HP 923 Black Ink Cartridge Review: Quality vs Yield
A surprising pattern emerged across multiple platforms: while the HP 923 Black Ink Cartridge delivers the sharp, professional print quality HP promises, users repeatedly push back on its page yield and price. Averaging 7.8/10 in sentiment, most buyers are satisfied with performance, but many question whether the cost justifies the output they get. On paper, HP rates the standard cartridge at 500 pages, but Staples and Best Buy reviews reveal customers who say they’re struggling to get even close — in some cases not even 100 pages.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — excellent print quality and reliability for users who prioritize OEM performance, but cost and yield may frustrate heavy printers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Crisp, deep black text and professional output | High cost per page compared to alternatives |
| Easy installation and strong compatibility | Some users report leaking cartridges |
| Reliable HP OEM performance | Page yield often lower than advertised |
| Widely available in stores and online | Packaging issues reported during shipping |
| Works flawlessly with OfficeJet 8120/8130 series | Small cartridge size for heavy workloads |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets the 923 Black Cartridge as providing “up to 500 pages” with “professional-quality black text” and “legendary reliability.” The official description emphasizes fade resistance for over 200 years in dark storage, plus eco-friendly packaging with recycled content.
However, digging into user reports, the yield claim doesn’t always hold up in real-world use. A Staples customer wrote: “Sadly, this 923 ink cartridge is not quality nor does it even allow for 100 pages let alone 400 pages of printing. Overpriced along with all 923 cartridges.” This stands in contrast to HP’s ISO/IEC standardized yield statement.
When it comes to quality, though, the marketing aligns with reality. Best Buy reviewers consistently praise the output, with one noting: “Prints great black color on the page. I will buy it again and again,” while another said it was “exactly the quality I expected from HP. Plugged in and done.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Best Buy, Staples, and HP’s own channels, the print quality is the clear winner. Office users and home printers alike value the crispness and depth of the black output. A Best Buy customer, “aler,” called it “solid, offering crisp output and fairly straightforward installation,” while another review on Staples highlighted, “Ease of installation was great. No problems removing the old one and installing the new ink cartridge.”
Reliability is another strong point. Many users mention trouble-free printing with OEM cartridges after bad experiences with third-party ink. Staples buyer “zyxw” wrote, “Tried off brands in the past and was very disappointed. Saving a couple of dollars not worth a leaking cartridge from a bargain company.” This sentiment is echoed by Best Buy reviewer “rich,” who said, “I tried non-HP ink before and it created all kinds of problems.”
Common Complaints
The cost dominates the complaints. Multiple buyers frame it as “ridiculous” or “freaking outrageous,” especially given the yield. Staples reviewer “sharon c.” remarked, “Over priced along with all 923 cartridges,” and Best Buy reviewer “glou” said, “Works great but very expensive. Printer ink is the bane of every printer’s existence.”
Page yield concerns are also frequent. While HP lists 500 pages, several customers say they see far less. Some heavy users, like Staples reviewer “sandpiper 2,” note that it “seems to go quickly” even when only printing in black.
Leaking cartridges occasionally surface as a frustration. Best Buy user “billb” reported, “The black cartridge leaked a bit like the one I got before… I made it work, and printer is working fine.”
Divisive Features
The size of the cartridge is a point of contention. Light users find it adequate, especially for occasional home printing, but heavy office users feel it’s undersized. Best Buy reviewer “oneida gd” bluntly stated, “All of the ink cartridges for this type of printer need to be bigger… there just isn’t enough ink in one to last very long.”
Some also debate the value of HP’s Instant Ink subscription versus buying cartridges individually. A Staples reviewer said, “There is no reason to enroll in HP’s instant ink program when you get service this good,” preferring to buy as needed. Others feel Instant Ink could offset the high per-cartridge cost.
Trust & Reliability
Trust in HP’s OEM cartridges remains high, especially among those who have tried cheaper alternatives and experienced compatibility or quality issues. Several reviewers explicitly warn against third-party inks due to leaks or printer errors.
However, there are occasional trust-eroding incidents, such as leaked cartridges upon delivery and poor packaging. Staples reviewer “peggy l” described ordering nine cartridges and receiving an open package with most missing, though Staples replaced them quickly. Another user on Staples said their cartridge “had leaked all over” and HP customer support never responded.
Long-term, the cartridges seem dependable if stored properly. No widespread reports of clogging or early drying emerged, suggesting consistent quality over months of use.
Alternatives
The most direct alternatives are compatible high-yield versions like the Swift Ink 923/923e XL, which claims up to 1,000 pages for less money. While these offer better value on paper, the lack of real-world user reviews in the dataset means their reliability is less certain. Some reviewers’ bad experiences with non-HP cartridges suggest that while savings are tempting, the trade-off might be in print quality or risk of leaks.
Price & Value
At Best Buy, the HP 923 Black sells for around $36.99, while Staples lists it at $47. On eBay, genuine sealed cartridges can be found for about $28–$31, indicating a potentially significant saving if buying from reputable sellers. Community advice leans toward shopping sales or trusted third-party marketplaces to soften the blow.
Heavy users may find the cost per page too high unless they switch to an XL version or a subscription model. Light users who value OEM reliability may accept the premium.
FAQ
Q: How many pages does the HP 923 Black actually print?
A: Officially, up to 500 pages at 5% coverage. In practice, several users report much lower yields, especially with heavier printing patterns.
Q: Does this cartridge work with the HP OfficeJet Pro 8130 series?
A: Yes. Multiple reviews confirm compatibility with the 8120/8130 family, including the 8135e and 8138e models.
Q: Are there issues with leaking?
A: While most users have no problems, a small minority report leaking upon installation or during shipping. These cases often receive replacements from the retailer.
Q: Is Instant Ink a better deal than buying cartridges?
A: It depends on your usage. Some customers avoid Instant Ink due to privacy or control concerns, while others find it more cost-effective for high-volume printing.
Q: How does the black quality compare to third-party inks?
A: Users consistently say OEM HP black is deeper and more consistent, with fewer compatibility issues than many off-brand options.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re an occasional or moderate-volume printer who values OEM quality, reliability, and compatibility over cost. Avoid if you print heavily and want the lowest cost per page — consider high-yield or subscription alternatives. Pro tip from the community: monitor eBay and sales from major retailers to find genuine cartridges at a discount.
