Buying Ink Cartridges: How to Avoid 3 Common Mistakes

By a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer | July 29, 2026

A blinking light on your printer and faded prints: the inktcartridges are empty. For many, this marks the beginning of a daunting search. The market is vast, and a wrong choice is easily made, resulting in wasted money, poor print quality, or even a damaged printer.

As a Product Recommendation Officer at Joybuy, I sift through the market daily to help you make the right choices. In this article, we'll discuss the three most common pitfalls when buying cartridges and how you can easily avoid them.

The 3 Pitfalls of Buying Printer Ink

Before you order new printer ink, it's wise to consider these common mistakes. They may seem obvious, but they cost many printer owners unnecessary money and frustration every year.

1. The 'Too-Good-to-Be-True' Deal: A non-genuine cartridge for a fraction of the price seems attractive. Unfortunately, this often leads to smudged prints, clogged nozzles, or recognition errors by the printer. Manufacturers like HP, Canon, and Brother state that using non-genuine cartridges can affect the warranty.
2. Choosing the Wrong Number: An HP 301 won't fit in a printer that needs an HP 302. It seems like a minor difference, but the wrong cartridge number renders the purchase instantly useless. Opening the packaging often means you can no longer return the product.
3. Buying Standard Capacity When You Print a Lot: Those who print regularly often end up paying more in the long run with standard cartridges. The initial purchase price is lower, but the cost per page is significantly higher than with an XL ink cartridge.

Finding the Right Cartridge: What to Look For

To sidestep the pitfalls above, you only need to pay attention to a few key specifications. This ensures you always find the right ink for your printer.

Step 1: Check Compatibility (The Right Number)

This is the most crucial step. Every printer works with a specific series of cartridge numbers. You can find the correct number in three places:

• On the old cartridge: Remove the empty cartridge from the printer. The model number (e.g., HP 305, Canon PG-545, Brother LC3219XL) is printed prominently on it.
• Inside the printer: There is often a sticker near the cartridge holder with the compatible numbers.
• In the manual: Your printer's manual always lists the correct ink cartridges.

With this number, you can specifically search for the right HP ink, Canon ink, Brother ink, or Epson ink.

Step 2: Choose the Capacity: Standard or XL?

Printer manufacturers often offer two sizes: standard and XL (high capacity).

• Standard: Suitable if you only print occasionally (e.g., a plane ticket or a return label). The initial purchase price is lower.
• XL ink cartridge: Contains significantly more ink and prints hundreds to thousands more pages. Although the purchase price is higher, the cost per page is much lower. This is the most cost-effective choice for remote workers, students, and small offices.

Step 3: Genuine Cartridges or an Alternative?

Genuine cartridges are produced by the printer manufacturer itself. They are specifically designed to work seamlessly with your all-in-one printer or standard model. According to the manufacturers, this guarantees reliable operation, consistent print quality, and the preservation of the printer warranty. While alternatives exist on the market, we focus on genuine products for the assurance they provide.

Recommended Products to Consider

Based on the criteria above, we have selected a few popular ink cartridges that suit different user profiles.

MATCH FOR: THE HEAVY USER (HOME OFFICE & SMB)

Brother LC3235XLC ink cartridge 1 pc(s) Original Cyan

Why This Fits Their Persona: Ideal for those who print reports, invoices, or other documents daily. This cartridge is designed for high-volume use, meaning fewer replacements and sustained productivity.

How It Avoids the Trap

Tackles the pitfall of a high cost per page. Its very high capacity results in a significantly lower cost per print in the long run compared to standard cartridges.

Key Advantage & Pros

Very High Page Yield: Prints up to 5,000 pages according to the manufacturer (ISO/IEC 24711 standard).
Reliability: As a genuine Brother cartridge, it's engineered for optimal performance.

MATCH FOR: THE QUALITY SEEKER (PHOTOS & GRAPHICS)

Epson Kiwi Singlepack Photo Black 202XL Claria Premium Ink

Why This Fits Their Persona: For amateur photographers and creatives who want to print high-quality photos at home. This ink is specially formulated for vibrant and long-lasting photo prints.

How It Avoids the Trap

Prevents the disappointment of faded or inaccurate colours often seen with standard ink. The 'Photo Black' ink delivers deep blacks and rich contrast, which is essential for photo quality.

Key Advantage & Pros

Claria Premium Ink: According to Epson, this technology delivers sharp text and glossy photos.
High Capacity: The XL version prints up to 800 pages, which is also useful for documents.

MATCH FOR: THE EFFICIENT BUYER (CONVENIENCE & STOCK)

Brother LC1220VALBP Ink Cartridge 4 Pcs Original

Why This Fits Their Persona: For those who value convenience and want to avoid unpleasant surprises. With a `multipack inktcartridges`, you have all the necessary colours on hand and will never be caught short.

How It Avoids the Trap

Prevents the frustration of replacing a black cartridge only to find that the cyan one is also empty. A multipack ensures your printer is always fully operational.

Key Advantage & Pros

Complete Set: Contains black, cyan, magenta, and yellow in one value pack.
Cost Savings: Often more economical than buying all four cartridges separately.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ink Cartridges

How do I know which ink cartridge fits my printer?

The most reliable method is to check the model number on your old, empty cartridge. This number (for example, Epson 604XL) is unique and will always lead you to the correct product. If you no longer have the old cartridge, you can look up your printer's model number on the manufacturer's website.

Is an XL ink cartridge always more economical?

For anyone who prints more than a few times a month, an XL ink cartridge is almost always the most economical choice. The purchase price is higher, but the amount of ink is disproportionately larger, significantly lowering the cost per printed page. If you rarely print, a standard cartridge may suffice.

Why choose genuine cartridges?

Genuine cartridges are developed by your printer's manufacturer. According to the manufacturers themselves, they are designed for perfect synergy with the device. This results in reliable performance, consistent colours, and prevents issues like leakage or recognition errors, which can affect your printer's lifespan.