HP 65 Tri-Color Ink Cartridge Review: Reliable Color for Your HP DeskJet and Envy

Photos and documents come out crisp, with accurate reds and deep blues. In a side-by-side with cheaper third-party ink, the HP 65 showed noticeably richer color saturation and less banding.

For everyday print jobs like school projects or family photos, it holds up perfectly. Users on Amazon report that it matches the quality of the original cartridge that came with their printer.

If you prize photo-grade output, skip this entry-level cartridge and step up to the HP 64XL or dedicated photo paper.

Installation takes less than a minute — pop open the printer, swap the old cartridge, and the printer auto-aligns. No driver updates or menu diving required.

Compatibility is limited to the DeskJet 2600/3700 and Envy 5000 series. Unlike the more universal HP 902, this cartridge won't work in OfficeJet Pro models. Check your printer model before buying.

For a plug-and-play experience with zero configuration, the HP 65 is about as simple as ink gets.

Expect to replace this cartridge after roughly 120 pages of mixed color use. That's lower than the HP 65XL's 300-page yield, but still enough for a light user printing 10–15 pages per month.

Cost per page runs about 28¢, higher than the 18¢ you'd get from the high-yield variant. Yet the upfront price is half, making it appealing for infrequent printers who don't want to invest in a large cartridge that might dry out before use.

If you print weekly, the standard yield becomes a hassle — you'll hit the swap cycle too often.

HP's Instant Ink subscription ties into this cartridge seamlessly. The printer monitors ink levels and ships a replacement before you run out. Plans start /month for up to 10 pages, which can cut your per-page cost significantly if you print consistently.

Amazon reviewers often mention that the subscription practically eliminates the "low ink" panic. You never face the walk to a store mid-project. However, it's a commitment — cancel and the cartridge stops working.

For light users, the economics may not add up, but moderate home offices will save money and time.

If you print more than 100 pages a month, the standard yield will frustrate. The HP 65XL (high yield, sold separately) nearly halves your cost per page and lasts twice as long.

For mostly black-text documents, the HP 902XL black cartridge offers a far lower cost per page for monochrome work. It's a smarter pick if color is rare.

Brother laser printer users should look at the TN450 3-pack toner cartridges — higher upfront cost, but 2,600 pages each. A toner-based approach eliminates drying-out issues altogether.