Newly manufactured compatible cartridges are made by third-party manufacturers. These are designed to work with a number of devices. Generally, the output quality is acceptable, and the price is lower than OEM products. However, such cartridges may not be available for the latest copier models. This means that one should work with a trusted distributor in sourcing those newly manufactured compatible cartridges that offer just the right combination of quality and price for personal or business needs.
An additional concern is that many brands are available, and not all maintain the same quality standards. Major players in the industry make some compatible cartridges, which gives them built-in reliability. An example is the Xerox Everyday Toner line, compatible with brands such as Brother, HP, Canon, Ricoh, Sharp, and Toshiba.
A third option is a remanufactured toner cartridge. The manufacturer recycles the used OEM cartridge by cleaning and repairing it, and then refilling it with toner. Used by many companies, remanufactured cartridges fall between OEM and compatible cartridges in price. The quality tends to be comparable to OEM products, but may not meet these high standards. Failure is possible, which can add to cost, and some remanufacturers do not offer warranties. As with compatible cartridges, the key is finding a reliable distributor that backs up its products.
Remanufactured toner cartridges may not be available for the newest printers and copiers, since users must send the cartridges back to remanufacturing facilities that must then repair and refill them. In addition, it’s best to ensure that remanufactured cartridges have been “re-chipped.” A chip in the cartridge tracks the number of pages printed and estimates the number remaining before replacement is needed, based on the estimated toner used. Without a new chip, the machine may generate “low-toner” messages even when sufficient toner is in the cartridge, which can sometimes prevent printing.
A distant fourth option is refilled cartridges that companies refill with no inspection, cleaning, or repairs. There is no quality control, so the cartridges may fail, and their use may impact the printer or copier function over time. A similar option is “drill and fill” toner cartridges, often marketed as DIY kits. These have a failure rate as high as 40 percent. Problems include substandard print quality, health hazards, toner spills, and fewer pages printed per cartridge. Although refilling is the least expensive option in the short run, it may cost much more in the long run. To sum up, for best quality go with OEM toner cartridges, and for acceptable quality and price, select remanufactured toner or newly manufactured compatible toner products.