What Ink Does the HP ENVY Photo 6255 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said compatible HP 64XL cartridges work normally because the 6255 is not an HP+ printer. It is not HP+, but HP lists it as a dynamic-security printer, and cartridges with non-HP chips may stop working after a firmware update.
Quick answer: The HP ENVY Photo 6255 uses HP 64 (standard) or HP 64XL (high-yield) black and tri-color ink cartridges — not HP 67, which is the most common mix-up on this model. Castle Ink sells remanufactured HP 64XL black and tri-color cartridges that keep the original HP chip.
Listed by HP as the ENVY Photo 6255 and sometimes as the "ENVY 6255 All-in-One Photo Printer", this is a photo-oriented home all-in-one. Despite the 6xxx model number it is not part of the ENVY 6000 or 6400 series.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
HP ENVY Photo 6255
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.30★ average across 3,040 ratings at Amazon (4.3) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 76 | About 4.6¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 64XL (600 / 415 pages). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 69 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 80 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. HP lists the ENVY Photo 6255 as discontinued and points to the ENVY 6455e, which uses HP 67 and is an HP+ model. HP 64 and 64XL cartridges are still sold.
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 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 64XL 2-packBlack + Tri-color
HP 64XL BlackN9J92AN · ~600 pages
HP 64XL Tri-colorN9J91AN · ~415 pages
HP 64XL 2-pack
HP 64XL Black
HP 64XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP ENVY Photo 6255 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 64 (N9J90AN) | Black | ~200 pages |
| HP 64 (N9J89AN) | Tri-Color | ~165 pages |
| HP 64XL (N9J92AN) | Black | up to 600 pages |
| HP 64XL (N9J91AN) | Tri-Color | up to 415 pages |
It Is HP 64, Not HP 67
This trips people up constantly, because most HP ENVY models in the 6000 and 6400 series do use HP 67. This one does not. There is also no HP 64XXL — HP's 64 line stops at XL, so anything sold as "64XXL" is a third-party product.
The jump from standard to XL is unusually good value here: 600 pages against 200 for black, for well under three times the price. There is almost no case for buying standard HP 64 except as an emergency stopgap.
One thing to know about tri-color cartridges: cyan, magenta and yellow share a single housing. When any one color runs out the whole cartridge is finished, even with ink left in the other two. It is the main reason cost per page on this class of printer looks worse than the sticker price suggests.
Is the ENVY Photo 6255 Discontinued?
Yes. HP has discontinued it and names the ENVY 6455e as the successor. Be aware that the 6455e uses HP 67, so any HP 64XL cartridges you have will not carry over — and the 6455e is an HP+ model, which brings its own ink lock.
What ENVY Photo 6255 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.
Which other printers take the same HP 64 cartridges?
HP lists the ENVY Photo 7155, 7275, 7855 and 7975, the ENVY Inspire 7255e, 7955e and 7958e, and the HP Tango, Tango X and Tango Terra.
Does it print double-sided automatically?
Yes. HP lists automatic two-sided printing, at ISO speeds of up to 13 pages a minute in black and 8 in color.
Will it join a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?
HP lists dual-band Wi-Fi for the 6255, so it can use either the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz band.
Can the 6255 send faxes?
No. HP lists print, scan, copy and web/photo features, with no fax.
Why do blues and greens in my photos show faint bands?
RTINGS saw visible banding in blues and greens in its photo tests and called the 6255 a decent casual photo printer. Some banding is normal for this model, so don't assume a new cartridge is faulty because of it.
ENVY Photo 6255 quirks worth knowing
- HP's own product page calls the 6255 a dynamic security enabled printer even though it is not an HP+ model. Cartridges with non-HP chips may stop working after an update. Remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip, like ours, are the safer choice.
- Its HP-named successor, the ENVY 6455e, switches to HP 67 cartridges and is an HP+ model, so spare HP 64s won't carry over.
- HP 64 is shared with HP's Tango smart printers as well as the ENVY Photo 7000 series, which helps keep the cartridges in stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the HP ENVY Photo 6255 use?
HP 64 or HP 64XL, in black and tri-color. It does not use HP 67.
Is there an HP 64XXL?
No. HP's 64 line has standard and XL only. Listings advertising 64XXL are third-party cartridges using a name HP does not use.
Is HP 64 or 64XL better value?
64XL, by a wide margin — 600 pages black against 200, and 415 tri-color against 165.
Can I use non-HP 64XL cartridges?
Remanufactured ones with the original HP chip, yes. The 6255 isn't an HP+ printer, but HP lists it as dynamic-security enabled and warns that cartridges with non-HP circuitry may not work, even ones that work today. Cloned-chip compatibles can be blocked by a firmware update.
Why does the color cartridge die when only one color is empty?
The three colors share one housing, so the cartridge is finished when any single color runs out.
Other printers that use HP 64
HP Envy Inspire 7955e · HP ENVY Photo 7858 · HP ENVY Inspire 7255e · HP ENVY Photo 7975 · HP ENVY Inspire 7900e · HP ENVY Photo 7855
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 8, 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.