If you own an HP printer and you're staring at a low-ink warning, you need to know exactly which cartridge your machine actually takes. Getting the wrong one is frustrating and wasteful. This guide covers the HP 62 ink cartridge range—a two-cartridge pack containing one black and one tri-color cartridge—and helps you figure out whether it's the right choice for your printer.

Which Printers Use HP 62 Ink Cartridges

The HP 62 Black/Tri-color Ink 2-pack works with a specific range of HP printers, mostly from their consumer-grade ENVY, OfficeJet, and OfficeJet Mobile lines. The compatible models include the ENVY 5540 series (5540, 5541, 5542, 5543, 5544, 5545, 5547, 5548, 5549), the ENVY 5640 series (5640, 5642, 5643, 5644), the ENVY 5660 series (5660, 5661, 5663, 5664, 5665), and the ENVY 7640 series (7640, 7643, 7644, 7645).

On the office side, it fits the OfficeJet 5740 series (5740, 5741, 5742, 5743, 5744, 5745, 5746), the OfficeJet 8040 series, and the OfficeJet Mobile 200 and 250 series (including the 258 model).

The best way to confirm your specific printer model is to check the front or back panel of your device, or look at your purchase paperwork. If you're unsure, you can also find it in your printer's settings menu under device information. Don't guess—using the wrong cartridge won't fit properly and could damage your printer.

Understanding Cartridge Yield and What It Actually Means

The HP 62 cartridges deliver approximately 200 pages for black ink and 165 pages for tri-color ink. These numbers assume you're printing text documents under standard conditions. Real-world usage varies considerably depending on what you actually print.

If you mostly print text emails and documents, you'll hit those page counts. If you're printing photos, colored graphics, or pages heavy with color content, the tri-color cartridge will run out faster. Conversely, if you print mainly black text, the black cartridge might outlast your expectations while the tri-color sits waiting.

A two-pack gives you one black and one tri-color, so you're not automatically stocked with backup blacks or backups of the color cartridge. Think about your typical printing mix before you buy. If you print heavily in color, a 2-pack might deplete your tri-color cartridge while you still have plenty of black left.

Original HP Ink Versus Third-Party Alternatives

Original HP 62 cartridges are engineered specifically for HP printers and come with several practical benefits. They're designed for fade-resistant output, meaning your documents and photos won't yellow or degrade as quickly as they might with some alternatives. HP's original inks also provide consistent color accuracy, which matters if you're printing anything you want to look professional or archival.

You'll also notice that HP states their original inks can produce up to twice as many prints compared to non-original cartridges. This doesn't mean third-party inks are always inferior—it means HP's performance claims are based on their own formulations and printer engineering working together.

One environmental note: 82% of HP 62 cartridges are manufactured with recycled plastic, so if waste reduction matters to you, that's built into this product.

Should You Use Instant Ink Instead

HP offers an optional subscription service called Instant Ink that works with the HP 62 cartridge range. With Instant Ink, you can save up to 50% compared to buying cartridges separately, and the service automatically ships you replacements before you run out. You never have to think about ordering or find yourself suddenly unable to print.

The trade-off is the monthly subscription cost and the fact that you need to be connected to the internet for the service to work properly. If you print infrequently and don't mind occasional manual ordering, the 2-pack is straightforward. If you print regularly and want the convenience of automatic replacement, Instant Ink eliminates the planning step.

Storage and Care Tips

Once you have your HP 62 cartridges, keep them in a cool, dry place in their sealed packaging until you're ready to use them. Don't expose them to direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes, as this can affect ink consistency. After installation, avoid leaving your printer sitting unused for extended periods with cartridges installed—dried-up ink nozzles are a common problem that can require a lengthy cleaning cycle to fix.

If you need to replace the HP 62 Black/Tri-color Ink 2-pack, simply follow your printer's cartridge replacement instructions, which are usually found in your manual or on-screen prompts. The part number for this specific pack is N9H64FN, so you can reference that when ordering replacements.

The product in this guide: HP 62 Black/Tri-color Ink (2-pack) | Works with HP ENVY 5540, 5640, 5660, 7640 Series, HP OfficeJet 5740, 8040 Series, HP OfficeJet Mobile 200, 250 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | N9H64FN