Of course, some printer owners and users are familiar with Genuine OEM Toner, Remanufactured and Compatible. However, do you understand the difference between the three? Most still do not understand these three types of toners correctly. Here is a complete explanation.
Definition: OEM Toner, Remanufactured, and Compatible
● Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Toner Cartridges
● Remanufactured Toner Cartridges
● Compatible Toner Cartridges
Printer manufacturers produce these toners with the same brand or from other companies that create generic products. Before knowing the difference further, know the following definition.
1. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Toner Cartridges
A company or printer manufacturer usually produces this toner. OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer is one of the manufacturers' efforts to make money back by selling other goods.
When you buy these OEM Cartridges and then use up the toner, you have two options to return to meeting the toner needs of the printer. First, you can recycle empty Cartridges and repurchase OEM Cartridges or recycle them.
It usually makes original toners more expensive than remanufactured or compatible toners. This OEM is generally specially designed by printer manufacturers and is used to replace new toner cartridges that have run out.
Examples include using genuine HP and Canon toner cartridges produced by printer manufacturers HP and Canon. This toner is usually also specially designed for printers with the appropriate type of paper for printers of the same brand.
2. Remanufactured Toner Cartridges
Remanufactured Toner Cartridges are a form of recycling from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Toner. The trick is that after cleaning, the cartridges will be filled with toner and then checked for quality.
How to recycle the cartridges will also affect how the printing results will be. In addition, these remanufactured cartridges usually have a more affordable price, are guaranteed to be original and practical, and have far less risk than other toner cartridges.
The toner is also quite durable because 90% of this toner can usually be stored and used for recycling, and another 10% of cartridges can be broken down for recycling. The user is usually someone with high working hours but still wants to reduce printing costs so that it is more practical and is familiar with original quality.
An example of this remanufactured toner is LD Products Remanufactured Toner for HP 507A 507X CE401A Printer. In addition, the brands are Starink 65XL Ink Cartridges for HP Printers, Remanufactured for HP 65XL hp65 printer types, Envy 5000 5055 5052 5014, and Deskjet 3700 3755 3752.
3. Compatible Toner Cartridges
Compatible toner is a type of cartridge made by a third-party manufacturer with the exact specifications of the OEM cartridge. This toner is also referred to as generic because it has no affiliation with the original or branded printer company or manufacturer.
Not all Compatible toners are of the same quality, depending on the brand or manufacturer. This compatible toner has good printing results, and although the price is affordable, this toner is also no less good than other types of toner.
This compatible toner manufacturer has a process almost the same as the original toner, in principle similar to a pharmaceutical company that produces generic prescription drugs. Unfortunately, although this toner manufacturer can have identical toner to the original model, it is not uncommon for new problems to arise with the printer.
An example of this compatible toner is from TonerBank, which can be used for Brother branded printers, GREENSKY for HP printers, and LINKYO for Canon printers. This type of toner is different from the original but functions as a generic.
Differentiating Factors Original Toner, Remanufactured Toner, and Compatible Toner
1. Price
There is price, and there is quality. It is undeniable that original toner cartridges do have an expensive expense, but don't doubt the printing results produced when using this toner. At first, if you choose to use this toner, it may seem very expensive. But considering the durability of the prints that do not fade quickly, it will save more costs.
In addition, if you choose a compatible toner produced as generic as the original, the risk of causing damage to your printer is undoubtedly greater. If this is the case, you will have to incur additional costs for repairs. As for the remanufactured toner, it is in the middle of these two toners.
Sourced from the Amazon.com site, here are some price ranges for these three types of toners, namely:
○ Original Toner Cartridges are priced from $76.89 to $800.
○ Remanufactured Toner Cartridges are priced from $52.79 to $375.99.
○ Compatible Toner Cartridges are priced from $24.99 to $159.99.
The prices above can change at any time following the market price and from the manufacturer.
2. Use risk
If you choose to use compatible toner, don't be surprised if later there will be some damage or leakage of toner on the printer used. Some usage risks arise due to variations in the electrostatic quality, pigment, melting point, and particle size of the toner that is different from the original.
Meanwhile, if you choose to use remanufactured toner, the risk is that there will be paper debris and waste toner left behind. It also makes your printer a problem because the waste generated by the printer contaminates it.
The two things above will undoubtedly be different if you use the Original toner or OEM. This toner does not carry the risk of use or failure experienced if using compatible toner or remanufactured toner cartridges.
3. Print Quality
One of the most critical components of a LaserJet printer is the use of toner. Of course, this toner's selection will affect how the document is produced. Therefore, for those who use LaserJet printers, knowing how to print quality and the importance of using the printer must be considered.
Original toner is highly recommended for you if you are using a printer for a job requiring high print quality. In addition to maintaining the quality of printing, using original toner also reduces the risk of damage to your printer device.
It's different if you choose to use remanufactured or compatible toner. Both toners have colors that are unlike the original, and the print quality is also lower. Meanwhile, the original toner can produce more apparent, sharper, and accurate document printing results.
Which Toner Should You Choose?
As a user, of course, you will expect the quality and price of the toner you want to use is worth it. Of the three types of toner cartridges above, each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of price, risk of damage, print results, and quality. For that, always experimenting and willing to take risks is one thing you need to consider.
In terms of price, compatible and manufactured toner will win because the price is affordable. However, if you look at the risk of damage that will cause and the quality of the resulting printing, Original toner is the most recommended. However, this also goes back to the importance and purpose of using your LaserJet printer.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing Toner Cartridges
Is there a solution if you only have a limited budget but still need relatively affordable toner cartridges? How to choose suitable toner cartridges? What are the things that must be considered when selecting this toner? Here is the answer.
1. Have quality prints by paying attention to how sharp the colors and printing results are.
2. Pay attention to the character, temperature, and how the quality directly when used.
3. Pay attention to how many per minute you can print the document.
4. It has fewer waste particles when used because it depends on the printer's condition in the future.
5. Have continuous print quality with the use of toner that is uniform with the printer so that the print results do not deteriorate.
This information is about the differences between Toner Cartridges: Genuine OEM Toner, Remanufactured and Compatible, the differentiating factors, which toner you should choose and many tips. Hopefully, this article can be used as a reference, good luck!
Psst, you can also check out our posts about “How Long Does Printer Toner Last?” and “What is The 8 Best Laser Printer with The Cheapest Toner!!“
