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HP Instant Ink Review: Everything You Need to Know
Dwight Pavlovic
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January 18, 2020
For many homes and offices, how you handle printing and print supplies is an important part of your routine. Plus, you need to make sure you stay on top of your ink levels to avoid running out of ink. And you need properly recycle your spent cartridges.
HP Instant Ink is designed as a comprehensive solution to your ink worries. Our system automates as much of your ink cartridge routine as possible and provides support across the life of the device.
No more driving around to find an open office supply store or memorizing serial numbers. Plus no more hassle when it comes to recycling.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the HP Instant Ink program and how it can streamline your workflow, save money, and reduce your environmental impact. While the program doesn’t work with every HP printer, we’ll recommend some of our best devices and show you how to shop our entire compatible selection.
How does HP Instant Ink work?
With a compatible device and an active HP Instant Ink subscription, you’ll never have to worry about ink levels again. Your printer automatically monitors how much ink is left in each cartridge, and then a new replacement cartridge is shipped before your ink level gets too low.
You’ll also receive pre-paid shipping materials so you can return your empty cartridge when the time comes for a replacement. That can cut back on a number of headaches. Save time you’d otherwise spend monitoring ink levels, chasing refills or replacements, and finding a convenient solution for recycling.
Even better, HP Instant Ink subscriptions are priced based on how many pages you print each month - and not your total ink usage. That means color and black and white prints cost the same, which offers tons of potential savings to families, photographers, and professionals who print photos or other colorful projects.
You also have options to rollover unused pages and you can easily add more pages to your account during a particularly busy month. And there are no contracts so you can change or cancel your plan at the end of any billing cycle.
HP Instant Ink prices
There are 5 subscription plans to choose from with differing page counts. They start with a zero-cost plan for low-volume users and go all the way up to a business-class subscription for offices that really churn through prints. Let’s take a deeper look at all your options and the number of pages in each plan.
1. Free printing plan
Our opening option is designed to support basic routines with a relatively low overall output. You can print up to 15 pages per month for absolutely nothing when you subscribe to the free printing plan. If you need to print beyond that, it’s only $1 for each additional 10 pages.
If you only use your device to print forms or photos occasionally throughout the year, this is a great place to get started. The free printing plan is also an easy way to experience the HP Instant Ink program directly at no cost, particularly if you’ve recently purchased a new eligible printer or just aren’t sure exactly which subscription level will be right for you.
2. Occasional printing plan
The occasional printing plan ups your monthly output to 50 pages for just $2.99. You can still add extra 10-page sets for a mere $1, and you can roll over up to 100 unused pages from one month to the next.
This plan is great for print-heavy households, as well as individual and home offices. It delivers enough capacity to keep up with weekly printing and provides visible yearly savings, plus all the extended benefits of HP Instant Ink. If you’ve used the free plan for a while but are starting to use extra pages, this is your next logical step.
3. Moderate printing plan
Our intermediate plan offers a good deal on a big jump in capacity, doubling your output to 100 pages per month for only $4.99. It also doubles your rollover account limit, so you can enjoy up to 200 unused pages to cover overflow during a busy season.
Even if you do run out of rollover pages now and then, it’s only $1 for an additional 15 pages each month.
The moderate printing plan offers versatility to small but busy offices or households, with bigger capacity to account for bigger needs. Whether you have a family full of artists or a growing business with a higher administrative workflow, this should cover it.
4. Frequent printing plan
The next tier opens things up even further, offering a much bigger scale for larger operations. With the frequent printing plan, you pay only $9.99 and get 300 pages per month and an expanded 600-page rollover account.
If you have a persistent flow of clerical work or need to prepare handouts on a regular basis, the frequent printing plan can help you scale up. As a backup, you can still easily add more pages when the need arises, with $1 now getting you an additional 20 pages.
5. Business printing plan
For the biggest print volumes, you should consider the business printing plan. At this level, you’ll enjoy 700 pages per month for just $19.99. You’re also covered by the massive 1,400-page rollover account and the option to add 20 extra pages for $1.
If you have a hectic print routine and need to keep a tight schedule, the business printing plan is your best option. If your print volume syncs up, chances are there’s no better way to maximize support and savings for your enterprise. Pair with the right HP Instant Ink-enabled printer to get the workflow you need.
More about HP Instant Ink cartridges
While some of the information we’ll cover may seem complicated, the reality of understanding HP Instant Ink terms of service is actually fairly simple.
HP Instant Ink-enabled cartridges work in essentially the same way that standard HP Original Ink cartridges do. You’ll find no extra steps or unfamiliar procedures during installation into HP InkJet printers.
The overall user experience is essentially the same, minus the hassle of replacing and recycling spent cartridges. Just install your cartridge like usual and start printing. Then, your replacements and the recycling materials are shipped automatically. Rollover pages and additional pages are also logged automatically, and you can monitor both through your account.
Notable HP Instant Ink compatible printers
The range of HP Instant Ink-compatible printers is constantly growing, but it’s still important to make sure that your printer purchase is compatible. If you’re not sure, check the product page and read through its specs.
To help you get started, we have profiles of several popular HP Instant Ink-eligible printers with standout features across varying price points.
1. HP DeskJet 3755 All-In-One printer
If you want an affordable multifunction printer that gets the most out of your HP Instant Ink plan, the HP DeskJet 3755 All-in-One printer is it. This well-priced and wonderfully-designed printer allows for easy mobile printing, and it offers print speeds of up to 8 pages per minute (ppm) in black and white and 5 ppm in color.
The HP DeskJet 3755 is also compact, measuring only 3 x 5 to 8.5 x 14 inches. In addition to its slim measurements, you’ll get great AiO functionality that allows you to print, copy, and scan all from the same device.
2. HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 All-In-One printer
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 All-in-One printer is a flexible option that pairs well with upper-tier HP Instant Ink plans such as the frequent or business printing plans. It’s also well-priced for its class and specifications, and it provides print speeds of up to 24 ppm in black and white and 20 ppm in color.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 is a full multifunction printer as well, offering you the ability to fax, copy, and scan. It’s even certified by ENERGY STAR®, ensuring low energy consumption and potential electric bill savings. If you’re looking for a versatile device with fast printing speeds, this may be the right choice for you.
3. HP ENVY Photo 7155 All-in-One printer
For users with a moderate but varied routine, the HP ENVY Photo 7155 All-in-One printer offers some of our most well-rounded multifunction features and the advantage of Instant Ink eligibility. The addition of lab-quality photo printing makes it one of the most versatile home and small business AiO printers you’ll find in the HP Store.
When it comes to standard prints, expect strong speeds of up to 14 ppm in black and white and 9 ppm in color. You’ll also have great mobile support and the added bonus of high-yield cartridge compatibility. And with ENERGY STAR certification, you can count on a compact ecological footprint.
4. HP Tango printer
The HP Tango printer is a highly portable option that supports HP Instant Ink and still provides copy and scan functionality. It’s a trim 14.84 x 8.11 x 3.58 inches, so it travels well and can be placed nearly anywhere in your workspace. For print speeds, you can count on up to 11 ppm for black and white and 8 ppm for color.
Used in tandem with the HP Smart app, the HP Tango is designed to mesh seamlessly with your mobile printing. Setup is easy with guidance at every step of the way, and there’s even support for voice printing. Plus, the HP Tango supports easy photo printing right from your smartphone.
Other options to consider
Remember, if you want to see more you can always refer to our full HP Instant Ink printers list. Or you can read through our list of the 10 best HP Instant Ink printers. Whatever model you choose, make sure you pick the one that can keep up with your preferred subscription plan.
Positive environmental impact of HP Instant Ink
In addition to saving time, hassle, and money on your print routine, the HP Instant Ink program is a much more environmentally friendly solution compared to traditional routines. With a streamlined system, this initiative plan reduces impact by addressing a spectrum of needs.
It cuts down substantially on energy usage from travel and shopping. Instead of driving around for a replacement or refill, you can have yours delivered. Then you can ship your empty cartridge the same way using a prepaid envelope.
Here’s a quick rundown of how the program reduces different levels of waste associated with printing:
- Materials consumption reduced by 57%
- Water consumption reduced by 89%
- Energy consumption reduced by 86%
While those are all great numbers, you can do even more on the individual level by pairing your plan with an energy-efficient printer. Just look for ENERGY STAR-certified models to reduce your footprint to more sustainable levels.
Other efficient print solutions for non-compatible devices
If your device isn’t compatible and you aren’t quite ready for a replacement, you aren’t totally out of luck when it comes to higher efficiency print supplies. Many of our HP printers support high-yield cartridges with a longer product life and higher print estimates, so check your product specs to see if your device supports them.
For seriously high-volume print users who need scale beyond our HP Instant Ink subscription levels, you might want to consider an HP LaserJet if you haven’t already. While these toner-based printers aren’t compatible with HP Instant Ink since they use toner instead of ink, they’re a great way to save on higher than average print loads.
Is HP Instant Ink worth it for you?
HP Instant Ink is a streamlined way to simplify everything about how we handle print supplies. Ideally, it turns a chore into an opportunity for different cost and time savings thanks to fewer errands, less shopping, and a lower cost per page. You can then reinvest those resources back into your work or home.
Many of the biggest advantages may be for large scale users, but the program works well across the board. For instance, the free printing plan offers a safe foundation for less regular users. So if you’re unsure about which tier to choose, start there to get used to how things work. You can always upgrade your plan if or when you notice an uptick in your printing.
About the Author: Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dwight is a music and technology writer based out of West Virginia.
