartridge sold as genuine. Always buy from authorized retailers and check your printer's HP+ status.
Q: Are compatible or remanufactured 67XL ink cartridges worth the risk?
A: User experiences are mixed. Some on Walmart and Amazon report great savings and performance, while others face alignment issues and shorter life. They are a cost-effective gamble for non-HP+ printers but avoid them for HP+ models.
Q: How many pages can I really print with the HP 67XL color cartridge?
A: The ~200-page yield is an ISO standard estimate. Real-world yield varies drastically. Users report anywhere from 20 to several hundred pages, depending on print content (photo vs. text), printer settings, and individual cartridge consistency.
Q: Is the HP Instant Ink subscription a better deal than buying 67XL cartridges?
A: For frequent printers, Instant Ink can offer savings and convenience with automatic delivery. However, it locks you into HP's ecosystem and may not be cost-effective for light users who print infrequently.
Final Verdict
Buy if you own a standard HP Deskjet or Envy printer (non-HP+, without an "e" suffix) and purchase exclusively from authorized retailers like HP, Best Buy, or Staples. The print quality and reliable yield justify the cost for regular home or office use.
Avoid if you have an HP+ enabled printer (any model ending in "e") or are shopping on Amazon from non-official sellers. The high probability of compatibility failure and counterfeit products makes it a wasteful risk.
Pro tip from the community: Before buying any cartridge, check your printer's model number and HP+ status. If you're not on a subscription, consider "firmware-safe" compatible cartridges from reputable suppliers as a cost-saving alternative, but be prepared for potential quality variability.
