In the top range, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) cartridges are those produced by the same company that makes the copier equipment. For example, Xerox ink cartridges are the OEM product for Xerox copiers. They will typically offer a superior level of quality and reliability, but also carry a higher price.
Another option is non-branded compatible cartridges, which are designed to function seamlessly with specific brands of copiers. Often offering significant cost savings, they may or may not result in a lower print quality or have other performance issues.
A third alternative is refilled cartridges, which involves refilling a used cartridge with new ink or toner. The quality of this process can vary widely, depending on which replacement ink or toner is used and the condition of the cartridge. A final option is remanufactured cartridges, which in addition to new ink, have been renovated with new parts to allow them to be used again. This solution can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective.