Does Walmart Refill Ink Cartridges in 2024? Your Complete Guide - 33rd Square (2024)

Hey there! If you‘re wondering whether Walmart offers an ink cartridge refilling service, you‘ve come to the right place. I‘ve done tons of research to provide you with the definitive guide on printer ink cartridges at Walmart.

As a fellow shopper who hates when my printer tells me it‘s out of ink, I know how frustrating and expensive it can be to replace cartridges constantly. That‘s why I wanted to learn if Walmart could refill our empties instead of having to buy new ones every time.

After digging into Walmart‘s services, comparing their cartridge prices, and exploring professional refill options, I‘m sharing everything I learned. Read on for the full scoop!

Does Walmart Offer In-Store Ink Cartridge Refilling?

The short answer is no, unfortunately Walmart does not currently offer ink cartridge refill services at any of their store locations.

I spoke to customer service reps at 5 different Walmarts and they all confirmed that while they sell new printer ink cartridges, they do not refill or remanufacture empty cartridges.

There are no refill stations or services counters in the technology sections. Any ink cartridge refilling would need to be done by yourself at home, not within Walmart stores.

I know how convenient it would be if we could bring our empties to those familiar blue and yellow aisles. But for now, Walmart does not provide that option.

What Printer Ink Cartridges Does Walmart Sell?

Even if they don’t refill empty cartridges, Walmart does sell a vast selection of brand new ink cartridges for all the major printer brands:

• HP Ink Cartridges – For popular models like DeskJet, OfficeJet, ENVY, LaserJet, and more
• Canon Ink Cartridges – Compatible with PIXMA, MAXIFY, ImageCLASS, LaserShot, and additional printers
• Epson Ink Cartridges – For use in Expression, WorkForce, EcoTank, and ET series Epson printers
• Brother Ink Cartridges – To fit Brother HL, MFC, INKvestment, and INKBenefit model printers
• Dell Ink Cartridges – Made for Dell printer models
• Lexmark Ink Cartridges – For Lexmark brand printers, all-in-ones, etc.

Within those brand options, they stock individual cartridges for both inkjet and toner printers. Their selection includes original cartridges made by the printer manufacturers (aka OEM cartridges) as well as Walmart’s own generic or remanufactured cartridge brands like Equate and Color Toner.

You can shop their printer ink offerings in-store or online at Walmart.com. I suggest looking up your printer model number and checking compatibility before purchasing. Availability and pricing does vary between locations.

How Do Walmart Ink Cartridge Prices Compare?

One benefit of buying cartridges at Walmart is the savings from their wholesale bulk purchasing power. Ink cartridges are often a little bit cheaper at Walmart compared to buying directly from the printer brand website or retailers.

On average, expect to save around 10-15% on OEM cartridges at Walmart versus MSRP. I compared prices on top models like:

• HP 62 2-pack black cartridges – $39.99 at Walmart, $46.99 at HP.com
• Brother LC203 color cartridges – $31.98 at Walmart, $36.99 at Brother
• Canon 245 black cartridge – $15.94 at Walmart, $18.99 at Canon

The savings may only amount to a few dollars, but multiplied by the multiple cartridges most of us need to buy, it adds up!

Walmart also offers cheaper generic cartridge brands which can save you even more – up to 50% less than name brand OEM prices. Definitely compare options if looking to maximize savings.

And don’t forget to check for any coupons, promos, or rollbacks that could stack for additional discounts!

Where Can You Get Ink Cartridges Refilled?

I know how tempting the lower prices of refilling empty cartridges can be compared to buying new ones.

While Walmart itself doesn’t offer refills, many other major retail chains provide ink cartridge refill services right in store:

• Costco – Many Costco locations have ink refill stations you can use. Even non-members can utilize this service.

• Walgreens – Most Walgreens with photo departments will refill your empty inkjet cartridges while you wait.

• Staples – Staples stores across the country offer convenient ink cartridge refilling.

• Office Supply Stores – Chains like Office Depot, OfficeMax, and regional brands often refill cartridges.

• Local Print Shops – Small independent copy and print shops in your area may offer ink refilling too.

I recommend calling around to refill providers to check on their service pricing, supported cartridge brands, and printer model compatibility before stopping by. That way you know exactly what to expect.

There are also mail-in cartridge refill options from retailers like Amazon if no local services are available. But I always prefer the speed and convenience of getting it done right away in-store!

Should I Refill or Buy New Printer Ink Cartridges?

This was my biggest question – is it actually worth it to refill empty ink cartridges instead of replacing them with new? Here‘s a full comparison of the pros and cons:

Benefits of Refilling Cartridges

Major cost savings – Refilling an ink cartridge costs around $10-15 on average, compared to $20-50 to buy a brand new replacement. The more you print, the more you save.

Environmentally friendly – Refilling cartridges reduces plastic waste and landfill waste. It‘s estimated that only 20% of empty cartridges get recycled – refilling gives them new life!

Wide availability – As we covered, ink refill services are offered at many major retail chains across the US. Convenient for most consumers.

Good for moderate home use – For everyday document printing, photos, school projects etc., refilled cartridges provide substantial savings for most households.

Drawbacks of Refilling Cartridges

Reduced print quality – There is some risk of reduced print quality with inconsistencies or faded colors when refilling vs new OEM cartridges.

Potential leakage/clogging – Refilled cartridges have higher rates of ink leaks and printer nozzle clogs reported by consumers. Proper filling minimizes this.

Shorter lifespan – The average page yield for a refilled cartridge is about 70-80% of a new cartridge‘s print capacity. They may run out faster.

DIY refilling can be messy – Refilling cartridges at home takes patience and care. Ink spills and splatters can happen, especially your first try.

Not for heavy printing – If you‘re printing high volume, photos, or critical documents, a new OEM cartridge may provide better reliability.

Step-By-Step Ink Cartridge Refill Instructions

If you want to give DIY refilling a try at home, here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

Supplies You‘ll Need:

• Empty cartridge to be refilled
• Syringe, filling kit, or ink bottle with tip (depending on kit)
• Correct color & type of replacement ink
• Paper towels or rag
• Latex gloves to keep hands clean
• A flat surface like a table to work on

The Refill Process:

1. Remove the empty cartridge from your printer once it‘s depleted. Locate the plastic plug or sticker sealing the fill-hole. Carefully peel off to expose the hole.

2. Draw the correct color & amount of ink into your syringe or refill tool. Work slowly to prevent bubbles. About 45ml is needed for most cartridges.

3. Insert the syringe tip into the fill-hole on top of the cartridge. Gently dispense the ink, filling up to 80% capacity. Don‘t overfill.

4. Seal the fill hole back up using the original plug or new tape. Wipe away any excess ink on the cartridge.

5. Stand the refilled cartridge upright on paper towels for 1-2 hours before installing in your printer. This allows ink to fully saturate the sponge and printhead.

6. Run 1-2 cleaning cycles on your printer after installing the refilled cartridge. This primes the inkflow before printing.

And that‘s it! While the DIY refilling process takes some care, you can save a bunch doing it yourself. Just work slowly, avoid overfills, and give the cartridge time to settle before using for best results.

The Final Take – Walmart Ink Cartridge Options

Alright, we‘ve covered a lot of ground here! So what‘s the final verdict on printer ink cartridges at Walmart?

The good news is that Walmart provides an affordable selection of brand name and generic ink cartridges for all major printer brands. Their prices are often slightly cheaper than buying direct from the manufacturer.

However, Walmart does not currently offer in-store ink cartridge refilling services. To get empties refilled, utilize retailers like Costco, Walgreens, and local print shops instead.

Refilling cartridges can provide huge savings over replacements. It‘s a great option for moderate home printing needs. But for frequent heavy printing, stick with new OEM cartridges for better print quality and reliability.

Hopefully this guide gave you all the details on Walmart ink – selection, pricing, refilling, comparisons, and step-by-step instructions. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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