What Ink Does the HP Photosmart 6520 Use?
Last Updated:The HP Photosmart 6520 uses HP 564 and HP 564XL ink cartridges in black, photo black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The 564XL black is rated at about 550 pages, a little over twice the standard 564 black. XL color cartridges hold roughly 2.5 times the ink of standard ones, though they are getting harder to find new.
CastleScore · October 2026
75/100 — Recommended
HP Photosmart 6520
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 2.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 564XL (550 black / 750 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | — | Not enough owner complaint data to score. |
| Features (12%) | 69 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or owner complaint data for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. We found no new listing for the Photosmart 6520, and HP names no successor. HP 564 cartridges are still sold, but some XL colors are getting scarce.
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 564XL 5-packBlack, Photo Black + C/M/Y
HP 564XL BlackCN684WN · ~550 pages
HP 564XL CyanCB323WN · ~750 pages
HP 564XL Photo BlackCB322WN
HP 564XL 5-pack
HP 564XL Black
HP 564XL Cyan
HP 564XL Photo BlackOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP Photosmart 6520 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 564 | Black | ~250 pages |
| HP 564 | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~300 pages each |
| HP 564 | Photo Black | ~130 pages |
| HP 564XL | Black | ~550 pages |
| HP 564XL | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | About 2.5x standard (no current ISO figure) |
How to Replace Ink in the HP Photosmart 6520
- Power on the printer and lift the front ink cartridge access door — the carriage will slide to the center.
- Press down lightly on the empty cartridge and pull it straight up and out toward you.
- Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and pull the orange tab to remove the protective tape. Do not touch the gold contacts or ink nozzles.
- Slide the new cartridge into its color-coded slot (the printer has 5 slots: black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow) until it clicks firmly into place.
- Close the access door. The printer will automatically align the new cartridge and may print a calibration page.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove the cartridge, gently wipe the gold contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinsert it firmly. Restart the printer if the error persists.
Streaks or faded prints: Run the print head cleaning utility from the Photosmart 6520's touchscreen (Setup → Tools → Clean Printhead). One or two cycles usually clears clogged nozzles.
"Used cartridge" messages: Our remanufactured 564XL cartridges keep the original HP chip, so the printer may report that a used HP cartridge is installed. Click OK or Continue to dismiss the message.
Low-ink alerts too early: HP's ink-level meter often warns well before a cartridge is empty. Keep printing until quality drops before swapping cartridges.
What Photosmart 6520 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.
Can the 564 Photo Black cartridge stand in for the regular black?
No. Photo Black is a separate fifth cartridge, and HP's listing at Best Buy states it does not replace the 564 Black. You need both.
Is a high-yield 564XL black still sold for this printer?
Yes. The HP 564XL Black (CN684WN) is rated at up to 550 pages, and Best Buy still lists the Photosmart 6520 as compatible.
Can I still buy 564XL color and 564XL photo black cartridges?
They are getting harder to find new. Adorama lists the 564XL Cyan (CB323WN) and 564XL Photo Black (CB322WN) as no longer available, and HP's current multipack pairs a 564XL black with standard-size colors. We still sell remanufactured 564XL in all five colors.
How many pages do the standard 564 color cartridges print?
Up to about 300 pages each for cyan, magenta and yellow, per HP's 564 3-pack listing.
Did HP's 2026 cartridge changes affect the 564?
No. HP's 2026 explainer covers only the HP 63/65 merger and the HP 61 refresh. The 564 is not part of either change.
Photosmart 6520 quirks worth knowing
- The "e" in e-All-in-One means HP ePrint, not HP+. This is not an HP+ printer, so there is no HP+ ink lock to worry about.
- HP's current 564 multipack (N9H60FN) is an XL black plus standard cyan, magenta and yellow. If you want XL colors, you have to buy them separately.
- The 564 is now a legacy cartridge. An answer on Best Buy's 564 listing says no current HP printers use it, which is why some XL colors are disappearing from retail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use HP 564 standard cartridges in the Photosmart 6520? Yes. The Photosmart 6520 accepts both HP 564 and HP 564XL. The XL version just holds more ink for a lower cost-per-page.
Do I need the photo black cartridge to print photos? No, but it produces noticeably richer 4x6 photo prints. It is a separate cartridge from the regular 564 Black.
Will remanufactured HP 564XL cartridges void my printer warranty? No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, using non-HP-brand cartridges does not by itself void your HP warranty.
Why does my printer say the cartridge is empty when it isn't? HP printers estimate ink levels conservatively. You can usually keep printing for dozens of pages after the low-ink warning appears.
Does Castle Ink offer free shipping on HP 564XL? On orders over $50, yes. Orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day.
More HP 564 printers: the four-cartridge HP Photosmart B110 and DeskJet 3520 use the same 564 black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges (they don't take photo black).
Other printers that use HP 564
HP Photosmart 7520 · HP Photosmart 5520 · HP Photosmart 7510 · HP Photosmart 6510 · HP OfficeJet 4620 · HP DeskJet 3510 · HP DeskJet 3520 · HP Photosmart B110
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.