What Ink Does the HP ENVY 6165e Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said compatible cartridges work normally if you skipped HP+. They don't always: the 6165e uses HP dynamic security, which can block cartridges with non-HP chips with or without HP+. It also listed an "ENVY 6120e", which isn't on HP's HP 68 list.
Quick answer: The HP ENVY 6165e uses HP 68 ink — one black and one tri-color cartridge — with HP 68e EvoMore as the higher-capacity black. It does not use HP 67, even though the older ENVY 6000 and 6400 printers do.
CastleScore · October 2026
66/100 — Situational
HP ENVY 6165e
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 88 | 4.50★ average across 891 ratings at Best Buy (4.5) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 26 | About 18.8¢ per page blended (black + color) with Original HP 68 at retail prices (we don't sell HP 68). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: wi-Fi drops and connection problems |
| Features (12%) | 77 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No fax. |
| Value (5%) | 62 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $79 |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new as a Best Buy exclusive; TechRadar spotted it at $79.99 in September 2026. A non-e ENVY 6165 is sold alongside it with the same HP 68 ink.
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 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
Why there is no Castle Ink cartridge for this printer
We don't sell HP 68 or HP 68e. It is a newer cartridge family, and the 6165e is an HP dynamic-security printer, so cartridges with non-HP chips can be blocked with or without HP+. Third-party HP 68 cartridges have only been around since September 2025. We would rather say so than sell you a cartridge that may stop working, or an HP 67 that won't fit.
Buy Original HP 68 black (7FP21TN, about 160 pages) and tri-color (7FP20TN, about 120 pages). If you print mostly text, the HP 68e EvoMore black (7FP22TN, about 320 pages) doubles the pages per cartridge. There is no larger tri-color.
HP ENVY 6165e Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 68 Black | 7FP21TN | Black | ~160 pages |
| HP 68 Tri-Color | 7FP20TN | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~120 pages |
| HP 68e EvoMore Black | 7FP22TN | Black | ~320 pages |
| HP 68 Black + Tri-Color 2-pack | 6L6S2TN | Black + Tri-Color | — |
HP 68, not HP 67. The model numbers look close, but the ENVY 6100e series moved to HP's newer 68 cartridges. An HP 67 cartridge will not seat in this printer. HP 68 fits the ENVY 6100e series (the 6110e, 6152e, 6155e, 6158e and 6165e, plus non-e models such as the 6120 and 6165) as well as the ENVY 6500e series.
Important — HP+ warning: The "e" in HP ENVY 6165e means it was sold for HP+. If you activated HP+ during setup, the printer is locked to Original HP cartridges for its lifetime, and compatible or remanufactured cartridges will be rejected with a "cartridge problem" or "non-HP cartridge" message. HP+ cannot be switched off after activation. Skipping HP+ does not make every cartridge work. The 6165e uses HP dynamic security: HP says it is meant to work only with cartridges that have new or reused HP chips, can block modified or non-HP chips, and that firmware updates may block cartridges that worked before. Cartridges that reuse the original HP chip are the safer choice.
The ENVY 6165e is part of the ENVY 6100e series: a compact home all-in-one with print, scan and copy, automatic two-sided printing, dual-band Wi-Fi and a 100-sheet input tray. It is designed for light home and school printing.
How to Replace Ink in the HP ENVY 6165e
- Turn the printer on and open the front ink cartridge access door. Wait for the carriage to move to the center and stop.
- Press down lightly on the cartridge you are replacing to release it, then pull it out toward you.
- Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and pull off the plastic tape by its pink or orange tab. Do not touch the copper contacts or the ink nozzles.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle, nozzles facing the printer, and push it forward until it snaps into place.
- Close the access door. The printer may print an alignment page — scan it if the control panel or HP Smart app asks you to.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cartridge problem" or "cartridge will not fit": Check that you have HP 68 and not HP 67 — that is the most common cause by far. If the number is right, wipe the copper contacts with a lint-free cloth, let them dry, and reseat the cartridge.
Streaks or missing colors: Run HP's printhead cleaning tool from the HP Smart app. The printhead is built into each cartridge on this printer, so if one cleaning cycle does not fix it, the cartridge itself is the likely culprit.
Low-ink warning on a brand-new printer: The cartridges that ship in the box are setup cartridges rated at about 120 pages black and 75 tri-color. That early warning is normal — it is not a fault.
What ENVY 6165e owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
What's the difference between the 6165e and the plain 6165?
The 'e' model is sold for HP+ and Instant Ink. If HP+ is activated, Original HP cartridges are required for the life of the printer. Both take the same HP 68 ink.
Can it keep printing if one cartridge is empty?
Yes. An HP rep answering on Best Buy (for the 6155, the same platform) confirmed it can run on one working cartridge.
How fast does it print?
HP rates it at up to 10 pages a minute black and 7 color (ISO). Copies run at 8 a minute black and 3.5 color.
Can I print on legal-size paper?
No. Custom sizes top out at 8.5 x 12 in for one-sided printing and 8.5 x 11.7 in for two-sided.
Will I be charged when the Instant Ink trial ends?
Yes, unless you cancel. The Instant Ink trial that comes with the printer rolls into a paid plan automatically, so decide before it ends.
ENVY 6165e quirks worth knowing
- It is a Best Buy exclusive. HP's HP 68 list carries both the HP+-eligible 6165e (714L6A) and a non-e 6165 (C2WR8A).
- The setup cartridges in the box are rated at only about 120 pages black and 75 pages tri-color, so an early low-ink warning is normal.
- Outside the U.S., HP sells the same cartridge as HP 308.
- HP rates it for up to 1,000 pages a month but recommends 100 to 400. It is built for light home use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use HP 67 in the HP ENVY 6165e?
No. The ENVY 6100e series uses HP 68. HP 67 fits the older ENVY 6000/6400 printers.
Is there an HP 68XL?
HP sells the higher-capacity black as HP 68e EvoMore rather than 68XL. Listings sold as "68XL" are third-party cartridges.
Does using third-party cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, HP cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. HP+ is a separate restriction you agree to during setup.
How are these page yields measured?
They are approximate figures from HP. Real results depend on what and how often you print.
Other printers that use HP 68
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · 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 12, 2026 and will change over time.
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.