Printer Ink Reviews

Until recently, inkjet printer manufacturers sold printers at or slightly above cost. They made their profit by selling expensive ink cartridges throughout the life of the printer. The cost of just the ink in cartridges was cheap enough that entrepreneurs decided to produce aftermarket alternatives. In some cases, these new businesses produced cartridges. In others, they produced ink and created ink refill kits. Then, entrepreneurs invented refill machines for retailers. One national (Caboodle Cartridge) and one international (Cartridge World) franchise operation was established just to sell printer ink using refilling machines. Drug and office supply stores, such as some Walgreens and Staples stores, also have ink refill machines.

About one-third of consumers now use third-party printer ink. Yet, it continues to be very controversial because it often doesn't work and it can damage printers. This report explores those controversies. Print quality is equally important to most consumers. The printer manufacturers want you to believe that ink formulations are as proprietary and unique as the formula for Coca-Cola. Indeed, all tests by reviewers confirm that third-party ink is different from OEM (original equipment manufacturer) ink. However, many reviews also show that certain third-party inks and ink cartridges can be just as good or better in some cases. They are also less expensive.

We found two excellent comparative tests of printer ink, and each is targeted to different types of readers. TrustedReviews.com tests OEM and competing printer inks in mainstream all-in-one (multifunction) machines from the four major brands: HP, Epson, Canon and Lexmark. Consumer Reports tests printer ink using photo printers from the top three brands. TrustedReviews publishes sets of prints that document the differences between printer inks. Consumer Reports tests many more competing brands of inkjet printer ink, but has less documentation of results.

While no often-tested printer ink brand is consistently recommended as a product to avoid, one aftermarket solution is rejected by multiple testers. Consumer Reports, Which? and PC World all say to avoid do-it-yourself inkjet refill kits. All cite the same reason: the process is too messy. Testers at work in lab coats have less to risk than you might at home. Spilled inkjet ink can permanently stain clothing, carpeting and furniture. Testers report that inkjet refill attempts resulted in a mess more often than not. In his ViewOnline.com review, Todd Hewey advises, "I do not recommend the InkTec color refill kits. I'm very detailed oriented and if I can't get it right after three tries, then something is very wrong with the kit or the instructions."

In a related matter, consumer talk show host Clark Howard says you can get more life out of a cartridge by shaking it. One of the outrageous aspects of OEM cartridges, according to successful class-action lawsuits, is that they report to the computer that they are empty when they still have ink left. While Howard is right that coating the sidewalls of a cartridge with ink will fool the software into thinking the cartridge is fuller, shaking it is likely to be more expensive (due to spill damage) than refilling or replacing it. In addition, Epson cartridges usually won't work again after being removed from a printer.  ... Continued

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All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

The TrustedReviews.com review recommends third-party inks – at least for print quality. All other reviews recommend the printer manufacturers' inks, along with alternatives. According to reviews, all aftermarket inks work better in some printers (or brands of printers) than others. Cartridge World printer ink is the most reliable of alternative inks. Carrot Ink is also generally recommended and is available online. Cartridge World only sells through its franchise outlets.