Which Ink Cartridge is Lighter on Your Wallet: Epson 664XL vs HP 664

When it comes to printing, whether for home, office, or small business needs, choosing the right ink cartridge can significantly impact both your budget and print quality. Two popular options in the Indian market are the Epson 664XL and HP 664 ink cartridges. Both are designed for specific printer models, but which one offers better value for money in terms of cost, yield, and performance? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the key differences, compare their costs in INR, and help you make an informed decision. If you’re looking to purchase these cartridges, check out the best deals on Amazon India to save more.

Why Ink Cartridges Matter for Cost-Conscious Printing

Ink cartridges are a recurring expense for anyone who owns an inkjet printer. The cost per page, durability, and compatibility with your printer play a crucial role in determining long-term savings. With rising printing demands in homes and small offices, selecting an ink cartridge that balances affordability and quality is essential. This article dives into the Epson 664XL and HP 664, two high-capacity ink solutions, to determine which one stretches your rupee further.

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To make this article relevant to your search, we’ve incorporated the most popular keywords that Indian consumers use when looking for ink cartridges:

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  • HP 664 ink cartridge cost
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  • Ink cartridge page yield
  • Epson vs. HP ink quality
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By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which cartridge suits your needs and how to maximize your savings. Let’s get started!

Overview of Epson 664XL and HP 664 Ink Cartridges

Epson 664XL Ink Cartridge

The Epson 664XL is part of Epson’s EcoTank series, designed for high-volume printing with ultra-high-capacity ink bottles. These are primarily used in Epson EcoTank printers like the L1110, L3110, L3150, and more. The 664XL series includes four colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, with a focus on dye-based ink for vibrant prints.

  • Key Features:
    • Page Yield: Up to 7,500 pages for color and 4,500 pages for black (based on standard 5% coverage).
    • Ink Type: Dye-based, ideal for vivid color prints and photo printing.
    • Compatibility: Works with Epson EcoTank models like L1110, L3110, L3150, L4150, and L6190.
    • Price in INR: Approximately ₹1,200–₹1,500 for a set of four bottles (as of June 2025, prices may vary on Amazon India).
    • Advantages: High page yield, low cost per page, and easy-to-refill EcoTank system.
    • Disadvantages: Not suitable for non-EcoTank printers; dye-based ink may fade over time if not stored properly.

HP 664 Ink Cartridge

The HP 664 (and its high-yield variant, HP 664XL) is designed for HP DeskJet Ink Advantage printers, such as the 1115, 2135, 3635, 4536, and 4676. Available in Black and Tri-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) options, these cartridges are known for their reliability and ease of use.

  • Key Features:
    • Page Yield: Approximately 480 pages for HP 664XL Black and 330 pages for Tri-color (based on standard 5% coverage).
    • Ink Type: Combination of pigment-based (Black) and dye-based (Tri-color) for sharp text and vibrant colors.
    • Compatibility: Works with HP DeskJet models like 1115, 2135, 3635, 3775, and 4676.
    • Price in INR: Approximately ₹1,000–₹1,200 for HP 664XL Black and ₹1,100–₹1,400 for Tri-color (check latest prices on Amazon India).
    • Advantages: Reliable performance, fraud protection, and smart low-ink alerts.
    • Disadvantages: Lower page yield compared to Epson 664XL, higher cost per page.

Price Comparison in INR

To determine which ink cartridge saves more money, let’s compare their prices and cost per page based on current market rates in India (as of June 2025). Prices are sourced from Amazon India and may vary based on discounts and availability.

Epson 664XL Pricing

  • Black Ink Bottle (70ml): ₹350–₹450
  • Color Ink Bottles (70ml each, Cyan/Magenta/Yellow): ₹300–₹400 each (₹900–₹1,200 for a set of three)
  • Total Cost for Set (Black + 3 Colors): ₹1,250–₹1,650
  • Page Yield:
    • Black: 4,500 pages
    • Color: 7,500 pages (combined for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)
  • Cost Per Page (CPP):
    • Black: ₹400 ÷ 4,500 = ~₹0.09 per page
    • Color: ₹1,000 ÷ 7,500 = ~₹0.13 per page

HP 664XL Pricing

  • Black Cartridge: ₹1,000–₹1,200
  • Tri-color Cartridge: ₹1,100–₹1,400
  • Total Cost for Set (Black + Tri-color): ₹2,100–₹2,600
  • Page Yield:
    • Black: 480 pages
    • Tri-color: 330 pages
  • Cost Per Page (CPP):
    • Black: ₹1,100 ÷ 480 = ~₹2.29 per page
    • Color: ₹1,250 ÷ 330 = ~₹3.79 per page

Price Comparison Summary

  • Epson 664XL offers a significantly lower cost per page (₹0.09 for black, ₹0.13 for color) compared to HP 664XL (₹2.29 for black, ₹3.79 for color).
  • The upfront cost of a full set of Epson 664XL ink bottles is lower than HP 664XL cartridges.
  • Epson’s EcoTank system is designed for bulk printing, making it more economical for high-volume users.

Page Yield and Printing Needs

Epson 664XL: Ideal for High-Volume Printing

The Epson 664XL is tailored for users with high printing demands, such as small businesses, students, or households with frequent printing needs. Its ultra-high page yield (4,500 black, 7,500 color) makes it a cost-effective choice for those printing thousands of pages monthly. The EcoTank system eliminates the need for frequent cartridge replacements, as you simply refill the printer’s ink tanks with bottles.

  • Best For:
    • Bulk printing (e.g., school assignments, office documents, or marketing materials).
    • Users seeking low maintenance and long-term savings.
    • Photo printing with vibrant colors (dye-based ink excels in color reproduction).

HP 664XL: Suitable for Moderate Printing

The HP 664XL is better suited for users with moderate printing needs, such as occasional document printing or small-scale photo printing. With a page yield of 480 pages (black) and 330 pages (color), it’s designed for low-to-medium volume printing. HP’s pigment-based black ink ensures sharp text, making it ideal for professional documents.

  • Best For:
    • Home users with occasional printing needs.
    • Printing professional documents with crisp text.
    • Users who prefer the convenience of cartridge-based systems over refillable tanks.

Ink Type and Print Quality

Epson 664XL: Dye-Based Ink

Epson 664XL uses dye-based ink, which is known for its vibrant color output, making it ideal for photo printing and colorful documents. However, dye-based ink has some limitations:

  • Pros:
    • Excellent color gamut for photos and graphics.
    • Affordable for high-volume printing.
  • Cons:
    • Less resistant to water and fading over time (requires proper storage).
    • May not produce the sharpest text compared to pigment-based ink.

HP 664XL: Pigment and Dye-Based Ink

The HP 664XL Black cartridge uses pigment-based ink, which offers sharper text and better durability, while the Tri-color cartridge uses dye-based ink for vibrant colors. This combination makes HP 664XL versatile for both text-heavy documents and colorful prints.

  • Pros:
    • Sharp, professional-quality text (pigment-based black ink).
    • Good color reproduction for photos and graphics.
    • Water-resistant black ink for long-lasting documents.
  • Cons:
    • Lower page yield increases long-term costs.
    • Tri-color cartridge may run out faster if one color is used more heavily.

Compatibility with Printers

Epson 664XL Compatibility

The Epson 664XL is designed exclusively for Epson EcoTank printers. Popular models include:

  • Epson L1110
  • Epson L3110
  • Epson L3150
  • Epson L4150
  • Epson L6190

If you own an EcoTank printer, the 664XL is your only option, as these printers use a tank-based system rather than traditional cartridges.

HP 664XL Compatibility

The HP 664XL is compatible with HP DeskJet Ink Advantage printers, including:

  • HP DeskJet 1115
  • HP DeskJet 2135
  • HP DeskJet 3635
  • HP DeskJet 3775
  • HP DeskJet 4676

Note that HP 664 and 664XL cartridges are region-specific, primarily for Latin America and some Asian markets, including India. If you’re in a region like the U.S., you may need HP 64 or 65 cartridges instead. Always check your printer’s manual or model number before purchasing.

Long-Term Savings: Which is More Cost-Effective?

To evaluate long-term savings, let’s consider a scenario where you print 1,000 black pages and 1,000 color pages per year.

Epson 664XL Cost Calculation

  • Black Ink:
    • Pages per bottle: 4,500
    • Bottles needed for 1,000 pages: 1,000 ÷ 4,500 = ~0.22 bottles
    • Cost: 0.22 × ₹400 = ₹88
  • Color Ink:
    • Pages per set (3 colors): 7,500
    • Sets needed for 1,000 pages: 1,000 ÷ 7,500 = ~0.13 sets
    • Cost: 0.13 × ₹1,000 = ₹130
  • Total Annual Cost: ₹88 + ₹130 = ₹218

HP 664XL Cost Calculation

  • Black Ink:
    • Pages per cartridge: 480
    • Cartridges needed for 1,000 pages: 1,000 ÷ 480 = ~2.08 cartridges
    • Cost: 2.08 × ₹1,100 = ₹2,288
  • Color Ink:
    • Pages per cartridge: 330
    • Cartridges needed for 1,000 pages: 1,000 ÷ 330 = ~3.03 cartridges
    • Cost: 3.03 × ₹1,250 = ₹3,787.50
  • Total Annual Cost: ₹2,288 + ₹3,787.50 = ₹6,075.50

Savings Summary

  • Epson 664XL: ₹218 per year
  • HP 664XL: ₹6,075.50 per year
  • Savings with Epson: ₹6,075.50 – ₹218 = ₹5,857.50 per year

For high-volume printing, the Epson 664XL is significantly more cost-effective due to its higher page yield and lower cost per page. Even for moderate printing needs, the Epson 664XL offers substantial savings over time.

Additional Factors to Consider

Ease of Use

  • Epson 664XL: The EcoTank system requires refilling ink tanks, which can be slightly messy but straightforward. The bottles are designed with nozzles to minimize spills.
  • HP 664XL: Cartridge replacement is simple and clean, ideal for users who prefer a hassle-free experience.

Environmental Impact

  • Epson 664XL: EcoTank printers reduce plastic waste due to reusable tanks and fewer replacements.
  • HP 664XL: Cartridges generate more plastic waste, but HP offers recycling programs in India.

Availability

Both Epson 664XL and HP 664XL are widely available on Amazon India. However, HP 664XL may be harder to find in some regions due to its Latin America-specific design.

Conclusion: Which Ink Cartridge Should You Choose?

The Epson 664XL is the clear winner for cost-conscious users, especially those with high-volume printing needs. Its ultra-high page yield, low cost per page, and affordable upfront cost make it an excellent choice for students, small businesses, and home offices. The HP 664XL, while reliable and convenient, is better suited for low-to-moderate printing with a focus on sharp text and vibrant colors.

For the best deals on both Epson 664XL and HP 664XL, visit Amazon India to compare prices and find discounts. Whether you prioritize savings, print quality, or convenience, this guide should help you make an informed decision. Happy printing!

Ready to save on your next ink purchase? Check out the latest prices for Epson 664XL and HP 664XL on Amazon India and choose the cartridge that fits your budget and printing needs. Don’t miss out on exclusive deals and fast delivery!