What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 Use?

Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 uses HP 950 black with HP 951 colors, or the high-yield HP 950XL and 951XL. Four separate cartridges, no tri-color waste. Castle Ink stocks 950XL and 951XL with free U.S. shipping and a one-year guarantee.

The OfficeJet Pro 8100 is a single-function business inkjet — print only, with duplex and Ethernet.

HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 Ink Cartridges at a Glance

Individual Colors Are the Point

Four separate cartridges means you replace only the color that runs out. Combined with a 2,300-page XL black, this is a far better cost-per-page platform than HP's tri-color home printers — the 950XL black alone prints roughly ten times what an HP 61XL does.

The Printhead Is a Separate Part

Unlike HP's home inkjets, the printhead on the 8100 is its own serviceable component rather than part of the cartridge. That is good news: persistent banding, missing colors or streaking on this model is usually a clogged or failing printhead, not bad ink, and replacing the printhead often brings a written-off printer back. Try a deep clean from the printer's own maintenance menu before buying anything.

A Note on Firmware

The HP 950/951 platform has a long history of firmware updates that reject third-party and refilled cartridges. If you plan to run compatible ink, turn automatic firmware updates off in the printer's settings or the embedded web server.

Is the OfficeJet Pro 8100 Discontinued?

Yes. HP has discontinued it and names the OfficeJet Pro 8210 as the successor. Note that the 8210 moves to HP 952/952XL ink, so cartridges do not carry over.

Save on Supplies at Castle Ink

Castle Ink carries HP 950XL and 951XL for the OfficeJet Pro 8100:

• HP 950XL Black Ink Cartridge (CN045AN) — $17.95
• HP 951XL Cyan Ink Cartridge (CN046AN) — $14.95
• HP 951XL Magenta Ink Cartridge (CN047AN) — $14.95
• HP 951XL Yellow Ink Cartridge (CN048AN) — $14.95

All Castle Ink orders ship free in the U.S. and are backed by a one-year quality guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ink does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 use?
HP 950 black with HP 951 cyan, magenta and yellow, or the high-yield 950XL and 951XL.

How many pages does HP 950XL print?
About 2,300 pages black. The 951XL colors are about 1,500 pages each.

Why is my print quality bad even with new cartridges?
On this model the printhead is separate from the cartridge and is the usual culprit. Run a deep clean first; a printhead replacement often fixes it.

Can I use compatible HP 950XL cartridges?
Yes, though this platform has a history of firmware updates blocking third-party cartridges. Turn automatic updates off if you use compatibles.

Do I have to replace all four cartridges at once?
No. Each color is separate.

See Also

• Find Ink by Printer Model
• Best Printers: Top Picks for Every Use Case and Budget
• PrinterIQ Finder — find your next printer in about 60 seconds

By William Elward, Founder of Castle Ink — 20+ years helping people solve printer and ink problems. Last updated August 23, 2026.