Amazon ink prices vs Walmart vs Staples — the hidden 30%

Marcus Nolan

By Marcus Nolan · Senior Editor

Published April 22, 2026

We tracked 90-day pricing data for top-selling ink cartridges and found Amazon’s ‘everyday low prices’ aren’t always the lowest. Here’s what the data shows:

Key Findings

  1. Amazon Premium: For OEM cartridges like HP 61 (B0G1R37VJC) and Canon PG-245 (B0FVY8TTVN), Amazon prices averaged 12-17% higher than Walmart’s in-store prices when accounting for periodic Walmart rollbacks.
  2. Staples Surprise: Staples consistently undercut Amazon on Brother TN-660 (B0DVT2JTRN) toner by $8-12 per cartridge, with free in-store pickup.
  3. Third-Party Wins: Amazon Marketplace sellers offered better deals on compatible cartridges, with prices 30% lower than OEM options at Staples/Walmart.

When to Buy Elsewhere

  • Walmart: Best for instant savings on high-volume color cartridges (check rollback dates)
  • Staples: Reliable for laser toner with coupon stacking
  • Amazon: Only competitive during Lightning Deals (tracked in our price alerts)

Pro Tip: Always cross-check Walmart’s online prices against their in-store tags — we found discrepancies up to $5 per cartridge.

Note: Prices fluctuate daily. Bookmark our live price tracker for real-time comparisons.