Best Office Printing and Shredding Supplies 2026

Office Printing and Shredding Supplies Buying Guide

Getting the most from your printer and shredder requires the right supplies. Here is what to know:

Printer Ink: OEM vs Third-Party and Cartridge Size Guide

OEM vs third-party ink: Original HP ink is formulated for HP printheads and produces the sharpest text, truest colors, and fewest printhead clogs. Third-party ink saves 30-60% upfront but has higher clog risk and may void printer warranty. For occasional printing, third-party is acceptable. For daily business use, OEM is more reliable. Standard vs XL vs XXL cartridges: Higher yield (XL, XXL) cartridges cost more upfront but have a lower cost per page. For a printer used daily, XL or XXL black ink pays back within 2-3 cartridge cycles. For light printing (under 50 pages/month), standard yield may be more cost-effective due to ink drying in the cartridge. Ink drying in unused cartridges: If you print fewer than 2-3 pages per week, the ink in the printhead nozzles can dry and clog. Print a test page weekly to keep nozzles clear. HP printers do periodic maintenance prints automatically to prevent this.

Shredder Maintenance and Security Level Comparison

HP 910 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Black Ink Cartridge (...

$106.89

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Shredder maintenance basics: Cross-cut and micro-cut shredders require lubrication every 30 minutes of operation or when cutting slows. Never use WD-40 or machine oil — use shredder oil or lubrication sheets designed for paper shredders. An unlubricated shredder jams more frequently and wears out the motor faster. Cross-cut vs micro-cut shredder security: Cross-cut produces rectangular strips (security level P-4). Micro-cut produces tiny particles (security level P-5 or P-6). For personal documents, cross-cut is sufficient. For sensitive financial or medical documents, micro-cut is recommended.

• Best Desk Organizers
• Best Label Makers
• Best Monitor Stands

• HP 910 Black, Cyan, Magenta, Black Ink Cartridge (Black XL + CMY) ($107) — HP OfficeJet/DeskJet users wanting OEM HP 910 ink in a multi-pack Key advantage: HP OEM quality — guaranteed compatibility; Black XL high-yield for heavy text printing; Multi-color pack in one purchase
• HP 936 Ink Cartridges 4-Pack BCMY for OfficeJet 9110 9120 9130 ($146) — HP OfficeJet 9110/9120 users wanting the latest HP 936 ink cartridges Key advantage: HP OEM 936 series for newest OfficeJet models; 4-pack covers CMYK; High-yield print capacity; HP brand compatibility gua
• Paper Shredder Lubricant Sheets, Paper Shredder Sharpening & Lubricating Sheets- ($20) — Shredder owners wanting maintenance lubricant sheets that also sharpen blades Key advantage: Lubricates and sharpens in one step; Sheet format — no liquid mess; Multiple sheets per pack; Works with most cross-cut

Key Features to Compare When Spending Over $100

Office products over $100 — especially chairs, monitors, and desks — have a direct impact on productivity, comfort, and long-term health. A $300 ergonomic chair used 8 hours a day pays for itself in comfort and reduced back pain within months; a $60 chair purchased annually costs more over 3 years and causes more problems.

• Adjustability range — height, tilt, armrest, lumbar support should all be customizable to your body

  

  HP 936 Ink Cartridges 4-Pack BCMY for OfficeJet 91...

  $145.89

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• Weight capacity and size range — ergonomic equipment must match your body dimensions to provide benefit

• Materials: mesh breathes; foam holds shape longer; leather wears well but runs hot

• Warranty: chairs from top brands (Herman Miller, Steelcase, Branch) come with 10-12 year warranties

  

  Paper Shredder Lubricant Sheets, Paper Shredder Sh...

  $19.99

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• Return policy — you need to try a chair for multiple work sessions before committing

• Buying based on looks rather than adjustability — a beautiful chair that doesn't fit your body is useless for ergonomics

• Ignoring the break-in period — quality mesh chairs feel stiff for the first 2-4 weeks

• Skipping the lumbar support feature — it's the most important element for back health on chairs used 6+ hours daily