1. HP 61 vs HP 962 cost per page — which is actually cheaper per print

HP 61 vs HP 962 Cost Per Page — Which is Actually Cheaper Per Print?

If you own an HP printer and have noticed dramatically different prices between HP 61 and HP 962 cartridges, you’re likely wondering: which one truly costs less per printed page? With OEM cartridge prices soaring and third-party options offering varying quality, understanding the cost per page (CPP) between these two cartridge models can help you make smarter buying decisions and avoid overpaying for ink.

This article breaks down the key elements that affect CPP for HP 61 versus HP 962 cartridges — including cartridge yields, list prices, chip functionality, and potential trade-offs — helping you choose the more economical printing solution over the long term.

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See also: HP 61 vs HP 962 cost per page — which is actually cheaper per print

What Are HP 61 and HP 962 Cartridges?

Both HP 61 and HP 962 cartridges are designed for HP inkjet printers, but they target different printer series and printing volumes.

• HP 61 cartridges are generally older, used in budget and compact HP printers targeting everyday home or small office use. They have relatively low ink yields aimed at low-to-moderate print volumes.
• HP 962 cartridges are newer, manufactured for higher-end HP OfficeJet and OfficeJet Pro models. They typically have larger reservoirs and are intended for users with higher daily page demands.

Understanding these differences matters because a higher upfront cartridge cost can be offset by increased page yield, influencing the real CPP.

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How Cost Per Page Works

Cost per page is calculated as:

Cost per page = Cartridge price ÷ Number of pages the cartridge prints (yield)

• Cartridge price includes OEM manufacturer MSRP or street price.
• Yield is usually based on industry-standard tests from ISO/IEC 24711 for ink cartridges.

For example, if a cartridge costs $30 and yields 300 pages, the CPP is $0.10.

When evaluating printer cartridge costs, you should also consider:

• Color vs. black & white CPP: Color cartridges often cost more per page.
• OEM vs third-party replacement costs: Third-party ink can lower CPP but may impact print quality or printer compatibility.
• Chip lockouts: Newer cartridge chips may prevent the use of refillable or compatible cartridges, forcing customers to buy OEM replacements at a premium.

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Comparing HP 61 vs HP 962: Price and Yield Overview

Feature	HP 61 Black Cartridge	HP 61 Tri-color Cartridge	HP 962 Black Cartridge	HP 962 Tri-color Cartridge
Typical OEM MSRP*	$20–25	$25–30	$40–45	$50–55
Approximate Yield (pages)	190 pages (black text pages)	165 pages (color composite)	825 pages (black text pages)	825 pages (color composite)
Approximate Cost Per Page (CPP)	$0.11–$0.13 (black)	$0.15–$0.18 (color)	$0.05–$0.06 (black)	$0.06–$0.07 (color)
Typical Printer Models	Entry-level HP DeskJet printers	Entry-level HP DeskJet printers	Higher-end OfficeJet Pro printers	Higher-end OfficeJet Pro printers

*MSRP ranges vary widely by seller and region; always check current prices.

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What Does This Mean for Cost Efficiency?

• HP 61 cartridges have significantly lower yields, making them more expensive on a per-page basis despite their lower sticker price.
• HP 962 cartridges cost more upfront but offer yields that are over four times higher. This volume advantage drastically reduces their CPP, making them more economical for moderate to heavy users.
• The tri-color HP 61 cartridges’ CPP is especially high since color ink is used for all color elements on the page and components like photo or graphic printing.

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When to Use HP 61 vs HP 962 Cartridges

When HP 61 Makes Sense

• If you print very infrequently or only occasional short documents, the lower initial outlay might seem attractive.
• Compatible with older and budget HP models where HP 962 cartridges aren’t supported.
• If printer compatibility or availability restricts you to HP 61 cartridges.

When HP 962 Is the Better Bet

• If you print regularly or in high volumes, the lower CPP outweighs the higher cartridge cost.
• For office users or home offices with daily document and color printing needs.
• When your printer supports HP 962 and you want longer lasting cartridges with fewer replacements.

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Other Factors Affecting Real-World Costs

OEM vs Third-Party / Refilled Cartridges

Both HP 61 and HP 962 cartridges can be found as third-party compatible or refillable versions, which might reduce upfront costs. However:

• HP 962 cartridges often feature updated chip technology that may block refilled cartridges or compatibles, raising compatibility risk.
• HP 61 cartridges have older chip designs, making third-party and refilled options more widely available and reliable.
• Using non-OEM cartridges can void warranties or risk printhead damage, potentially increasing long-term costs.

Printer Technology and Consumable Lock-in

HP’s recent cartridge designs include dynamic security features that detect non-OEM chips and block printing.

• This is especially important for HP 962 cartridges, where newer printer models may deny print jobs with incompatible cartridges.
• HP 61 cartridges tend to lack this complex lock-out function in older printer models.

Yield Variation and Print Behavior

Actual yields can deviate based on:

• Print coverage per page (text vs images)
• Using printer settings that consume more ink (photo mode, draft mode)
• Ink drying and cartridge aging
• Environmental factors like temperature and humidity

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Summary Comparison

Metric	HP 61 Cartridge	HP 962 Cartridge
Upfront Cost	Lower ($20–30)	Higher ($40–55)
Page Yield	~190 pages (black), ~165 (color)	~825 pages (black/color)
Estimated Cost Per Page	High (~$0.11–$0.18)	Low (~$0.05–$0.07)
Printer Compatibility	Older/budget models only	Newer office models, higher print volume
Chip Lockout and Security	Basic, easier third party use	Advanced, more locking mechanisms
Third-party / Refill Options	More plentiful & reliable	Limited due to chip lockouts
Ideal Users	Low volume, infrequent printing	Moderate/high volume users

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Practical Advice to Reduce Your Printing Costs

1. Calculate Your Monthly Print Volume: Estimate your average page count per month to see which CPP range fits your needs.
2. Check Your Printer Model Compatibility: Confirm whether your printer supports HP 61 or HP 962 or both, as mixing is usually not possible.
3. Compare Current Cartridge Prices from Multiple Sellers: Cartridge prices can vary wildly; shop around to ensure you’re paying the best price for your model.
4. Consider Third-party Cartridges Carefully: Weigh the cost savings against potential reliability and chip lock risks, especially with HP 962.
5. Factor Replacement Frequency and Printer Downtime: Frequent cartridge changes with HP 61 can be inconvenient and may increase indirect costs.
6. Don’t Ignore Print Settings: Use draft mode or black-and-white mode for less critical prints to stretch yields further.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the HP 962 cost more than the HP 61 if the CPP is lower?
A: HP 962 cartridges have a higher upfront price because they contain significantly more ink and advanced chips, enabling a higher page yield and overall lower cost per page for users who print frequently.

Q: Can I use third-party cartridges with HP 962 cartridges?
A: Many HP 962 cartridges include advanced chip security that can prevent third-party or refilled cartridges from working. HP 61 cartridges are generally more compatible with third-party alternatives.

Q: If I only print occasionally, is HP 61 a better option?
A: For users printing very infrequently, HP 61 can be a reasonable choice due to lower initial cost, but keep in mind that their cost per page is higher and frequent cartridge replacements may add up.

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Choosing between HP 61 and HP 962 cartridges boils down to your printing volume, budget preference, printer compatibility, and how much hassle you’re willing to accept with cartridge replacements or third-party ink chips. For most moderate-to-heavy users, investing in HP 962 cartridges typically offers the best cost-per-page value and overall convenience in the long run.

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