# TLDR Review: HP 952 Ink Cartridges (Black & Color)

*Published: 2026-03-10 | Updated: 2026-03-10 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/hp-952-ink-cartridges-(black-and-color)*

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## Product: HP 952 Ink Cartridges (Black & Color)
**Brand:** HP

## Pros
- Essential for Hewlett Packard printers to prevent acceptance of replica or generic cartridges, ensuring smooth operation.
- Ink containers have a good size, making them suitable for extended use, especially the larger black cartridge.
- Consistently produces vibrant, high-quality color prints with smooth and reliable ink application.
- Comes as a convenient set of four cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), simplifying replacement.
- Cartridges are easy to insert and remove, fitting perfectly in compatible HP printers like the OfficeJet Pro 8710.
- Prevents leakage issues commonly associated with third-party inks by sticking to genuine HP ink formulations.
- Ink cartridges arrive filled fully, maximizing usage before replacements are needed.
- Customer service for HP ink is responsive and supportive.
- Many users feel the investment is worth it for the consistent quality and reliability.
- Users report high overall satisfaction and likelihood to buy again.

## Cons
- The price is on the expensive side, which can be a deterrent for infrequent printer users.
- Ink tends to run out relatively quickly, leading to more frequent replacements and ongoing cost.
- Using non-HP or generic ink cartridges often causes printer connectivity issues, requiring a USB connection instead of wireless.
- Generic ink usage can result in print quality problems like missing lines, forcing users to reprint documents.
- Other devices connected to the same printer may experience connectivity problems when non-HP ink is used.
- Paying extra for official HP ink is necessary to avoid headaches from print and connectivity problems.

## Bottom Line

If you want *reliable*, *vibrant* prints and a hassle-free experience with your HP printer, sticking with the HP 952 Original Ink Cartridges is the way to go. The upfront cost is higher, but the smooth performance, long-lasting ink volume, and guaranteed compatibility make it worthwhile — especially compared to the unreliable connectivity and quality issues with generic replacements. If price is a big concern, you might want to keep an eye out for deals, but for the best printing experience with your HP OfficeJet or similar models, these cartridges deliver consistently.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Essential for Hewlett Packard printers to prevent acceptance of replica or generic cartridges, ensuring smooth operation. | The price is on the expensive side, which can be a deterrent for infrequent printer users. |
| Ink containers have a good size, making them suitable for extended use, especially the larger black cartridge. | Ink tends to run out relatively quickly, leading to more frequent replacements and ongoing cost. |
| Consistently produces vibrant, high-quality color prints with smooth and reliable ink application. | Using non-HP or generic ink cartridges often causes printer connectivity issues, requiring a USB connection instead of wireless. |
| Comes as a convenient set of four cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), simplifying replacement. | Generic ink usage can result in print quality problems like missing lines, forcing users to reprint documents. |
| Cartridges are easy to insert and remove, fitting perfectly in compatible HP printers like the OfficeJet Pro 8710. | Other devices connected to the same printer may experience connectivity problems when non-HP ink is used. |
| Prevents leakage issues commonly associated with third-party inks by sticking to genuine HP ink formulations. | Paying extra for official HP ink is necessary to avoid headaches from print and connectivity problems. |
| Ink cartridges arrive filled fully, maximizing usage before replacements are needed. |  |
| Customer service for HP ink is responsive and supportive. |  |
| Many users feel the investment is worth it for the consistent quality and reliability. |  |
| Users report high overall satisfaction and likelihood to buy again. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
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| Best Buy | $106.99  | Check |
| hp (us) | $106.99  | Check |
| hp (us) | $106.99  | Check |
| Shopping.com | $106.99  | Check |
| Staples.com | $107.89  | Check |
| OfficeCrave.com | $114.86  | Check |
| Walmart | $115.50  | Check |
| Bluedogink | $119.96  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*