The Best Printer Ink Stores

Wednesday, June 7th

2023 Printer Ink Store Reviews

Comp and Save

• Remanufactured and compatible cartridges (no OEM)
• Great prices
• Free shipping on orders over $50
• Subscribe to emails to get free shipping over $35
• 1-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee
• "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB

Comp and Save is our top choice for printer ink, even outranking its two sister brands (Combo Ink and TomatoInk). Want to know why thousands of people give this store a five-star rating?

Compares favorably for most models

To make a fair comparison across printer ink retailers, we chose two popular printer models to see what we'd pay for cartridges. The first is the Canon Pixma MX922, and for a 5-pack of compatible high-yield/XL cartridges, you'd pay $23.75 here, or you could choose single-color cartridges for $4.99 each. That's about as low as it goes, folks. Our second printer is the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n, and Comp and Save comes in on the spendy side at $91.96 for a 4-pack of compatible toner cartridges, or single-color cartridges for $23.99 each. This retailer doesn't offer OEM printer ink, so you'd need to shop elsewhere if that's what you need.

Several ways to save

But, there are a couple of ways to make your purchase more affordable with Comp and Save, especially on cartridges that might not be the lowest-priced on the market. You'll get free shipping if your order is over $50, but if you subscribe to the email newsletter here, you'll get complimentary delivery on orders over $35 - and a one-time savings of 15% on your order. You also get discounts when you buy three or more of any particular cartridge or combo pack.

Very generous satisfaction guarantee

In case you are unhappy with the printer ink you purchased from Comp and Save, you can return it within 10 days of delivery to receive a full refund, which includes the return postage. However, if you tend to purchase ink refills in advance and don't use them for several weeks or more, you can still request a refund within 365 days of delivery for either defective or unopened cartridges. It is worth noting that if you opt for a refund instead of store credit for unopened cartridges, a 15% restocking fee will be charged. Nevertheless, this policy is considerably more generous than that of other printer ink retailers.

Best reputation in the industry

Not many of the printer ink retailers we evaluated can claim both an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, but Comp and Save can (even its two sister brands didn't get those accolades). There were only 16 complaints filed there over the last three years, and they all received an appropriate response. Better yet, across nearly 4,000 store reviews on Google, Comp and Save earned 4- and 5-star reviews from 90% of customers. This store has a lot of loyal clients who wouldn't think of ordering their compatible ink cartridges anywhere else. Almost every single time, orders arrive right on time (or early), with no issues once the print cartridges are installed.

#1 choice for printer ink

Great prices (most of the time), excellent customer service, flawless reputation: what more could you want from a printer ink supplier? It's hard to do better than Comp and Save. This store is the obvious choice as our #1 retailer for printer ink, especially if you want the low prices that come when you buy compatible (and not OEM) cartridges.

Combo Ink

• Remanufactured and compatible cartridges (no OEM)
• Can create custom combos of cartridges
• Free shipping on orders over $50
• 1-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee

Combo Ink is the twin site to Comp and Save (and is even a secret sister brand to our #3 retailer, TomatoInk). That means you'll find almost the exact same pricing and availability between the two (or three) sites, so don't feel spooked if you notice a lot of similarities.

Lowest prices on some printer ink

You won't find a lower price on compatible cartridges for the first printer we used as a basis for comparison, the Canon Pixma MX922. A 5-pack of high-yield/XL sells for just $23.58, plus single-color cartridges for $4.99 each. Our second item didn't fare quite as well price-wise: the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n, at $91.16 for a 4-pack of replacement toner cartridges (which was about $25 higher than the lowest price we found elsewhere), and with single-color cartridges for $23.99 each. Be aware that even though those toner cartridges are under a header of "compatible products" , the word "replacement" in the item title means that it's a remanufactured OEM cartridge. Other than that, though, there are no OEM printer ink options at Combo Ink.

Build your own combo

But, there's one novel way to shop here that isn't offered by either sister brand or any other retailer: create a custom combo (relating back to the company's name - we see what you did there, Combo Ink!). Maybe you really go through a ton of yellow ink but not as much cyan or magenta? No problem: when you create a user account here, you can build out whatever combination of cartridges you need to save money, instead of buying single cartridges at a higher price. Love that!

Get discounts with or without subscribing

We spotted two additional ways to save as soon as we visited the Combo Ink store recently. A pop-up gave us a 10% discount code we could use right away, or we could subscribe to receive emails and get a 15% coupon. Kudos to Combo Ink for not requiring us to provide our email address in order to get some savings. If you want free shipping, though, you'll have to spend over $50.

Great return policy and satisfaction guarantee

In the event that you are not completely satisfied with your printer ink purchase from Combo Ink, you have the option to return it within 10 days of delivery for a full refund. Even better, they will cover the cost of return postage. However, if you tend to order your refills in advance and end up not using them for a while, you can still receive a refund for defective cartridges or unopened ones within 365 days of delivery. It's important to note that if you opt for a refund instead of store credit for unopened cartridges, a 15% restocking fee will apply. Nonetheless, this policy is quite generous compared to other printer ink retailers.

Only slightly behind first place

Given that both sites are essentially the same, what is it about Combo Ink that puts it in the #2 slot behind Comp and Save? To start, Combo Ink had a "B-" rating from the Better Business Bureau for failing to respond to one customer complaint. Obviously that's not such a big red flag that we'd downgrade this retailer in general, but it was a difference between the two brands. Another difference? Combo Ink seems to get less customer traffic, and that can lead to less information on print cartridges. For example, on the Canon print cartridges we referenced earlier, there were about 30 customer reviews on the Combo Ink site - and 200 on the Comp and Save product.

Thousands of five-star reviews

However, none of that is cause for concern. Combo Ink still averages 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google, 4.5 out of 5 on Reseller Ratings (across 6,200+ customer reviews), you get the idea. People say that their orders come on time and the cartridges work as promised, and for those who experience any issues, the customer service team is responsive and helpful.

Trustworthy for printer ink

Combo Ink, while no longer earning our #1 ranking, still comes in as an excellent choice for printer ink. We love the option of building a custom pack of cartridges, and that might be the one reason you'd choose this brand over any other. Everything else about this retailer is right on point with its sister brands, earning Combo Ink our recommendation and second-place finish among retailers of printer ink.

TomatoInk

• Offers both compatible and remanufactured (described as "replacement" ) cartridges
• Free shipping on orders over $50
• $3.99 shipping on orders <$50
• 1-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee
• "A+" rated by the BBB
• In business for 20+ years

TomatoInk believes that it's important to do business in a way that's good for the environment. That's why this certified member of the Green Business Network uses remanufactured and compatible cartridges (made from recycled materials). But no, they don't use tomatoes in their ink. The name was meant to convey a fresh, friendly, colorful feeling. TomatoInk has been in business for over 20 years (and, by the way, our research indicates that the company has the same owner as our #1 and #2 sites).

Competitive pricing, for the most part

Let's take a look at how TomatoInk measures up with respect to selection and pricing. On our first test case, the Canon Pixma MX922, this retailer is right up there with the competition. We found a 5-pack of high-yield/XL compatible cartridges for $23.75, and single-color cartridges for $4.99 each. Our second test case, the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n, was also available, but it was much more expensive than TomatoInk's rivals at $91.96 for a 4-pack of remanufactured toner cartridges, single-color cartridges for $23.99 each.

Get a discount

While we browsed the TomatoInk site, we got a pop-up with an instant discount code to save 10% or a 15% savings if we entered our email to sign up for store updates and offers. We always appreciate retailers that don't make us subscribe to emails we're probably going to immediately delete, just to save on our order. You'll also get free shipping if your order is over $50, and you'll pay $3.99 for orders under that amount.

Customer-friendly return policy and guarantee

What if you're not completely satisfied with your printer ink from TomatoInk? If you decide to return your purchase within 10 days of delivery, you'll get a full refund - and they'll even cover the return postage. But, if you're like us, you probably order your refills in advance and you might not even get around to using them for a few weeks (...or longer...). As long as you make your request within 365 days of delivery, you can get a refund on defective cartridges or on unopened ones; just be aware that in the latter case, you'll be charged a 15% restocking fee if you choose a refund instead of store credit. Still, that's pretty generous compared with other retailers of printer ink.

Super-solid reputation

We're happy to report that TomatoInk has a good reputation, starting with an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau and no complaints filed there. Although you won't find thousands and thousands of shopper ratings for this printer ink store, what's out there is still very reassuring. There are plenty of compliments for TomatoInk's customer service, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have a question about your printer before you place your order. We were happy to see several comments from long-term customers who've never had an issue with their cartridges from TomatoInk.

Easy to reach customer service

We were also impressed by how quickly we were able to reach TomatoInk's customer service team. We were confused by the wording on the site that described some toner cartridges as "replacement" and didn't know if that meant OEM, remanufactured, or compatible - and even at 10AM on a Saturday, we were still able to connect with an agent on live chat in less than a minute. (By the way, he confirmed that TomatoInk uses the term "replacement" to refer to remanufactured cartridges.)

Excellent choice when buying printer ink

Overall, TomatoInk is a great place to shop for printer ink. You'll still want to comparison shop with the other top-ranked retailers we evaluated, because this one won't always come in with the lowest price and there's no price match guarantee. But, if you find the cartridges your printer needs here at a price you like, you can trust that your experience will be a great one - and that you'll have no trouble getting help if anything unexpected pops up. TomatoInk is one of our preferred stores for buying printer ink.

4 Inkjets

• Offers OEM, remanufactured, and compatible printer ink cartridges
• Fantastic prices
• 100% satisfaction guarantee - lifetime
• Good customer service
• Free shipping on orders over $50
• In business since 1999

4 Inkjets is one of two companies in our review, along with Ink Cartridges, under the umbrella of parent company LD Products. Surprisingly, this storefront offers better pricing than its sister brand, so we recommend starting here if you're deciding between the two sites. However, 4 Inkjets doesn't offer free shipping unless your order total is over $50, while Ink Cartridges ships everything for free. It could be worth it to compare the two, depending on the size of your order and your specific printer model.

Easy-peasy discount options

Like most of the printer ink retailers we researched, 4 Inkjets gives you a pop-up discount offer when you visit the site. Most recently, we got an 18% discount for providing our email address - but then we saw that same discount offered with a coupon code, no email required, on the main 4 Inkjets page. You'll also find savings codes when you visit 4 Inkjets' social media pages; the fastest way to get there is to click the "Visit Store" button here and then look for the social media links at the bottom of the store's website.

Very competitive pricing

So, let's have a look at the two printer models we used as a basis for comparison across printer ink retailers. On the 4 Inkjets site, Canon Pixma MX922's compatible cartridges were some of the lowest-priced in our review. A 5-pack of high-yield/XL was selling for $23.96, and single-color cartridges for $4.99 each. OEM options started at $53.45 for a 4-color multipack. HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n's ink also came in with rock-bottom pricing: $69.96 for a 4-pack of remanufactured toner cartridges, and single-color cartridges for $23.99 each. OEM toner was priced the same as most places we shopped: $86.12 for a black cartridge and $100.97 for single-color.

Better than its sister site

You might be wondering why 4 Inkjets gets a much higher ranking than its sister brand, Ink Cartridges. After all, they share the same "C" rating that parent company LD Products has from the Better Business Bureau, and there's no way to tell whether people were complaining about this brand or the other one. To start, 4 Inkjets doesn't claim that they have a higher grade from the BBB like its sister site does - this store, wisely, doesn't make any mention of the BBB at all. And, when reaching out to customer service, 4 Inkjets doesn't have a live chat button that goes nowhere: you can either call their toll-free number or leave a message via email or through the online form. Sometimes it's about what you don't do or promise that gets you the praise.

Good feedback from shoppers

Besides that, 4 Inkjets has a lot of recent customer feedback too, and most of it is positive - averaging 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google. People say they've used the brand for years, and on the rare occasion that they've had a problem (with ink leaking or other cartridge issues), customer service has been easy to reach and responsive to fixing the issue.

Much better return policy than most rivals

Also, 4 Inkjets has more generous guarantees and refund policies than its sister brand - and compared with many of the printer ink stores we reviewed. Some retailers won't help you if you have a problem with OEM cartridges, directing you to take it up with the manufacturer, but 4 Inkjets will help you as long as you reach out within 30 days. On all compatible and remanufactured cartridges, you can get a refund or replacement within the first year if you have any issues, and after the first year you can get a replacement or store credit. That means if you like to stock up on your printer ink well in advance, you're not stuck with something that winds up not working once you install it. We love that!

Worth a look despite BBB rating

So, we'd definitely say that 4 Inkjets should be on your list of printer ink retailers to consider, especially if you're looking for the absolute lowest pricing. We'd caution you to be aware of that "C" rating from the BBB, but maybe it somehow applies more to this store's sister brand than to 4 Inkjets? From what we can see, you should get nothing but great prices and solid customer service when you order here, though.

Ink 4 Less

• Offers OEM, remanufactured, and compatible printer ink cartridges
• Free shipping on orders over $50; $4.99 on smaller orders
• 30-day returns on remanufactured/compatible cartridges/14-day policy on OEM; 20% restocking fee
• 1-year warranty on remanufactured/compatible cartridges
• "A+" rated by the BBB
• In business since 1999

Ink 4 Less is one of the oldest printer ink companies around, getting its start in 1999. This online retailer is pretty straightforward: choose your printer brand, series, and model from the dropdowns or enter it in the search and you're ready to go.

Options for OEM and non-OEM print cartridges

Ink 4 Less is one of a handful of retailers in our printer ink review that carries all three types of cartridges: OEM, remanufactured, and compatible. But, the selection isn't as broad as its competitors' despite offering more cartridge types. For example, on our first comparison printer (Canon Pixma MX922), we didn't find the compatible/remanufactured combo pack of black/color cartridges that most rivals carry. We had to buy the OEM pack for $54.99 instead. Ink 4 Less did have compatible single-color cartridges for $6.99 each. On our second comparison printer (HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n), there were no 4-packs either as OEM or compatible. Single-color cartridges were the only choice, with compatible priced at $24.99 each and OEM starting at $101.99 each.

Limited recent feedback from customers

Ink 4 Less earned the Better Business Bureau's highest rating ("A+" ), and there were no complaints filed there regarding this retailer in the last three years. There's not a ton of additional customer feedback for Ink 4 Less: most of the reviews we found were over 5 years old, but for what it's worth they were almost all perfect five-star ratings. The company has an active presence on social media though, so there's no concern that it's gone out of business.

Get discounts through social media channels

Those social media channels might be worth looking at, too. We found several holiday-themed promo codes, codes for Free Shipping Friday, and so on. You can click the "Visit Store" button here to go to the Ink 4 Less site and then follow the social media links at the bottom of the page.

Watch out for restocking fees

The warranty coverage on remanufactured and compatible printer ink here is pretty solid. You'll have a year to make a claim; just make sure that the cartridge you're returning has at least 60% of the initial ink content to qualify for a refund. Returns are also accepted on unopened items, within 14 days on OEM cartridges and 30 days on non-OEM, but you'll pay a 20% restocking fee and your shipping charges both ways are non-refundable.

Not impressive, but not awful either

At the end of the day, Ink 4 Less comes in as "just average" among printer ink retailers. We appreciate that they offer OEM cartridges if you want them - but most shoppers are going to find those for less money somewhere else. You'll probably find that your printer has non-OEM options here too, but they're not as robust as what's offered by Ink 4 Less' rivals (who typically offer remanufactured or compatible combo packs instead of making you buy them individually). There's just nothing that really makes this store stand out among printer ink retailers - but at least there isn't anything that makes it an absolute "no" either.

Ink Cartridges

• Offers OEM, remanufactured, and compatible printer ink cartridges
• 100% guarantee
• Free shipping on all orders in the continental US, no order minimum

Ink Cartridges is one of several companies in our review that got its start back in 1999, and one of two (including 4 Inkjets) that are part of the LD Products brand family. This site offers all three types of print cartridges, so whether you're looking to get OEM or non-OEM printer ink (remanufactured or compatible), your printer will probably have both options here.

No need to pay full price

Give Ink Cartridges your email address and you'll get a 10% discount on your first order (but OEM items are excluded). Just keep an eye out for the pop-up as you browse the site. We also recommend clicking the "Visit Store" button here and then going to the social media links on the Ink Cartridges website: you'll find tons of seasonal discount codes that won't require an email subscription to save money on your order. Plus, there are often coupon codes featured at the top of the site; during our recent visit, Ink Cartridges was offering 15% off their store brand of ink and toner plus free shipping - but, PS, this store offers free shipping all the time on orders in the continental US.

You might save compared with rival stores

We used two printer models to compare printer ink stores apples-to-apples. The first, a Canon Pixma MX922, had options here that included both compatible and OEM cartridges. Ink Cartridges' 5-pack of compatible high-yield/XL was a little more expensive than most at $28.96, along with single-color cartridges for $5.99 each (also more $$ than some rival stores). OEM options started at $53.45 for a multipack. The second printer, the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n, came in at $79.96 for a 4-pack of remanufactured toner cartridges or single-color cartridges for $26.99 each. OEM cartridges started at $86.12 for black and $100.97 for single-color. Again, these prices weren't the cheapest we found, but they weren't over-the-top expensive either.

Reputation has dropped

Ink Cartridges is another company in our evaluation that used to rank near the top, but ranks lower now because of a drop in reputation. Even though the retailer's site was still bragging about an "A+" Better Business Bureau rating when we visited recently, clicking that link to the BBB showed that Ink Cartridges' parent company, LD Products, only had a "C" . There were 18 complaints filed in the most recent one-year period, and a total of 32 over the last three years.

Customer service is on the decline

One of the most frequently-seen complaints was about customer service, and we get it: when we clicked on the live chat button, expecting to reach a representative, we were redirected to the store's online contact form instead. Even using the toll-free number seems to have people leaving voicemail messages that go unanswered. That makes it pretty hard to access the 100% guarantee that Ink Cartridges proudly advertises.

Some shoppers still like ordering ink here

And yet, when you look at over 1100 store reviews on Google, Ink Cartridges has nearly 80% of customers leaving a 4- or 5-star rating, and there were many recent compliments for the products and the shipping speed. Go figure.

Not our favorite option for printer ink

We're on the fence when it comes to Ink Cartridges. Some people would enthusiastically recommend this store, as shown by the praise that came in as recently as a few weeks prior to this review. Pricing here isn't terrible, and we love that everyone gets free shipping regardless of order size. But, we have a hard time getting past the "C" rating from the Better Business Bureau - and the fact that Ink Cartridges is still telling people that they have an "A+" . We won't tell you not to shop here for printer ink, exactly, but we would tell you to look at other options before you settle for Ink Cartridges.

123 Inkjets

• OEM, remanufactured, and compatible cartridges available
• Lifetime guarantee on compatible ink/toner cartridges
• Free shipping on orders over $55 in the continental US
• "A+" rated by the BBB
• In business since 1999

123 Inkjets has been around for a long time - since 1999, to be exact. The company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, including a lifetime warranty against defects on all compatible ink and toner cartridges, and most orders ship out the same day.

Several ways to save some cash

Provide your email in the pop-up you'll get as you browse the 123 Inkjets site and you'll get a 10% discount on your first purchase. Just be aware that the discount won't apply to any OEM items. We also spotted a discount code at the top of the site, offering 18% off any compatible ink or toner purchase. Finally, if your order is over $55, you'll get free delivery to any address in the lower 48 United States.

More expensive than many competitor stores

Let's take a look at how 123 Inkjets compares with respect to selection and pricing. On our first test item, the Canon Pixma MX922, there were several sets of compatible cartridges. Their 5-pack of high-yield/XL for $28.96 was about $5 more than many rival sites, and single-color cartridges for $5.99 each were about $1 more than other stores' pricing. OEM options were also provided, starting at $53.45 for a 4-color multipack. On our second test item, the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n, 123 Inkjets was priced at $79.96 for a 4-pack of remanufactured toner cartridges, or single-color cartridges for $26.99 each. OEM options were also available in single-color cartridges, starting at $86.12 for original capacity and $102.95 for high-yield. That pricing was a little less or the same as what we found on other printer ink sites.

Not the way it used to be

Reputation-wise, 123 Inkjets has dropped a lot since our previous review. On the one hand, the Better Business Bureau gives the company an "A+" grade, and there were fewer than a dozen complaints filed with the BBB over the last three years. Elsewhere, this retailer struggled to reach a rating average over 4 stars. There were complaints that the cartridges made customers' printers freeze up, orders arrived with cartridges missing, and customer service was less than friendly or helpful when asked to resolve issues.

Recent reviews show a decline

Even where we found an average higher than four stars, those ratings typically were from 2020 and earlier; recent ratings were almost all negative. That's also reflected in Bizrate Insights Circle of Excellence Awards: 123 Inkjets earned the award in almost every single year from 2010-2020... and then nothing after that.

Not a top brand anymore

We're disappointed that one of the biggest names in online printer ink has fallen so far over the last few years. Even if you feel loyal to the brand, we encourage you to check out the rival retailers that seem to be doing a much better job of providing top-quality print cartridges - especially if it's been a while since you've ordered here. 123 Inkjets might not be delivering the quality you used to expect.

Ink E-Sale

• Offers both remanufactured and compatible cartridges
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• 24-month warranty on printer ink cartridges
• 24/7 customer service
• Free shipping in the continental US

Ink E-Sale started selling printer ink online in 2014. The site proclaims that this is the "most popular toner cartridge brand in North America" , and that "many corporations" choose Ink E-Sale as their long-term provider of toner cartridges. We're not so sure about that, but okay. Everything sold here is either remanufactured or compatible, with no OEM options for printer ink.

Selection isn't impressive

Right off the bat, this printer ink store didn't blow us away with its selection. When we searched for the first of our two comparison items, ink cartridges for the Canon Pixma MX922, the only option was an 18-pack (6 black, 3 each of yellow/cyan/magenta) of replacement cartridges for $47.69. That's actually a pretty impressive price, but it comes up short with that being the only option instead of offering smaller sets or even single-color cartridges. And on our second comparison item, the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n? "Not found." That sure doesn't sound like the selection you'd get from a company that "many corporations" choose for their ongoing toner needs, does it?

Create an account to get a discount

How about savings? We didn't get a discount pop-up until we went to add a set of printer ink cartridges to our online cart. Then, we were invited to create an account by entering our email and a password, in order to get a 10% discount on our purchase. Also, all orders ship for free within the lower 48 states.

Unclear satisfaction guarantee

We wanted to be impressed by Ink E-Sale's 24-month satisfaction guarantee: that's a lot longer than most of their rivals offer. But, when we read the fine print in the FAQ, it said that "consumables cannot be returned once they are opened" . We'd like to think that the exclusion only applies to "you changed your mind" returns and not to refunds requested because of quality issues, but it doesn't spell that out very clearly.

24/7 customer service isn't really that

We found similar issues with some of Ink E-Sale's other advertised benefits. "24/7 Customer Service" . Yes, but you can only reach them via phone during regular weekday business hours; otherwise, you'll have to use email, their online form, or the chat feature and wait for someone to get back to you.

Customer comments are limited and not all positive

Ink E-Sale also doesn't have a lot of customer feedback to consider: no listing with the Better Business Bureau, no reviews we could find on their own site, and almost no comments in most other places we typically look. And, where we did find shopper feedback, the results were more mixed than we'd like to see. While some people said their inkjet and laser printers worked perfectly well with Ink E-Sale's remanufactured and compatible cartridges, others complained that they didn't last as long as OEM options. Some shoppers also said that the items arrived in poor condition and that it was hard to get any help from Ink E-Sale's customer service.

Not a great option for printer ink

Ink E-Sale just can't run with the big dogs in the online printer ink industry. All of the bragging in the world doesn't make a difference if their selection is limited and their customer service is even more so. Try one of the higher-rated retailers in our review instead of Ink E-Sale.

Ink Plus Toner

• OEM, remanufactured, and compatible cartridges available
• Free shipping over $35
• "A+" rated by the BBB

Ink Plus Toner got its start in 2004 as a seller of OEM, remanufactured, and compatible printer ink cartridges. However, while this retailer used to be one of our higher-ranking options, we can no longer recommend that you shop here. Want to know why?

Searches get mixed results

When we searched for the first of our test printer models, the Canon Pixma MX922, our search came up as "not found" . It was only when we entered the cartridge identifier itself (PGI-250, CLI-241) that we got a hit. Ink Plus Toner didn't have the usual five-pack we were used to seeing elsewhere, but we could get a 12-pack of compatible cartridges for $34.99 or a 14-pack for $41.99. There was also a compatible single cartridge in black for $3.99 (but no colors), and a single OEM black cartridge for $29.99 (but it was designated as out of stock). Our options for the second test printer (HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n) were a little broader, at $69.99 for a 4-pack of compatible toner cartridges, and single-color cartridges for $22.99 each - but no OEM selections.

No reviews after 2020?

Ink Plus Toner gets an "A+" from the Better Business Bureau, partly because there were no complaints filed there in the three years leading up to this evaluation. This store shows really positive feedback elsewhere, averaging. 4.4 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot across 300+ reviews and 4.21 stars on Reseller Ratings, spanning over 1200 reviews there. However, it's worth noting that we didn't find any reviews on either site after 2020. Even the site's copyright date was a year out of date at the time of this review.

Is anyone home?

And that was just the start of our questioning whether or not Ink Plus Toner is really up and running. We were able to get our order all the way to the checkout page, but we were too unsure that we'd actually get it delivered to go through with it. The "contact us" link at the bottom of the site went nowhere, the social media links at the bottom of the page went to a more-or-less dead Facebook and Twitter feed (and, by the way, the links for Twitter and the now-defunct G+ were reversed on the logos at the bottom of the page), and all of the other site-bottom links were no longer working... including literally everything under the "Get Help" header.

No need to waste time here

All of this came as a big surprise, considering that Ink Plus Toner used to be a decently-ranked printer ink retailer in our review. Fortunately for you, there are quite a few rival stores that will be happy to give you great prices and answer any questions you may have. There's no need to gamble by placing an order through Ink Plus Toner.

Double Inks

• 30-day returns (minus 15% restocking fee)
• 180-day warranty on all toner/ink cartridges
• Free shipping on orders of $50+

Double Inks is probably the most disappointing place you'll ever try to shop for printer ink (if you even bother looking here). We thought it was bad the last time we evaluated this retailer, but it's only gotten worse. Read on and see why.

Difficult-to-use website

First and foremost, this online store makes it about as difficult as it can be to find the right ink or toner for your printer. For both of our sample items, we came up with absolutely zero when searching for the printers by name. It was only when we went into each manufacturer and went through the very lengthy list of printer names that we were able to find out that yes, Double Inks had something in stock.

Prices inconsistent

Canon Pixma MX922 showed up with a 5-pack of high-yield/XL for $16.99 (which is actually a very competitive price), single pack black cartridges for $4.99 each, and double-pack of individual colors for $6.99. HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n came up as $109.99 for a 4-pack of compatible toner cartridges (NOT a competitive price), and single-color cartridges for $29.99 each (also not competitively-priced).

Still in business? Yes and no

When we called the phone number listed on the Double Inks site during its posted business hours, all we got was voicemail (and one that sounded like it was recorded by some average dude in his basement, not by a professional). We guess that shouldn't come as a surprise, given that this company's social media profiles all seemed to go silent after 2019-2020ish, not to mention the link at the bottom of the site to the now-defunct G+. But, five points to Gryffindor for returning our missed call when we didn't leave a voicemail? Still not enough to give Double Inks that sheen of respectability that we'd need to even consider shopping there.

Customer feedback is practically prehistoric

Finally, when it comes to customer feedback, Double Inks has practically none - unless you count the 10-years-old comments on some print cartridges... corresponding to printers that probably have been in the recycling pile for quite a while now. Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, even those social media channels we mentioned - can you hear the crickets there? In fact, if it weren't for the 2023 copyright date at the bottom of the site and the fact that we did get a return phone call, we would think that Double Inks went out of business.

Not enough benefits to tip the scales

Okay, sure, you'll get free shipping if you spend at least $50 and you've got a 180-day warranty on any printer ink you buy here. But who in their right mind would choose to shop for printer ink from a store that doesn't even have a working search function? Or when the prices really aren't anything extraordinary, the free shipping is at the same threshold (or higher) than most rival sites), and there aren't exactly hundreds of people singing the praises of the products or customer service?

Don't bother shopping here

Double Inks gets our absolute lowest ranking. Again. Fortunately for you, there are nearly a dozen other options that will undoubtedly make it easy and cheap to find any printer ink or toner you need.