HP 67XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge Review - The Expensive Price of Reliability
✅ PROS
- Genuine HP ink works reliably with printer sensors and Instant Ink programs
- No fitting issues unlike some off-brand alternatives
❌ CONS
- Page yield is far below what 'high-yield' suggests—expect well under 200 pages
- Expensive for the amount of ink you actually get
The Verdict
The HP 67XL Black High-Yield Ink Cartridge is one of those products you buy not because you want to, but because you have to. If you own any printer in the DeskJet 1255, 2700, 4100, or Envy 6000/6400 series, you already know the drill: HP builds sensors into their printers that detect non-HP ink, and the compatibility dance with third-party cartridges is a gamble that often doesn’t pay off.
The Reliability Argument
To its credit, the 67XL does exactly what it’s supposed to. It slides in without fuss, the printer recognizes it immediately, and print quality is solid—crisp black text, no streaking, no smudging. Multiple reviewers mention switching back to HP after off-brand cartridges failed to fit or triggered sensor errors. If your time is valuable enough that you can’t afford to troubleshoot printer compatibility issues at 9 PM before a deadline, this is the safe choice.
The Page Yield Problem
Here’s where it gets frustrating. This is marketed as a “high-yield” cartridge, yet reviewers consistently report getting between 100-200 pages before the printer starts warning about low ink. One reviewer barely printed 100 pages and the cartridge was essentially dead. For $35.89, that works out to roughly 18-36 cents per page—just for black ink. That’s steep for home office use, especially if you print regularly.
The Value Calculus
Is it overpriced? Yes. Is it still the best option for HP printer owners? Also yes. The math is straightforward: third-party cartridges cost slightly less or about the same, but they carry a real risk of compatibility issues, sensor errors, and in some cases damaging the printhead. HP knows this, and the pricing reflects the captive market.
If you’re enrolled in HP Instant Ink, the subscription model actually makes more financial sense than buying individual cartridges. If you’re not, consider it—or accept that the 67XL is a reliable but expensive necessity.
Final Verdict
The HP 67XL is a solid product in a frustrating ecosystem. It’s reliable, it works, and it won’t give you headaches. But the page yield is disappointing for a “high-yield” cartridge, and the price per page is hard to swallow. Three and a half stars—it works, but it should cost less.