Original vs Compatible Ink Cartridges, and XL vs Standard: Which Saves Money?

Short answer: compare cartridges by cost per page, not by sticker price. Divide the price by the page yield printed on the box. An XL cartridge almost always wins on cost per page if you print regularly. Compatible cartridges are cheaper again, but they carry real risks: the printer can reject the chip, a firmware update can block them, and print quality varies. If you print more than a few dozen pages a week, an ink tank printer usually beats every cartridge option.

Ink is the part of a home printer that costs real money over its life. Two cartridges that look alike can differ several times over in what each printed page costs you. This guide shows how to compare them honestly.

How do I work out cost per page?

Use this formula:

Cost per page = cartridge price ÷ rated page yield

The rated yield is printed on the box or the maker's website. For inkjet cartridges it is usually measured under the ISO/IEC 24711 test, which uses a standard set of mixed text-and-graphics pages. Your own yield will be lower if you print photos or heavy colour, and higher if you print light text.

Worked example with round numbers:

Cartridge	Price	Rated yield	Cost per page
Standard	₹800	400 pages	₹2.00
XL	₹1,400	1,000 pages	₹1.40

The XL costs more at the counter, but every page is cheaper. Always run this sum with the real price and yield for your cartridge number before you buy.

Is an XL cartridge worth it?

Usually yes, with two exceptions.

• You print rarely. Inkjet cartridges can dry out or clog if they sit unused for months. If you print a few pages a month, a big cartridge may not get used up in time.
• The XL is only a little cheaper per page. Sometimes a sale on the standard cartridge closes the gap. Do the sum.

An XL cartridge is often the same physical size as the standard one, just filled with more ink. It fits the same printers, so check that your printer model is on the compatibility list.

What is the risk with compatible or refilled cartridges?

"Compatible" means a third-party cartridge built to fit your printer. "Remanufactured" means an original shell cleaned and refilled. Both are cheaper. The trade-offs:

• Chip rejection: cartridges carry a chip the printer reads. A third-party chip may be flagged as "not recognised" or show no ink level.
• Firmware updates: some printer makers push updates that block cartridges with non-original chips. HP calls its version "dynamic security". If you rely on compatibles, consider turning off automatic firmware updates.
• Quality: colour accuracy and fade resistance vary by brand. For school notes this rarely matters; for photos it often does.
• Warranty: printer makers generally will not cover damage they can show was caused by a third-party cartridge or a leak.

A sensible rule: buy originals for photos and anything you keep, and test one compatible pack before you stock up.

When should I switch to an ink tank printer?

Ink tank printers, sold as EcoTank, Ink Tank or similar, use refillable bottles instead of cartridges. The printer costs more up front, but bottled ink costs a small fraction per page compared with cartridges.

You print	Best choice
A few pages a month	Standard original cartridge, or a laser printer for text only
20-50 pages a week	XL original cartridges
50+ pages a week, or lots of colour	Ink tank printer
Mostly black text, high volume	Mono laser printer

Our best printers for home use guide compares the main ink tank and laser options.

How do I make a cartridge last longer?

• Print at least a page or two every week so the nozzles do not dry.
• Use "draft" or "eco" mode for notes and drafts.
• Print black-only documents in greyscale so the printer does not mix colour ink.
• Keep spare cartridges sealed, upright and away from heat, and use them before the date on the box.
• Avoid running the head-cleaning cycle unless prints are actually streaky; each cycle uses ink.

How to check you are buying the right cartridge

1. Find the cartridge number in your printer manual or on the old cartridge, for example "920XL".
2. Confirm your printer model appears in the listing's compatibility list.
3. Check whether you need a single colour or a combo pack.
4. Compare the cost per page across standard, XL and multi-packs.
5. Buy from the brand's own store or a well-reviewed seller to avoid fakes.

Live deals we track

This is on RichDeals now. The price was checked on the product page when the deal was posted and can change.

• HP 920XL magenta ink cartridge: listed at ₹263 against a ₹2,324 M.R.P. when we posted it. Check that your printer takes 920-series cartridges before ordering.

For more printing and office deals, browse all current offers.