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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Why is printer ink so expensive? The cartridge price is only part of the answer: the number of pages you actually get depends on the printer, the kind of pages you print, and ink used for setup and maintenance. To judge value, compare the printer’s price and ongoing supply costs against your own expected print volume—not just the printer’s shelf price or the cartridge sticker price.
Why printer ink can cost more than the cartridge price suggests
Printer ownership combines an upfront hardware cost with the cost of supplies over time. A printer with a low purchase price may have more expensive replacement supplies; a printer that costs more initially may be cheaper to run. The relevant comparison is the cost of the whole system for the amount and type of printing you expect to do.
Cartridge prices also do not tell you how many pages you will get. In historical examples, Consumer Reports cited a $42 HP 64XL cartridge containing 0.45 ounce of ink and a $44 HP 952XL containing 2.86 ounces. Those figures illustrate why cartridge prices and ink volume can vary; they are not current quotes or a complete comparison across brands. See Consumer Reports’ discussion of wasted printer ink.
There is no reliable universal price-per-page figure for every brand or printer. Prices, compatible supplies, rated yields, and actual usage differ. Nor do the available figures establish a universal manufacturer profit margin, cartridge manufacturing cost, or claim that all printers are sold at a loss to make money on ink.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
What a cartridge’s page yield tells you
A rated page yield estimates how many pages a supply can print under a defined test. It is a useful comparison point, not a promise that a household will get exactly that many pages. HP notes that yield results can depend on test documents, print mode, end-of-life rules, sample size, time between jobs, and environmental conditions. Its guidance also says continuous testing does not count maintenance ink used between print jobs. See HP’s inkjet page-yield guidance.
HP says inkjet printers use some ink when a new cartridge is installed and for maintenance after periods without use, including to help ink flow and keep nozzles clear. This is a manufacturer’s explanation of the mechanism; the amount varies by printer. HP recommends comparing rated yield rather than milliliters alone because volume does not show how many pages a system produces. See HP’s explanation of printing efficiency.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Consumer Reports has also reported that maintenance can materially affect ink costs for the printers it examined. Its findings are specific to those tests and should not be treated as a universal percentage or prediction for every model. Its coverage includes a reported lab finding that more than half of purchased ink might not end up on a page for many printers examined, as well as model-specific annual cost estimates of about $27 and about $280. Those are historical, test-specific figures, not market averages. See Consumer Reports’ coverage.
Estimate supply cost per page
For a first-pass comparison, divide the supply price by its stated page yield:
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Estimated supply cost per page = supply price ÷ stated page yield
Use the price of a cartridge or bottle compatible with the exact printer model, and make sure the yield applies to that supply. Treat the result as a baseline: it does not include the printer’s purchase price and may not reflect setup or maintenance ink, your print coverage, or your intervals between jobs.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
To compare printer options over the period you expect to own them, estimate the broader cost:
Estimated total = printer price + expected ink or cartridge cost
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Base the estimate on your expected monthly page count, black-and-white versus color mix, text versus image-heavy printing, supply yields and prices, and any subscription plan. A higher upfront price for a refillable tank printer may make sense at higher print volumes, but it is not automatically cheaper for every household. HP’s comparison uses specific HP models and should not be read as a market-wide result: HP Smart Tank and cartridge printer comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cartridge printers, refillable tanks, and subscriptions
| Option | What to compare | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge printer | Printer price, the exact compatible cartridge number, cartridge price, and rated yield. | When expected volume and actual supply prices make the total ownership estimate competitive. |
| Refillable ink-tank printer | Higher or lower printer purchase price versus bottle cost, expected volume, and model-specific yield. | When regular or higher-volume printing may justify paying more upfront for lower ongoing ink costs. Savings depend on use and the specific models compared. |
| Ink subscription | Page allowance, plan price, eligibility, cancellation terms, and fit with actual usage. | When predictable supply delivery or convenience matters and current terms suit the household. Terms vary and should be checked before enrolling. |
HP’s page-yield materials include a statement from David R. Spencer, president of SpencerLab Digital Color Laboratory, in HP’s account of a study commissioned by HP in 2005: “Printing efficiency significantly impacts the normal user’s page yields and actual printing costs. Our testing revealed striking differences in how efficiently different inkjet printers performed and the effect this had on yields during typical usage.” This is a dated, attributed statement about that study, not a current industry-wide estimate. See HP’s account of the study.
Quick Recap
What to check before buying supplies or a printer
- Confirm compatibility: Check the printer’s exact model and compatible cartridge number before comparing or buying supplies.
- Compare yield and live prices: Divide a current compatible supply price by its stated yield; retail prices and availability change.
- Match the estimate to your printing: Include expected monthly volume, color use, and whether you mostly print text or images.
- Account for use patterns: Long gaps between jobs and maintenance can make actual yield differ from continuous-test ratings.
- Compare ownership costs: Include the printer price and expected supplies over the period you plan to keep it; check current subscription limits and terms if relevant.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
