HP Instant Ink: Difference between revisions
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| Official Website = [https://instantink.hpconnected.com HP Instant Ink] | | Official Website = [https://instantink.hpconnected.com HP Instant Ink] | ||
| Logo = Hp-ii-logo.webp | | Logo = Hp-ii-logo.webp | ||
}}HP Instant Ink is a subscription service launched by [[HP Inc.]] for their printers in late 2013. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220503181925/https://www.therecycler.com/posts/hp-launches-new-instant-ink-programme/ HP launches new Instant Ink programme The Recycler via Internet Archive]</ref> Consumers with compatible printers can choose from five different plans based on their usage volume and receive a set amount of ink each month to cover that usage. The monthly price includes the relevant ink or toner, delivery, and recycling of used cartridges. | }}'''HP Instant Ink''' is a subscription service launched by [[HP Inc.]] for their printers in late 2013. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220503181925/https://www.therecycler.com/posts/hp-launches-new-instant-ink-programme/ HP launches new Instant Ink programme The Recycler via Internet Archive]</ref> Consumers with compatible printers can choose from five different plans based on their usage volume and receive a set amount of ink each month to cover that usage. The monthly price includes the relevant ink or toner, delivery, and recycling of used cartridges. | ||
In 2024, HP began offering paper as part of the monthly plans, for an additional fee. This was rolled out to countries including the U.S., the UK, metropolitan France, and Germany. <ref>[https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/l/v2/paper HP paper Add-on Service]</ref> | In 2024, HP began offering paper as part of the monthly plans, for an additional fee. This was rolled out to countries including the U.S., the UK, metropolitan France, and Germany. <ref>[https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/l/v2/paper HP paper Add-on Service]</ref> | ||
Also in 2024, a new [[HP All-In Plan]], a printer lease program, was announced. This program includes a printer that limits the number of pages you can print, effectively removing the ability to use other cartridges. <ref>[https://www.hp.com/us-en/all-in-plan/printers.html HP All In Plan]</ref> The program offers three different printers, each with various printing plans based on the number of pages to be printed, at different prices. | Also in 2024, a new [[HP All-In Plan]], a printer lease program, was announced. This program includes a printer that limits the number of pages you can print, effectively removing the ability to use other cartridges. <ref>[https://www.hp.com/us-en/all-in-plan/printers.html HP All In Plan]</ref> The program offers three different printers, each with various printing plans based on the number of pages to be printed, at different prices. | ||
==== Pricing ==== | ====Pricing==== | ||
As of January 2025, the pricing for each tier of the service for customers in the US was as follows: | As of January 2025, the pricing for each tier of the service for customers in the US was as follows: | ||
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=== Cost | ===Cost savings=== | ||
HP claims that "most customers save on ink and many save up to 50% compared to buying traditional ink cartridges." <ref>[https://www.hp.com/us-en/printers/instant-ink/faq.html#faq HP Instant Ink FAQ.]</ref> The cost savings are based on the monthly subscription cost of the 700 | HP claims that "most customers save on ink and many save up to 50% compared to buying traditional ink cartridges." <ref>[https://www.hp.com/us-en/printers/instant-ink/faq.html#faq HP Instant Ink FAQ.]</ref> The cost savings are based on the monthly subscription cost of the 700-pages-per-month "Business" plan of the program, and the results are compared to the cost per page to print ISO/IEC 24711 pages on A4 paper in color. | ||
The printers used in the study that led to these findings in the 2022 and 2023 reports <ref>[https://keypointintelligence.com/HPInstantInk Keypoint Intelligence Study]</ref> were all HP branded, and the ink or toner was OEM (i.e. not using third-party inks), as HP notes in their FAQ sections. Comparisons were not made with the XL cartridges, which are cheaper per unit of ink. | The printers used in the study that led to these findings in the 2022 and 2023 reports <ref>[https://keypointintelligence.com/HPInstantInk Keypoint Intelligence Study]</ref> were all HP branded, and the ink or toner was OEM (i.e. not using third-party inks), as HP notes in their FAQ sections. Comparisons were not made with the XL cartridges, which are cheaper per unit of ink. | ||
=== Cancellation or | ===Cancellation or alteration of plans=== | ||
HP Instant Ink can be canceled at any time according to the terms of the service <ref>[https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/terms HP Instant Ink Terms]</ref> with billing stopping at the end of the month. Upon cancellation, all outstanding debts are collected. | HP Instant Ink can be canceled at any time according to the terms of the service <ref>[https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/terms HP Instant Ink Terms]</ref> with billing stopping at the end of the month. Upon cancellation, all outstanding debts are collected. | ||
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At the time of writing, the Basic printer starts at $6.99 per month ($83.88 per year), and cancellation after 30 days but before 12 months will cost $120 in fees. Before 24 months, it would cost $60 in fees. That is 143% and 71% of the per-year cost of this plan, respectively. | At the time of writing, the Basic printer starts at $6.99 per month ($83.88 per year), and cancellation after 30 days but before 12 months will cost $120 in fees. Before 24 months, it would cost $60 in fees. That is 143% and 71% of the per-year cost of this plan, respectively. | ||
=== Lawsuit === | ===Lawsuit=== | ||
On July 6, 2021, a [[class action|class action lawsuit]] was filed against HP. <ref>[https://www.classaction.org/media/barnert-v-hp-inc.pdf Barnert v HP Inc.] Case File via classaction.org</ref> | On July 6, 2021, a [[class action|class-action lawsuit]] was filed against HP. <ref>[https://www.classaction.org/media/barnert-v-hp-inc.pdf Barnert v HP Inc.] Case File via classaction.org</ref> | ||
The main allegations made in the suit were: | The main allegations made in the suit were: | ||
* HP will block you from using cartridges or ink purchased outside of the program, a fact they do not disclose. | *HP will block you from using cartridges or ink purchased outside of the program, a fact they do not disclose. | ||
* Cartridges and toners are not always sent on time. | *Cartridges and toners are not always sent on time. | ||
* Sometimes cartridges are faulty on arrival. | *Sometimes cartridges are faulty on arrival. | ||
* Prepaid return mailers are not always supplied. | *Prepaid return mailers are not always supplied. | ||
* Upon cancellation, you cannot use the remainder of your ink. | *Upon cancellation, you cannot use the remainder of your ink. | ||
In February 2023, HP settled the complaints, and the parties have filed for dismissal. <ref>[https://www.therecycler.com/posts/hp-settles-instant-ink-complaint/ HP settles Instant Ink Complaint]</ref> | In February 2023, HP settled the complaints, and the parties have filed for dismissal. <ref>[https://www.therecycler.com/posts/hp-settles-instant-ink-complaint/ HP settles Instant Ink Complaint]</ref> | ||
=== HP+ === | ===HP+=== | ||
HP+ is a free | HP+ is a free six-month trial of HP Instant Ink that comes with a new printer. It is optional, but it is extremely easy for a user to activate HP+ during installation.<ref>https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/hp-instant-ink-vs-hp-plus-vs-hp-smart-which-ink-program-saves-you-the-most</ref> After activating HP+, the printer is permanently flashed with updated firmware, which causes the printer to only accept genuine HP-branded consumables.<ref>https://www-dodrukarki-pl.translate.goog/blog/dlaczego-drukarki-z-serii-hp-nie-obsluguja-zamiennikow?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=pl&_x_tr_pto=wapp</ref> | ||
All HP printer models ending with an "'''e'''" (for example ''HP OfficeJet 8035'''e''''') support activating HP+.<ref>https://support.shopperplus.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000227500-hp-printers-models-ending-with-the-letter-e-does-not-recognize-compatible-cartridges</ref> This has the potential to devalue used HP printers in this class, as the previous owner of the printer may have activated HP+, rendering the printer incompatible with cheaper non-OEM replacement ink cartridges/toner. | All HP printer models ending with an "'''e'''" (for example ''HP OfficeJet 8035'''e''''') support activating HP+.<ref>https://support.shopperplus.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000227500-hp-printers-models-ending-with-the-letter-e-does-not-recognize-compatible-cartridges</ref> This has the potential to devalue used HP printers in this class, as the previous owner of the printer may have activated HP+, rendering the printer incompatible with cheaper non-OEM replacement ink cartridges/toner. | ||
=== Swapping ID chips between incompatible cartridges === | ===Swapping ID chips between incompatible cartridges=== | ||
It is possible on some HP cartridge models and their respective printers to replace the DRM chip of an incompatible cartridge with one from a compatible OEM cartridge. This possible because many HP cartridge models share the exact same physical dimensions despite the difference in name. This also allows for the use of less-expensive third-party cartridges or refillable cartridges in printers that may not have had them available for purchase otherwise. | It is possible on some HP cartridge models and their respective printers to replace the DRM chip of an incompatible cartridge with one from a compatible OEM cartridge. This possible because many HP cartridge models share the exact same physical dimensions despite the difference in name. This also allows for the use of less-expensive third-party cartridges or refillable cartridges in printers that may not have had them available for purchase otherwise. | ||
[[HP Ink Cartridge ID Chip Swap Guide|Read the full guide here.]] | [[HP Ink Cartridge ID Chip Swap Guide|Read the full guide here.]] | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
[[Category:Products]] | [[Category:Products]] | ||
[[Category:Lawsuits]] | [[Category:Lawsuits]] | ||
[[Category:Subscription-based services]] | [[Category:Subscription-based services]] | ||
<references /> | |||