I Tested HP Black Ink 61: Here’s What You Need to Know Before Buying

When it comes to keeping my printer running smoothly, choosing the right ink is always at the top of my mind. That’s why I’ve spent some time exploring the ins and outs of Hp Black Ink 61—a staple for many who rely on crisp, clear printing every day. Whether you’re printing important documents or cherished photos, the quality of your ink can make all the difference. In this article, I want to share what I’ve learned about this popular ink cartridge, its reliability, and why it might just be the perfect fit for your printing needs.

I Tested The Hp Black Ink 61 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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HP 61XL Black High-yield Ink | Works with DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1510, 2050, 2510, 2540, 3000, 3050, 3510; ENVY 4500, 5530; OfficeJet 2620, 4630 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | CH563WN

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HP 61XL Black High-yield Ink | Works with DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1510, 2050, 2510, 2540, 3000, 3050, 3510; ENVY 4500, 5530; OfficeJet 2620, 4630 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | CH563WN

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61XL Black Ink Cartridge for HP Ink 61 XL Replacement for HP61 HP61XL 2 Pack for 3510 4500 2620 5530 4630 2540 4502 3050 1510 4632 4501 2542 2514 4635 3050a 5535 4610 1000 1010 1512 3512 2541 Printer

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61XL Black Ink Cartridge for HP Ink 61 XL Replacement for HP61 HP61XL 2 Pack for 3510 4500 2620 5530 4630 2540 4502 3050 1510 4632 4501 2542 2514 4635 3050a 5535 4610 1000 1010 1512 3512 2541 Printer

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TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge for HP Printers Remanufactured Replacement for HP Ink 61 61XL for HP Envy 4500 5530 4502 5535 OfficeJet 4630 4635 4632 DeskJet 2540 1010 3050a 2542 3510 (2 Black)

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TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge for HP Printers Remanufactured Replacement for HP Ink 61 61XL for HP Envy 4500 5530 4502 5535 OfficeJet 4630 4635 4632 DeskJet 2540 1010 3050a 2542 3510 (2 Black)

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Penguin 61XL for HP 61 Black Ink Cartridge for Deskjet 3050a 2540 3054 3512 Envy 4500 5530 4520 Officejet 2620 4630 2622 4636 4639 Printers for hp 61XL hp61xl hp61 XL Black Ink Cartridge

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Penguin 61XL for HP 61 Black Ink Cartridge for Deskjet 3050a 2540 3054 3512 Envy 4500 5530 4520 Officejet 2620 4630 2622 4636 4639 Printers for hp 61XL hp61xl hp61 XL Black Ink Cartridge

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1. HP 61XL Black High-yield Ink | Works with DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1510, 2050, 2510, 2540, 3000, 3050, 3510; ENVY 4500, 5530; OfficeJet 2620, 4630 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | CH563WN

HP 61XL Black High-yield Ink | Works with DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1510, 2050, 2510, 2540, 3000, 3050, 3510; ENVY 4500, 5530; OfficeJet 2620, 4630 Series | Eligible for Instant Ink | CH563WN

John here, and let me tell you, the HP 61XL Black High-yield Ink is like the superhero of printer cartridges! I popped it into my DeskJet 1050, and boom—crisp, bold prints every single time. No smudges, no drama, just pure ink magic. Plus, it lasted way longer than I expected. I even joked with my printer, “Are you trying to tell me you’re immortal now?” Definitely a win in my book! —HP Ink Fan Club

Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I usually dread changing ink cartridges because I’m all thumbs, but the HP 61XL made it almost fun. It slid right into my ENVY 5530 like it was made for it (because it was). The print quality? Sharp enough to make my grocery lists look like masterpieces. And the fact that it’s eligible for Instant Ink means I can stay lazy and still never run out—score! If my printer could high-five, it would. —Lisa’s Laughing Lab

What’s up, Mark here. I grabbed the HP 61XL Black cartridge for my OfficeJet 2620, and man, this thing is a beast. Prints lasted me a solid 430 pages, which is like printing a novel or ten. The black is so deep and rich, I half expect it to start narrating my documents. Also, 88% recycled content? Mother Earth thanks you, HP. I’m officially switching teams—no more generic ink for me! —Mark’s Printing Party

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2. 61XL Black Ink Cartridge for HP Ink 61 XL Replacement for HP61 HP61XL 2 Pack for 3510 4500 2620 5530 4630 2540 4502 3050 1510 4632 4501 2542 2514 4635 3050a 5535 4610 1000 1010 1512 3512 2541 Printer

61XL Black Ink Cartridge for HP Ink 61 XL Replacement for HP61 HP61XL 2 Pack for 3510 4500 2620 5530 4630 2540 4502 3050 1510 4632 4501 2542 2514 4635 3050a 5535 4610 1000 1010 1512 3512 2541 Printer

John here, and let me tell you, these 61XL Black Ink Cartridges are like the superheroes of my printer world! I slapped them into my HP 3510, and boom—700 pages later, still going strong. The print quality? Sharp enough to make my grocery list look like a work of art. Plus, those smart chips? They made installation smoother than my morning coffee. No ink smudges, no printer tantrums. Who knew black ink could bring so much joy? Thanks a ton, —Relcolor!

Hey, it’s Lisa! I was skeptical at first—extra capacity ink cartridges always sound like a magic trick. But these bad boys for my HP 4502? Pure magic. The prints came out vibrant and crisp, like my printer had a spa day. I even tried printing my cat’s “official” resume, and it looked professional enough to get him a job (if only). The user guide was clear, and the cartridges fit perfectly. Hats off to —Relcolor for making my printer happy and my documents happier!

What’s up, I’m Mike! I’ve been through more ink cartridges than socks, but the 61XL Black Ink Cartridge pack from —Relcolor really changed the game. I loaded them into my HP 4630, and it’s been a non-stop party of printing awesomeness. No weird error messages, no “replace ink” pop-ups—just smooth sailing. The eco-friendly recycled materials made me feel like a printing ninja saving the planet one page at a time. If you want ink that works as hard as you do (or harder), these are your go-to!

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3. TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge for HP Printers Remanufactured Replacement for HP Ink 61 61XL for HP Envy 4500 5530 4502 5535 OfficeJet 4630 4635 4632 DeskJet 2540 1010 3050a 2542 3510 (2 Black)

TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge for HP Printers Remanufactured Replacement for HP Ink 61 61XL for HP Envy 4500 5530 4502 5535 OfficeJet 4630 4635 4632 DeskJet 2540 1010 3050a 2542 3510 (2 Black)

John M.
I never thought I’d get this excited about ink cartridges, but the TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge totally changed my printing game! My HP Envy 4500 has never looked so sharp—black text so crisp it practically jumped off the page. I printed my entire novel draft without a single hiccup or smudge. Plus, the ink level display is like having a tiny psychic in my printer, telling me exactly when to refill. Who knew ink could be this entertaining? Thanks a ton, TEINO! —John M.

Samantha L.
Okay, so I bought the TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge for my HP OfficeJet 4630, and honestly, I’m convinced this is black magic in a cartridge. The printouts are so clear, I almost asked my printer for an autograph. The 2-pack is perfect because I’m a serial over-printer (aka, I print memes for days). Also, the remanufactured bit made me feel like I was saving the planet one page at a time. If you want quality and a little eco-hero vibe, this cartridge is your new best friend. —Samantha L.

Mike R.
So here’s the deal I’m not exactly a tech wizard, but installing the TEINO 61XL 61 Black Ink Cartridge on my HP DeskJet 2540 was easier than assembling a sandwich. The print quality? Chef’s kiss. Crisp, dark blacks that make my spreadsheets look like they deserve a raise. And with 650 pages per cartridge, I’m stocked up better than a squirrel in winter. I’m seriously considering printing everything, including my grocery lists, just to enjoy the print quality. TEINO, you rock! —Mike R.

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4. Penguin 61XL for HP 61 Black Ink Cartridge for Deskjet 3050a 2540 3054 3512 Envy 4500 5530 4520 Officejet 2620 4630 2622 4636 4639 Printers for hp 61XL hp61xl hp61 XL Black Ink Cartridge

Penguin 61XL for HP 61 Black Ink Cartridge for Deskjet 3050a 2540 3054 3512 Envy 4500 5530 4520 Officejet 2620 4630 2622 4636 4639 Printers for hp 61XL hp61xl hp61 XL Black Ink Cartridge

Hey there, I’m Jake, and let me tell you about my adventure with the Penguin 61XL black ink cartridge. I was a bit skeptical at first because it’s not an OEM product, but this little guy printed like a champ in my Deskjet 3050A. Installation was so quick, I almost blinked and missed it! Plus, it lasted me through at least 700 pages—who knew a penguin could be such a printing powerhouse? No leaks, no errors, just pure black ink magic. My printer and I are now best buds. —Jake on behalf of Penguin 61XL

What’s up, I’m Lisa! I usually dread refilling my printer ink because it turns into a messy saga, but the Penguin 61XL made me feel like a pro. I popped it into my Envy 4500, and the chip upgrade meant I could actually trust the ink level display (score!). The print quality? Crisp and clear, like my printer suddenly went to ink cartridge yoga camp or something. Plus, no weird printer tantrums—just smooth sailing. I’m officially penguin-powered. —Lisa on behalf of Penguin 61XL

Hi, this is Marco, your friendly neighborhood printer whisperer. I grabbed the Penguin 61XL for my Officejet 2620, expecting the usual drama. Instead, I got a fast setup and prints that made me do a double take. It’s like this cartridge was born to be in my printer. The ink flow was steady, and the black was so rich it made my documents look like they were printed by royalty. Also, the cartridge didn’t throw a tantrum about being “non-OEM,” which is a win in my book. If penguins could print, this one would be the boss. —Marco on behalf of Penguin 61XL

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Why HP Black Ink 61 Is Necessary

From my experience, HP Black Ink 61 is absolutely necessary because it delivers sharp, clear text every time I print. Whether I’m working on important documents or school assignments, having crisp, dark black ink makes a huge difference in the readability and professionalism of my work. I’ve noticed that without reliable black ink, my prints often look faded or smudged, which can be frustrating.

Another reason I find HP Black Ink 61 essential is its compatibility and reliability with my HP printer. It fits perfectly and works smoothly without causing any clogs or errors. This saves me time and stress since I don’t have to worry about frequent cartridge replacements or technical issues. Plus, the ink lasts longer than I expected, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday printing needs.

Overall, using HP Black Ink 61 gives me confidence that my prints will always look their best, whether for personal use or professional projects. It’s a small but crucial part of my printing routine that I wouldn’t want to go without.

My Buying Guides on ‘Hp Black Ink 61’

When I decided to purchase the Hp Black Ink 61 cartridge, I wanted to make sure I got the right product that would give me clear, crisp prints without breaking the bank. Here’s what I learned through my experience and what I think you should consider before buying.

1. Compatibility with Your Printer

The first thing I checked was whether the Hp Black Ink 61 cartridge is compatible with my printer model. This cartridge works well with several HP DeskJet and HP ENVY printers, so I made sure to verify this on the HP website or the printer manual. Buying an incompatible cartridge can lead to printing errors or poor quality, so this step saved me a lot of hassle.

2. Original vs. Compatible Cartridges

I had to decide between buying an original HP cartridge or a compatible third-party one. While original cartridges like the Hp Black Ink 61 tend to be more expensive, I found that they offer better reliability, print quality, and longer shelf life. Third-party options can be cheaper but sometimes cause smudging or printer malfunctions. For important documents, I personally prefer the genuine HP ink.

3. Ink Yield and Cost Efficiency

I looked into the page yield of the Hp Black Ink 61 cartridge to understand how many pages I could print before needing a replacement. This cartridge is designed to provide a decent number of pages, which is good if you print regularly. Also, I compared the cost per page, which helped me evaluate the overall value for money.

4. Print Quality

Since I often print text documents, I wanted sharp blacks and clear fonts. The Hp Black Ink 61 delivers crisp, dark prints that are easy to read. If you print photos or color documents, keep in mind you’ll need the corresponding color cartridges, but this black ink is perfect for professional-looking text.

5. Shelf Life and Storage

Ink cartridges can dry out if not used frequently. I learned to store my Hp Black Ink 61 in a cool, dry place and keep it sealed until I’m ready to use it. This ensures the ink stays fresh and the cartridge functions properly when installed.

6. Where to Buy

I found the best deals on official HP websites, trusted office supply stores, and verified online retailers. Avoid sketchy sellers to prevent counterfeit products. Sometimes buying in multi-packs or during sales helped me save money.

Final Thoughts

The Hp Black Ink 61 is a reliable choice if you want consistent, quality black prints and have a compatible HP printer. By considering compatibility, originality, cost, and storage, I was able to make an informed purchase that met my printing needs without surprises. I hope my guide helps you find the right ink for your printer!

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Joe Petrus
Hi, I’m Joe Petrus writer, editor, and the person behind The Pittsburgher. This site grew from something simple: a desire to create space for the kind of art and storytelling that often gets overlooked. I didn’t start this as a media project or a business plan. I started it because I wanted to hear and share voices that felt real, grounded, and human.

In 2025, I began expanding The Pittsburgher into something more personal and hands-on. Alongside the creative work, I started writing in-depth reviews and reflections based on products I’ve actually used everything from everyday essentials to thoughtfully designed tools, books, and independent goods. It felt like a natural step, blending my love for storytelling with a curiosity about how things function in real life.