What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 (and the HP+ version, the 9018e) uses four separate HP 962 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. The high-yield HP 962XL versions are rated for about 2,000 pages in black and 1,600 pages per color. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured 962XL Black, 962XL Cyan, 962XL Magenta, 962XL Yellow and a 962XL 4-pack.
The 9018 is the same hardware as the OfficeJet Pro 9015; the model number mostly marks a different sales channel. HP 902, 910 and the newer HP 936 do not fit it.
CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
HP OfficeJet Pro 9018
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.30★ average across 2,677 ratings at Walmart (4.3, 9018e) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score for the 9018 itself that we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 77 | About 4.4¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 962XL (2,000 / 1,600 pages). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 80 | Most-reported problems: cartridge-not-recognized errors that force black-only printing; printhead event code 62.80.a0; print error 9DB8B6 and tricky wireless setup |
| Features (12%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 80 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: No expert site has published a numeric score for the 9018 that we could verify, so the expert weight is spread across the other five pillars. (Its twin, the 9015e, carries a PCMag 4.0/5.)
Discontinued. Walmart lists both the 9018 and 9018e as out of stock, and HP has discontinued the identical 9015e. HP 962 cartridges are still widely 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 14, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 962XL 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
HP 962XL Black3JA03AN · ~2,000 pages
HP 962XL Cyan3JA00AN · ~1,600 pages
HP 962XL Magenta3JA01AN · ~1,600 pages
HP 962XL Yellow3JA02AN · ~1,600 pages
HP 962XL 4-pack
HP 962XL Black
HP 962XL Cyan
HP 962XL Magenta
HP 962XL YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges.
What Ink Cartridges Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. (standard / XL) | Approx. yield (standard / XL) | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 962 Black | 3HZ99AN / 3JA03AN | ~1,000 / ~2,000 pages | Remanufactured 962XL Black |
| HP 962 Cyan | 3HZ96AN / 3JA00AN | ~700 / ~1,600 pages | Remanufactured 962XL Cyan |
| HP 962 Magenta | 3HZ97AN / 3JA01AN | ~700 / ~1,600 pages | Remanufactured 962XL Magenta |
| HP 962 Yellow | 3HZ98AN / 3JA02AN | ~700 / ~1,600 pages | Remanufactured 962XL Yellow |
Yields are HP's ISO estimates; HP tested the 962XL black in an OfficeJet Pro 9020. There is no super-high-yield black for this family. If you print checks, Castle Ink also carries a 962XL MICR black.
Is HP 962XL Worth It?
Yes. The XL black doubles the standard cartridge's pages and the XL colors more than double them. On October 14, 2026, Walmart listed Original HP 962XL black at $63.92 (about 3.2¢ a page) and Staples had 962XL cyan at $49.89. Our remanufactured 962XL black is $39.95 (about 2¢ a page) and each color is $35.95 (about 2.2¢ a page), or $67.99 for the 4-pack.
Dynamic security and HP+. The 9018 has HP dynamic security, which blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, and HP says firmware updates can block cartridges that used to work. If you have a 9018e and turned on HP+ at setup, HP's terms require Original HP ink for the life of the printer, and no compatible cartridge will change that. On a plain 9018, or a 9018e set up without HP+, remanufactured cartridges that reuse an HP chip are the ones to buy, and it is worth turning off automatic firmware updates.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018?
- Turn the printer on and open the ink cartridge access door.
- Wait until the carriage has stopped moving and is silent.
- Press the front of the cartridge to release it and pull it out.
- Unpack the new cartridge without touching the copper contacts.
- Slide it into the slot with the matching color until it clicks, close the door, and run alignment if the printer asks.
Which Other Printers Use HP 962?
The whole OfficeJet Pro 9010 family does: the 9010, 9015, 9015e, 9020 and 9025e, plus the 9014e, 9016, 9019, 9022e, 9028e and OfficeJet 9012e. The newer OfficeJet Pro 9125e does not; it takes HP 936.
What OfficeJet Pro 9018 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Will the printer take third-party ink?
Only cartridges that carry an HP chip, and only if HP+ was not activated. Cartridges with cloned or non-HP chips are blocked by dynamic security, and a firmware update can block ones that worked before.
Does turning off Cartridge Protection let me use other ink?
No. Cartridge Protection is an anti-theft setting that ties cartridges to one printer. It has nothing to do with whether third-party cartridges are accepted.
It says to replace a cartridge that still has ink, or will only print black. What should I try?
Power the printer off for 60 seconds, wipe the cartridge contacts with a lint-free cloth, reseat the cartridges and update the firmware. HP's community volunteers suggest the same sequence. More fixes are in printer says ink cartridge not recognized.
What does event code 62.80.a0 mean?
The printer can't detect the printhead or thinks it's faulty. Reseat the printhead and clean its contacts; if the code returns, the printhead (or the printer, under warranty) usually needs replacing.
Can the document feeder scan both sides in one pass?
No. The 9018 scans two-sided originals by flipping the page (dual-pass). Single-pass two-sided scanning is on the OfficeJet Pro 9020 and 9025.
OfficeJet Pro 9018 quirks worth knowing
- The first cartridges in the box are setup cartridges, rated about 850 pages black and 420 pages color, so the first low-ink warning comes early.
- HP rates it at 22 pages a minute in black and 18 in color, with a 35-sheet document feeder and a 250-sheet tray.
- It prints two-sided automatically, faxes in color, and has Ethernet plus dual-band Wi-Fi.
- The largest paper it takes is legal size (8.5 x 14 in).
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 use?
HP 962 or HP 962XL: four separate cartridges in black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Do the 9018 and 9018e use the same ink?
Yes. Both take HP 962 and 962XL. The 9018e is the HP+ version, which locks the printer to Original HP ink if HP+ is turned on at setup.
How many pages does HP 962XL print?
About 2,000 pages for the black and about 1,600 pages for each color, on HP's ISO rating.
Other printers that use HP 962
HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 · HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 · HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e · HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 · HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e · HP Smart Tank 7602 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- HP Smart Tank 7602 — CastleScore 85
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 14, 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.