I've had my HP printer for a long time and it still works really well. Quality of the HP ink is great. I've used other brands and while the cartridges are cheaper they don't last as long, so I use HP. I wouldn't bother with the regular size black unless you hardly ever print.
I paid a little more for the XL cartridge so that I didn't have to buy as often. So far it works beautifully and HP even sent me a prepaid envelope to return and recycle my old cartridge!
I am a senior, longing for the good days when I could refill ink cartridge myself. HP Ink cartridges are too costly for seniors. My family has 2 HP printers - one is on HP Instant Ink program, the other not. Instant Ink confines one to regular, constant numbers of pages.The regular printer allows me to occasional heavy usage. I wish HP will return to "refillable" cartridges.