What Ink Does the HP Photosmart C5280 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP Photosmart C5280 uses two cartridges: an HP 74 black and an HP 75 tri-color. The high-yield HP 74XL and 75XL fit too. It does not use HP 02 ink. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured 74XL Black, 74 Black, 75XL Tri-color and a 74XL + 75XL combo pack.
The six-cartridge HP 02 system belongs to other Photosmarts such as the C5180, which is why the two get mixed up. The C5280 takes the same ink as the Photosmart C4280 and C4480. UK and European units take HP 350 and 351 instead, and those won't fit a U.S. printer.
CastleScore · October 2026
76/100 — Recommended
HP Photosmart C5280
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | Trusted Reviews: 7.0/10 average across its four category scores |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 74XL (750 pages) and 75XL (520 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 82 | Most-reported problems: fuzzy black text on plain paper; high ink cost with HP's own cartridges; cartridge errors and carriage jams |
| Features (12%) | 50 | Print, copy, scan, color screen, memory card slots, 4x6 photo tray, CD/DVD printing. USB only. No Wi-Fi, no document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 78 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP announced the Photosmart C5280 in June 2007 at about $149. HP 74 and 75 cartridges are still sold, though HP's 99 and 100 photo cartridges are now hard to find.
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 15, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 74XL + 75XL comboBlack + Tri-color
HP 74XL BlackCB336WN · ~750 pages
HP 75XL Tri-colorCB338WN · ~520 pages
HP 74 BlackCB335WN · ~200 pages
HP 100 Gray PhotoC9368AN · ~115 pages
HP 74XL + 75XL combo
HP 74XL Black
HP 75XL Tri-color
HP 74 Black
HP 100 Gray PhotoOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the HP Photosmart C5280 Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 74 Black | CB335WN | ~200 pages | Remanufactured 74 Black |
| HP 74XL Black | CB336WN | ~750 pages | Remanufactured 74XL Black |
| HP 75 Tri-color | CB337WN | ~170 pages | — |
| HP 75XL Tri-color | CB338WN | ~520 pages | Remanufactured 75XL Tri-color |
| HP 99 Photo (optional) | C9369WN | ~130 pages | Remanufactured HP 99 Photo |
| HP 100 Gray Photo (optional) | C9368AN | ~115 pages | Remanufactured HP 100 Gray Photo |
HP sold the C5280 for six-ink photo printing with an optional HP 99 photo or HP 100 gray photo cartridge. Both are now listed as discontinued at ink sellers. Yields come from retailer listings.
Is HP 74XL Worth It?
Yes. The XL black prints almost four times as many pages as the standard 74. On October 15, 2026, LD Products listed HP's 74XL black at $56.99 (about 7.6¢ a page), and it was backordered. We couldn't find a current price for HP's 75XL. Our remanufactured 74XL black is $17.95 (about 2.4¢ a page) and the 75XL tri-color $19.95, or $22.99 for the combo pack.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the HP Photosmart C5280?
- Turn the printer on and open the cartridge access door. Wait for the carriage to stop moving.
- Push down on the old cartridge to release it and pull it out of its slot. Check the slot icons: black goes on the right, tri-color on the left.
- Unpack the new cartridge and pull off the pink tape by its tab, without touching the copper contacts or nozzles.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle and push until it snaps into place.
- Close the door. When the alignment page prints, place it on the scanner glass if asked and press OK.
Which Other Printers Use HP 74 and 75?
The Photosmart C4280, C4480, C4250, C4270, C4380, C4385 and C4580; other C5200 models such as the C5240, C5250 and C5270; the C5500 series and D5360; the DeskJet D4260 and D4360; and the OfficeJet J5780 and J6480.
What Photosmart C5280 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer in HP's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Does the C5280 use HP 02 cartridges like other Photosmarts?
No. U.S. units take HP 74 black and HP 75 tri-color, or the XL versions. HP 02 is for the C5180 and similar six-cartridge models.
Can I print six-color photos?
Yes, with an HP 99 photo or HP 100 gray photo cartridge swapped in for photo printing. HP no longer makes either, so they're hard to find.
Why does black text look fuzzy?
Trusted Reviews noticed it too. Use Best quality for text you care about, and run the alignment and printhead cleaning from the Setup menu.
Can I print from my camera or over Wi-Fi?
No. There's no PictBridge port and no Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It connects by USB, but you can print photos straight from a memory card.
Photosmart C5280 quirks worth knowing
- It prints straight onto printable CDs and DVDs with the included disc holder.
- It has a 2.4-inch color screen and memory card slots for CF, SD, Memory Stick and xD cards.
- There's a 125-sheet main tray plus a separate 20-sheet tray for 4x6 photo paper.
- HP claimed up to 32 pages a minute in draft mode, but Trusted Reviews measured about 5 in black and under 3 in color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the HP Photosmart C5280 use?
HP 74 black and HP 75 tri-color, or HP 74XL and 75XL.
Does the C5280 take HP 02 ink?
No. HP 02 is for six-cartridge Photosmarts like the C5180.
Will HP 350 and 351 cartridges fit?
No. Those are the UK and European versions.
Other printers that use HP 74 and 75
HP Photosmart C4280 · HP Photosmart C4480
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 15, 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.