Where's the Cheapest Place to Buy HP Ink Cartridges in 2026?
In the US, the cheapest way to buy HP ink depends on how much you print: HP Instant Ink plans start at $1.99 a month per HP, while light printers do better comparing cartridge cost per page across HP.com, Staples, Office Depot and Walmart, then checking what ShopBack covers before checkout.
The cheapest place to buy HP ink depends on how much you print, so match your monthly pages to HP.com or another store, then buy through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. If you print a steady number of pages each month, HP Instant Ink on HP.com is often the cheapest per page: plans start at $1.99 a month for 10 pages, and the 100-page plan is $8.49, according to HP at the time of writing. If you print rarely, compare original HP cartridges at HP, Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax, and Walmart on cost per page.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that returns part of what you spend at partner stores as cash you can withdraw. You go through ShopBack before you check out, and after the order is confirmed, cash comes back to your account. This guide shows where ShopBack helps on a printer budget, such as a new printer or paper and office supplies. Join ShopBack US for free.
Where's the cheapest place to buy HP ink cartridges?
Work out your cost per page first, then pick the store. A cheap cartridge with a low page yield can cost more per page than a dearer XL cartridge or an ink plan. A routine that works for most homes:
- Count your pages. Look at a few months of printing. Your HP printer app or Instant Ink account shows it if you have one.
- Price Instant Ink for that page count on HP.com (prices below).
- Price cartridges per page. Divide the cartridge price by its rated page yield, listed on the cartridge's product page. XL cartridges usually cost less per page than standard ones.
- Compare stores on the same cartridge on the same day: HP.com, Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax, and Walmart all sell original HP ink.
- Count rewards you will actually use, such as store loyalty points and your credit card's rewards.
Here is a worked example with illustrative cartridge prices (not real shelf prices), against HP's published Instant Ink prices:
| Option | Cost | Pages | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illustrative standard cartridge | $25 | 200 | 12.5 cents |
| Illustrative XL cartridge | $45 | 450 | 10 cents |
| Instant Ink, 100 pages a month (HP price) | $8.49 a month | 100 | about 8.5 cents |
| Instant Ink, 1,200 pages a year (HP price) | $90.99 a year | 1,200 | about 7.6 cents |
In this example, the XL cartridge costs 20% less per page than the standard one, and Instant Ink is cheaper again if you really print around 100 pages a month. If you print 15 pages a month, though, the 100-page plan is mostly paying for pages you never use.
Is an HP ink subscription cheaper than buying cartridges?
Usually yes if you print a steady number of pages each month, and usually no if you print only now and then. HP Instant Ink is HP's ink subscription: your printer tracks its ink levels and HP ships more before you run out, according to HP. Plans are priced by pages printed, not by how much ink a page uses, so photo-heavy or full-color pages tend to favor the subscription.
HP's Instant Ink plans, at the time of writing:
| Plan | Pages | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | 10 a month | $1.99 a month |
| Monthly | 50 a month | $5.99 a month |
| Monthly | 100 a month | $8.49 a month |
| Monthly | 300 a month | $16.99 a month |
| Monthly | 700 a month | $32.99 a month |
| Yearly | 120 a year | $20.99 a year |
| Yearly | 600 a year | $63.99 a year |
| Yearly | 1,200 a year | $90.99 a year |
| Yearly | 3,600 a year | $182.99 a year |
| Yearly | 8,400 a year | $355.99 a year |
| Pay As You Print | 20-page set | $5.49 |
| Pay As You Print | 75-page set | $19.99 |
Source: HP Instant Ink page, at the time of writing.
Monthly vs yearly. Twelve months on the 100-page monthly plan cost $101.88. The 1,200-page yearly plan is $90.99, so paying yearly saves $10.89 for the same number of pages. HP says the Yearly Plan saves up to 60% on ink, based on its own cost-per-page comparison.
Pay As You Print. HP says these page sets never expire and need no monthly commitment, which suits people who print in bursts.
How the plan flexes, according to HP:
- Rollover. Unused pages on a monthly plan roll over, up to 3 times your plan's monthly pages (150 pages on the 50-page plan).
- Going over. Extra sets of 10 to 15 pages cost $2 each, depending on your plan.
- Changing or cancelling. You can change or cancel your plan any time, with no cancellation fee.
- After you cancel. Instant Ink cartridges stop working after the end of the billing cycle in which you cancel, so keep standard cartridges ready.
The honest verdict: if your page count is steady and above the smallest plans, Instant Ink usually wins on cost per page. If you print a handful of pages a month and sometimes nothing at all, standard or XL cartridges bought when you need them, or Pay As You Print, can work out cheaper.
HP ink cartridges in 2026: HP+, original ink and third-party cartridges
Before you shop around, check whether your printer is an HP+ printer, because it decides which cartridges you can use. HP says HP+ is a free upgrade on new printers that adds features, automatic updates and security, and includes 3 months of Instant Ink when you activate it. After that, a monthly fee applies unless you cancel.
Two rules from HP that affect what you pay:
- HP+ printers require Original HP Ink to work, whether you stay on Instant Ink or buy cartridges from a retailer. Cheaper third-party cartridges are not an option.
- Printers that are not HP+ can use HP original Standard or XL cartridges or compatible third-party cartridges after you cancel Instant Ink, according to HP's Instant Ink terms.
If you are choosing a new printer, our guide to the best printer for home use covers ink tanks, lasers and HP Instant Ink side by side.
HP vs Staples vs Office Depot: HP ink cartridge price comparison in 2026
No store is always cheapest on HP ink, so compare the same cartridge on the same day and add the rewards you will really use. What each store brings, at the time of writing:
| Store | What stands out for HP ink |
|---|---|
| HP.com | The only place for Instant Ink and HP+ setup; full range of original HP cartridges |
| Staples | Original HP ink in store and online; points-back offers on ink and toner; accepts empty ink cartridges for recycling |
| Office Depot and OfficeMax | Original HP ink in store and online |
| Walmart | Original HP ink online and in store |
Sources: each store's site, at the time of writing.
How to read this. For an ink-only order, compare the cartridge price, shipping and store rewards across the four. If the order also includes a printer, paper or other supplies, the store that looks a little dearer can work out cheaper once ShopBack's money back is counted.
HP ink cartridge best deals in the US in 2026: where savings come from
The best HP ink deals in 2026 usually come from these places:
- The right Instant Ink plan, sized to your real page count, and paid yearly if your printing is steady.
- XL cartridges when you buy cartridges, because they usually cost less per page.
- Store rewards. Staples, for example, was advertising points back on all ink and toner at the time of writing. Offers change, so check the store's current terms.
- Multipacks of black and color cartridges, compared on cost per page against single cartridges.
- Recycling. Staples lists ink cartridges among the items it accepts for recycling.
- Store sales around back to school and Black Friday, when office supplies are often discounted.
Promo codes are worth a look too. The four-step routine for any HP ink order: Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card.
HP membership and rewards programs: are they worth it?
HP's programs are worth it if they match how you print. Here is what each one is, according to HP:
- HP+ is free with an eligible new printer. It suits people who are happy to buy Original HP Ink, since HP+ printers require it.
- HP Instant Ink is the paid ink subscription above, with monthly, yearly and Pay As You Print options. It is worth it for steady printing.
- HP All-In Plan is another subscription HP lists on HP.com alongside Instant Ink. Check what it includes and compare its total yearly cost with buying a printer and ink separately.
A simple test: add up a year of ink at your real page count under each option, then pick the cheapest one you will actually stick with.
Does ShopBack lower the price of HP ink?
ShopBack helps most on the rest of your printer budget, so plan the cartridges on cost per page and go through ShopBack for the other items. Where it fits:
- A new HP printer on HP.com. Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store.
- Paper and supplies at Staples. Go through ShopBack before you check out on paper, labels and office supplies.
- Walmart. Walmart is on ShopBack US too, so go through ShopBack before you check out.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
What you pay: the order price minus the Cashback, at the rate or amount shown on the store's ShopBack page.
How to do it: open ShopBack US, go to the store's page, tap through, and check out. For the full routine, see how to activate ShopBack before you buy.
Promo codes and ShopBack on HP orders
Promo codes come from the store itself, such as HP.com, Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax, or Walmart, and you enter them at its checkout. Cashback needs no code: the step that matters is going through ShopBack before you pay.
For the general rules, see how promotions and ShopBack work together and how to find promo codes that work.
Paying with a rewards card
Your credit card's rewards are paid by the card issuer on the amount charged, so they usually apply whichever store you buy ink from. Some cards pay more in categories such as office supply stores or online shopping, and the issuer decides how each store is coded, so check your card's terms. Card rewards come from your bank, separately from ShopBack. More detail is in our guide to which credit card gives the most Cashback.
Frequently asked questions
Where's the cheapest place to buy HP ink cartridges?
It depends on how much you print. If you print a steady amount each month, HP Instant Ink on HP.com is often the cheapest per page, with plans from $1.99 a month according to HP. If you print rarely, compare the cost per page of original HP cartridges, ideally XL, across HP.com, Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax, and Walmart on the day you buy, and count each store's rewards.
Is an HP ink subscription cheaper than buying cartridges?
Usually, if you print a steady number of pages. HP Instant Ink's 100-page plan costs $8.49 a month at the time of writing, about 8.5 cents a page, and the yearly 1,200-page plan is $90.99, about 7.6 cents a page. HP says the Yearly Plan saves up to 60% on ink. If you print only a few pages a month, cartridges or Pay As You Print can cost less.
How much does HP Instant Ink cost in 2026?
According to HP at the time of writing, monthly plans are $1.99 for 10 pages, $5.99 for 50, $8.49 for 100, $16.99 for 300 and $32.99 for 700. Yearly plans run from $20.99 for 120 pages to $355.99 for 8,400 pages. Pay As You Print sets cost $5.49 for 20 pages or $19.99 for 75 pages and never expire.
What happens to unused HP Instant Ink pages?
On a monthly plan, HP says unused pages roll over, up to 3 times your plan's monthly pages, so a 50-page plan can bank up to 150 rollover pages. If you print more than your plan, HP sells extra sets of 10 to 15 pages for $2 each, with the set size depending on your plan.
What happens if I cancel HP Instant Ink?
HP says Instant Ink cartridges stop working after the end of the billing cycle in which you cancel, so have standard replacement cartridges ready. There is no cancellation fee, according to HP. After cancelling you can use HP original Standard or XL cartridges, and owners of printers that are not HP+ can also use compatible third-party cartridges.
What is HP+ and does it change which ink I can buy?
HP+ is HP's free printer program that adds features and security updates, and HP says it includes 3 months of Instant Ink when you activate it on a new printer. HP+ printers require Original HP Ink to work, whether you keep Instant Ink or buy cartridges from a retailer, so cheaper third-party cartridges are not an option on an HP+ printer.
Is HP ink cheaper at Staples or HP.com?
Neither is always cheaper, so compare the same cartridge on the same day. HP.com is the only place to get Instant Ink. Staples sells original HP ink, advertises points-back offers on ink and toner, and takes empty ink cartridges for recycling, according to Staples. Work out the cost per page for each option, then count any rewards you will actually use.
Does ShopBack give money back on HP ink cartridges?
ShopBack helps most on the rest of your printer budget, such as a new printer on HP.com or paper and office supplies at Staples, and Walmart is on ShopBack US too. For the cartridges themselves, cost per page and store rewards decide the best deal.
Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same HP order?
Promo codes come from the store itself, and you enter them at its checkout. No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay.
Are HP's membership programs worth it?
HP+ costs nothing beyond the printer and suits people happy to use Original HP Ink. Instant Ink is worth it if you print a steady number of pages each month, and HP also lists an HP All-In Plan on HP.com. Check HP's current terms for each, and compare against your printing habits rather than the headline savings.
Related reads
Check ShopBack before you check out at: HP · Walmart · Staples
About this guide
Instant Ink plan prices, rollover, extra page sets and cancellation rules come from HP's Instant Ink page, and HP+ details from HP's HP+ page. Staples details come from Staples' site and recycling services page. Cartridge prices change often, so this guide uses illustrative cartridge prices and shows how to work out cost per page instead.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Ink prices, page yields, subscription plans, store rewards and ShopBack rates vary by store and over time and are subject to change. Check HP's current terms and each store's site before you buy. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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