The HP ENVY 6020e is a more capable home inkjet than the entry-level DeskJet models. That’s good news for quality — but it changes the economics too.
This printer still uses HP 305 cartridges. So if you print photos or regular colour documents, the question becomes simple: are you paying a lot for ink you could pay much less for?
Running cost breakdown
Using your UK price approximations for HP 305:
- Standard ~£8
- XL ~£13
| 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
If you want to keep quality without overpaying:
- Buy compatible HP 305 cartridges for everyday prints
- Consider original cartridges if you’re printing important documents or photos
Rough savings: compatibles are commonly ~35–50% cheaper than original cartridges, which reduces your cost per page immediately.
Should you upgrade?
Honest verdict: borderline, but usually still keep for typical home volumes.
2-year cost comparison
- Assumption: ~160 pages/month (midpoint of recommended range)
- Keep option: XL cartridges
- Upgrade option: EcoTank-style running cost
| Option | What you pay over 2 years |
|---|---|
| Keep HP ENVY 6020e (ink only, XL cartridges) | ~£221 |
| Upgrade to an EcoTank (hardware + tank ink) | ~£260 |
EcoTank upgrades usually start winning when you print much more than typical. Based on this cartridge cost-per-page, break-even is around ~190 pages/month.
FAQ
Q: What ink does the HP ENVY 6020e use?
A: It uses HP 305 cartridges (black + colour tri-colour).
Q: Is the HP ENVY 6020e expensive to run?
A: It can be — especially for colour. Buying XL cartridges (and/or compatibles) is the main way to keep running costs under control.
Q: What’s the cheapest ink for the HP ENVY 6020e?
A: Compatible HP 305 supplies are usually the cheapest option. XL compatible cartridges typically win on cost per page.
Q: Should I use HP 305XL in this printer?
A: If you print regularly (especially colour), yes. XL reduces the frequency of replacements and lowers cost per page.
