If you own a printer, you know just how expensive those replacement ink cartridges can be. Printer manufacturers like HP, Epson and Canon make a huge chunk of profit from their proprietary ink formulas, which is why compatible and remanufactured options offered by third-party retailers have become so popular over the years.
Two of the biggest and most well-known compatible ink retailers are 123inkjets and 4inkjets. Both offer discounted ink cartridges for virtually any modern printer on the market. But which one is better?
Here we’ll compare the key features, selection, prices and policies of 123inkjets and 4inkjets to help you determine the best option for purchasing affordable printer ink online.
A Brief Comparison Table:
| Feature | 123inkjets | 4inkjets |
| Pricing | Slightly higher everyday prices, but more sitewide coupon codes offered | Lower everyday prices on most ink cartridges |
| Shipping | Faster shipping times, 2-3 business days standard | Slower 3-5 day standard shipping |
| Returns | 30 day return period, you pay return shipping | 1 year return window, free return shipping |
| Selection | Huge ink selection, also more printer supplies | Equally vast ink cartridge selection |
| Customer Service | 24/7 phone, live chat, email support | Email or online ticket support only |
| Rewards Program | 10% back on purchases, better redemption | Slower points earning, rewards worth less |
| Website | Modern, easy to navigate site | Dated design, more difficult navigation |
| Privacy Policy | Clear, detailed privacy policy | No readily visible privacy policy |
Overview Of 123inkjets And 4inkjets
123inkjets and 4inkjets have both been around for over 15 years. They started out as small online retailers catering mainly to home office and residential customers, but have since grown into two of the largest discount ink sellers worldwide.
The companies have a lot in common – both offer a huge selection of brand name, compatible and remanufactured ink and toner for all major printer brands. Their selection includes individual cartridges plus multi-packs and value packs to help you save.
You’ll also find a number of promotions like free shipping and rewards programs at both retailers.
However, there are some key differences between 123inkjets and 4inkjets when it comes to pricing, shipping, company policies and approach to customer service. Looking closely at these factors will help determine which is better suited for your specific printing needs and budget.
Detail Comparison Of 123inkjets And 4inkjets
- Pricing and Discount Options
Both 123inkjets and 4inkjets advertise discounted pricing of up to 70% off brand name ink cartridges from HP, Canon, Epson and Brother. However, 4inkjets tends to offer slightly lower prices on comparable cartridges. For example, a 2-pack of HP 62XL black cartridges costs $72.99 at 123inkjets but only $58.99 at 4inkjets. A 10-pack of Epson 202 XL color cartridges is $114.99 at 123inkjets versus $99.99 at 4inkjets.
4inkjets also offers better volume discounts if you purchase multiple units of the same cartridge. They have tiered pricing that allows you to save more the higher the quantity you buy. 123inkjets volume discounts are not as steep or consistent across products.
One advantage with 123inkjets pricing is they offer coupon codes more frequently than 4inkjets. Signing up for their newsletter or checking their Facebook page can yield 10-15% off promo codes fairly often. 4inkjets rarely provides sitewide percent-off coupons, but they do have dollar-off offers for first-time customers occasionally.
Overall, 4inkjets comes out ahead in terms of everyday low pricing and bulk order discounts, while 123inkjets runs more general promotions and coupon codes.
- Shipping and Return Policies
123inkjets offers faster shipping times, while 4inkjets has more flexible return options.
Standard shipping at 123inkjets for in-stock items is 2-3 business days via USPS First Class Mail. Expedited shipping upgrades to 1-day are available. 4inkjets standard shipping is 3-5 business days and priority upgrades are 2-day.
Both retailers provide free shipping on orders over $50. 123inkjets sometimes offers free shipping with no minimum order through promotions.
Returns are allowed up to one year from purchase date at 4inkjets but only 30 days at 123inkjets. 4inkjets will provide prepaid return labels for exchanges while you have to pay return shipping yourself with 123inkjets. Restocking fees are 15% at 123inkjets but there are no fees at 4inkjets if unopened items are returned within 1 year.
Winner: 4inkjets
4inkjets has more generous return windows and policies making exchanges easier and cheaper for customers. Their standard shipping is a bit slower than 123inkjets, but still reasonable for discounted ink orders.
- Product Selection
Both retailers offer an exceptional range of options from OEM brand name ink to compatible cartridges for virtually every printer model under the sun.
123inkjets claims to support over 10,000 printers with options for brands like HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Lexmark and more. 4inkjets likewise asserts compatibility with 10,000+ devices and carries all major ink brands.
In testing searches for everything from enterprise printers to household photo printers, the products available were nearly identical between the two retailers. Both carry OEM cartridges as well as eco-friendly compatible ink formulas.
The main difference is that 123inkjets has a slightly broader selection of specialty media like photo paper, transparency film and other printer supplies besides just ink. However, 4inkjets selection of core ink cartridges and toners is just as vast.
Winner: Tie
There is negligible difference between the enormous product selection available at 123inkjets and 4inkjets. Both support thousands of printers with OEM and compatible ink choices.
- Customer Service
This category has the biggest divide between the two retailers. 123inkjets provides superior customer service through 24/7 phone, email and live chat support. They also have an extensive knowledge base resource online with DIY tutorials and troubleshooting guides.
4inkjets has more limited customer service available via email 5 days a week or through an online ticket submission system. They do not offer any phone or live chat support. Their online knowledge base lacks the depth of helpful articles that 123inkjets provides.
User reviews indicate far more frustrations with getting ahold of customer support at 4inkjets when problems arise with orders. 123inkjets has proven very responsive through phone and chat according to reviews.
As third-party compatible ink retailers, customer service is especially vital. Any technical issues getting cartridges to work properly in printers requires knowledgeable support staff. 123inkjets excels in this area over 4inkjets.
Winner: 123inkjets
Superior customer service resources give 123inkjets the advantage for supporting customers before and after purchase. This could be the deciding factor between the two retailers.
- Convenience Features
Both retailers offer features to make the ordering process fast and hassle-free. Auto-fulfillment options let you get ink cartridges delivered automatically when printers report low levels. Both retailers provide easy online reordering from past purchases too.
4inkjets used to have a leg up with their mobile app that allowed easy reordering and ink level monitoring. But 123inkjets recently launched their own mobile apps for iOS and Android to provide the same convenience features.
The retailers also have systems to identify your printer make and model by entering its serial number or scanning a barcode. This prevents errors ordering the wrong cartridges. 123inkjets claims to have the “largest printer database in the industry” to assist customers with compatibility.
Winner: Tie
Convenience technologies are at feature parity between 123inkjets and 4inkjets, from mobile apps to printer look-up databases.
- Loyalty and Rewards Programs
Both retailers provide loyalty programs that allow customers to earn rewards on purchases and save more money. However, 123inkjets offers better rewards earnings and benefits.
With the free 123inkjets Rewards program, you earn $1 back for every $10 spent on up to 10% back per order. 500 points equals $5 in rewards redeemable on a future purchase. Perks include free expedited shipping and members-only discounts.
4inkjets 4amigos loyalty program provides just 1 point per dollar spent. 500 points redeems for only $3 off future orders. The earning rate and rewards value is much lower compared to 123inkjets program.
Winner: 123inkjets
123inkjets Reward members earn points faster and redeem them for greater discounts and perks versus 4inkjets.
Also Read: Choose Between Formlabs And MakerBot.
- Website Usability
Navigating the retailers’ e-commerce sites reveals 123inkjets has a more modern, streamlined user experience compared to 4inkjets.
The 123inkjets website has a cleaner, less cluttered interface with intuitive menus and filtering. Shopping by printer model and cartridge type is simpler. Their product description pages also provide helpful compatibility confirmation guides before purchase.
4inkjets site feels a bit more dated and cluttered. Searching and filtering products is not as seamless. However, they do provide live chat functionality right on product pages to get questions answered while browsing. 123inkjets lacks this on-site chat feature currently.
Both retailers have comprehensive FAQ resources covering common customer questions about placing orders, shipping, returns, etc. 123inkjets knowledge base just appears more robust and user-friendly to find answers fast.
Winner: 123inkjets
123inkjets offers a more modern, streamlined shopping experience online. Their site usability outperforms 4inkjets.
- Security and Privacy
When purchasing anything online, customers want to know their information stays private and secure. Both 123inkjets and 4inkjets use top providers like McAfee Secure and Comodo to protect sensitive data transmitted through their sites.
However, 4inkjets does not provide a visible privacy policy outlining how customer data may be collected and used. 123inkjets has a clear, detailed privacy policy available from their website footer affirming they do not sell or share personal information for marketing.
For privacy-focused consumers, the lack of transparency from 4inkjets on how they handle customer data is concerning. 123inkjets policies provide much greater reassurance shopping online.
- Winner: 123inkjets
With no readily available privacy policy, 4inkjets lags behind 123inkjets for security and transparency with customer information.
Alos Read: Comparison Between HP 910XL and 916XL
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As outlined above, 123inkjets comes out ahead for most consumers based on pricing, policies, service and overall user experience. Their loyalty program and promotions allow great savings on genuine OEM or high-quality compatible ink. Robust customer service resources also make 123inkjets the safer choice.
Compatible ink is just as good for most home printing needs and can save over 50% Vs. brand name OEM cartridges. Both 123inkjets and 4inkjets have compatible ink lines tested to work flawlessly with major printer brands. Either retailer is fine for compatible ink, but 123inkjets service gives them an edge.
Yes, HP 305 black and color cartridges are direct replacements for 302 models used in Deskjet, Officejet, ENVY and other HP printers. Both 123inkjets and 4inkjets carry 305XL cartridges at lower compatible prices to replace original 302 cartridges that came with the printer.
OEM brand name ink is pricey because companies like HP and Canon spend large amounts on research and tightly control cartridge production. compatibles provide huge savings by using less costly materials and manufacturing techniques to mimic OEM ink quality at a fraction of the sticker price. Buying compatibles from discount retailers like 123inkjets is best way to avoid high OEM cartridge prices.
Also Read: Differences Between Vistaprint And GotPrint.
The Bottom Line
For superior customer service, competitive pricing with more promotions, better rewards program, clearer privacy policies and a more modern shopping experience, 123inkjets comes out ahead as the best option between these two major discount ink retailers.
4inkjets has some advantages with rock-bottom prices on bulk orders, more flexible return policies and faster reward points earnings. But weak customer service and lack of a privacy policy makes them less ideal for most home and office shoppers.
123inkjets greater selection of printer supplies, more accessible support resources and excellent loyalty program add up to deliver the winning combination of value, convenience and service. If you want to save money on name brand or compatible ink cartridges, 123inkjets is recommended as the leading choice in online printer retailers.
Printer ink doesn’t have to mean high prices or low quality. With reputable retailers like 123inkjets and 4inkjets, you can save 50% or more on ink cartridges for virtually any printer model while still getting great results.
Of the two, 123inkjets stands out as the better option for shoppers who value strong customer service, rewards benefits and transparency with secure shopping. Give them a try to start saving on printer ink supplies today!