HP Instant Ink: Is it the Most Cost-Effective Way to Print?

HP Instant Ink is a subscription service that lets you print as much as you want for a fixed monthly fee. But is it better than regular ink? We unpack all the benefits of using this special ink in our comprehensive review.

What is the difference between instant ink and regular ink?

Instant ink is used in specific HP printer models, while regular ink is compatible with most printers. HP Instant Ink is also subscription-based.

HP printers enrolled in the Instant Ink service have special chips that track usage and calculate monthly credits. They must also have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.

How does HP Instant Ink work?

Overview

HP Instant Ink is an affordable way to enjoy a wide variety of printing options. The service’s main point is to ensure continuous printing and the convenience of not having to worry about the individual cost of ink cartridges or toner cartridges.

With HP Instant Ink, you’ll receive a replacement cartridge before you run out of ink, so you can keep printing without interruption. You can enroll for the service when you purchase a compatible HP printer.

1. Sign up for the service

You can sign up for the service when you buy a compatible printer or at any time after your purchase. Simply navigate to your browser, go to the HP Instant Ink page, and click on Get Started. You’ll be prompted to sign in with an HP account or create one if you don’t have one.

First-time HP printer users with Instant Ink service get a free 6-month subscription. This allows you to test out the service so that you can get a feel of what’s in store before you commit to one of the plans.

2. Buy a plan

You pay a monthly fee for the number of pages you want to print each month. If you sign up for an HP Instant Ink plan within 50 pages and get a free six-month trial, you’ll get charged when you have exhausted the 6-month worth of papers.

HP detects when you’re low on ink cartridges and automatically sends you refills when they run out. Just make sure your subscription is up-to-date.

3. Print all the documents and photos, you want

Once you’re all set up, you can start printing, scanning, or faxing, depending on what your HP printer can do. You don’t have to worry about regulating the number of photos and regular paper because each page costs the same.

However, you may want to go slow on printing too many documents at once. Otherwise, you risk ending up with some buzzing noise coming from your HP printer.

What kinds of printers are eligible for HP Instant Ink?

HP offers many types of printers with its subscription service. These include multifunctional devices such as photo printers, which can scan documents and print them.

Laser printers capable of printing in black-and-white or color, and inkjet printers, suitable for home use, and others not included in this list. If you have doubts whether your HP printer meets the criteria, you can check out the official website for HP printers compatible with instant ink.

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What Instant Ink subscription plan is best for me?

	Light printing	Occasional printing	Moderate printing	Frequent printing	Business printing
Features	– Prints up to 10 pages Roll over up to 30 unused pages to the next cycle – Get an additional set of 10 pages for $1	– Prints up to 50 pages Roll over up to 150 unused pages to the next cycle – Get an additional set of 10 pages for $1	– Prints up to 100 pages Roll over up to 300 unused pages to the next cycle – Get an additional set of 10 pages for $1	– Prints up to 300 pages Roll over up to 900 unused pages to the next cycle – Get an additional set of 10 pages for $1	– Prints up to 700 pages Roll over up to 2100 unused pages to the next cycle – Get an additional set of 15 pages for $1 and a spare set of cartridges
Pricing	$0.99/Monthly	$3.99/Monthly	$5.99/Monthly	$11.99/Monthly	$24.99/Monthly

The best Instant Ink subscription plan for you depends on your printing type, how much printing you need, and how often. However, to get the best value, the more pages you print each month, the more value you’ll get out of each plan.

As a subscription service, Instant Ink is designed to be flexible and easy to use. You can change or cancel your plan at any time.

Is it cheaper to use HP Instant Ink?

The HP Instant Ink model is designed to make printing easier, more convenient, and more affordable from all your devices.

It’s an all-you-can-eat printing model where you pay a flat monthly fee. You don’t have to worry about ink cartridges or toner cartridges or change paper sizing to save on print paper because everything is included in the price of your plan.

In addition to ink and toner savings, the service offers access to helpful tools such as HP Instant Ink expert support and recommendations for when to replace cartridges based on usage patterns.

And if you want to reap more discounts, HP has a customer loyalty program where you get a referral code and if anyone signs up for the Instant Ink service with it, you both get a free month of service.

What are the pros and cons of HP Instant Ink?

Pros

• No more running out of ink – You’ll receive a replacement cartridge before your printer runs out of ink so that it’s never too late to refill your printer when it’s time.
• Easy ordering and billing – HP Instant Ink has an easy-to-use HP Smart app installed on your smartphone or tablet.
• Free shipping – Your order will be delivered to your door for free. You get to save money and time by getting your ink delivered to you.
• Excess rollover – If your monthly allotment is not fully used up upon your next subscription, the remaining pages will be rolled over to the next month, so you get your subscription’s worth.
• Customizable plans – If you’re using less or more than the allotted amount of paper, you can always downgrade or upgrade your plan to suit your needs.

Cons

• HP-limited – The HP Instant Ink service only works with HP printers. If you have an older printer from another manufacturer, or thinking about buying a new printer, you won’t be able to take advantage of this service.
• Expensive if you don’t use it regularly – If you don’t print very often then it’s much cheaper to buy new ink cartridges from a different printer manufacturer rather than refilling them.
• No unlimited printing – You only print as per your plan. The minimum amount of pages per month is specified and once you exhaust it, you have to pay more to print. If you must cancel printing,do it promptly to avoid using up your allocation.

In addition, you’re also likely to experience generic printer errors like your HP printer failing to join a wireless network or documents in waiting error.

Can I still use my printer if I cancel HP Instant Ink?

You won’t be able to print more pages or access any of the plan’s other benefits. What’s worse is that once you’ve enrolled and activated the HP Instant Ink service, you cannot use any other traditional cartridges on the same printer.

If you’re enrolled in Instant Ink, you can cancel your subscription anytime. You can also choose not to renew if you wish to end your service with HP. When you cancel your subscription, your HP Instant Ink account will be deactivated.

While HP Instant Ink may not be ideal for everyone, some of its features may be a turn-off for some people. If you print a lot and want convenience, it could be your best option.

Better yet, you’ll find the HP Deskjet 4155e the perfect match for you to use with this service. This is because it is portable and prints both in black and in color.

However, if you’re more concerned about saving money every time you print, you might do better with traditional printers. It ultimately comes down to individual needs.

If we were to choose whether to enroll in the HP Instant Ink service or go for traditional printers and cartridges, HP wins. It takes the headache out of running a business, but more importantly, it allows us to run it exactly how we want to.

The security that comes with having a set monthly fee that covers the cost of printing, convenient access to printer ink, and less worry about when to get a refill is a huge relief for us. What makes HP’s Instant Ink service so appealing is that it cuts out any guesswork.

Also, if you ever plan to cancel the subscription, there are workaround to utilize the leftover HP Instant Ink.

What about you? Would you say this ink service revolutionizes how we print, or is it just another ploy by HP to monopolize the market? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.