The HP DeskJet 2710 is a popular entry-level home inkjet. It’s easy to buy, easy to set up, and it does the job — but the bigger question for owners is always the same: does the ink cost make it painful to keep?
This printer uses HP 305 cartridges (black + tri-colour for colour printing). HP 305 pricing in the UK means the cost per page can jump quickly when you’re using standard cartridges or replacing “too often.”
Running cost breakdown
These numbers use your provided UK retail approximations for HP 305 pricing:
- HP 305 standard ~£8
- HP 305XL ~£13
Yield assumptions are based on the cartridge yields associated with this model.
| Cartridge option | Yield (pages) | Typical UK price | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 305 Black (Standard) | ~120 | ~£8 | ~6.7p |
| HP 305 Black (XL) | ~240 | ~£13 | ~5.4p |
| HP 305 Colour (Standard) | ~100 | ~£8 | ~8.0p |
| HP 305 Colour (XL) | ~200 | ~£13 | ~6.5p |
Compatible ink alternatives
Original cartridges are convenient, but they’re rarely the cheapest way to keep this printer running.
Typical compatible savings (rough estimate):
- Standard compatible HP 305: often ~35–50% cheaper than official pricing
- Compatible HP 305XL: often ~35–50% cheaper than official pricing
If you buy compatible supplies consistently, you’ll usually see the cost per page drop enough to move this printer from “annoying to run” closer to “reasonable value”.
Should you upgrade?
Honest verdict: for most typical home volumes, you’ll probably be better off keeping the DeskJet 2710 — but it’s close.
2-year cost comparison (simple model)
- Assumption: ~105 pages/month (midpoint of recommended range)
- Keep option: buy XL cartridges (best value)
- Upgrade option: EcoTank ET-2850-style economics (bottled ink costs only)
| Option | What you pay over 2 years |
|---|---|
| Keep HP DeskJet 2710 (ink only, XL cartridges) | ~£145 |
| Upgrade to an EcoTank (hardware + tank ink) | ~£257 |
That means switching to an EcoTank is only financially worth it if you print substantially more than the “typical” range.
Break-even guidance: eco tanks usually win after roughly ~190 pages/month (based on XL vs EcoTank running-cost assumptions).
FAQ
Q: What ink does the HP DeskJet 2710 use?
A: It uses HP 305 cartridges (black + colour tri-colour).
Q: Is the HP DeskJet 2710 expensive to run?
A: It can be, mainly because cartridge yields are limited. Buying XL cartridges (and/or compatibles) reduces the cost per page significantly.
Q: What’s the cheapest ink for the HP DeskJet 2710?
A: Compatible HP 305 cartridges are typically the cheapest route. The cheapest “per page” option usually happens when you pick XL + a compatible supply.
Q: Should I buy HP 305XL for this printer?
A: If you print regularly, yes. XL cartridges reduce the cost per page and help avoid frequent cartridge changes.
