What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 3720 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP DeskJet 3720 uses two cartridges: an HP 65 or HP 65XL black and an HP 65 or HP 65XL tri-color. HP now also sells these as HP 63/65, and those fit the same slots. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured HP 65XL Black, HP 65XL Tri-color and a 65XL combo pack.
The 3720 belongs to HP's DeskJet 3700 series, which includes the 3752, 3755 and 3758, and they all take the same ink. It also shares cartridges with the DeskJet 3772, 2655 and Envy 5055. European 3720s use HP 304 cartridges instead. We couldn't confirm those work in a U.S. printer, so buy by the U.S. numbers below.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP DeskJet 3720
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 62 | Average of five European tests, as scored out of 100 by Galaxus: pctipp.ch 80, PC Welt 60, Computer Bild 59 and 53, and Stiftung Warentest 58 (2016 to 2018) |
| Cost per page (24%) | 78 | About 6.5¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured HP 65XL black (300 pages) and HP 65XL tri-color (300 pages). Not docked: this isn't an HP+ model and HP's page for the same-series 3755 shows no dynamic-security notice. |
| Reliability (13%) | 78 | Most-reported problems: paper-jam errors (flashing E and 4), including false jams; pages feeding crooked through the sheet scanner; very slow color printing; noisy operation |
| Features (12%) | 52 | Print, copy and scan through a single-sheet feeder, over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or USB, with a small status LCD. No flatbed, no automatic two-sided printing, no borderless printing, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP launched the DeskJet 3700 series in 2016, and HP now lists the same-series 3755 as discontinued, pointing buyers to the DeskJet 4255e. In October 2026 HP sold its cartridges under the combined HP 63/65 name, and Connection had the 63/65XL black in stock.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 21, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 65XL BlackN9K04AN · ~300 pages
HP 65XL Tri-colorN9K03AN · ~300 pages
HP 65XL comboBlack + Tri-color
HP 65XL Black
HP 65XL Tri-color
HP 65XL comboOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the HP DeskJet 3720 Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 65XL Black (high yield) | N9K04AN | ~300 pages | Remanufactured HP 65XL Black |
| HP 63/65XL Black (2026) | B7RT5AN | ~300 pages | — |
| HP 65XL Tri-color (high yield) | N9K03AN | ~300 pages | Remanufactured HP 65XL Tri-color |
| HP 65XL Black + Tri-color combo | — | ~300 / 300 pages | Remanufactured 65XL combo |
HP also sells standard HP 65 cartridges rated at about 120 black and 100 color pages, and a new HP 63/65 Tri-color (B7RT2AN). Yields are HP's figures. Our remanufactured 65XL cartridges are built from original HP shells and keep the HP chip.
Are HP 65XL Cartridges Worth It?
Yes. The 65XL black prints about 2.5 times as many pages as the standard 65, and the XL tri-color about 3 times. On October 21, 2026, Connection listed HP's 63/65XL black (B7RT5AN) at $52.89, about 17.6¢ a page, in stock. The Recycler reported HP's suggested price for the same cartridge at $46.99, about 15.7¢ a page. We couldn't find a current retailer price for HP's 65XL tri-color on a page we could open. Our remanufactured HP 65XL black is $18.99 and the HP 65XL tri-color is $19.99, about 6.3¢ and 6.7¢ a page, or $32.99 for the combo pack.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the HP DeskJet 3720?
- Turn the printer on and load plain paper.
- Open the cartridge access door and wait for the carriage to move into view and stop.
- Press down on the old cartridge to release it and pull it out.
- Unpack the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape by its pull tab.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot until it clicks, close the door, and align the cartridges when asked.
Which Other Printers Use HP 65 and 65XL?
The DeskJet 3720, 3722, 3730, 3752, 3755 and 3758 (see our DeskJet 3700 series guide); the DeskJet 2622, 2652, 2655 and 3772; the Envy 5000, 5052 and 5055; and HP's AMP 100, 120, 125 and 130. HP says the new HP 63/65 cartridges fit every printer that took HP 65.
What DeskJet 3720 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer in HP's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Will the new HP 63/65 cartridges work?
Yes. HP merged the HP 63 and HP 65 lines in 2026 and says the combined cartridges work in every printer that took HP 65, with no new printer needed.
The display flashes E and 4, but no paper is stuck.
That's the 3700 series paper-jam signal. HP says it can report a jam when nothing is jammed, and the same clearing steps apply either way: check the input and output areas and behind the cartridge door, then resume.
Can I copy a page from a book?
No. The scanner is a single-sheet feeder at the front, not a flatbed glass, so it only takes loose pages. Reviewers also found it fiddly to feed pages in straight.
Does it work with 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No. HP lists the 3700 series Wi-Fi for 2.4 GHz routers only. It also supports Wi-Fi Direct for printing from a phone without a router.
Will HP block my remanufactured cartridges?
HP's page for the DeskJet 3755, the same hardware, carries no dynamic-security notice, and this isn't an HP+ model. Our 65XL cartridges keep the original HP chip. Cartridges from an Instant Ink subscription stop working if the subscription ends.
DeskJet 3720 quirks worth knowing
- HP sold the 3700 series as one of the smallest all-in-ones around. It has a small LCD for copy count and status icons.
- HP rates it at 8 pages a minute in black and 5.5 in color (ISO). Trusted Reviews measured far less for mixed color documents.
- It can't print borderless photos, and two-sided printing is manual.
- HP rates it for up to 1,000 pages a month and recommends 50 to 200, so it suits light home use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the HP DeskJet 3720 use?
HP 65 or HP 65XL black and HP 65 or HP 65XL tri-color. HP's newer HP 63/65 cartridges also fit.
Does the DeskJet 3720 use the same ink as the 3755?
Yes. Both are DeskJet 3700 series printers and take HP 65 and 65XL cartridges.
Will HP 304 cartridges fit?
HP 304 is the European number for this printer. We couldn't confirm it works in a U.S. 3720, so buy by the U.S. HP 65 numbers.
Other printers that use HP 65 and 65XL
HP DeskJet 3755 · HP DeskJet 3752 · HP DeskJet 3772 · HP DeskJet 2655 · HP Envy 5055
More HP ink guides: HP DeskJet 2540 · HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP OfficeJet 200 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — CastleScore 79
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 21, 2026 and will change over time.
- HP support: DeskJet 3700 series paper jam and E/4 code
- HP: DeskJet 3755 specifications and cartridges
- HP: HP 63/65 and HP 61 cartridge changes explained
- Connection: HP 63/65XL black B7RT5AN
- The Recycler: HP explains its cartridge consolidation
- Trusted Reviews: HP DeskJet 3720 review
- Tech Advisor: HP DeskJet 3720 review
- Galaxus: HP DeskJet 3720 test results
Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.