Are HP Instant Ink and similar subscription programs worth it?

Specialist communities including r/printers and r/AmazonVine are vocal that HP's 'e'-series printers and Instant Ink enrollment can block third-party cartridges and disable printing if the subscription lapses. Reviewers note Instant Ink can be cost-effective for predictable monthly print volumes, but cartridge-free tank models like the Canon MAXIFY GX2020 or HP Smart Tank avoid the subscription question entirely.