HP 951XL Magenta Ink Review: Strong Output, Mixed Value
Starting with a surprising twist, the HP 951XL Magenta High-yield Ink Cartridge earns a strong 8.7/10 from cross-platform feedback. While marketing emphasizes its 1,500-page yield and "brilliant color," users confirm it often delivers excellent longevity and vibrant output—yet price resentment and occasional compatibility headaches temper the praise.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long-lasting with high yield | High price compared to printer cost |
| Vibrant, fade-resistant color | Reports of printer errors with certain units |
| Easy installation | Some cartridges deplete faster than expected |
| Genuine OEM reliability | Limited availability of multi-packs |
| Works across multiple HP OfficeJet Pro models | XL versions still expensive for heavy users |
| Water-resistant prints | Printer requires all colors to be present to print |
Claims vs Reality
HP advertises the 951XL Magenta as capable of ~1,500 pages, with professional color and twice the yield of standard cartridges. Marketing also touts water and fade resistance for long-term document storage.
Digging deeper into user reports, these yield claims often hold up. Best Buy customer “geffsta” shared: “Happy to buy the XL and get twice the amount of ink for only one third of the price.” This sentiment appears repeatedly, with many saying the XL format genuinely reduces replacement frequency. However, Staples customer john g. contested the longevity, noting: “I replaced the cyan blue cartridge that day and that cartridge is empty today… Are these cartridges full of ink? Not happy.”
Another claim is flawless reliability with HP printers. While many echo ojibwe’s praise—“Provides good color and is easy to install”—others report technical hitches. Best Buy user jimb1006 detailed a recurring “cartridge not installed” error that required ejecting and reinserting, sometimes cleaning copper contacts to restore function. This hints that while compatibility is generally good, there are occasional mechanical or sensor misreads.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Best Buy, Staples, and Reddit threads, the XL format’s extended lifespan stands out. For small business owners and home offices, this translates to fewer interruptions. Best Buy user inverse remarked: “It’s crazy how long these carts last… I just now ran out of the small starter ink after a year.” For educators printing color handouts, the vibrant magenta output is valued—dark angel noted switching to XL cartridges was “best value” due to getting “2 1/2 smaller cartridges in one XL.”
Ease of installation is another widely reported benefit. Users appreciate the “spring-loaded” mechanism in printers like the HP 8610, where swapping cartridges is quick. Best Buy’s electronic shopper 2 summed this up: “They are easy to install and trouble-free.”
Color quality earns consistent praise, particularly for marketing materials. Best Buy reviewer leoz pride reported prints “don’t bleed or remain wet,” making them suitable for client presentations.
Common Complaints
Price resentment is pervasive. Staples customer angel-kat-nh lamented: “Ink should not cost more than the printer… I should not have to debate buy a new printer or ink every time I get low.” This is echoed across Reddit and Trustpilot, where users accuse HP of “price gouging.” Best Buy reviews often include qualifiers like “Expensive but worth the cost” from stew, signaling grudging acceptance rather than enthusiasm.
Premature depletion frustrates some buyers. john g.’s cyan cartridge emptying in eight days despite low usage raises concerns about genuine fill levels. Similarly, k in colorado observed prices rising sharply within a year, making restocking more painful.
Technical failures—though rare—are severe when they occur. Staples reviewer michele r. claimed a cartridge “disabled my awesome printer” and HP support “ignored the issue” for over a year. Such catastrophic failures, while not widespread, erode trust among affected users.
Divisive Features
The high-yield format’s value divides budget-conscious users from those prioritizing performance. Best Buy’s piper argued, “Expensive but worth having good ink when you need it,” while others prefer remanufactured alternatives at a fraction of the OEM price. Inkjets.com promotes remanufactured 951XL units with the same 1,500-page yield for $10.99, claiming they meet “stringent quality specifications” and are “perfectly safe to use.” However, OEM loyalists warn of clogging and recognition issues with non-HP cartridges.
The printer’s requirement for all colors to have ink before printing—even in grayscale—also splits opinion. While it ensures color accuracy, dee zul found it inconvenient, needing multiple trips to replace different colors sequentially.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Staples feedback reveal a dual narrative: long-term HP users often stick with OEM cartridges to protect printer lifespan, while others feel locked into a costly ecosystem. Best Buy’s star corder explained: “I keep my printers a long time and… genuine HP ink cartridges… continue to work as long as possible.”
Conversely, suspicion over counterfeit products in online marketplaces pushes some toward brick-and-mortar purchases. Best Buy’s fleeceqwn recounted buying a “counterfeit” on Amazon, calling it “so disappointing” before switching to verified store purchases.
Durability over months is generally strong. Best Buy’s colleena noted XL cartridges lasting longer than expected, supporting claims of reduced waste and fewer replacements.
Alternatives
Alternatives appear in the form of remanufactured cartridges from sellers like Inkjets.com, offering similar yield at less than a quarter of the OEM price. These options appeal to heavy users willing to risk minor compatibility hiccups for savings. However, OEM supporters argue that the risk of clogs and recognition failures outweighs the upfront savings—especially for critical business printing.
Price & Value
On eBay, genuine HP 951XL Magenta cartridges range from about NZD 19 to NZD 56, while unbranded or compatible versions sell for as low as NZD 6–11. This disparity fuels the debate over OEM vs third-party value. Best Buy’s ronalds celebrated “great price and delivered quickly” for XL, but price satisfaction often hinges on finding promotions or reward programs.
Community buying tips include:
- Stock up during multi-pack discounts to avoid emergency single purchases.
- Verify seller authenticity to avoid counterfeit risk.
- Consider HP’s Instant Ink subscription for predictable costs if usage is steady.
FAQ
Q: Does the HP 951XL Magenta really print 1,500 pages?
A: Many users confirm reaching close to HP’s stated yield, especially with consistent document printing. However, heavy graphics use can reduce total output, and some report premature depletion.
Q: Is it worth buying OEM over remanufactured cartridges?
A: OEM offers near-guaranteed compatibility and print quality, while remanufactured units save money but may risk printer recognition errors or clogs.
Q: Can I print in black only if the magenta is empty?
A: No—HP printers typically require all color cartridges to contain ink before printing, even in grayscale, to maintain proper function.
Q: Are XL cartridges more cost-effective than standard size?
A: Yes, for most users printing regularly. XL yields roughly double the pages for less than twice the price, reducing replacements.
Q: How can I avoid counterfeit HP cartridges?
A: Buy from verified retailers like Best Buy or Staples, and check packaging seals and part numbers against HP’s official specifications.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home office or small business user needing reliable, vibrant prints with minimal downtime. Avoid if you print rarely or are highly price-sensitive—remanufactured options may suit better. Pro tip from community: Always keep a spare set on hand to avoid disruptions, and leverage reward programs to offset high OEM costs.
