Which ink does the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 use?
The HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 (inkjet, 2016) uses HP 902XL, HP 902.
Third-party cartridge risk: Medium a firmware update can start blocking non-OEM cartridges, so check before buying a large supply, or hold off on firmware updates.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 uses HP ink cartridges for printing. It takes standard and high yield versions of black, cyan, magenta and yellow inks from HP, with XL cartridges offering a higher page yield. If you're looking to save money, buying compatible alternatives might be an option but note that the printer may block these via firmware.
Compatible cartridges
| Cartridge | Color | Yield | Pages | OEM price | Cost/page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 902XL | black | XL | 825 | $38.00 | 4.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| HP 902XL | cyan | XL | 825 | $30.00 | 3.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| HP 902XL | magenta | XL | 825 | $30.00 | 3.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| HP 902XL | yellow | XL | 825 | $30.00 | 3.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| HP 902 | black | standard | 300 | $18.00 | 6.0¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
XL (high-yield) cartridges cost more upfront but lower the cost per page, which is better if you print a lot.
The HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 is on our firmware-lockout list, so a compatible or remanufactured cartridge can stop working after a printer update. The safe choice is genuine HP ink. If you want to try a compatible to save money, buy only from a seller that guarantees it works with this printer's current firmware, and keep the receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Which ink does the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 use?
The HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 uses HP 902 and HP 902XL.
Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 use toner?
No. The HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 is an inkjet, so it prints with liquid ink from a cartridge, not toner powder, and no toner cartridge fits it. If you were searching for OfficeJet Pro 6970 toner, the part you want is HP 902 and HP 902XL.
Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 take XL cartridges?
Yes. Besides the standard cartridges it accepts HP 902XL. A high-yield XL holds more ink and costs less per page, which is worth it if you print often.
Will third-party ink work in the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970, or will firmware block it?
HP names the OfficeJet Pro 6970 in the support document listing the inkjets its cartridge blocking firmware reached, so a compatible HP 902 can be refused after an update. The removal firmware HP offers here is conditional: it disables dynamic security on units built before 1 December 2016 and leaves it running on anything newer, so check the build date before counting on it.
How many pages do the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 cartridges print?
Rated yields are the HP 902 at about 300 pages and the HP 902XL at about 825 pages. Real-world yield depends on how much you print and how much ink each page uses.
What is the cheapest ink for the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970?
By list price the lowest cost per page here is the HP 902XL at about 3.6 cents per page. A reliable compatible or remanufactured cartridge can lower that further.
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Guides for HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 owners
- Printer will not print black because a colour cartridge is empty: what to do
- Why did my printer stop accepting compatible ink after a firmware update?
- Is the XL cartridge actually cheaper? 31 pairs priced off the makers' own stores
- How to disable HP Dynamic Security and decline the firmware update safely
- Setup cartridges: why a new printer runs out of ink so fast, and what the first refill costs
Last reviewed . Compiled by MyCartridgeFinder from manufacturer cartridge finders and retailer cross reference tables, then checked against this printer's database record. Cartridge numbers and yields come from that record, never from guesswork. See our methodology and data sources.