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Ink 4 Less Review

Saturday, September 14th

2024 Printer Ink Store Reviews

Ink 4 Less Review 3.5 Star Rating

Ink 4 Less

3.5 Star Rating
  • 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.

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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.

What's the Best Place to Buy Printer Ink Online?

Do you find yourself running out of printer ink? It always seems to happen at the worst times. While a variety of local stores carry printer ink, They probably don't carry it for all brands of printers - and stocking issues mean they may not have any available at all.

Fortunately, there are numerous online retailers that offer cost-effective toner and ink cartridges that still allow you to maintain high print quality. These retailers cater to both personal and business printing needs. And you can typically save significant money buying your printer ink from these online stores.

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Printer Ink Store FAQ

That's an easy one: do you like to save money? Who doesn't! Buying your printer ink through reputable online retailers will often save you quite a lot over what you'd pay at a local office supply store or even a big-box warehouse retailer.
The selection online is much broader than what you'll find at a brick-and-mortar store. Plus, you'll usually be able to choose among OEM, remanufactured and compatible options. So yes, chances are very good that you'll have no trouble finding the cartridges you need for your specific printer.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means that they are the ones made by the company itself (i.e. HP, Lexmark, etc.). Remanufactured cartridges are usually originals that have been refilled and refurbished: brand-new quality at discounted prices. Finally, compatible cartridges are off-brand but designed to work just as well as manufacturer-produced models.
That depends on your printer and which option you choose. Most often, you'll spend less if you buy compatible cartridges and more when buying OEM. Generally speaking, you can expect to save anywhere from 30-70% over the everyday retail price. Many online stores offer promotional discounts to save you even more.
Most online printer ink retailers have a satisfaction guarantee that will refund your money or replace your cartridges if they don't function as expected. You're more likely to encounter that with remanufactured and compatible options.
It's a good idea to check customer reviews when buying printer ink, to see how well others say a particular brand or option has worked under actual use. This is especially true if you're buying compatible cartridges: make sure plenty of other people have had good results and that they work consistently with the name-brand models they're replacing. Checking out a company's listing with the BBB is another smart way to make sure you're buying from a reputable business.
That usually depends on the amount of your order. Many retailers of printer ink will give you free shipping if you spend at least a certain amount (e.g. $50), but there are a few that deliver orders of any size at no extra cost.
In the past, it was common to find services that would refill used cartridges, at a fraction of the price to buy new ones. However, it has become increasingly difficult to locate providers who still offer the service. You may be able to buy ink kits to fill them on your own, but it's much more convenient to get inexpensive cartridges that are ready to use.
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Continued from above...

Printer Ink cartridges come in three primary categories: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), remanufactured, and compatible. OEM cartridges, produced by brands like Canon or HP, are the priciest option. However, purchasing OEM printer ink from an online retailer can save a considerable amount compared to local stores.

Remanufactured cartridges are refilled OEM products, offering the right fit for printers at a lower price than brand-new ink. Most remanufactured ink and toner retailers that you'll find online offer pre-filled cartridges, but sometimes they'll provide you with a kit and you do the filling yourself (which can get messy).

Compatible printer ink cartridges are made by third-party companies that guarantee the same fit and print quality as OEM cartridges after rigorous testing. These cartridges are often the most cost-effective option, as they don't require a brand-name premium. But, you'll want to make sure that the retailer offers some kind of quality guarantee - since you also run the risk of damaging your printer or voiding the warranty by using products outside of the OEM/remanufactured spectrum. Worth the risk? That's up to you, but many customers have used compatible cartridges for years with zero problems.

Choosing any of these options could lead to savings between 30-70% over the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Many online retailers provide promotional discounts, free shipping on qualifying purchases, and bulk discounts. Ready to save? As you shop for your printer ink online, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Compatibility. Make sure the ink you're buying is compatible with your printer model. Most printer manufacturers provide specific ink cartridges for each printer model, so check your printer manual or manufacturer's website for the correct ink cartridge model number.
  • Quality. Look for high-quality ink that will produce crisp and clear prints. Lower quality ink may result in streaks, smudges, or faded prints.
  • Price. Ink can be expensive, so be sure to shop around for the best deal. Some third-party ink cartridges may be cheaper than OEM cartridges, but be aware that they may not always produce the same quality results or be compatible with your printer.
  • Capacity. Ink cartridges come in different sizes and capacities. Larger capacity cartridges can be more cost-effective in the long run but may require a larger upfront cost.
  • Refillable cartridges. Some printers allow for refillable ink cartridges. This can be a more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option in the long run, but make sure you follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your printer.
  • Retailer reputation. Do customers say positive things about the store selling the printer ink you need? How helpful is the store's customer service team if you're not sure if you've got the right toner or your cartridges leak during shipping? Have shoppers reported any problems with their printers after using the store's non-OEM options?

To help you find the right ink and toner cartridges for your printer, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and reviewed today's most popular printer ink retailers. Take advantage of this information to make your printing easy and affordable!

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