Before we start the comparison, let us first know about OEM and compatible toner cartridges. Original equipment manufactured toner cartridges, i.e. OEM cartridges, which are also known as genuine toner cartridges. Genuine toner cartridges are toner cartridges that are manufactured by the same company that makes your printer. For example, Hewlett Packard OEM toner cartridge is manufactured by HP and not by a third party.
Compatible toner cartridges, which are also known as aftermarket cartridges, refer to the cartridges manufactured by a third party and not by the original printer manufacturer. But compatible ink cartridges are designed as per the specifications of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), so the quality can be guaranteed.
Now, when it comes to the comparison between OEM and compatible toner cartridges, compatible toner cartridges are typically priced 40-70% cheaper than OEM cartridges.
When it comes to quality, a compatible toner cartridge can provide similar performance to the original version, a premium price can be justified when peace of mind regarding quality, compatibility, and performance is of the utmost importance.
Also, the above statement applies when you use cartridges from leading third-party manufacturers such as LINKYO. Not all third-party manufacturers provide the same high quality of toner cartridges.
Also, there is a misconception that using compatible or remanufactured cartridges can void the warranty of your printers. However, using a compatible toner cartridge will not void your printer warranty.
There is no denying that genuine OEM cartridges are generally more expensive than their compatible and remanufactured counterparts (in some cases up to 70%). However, there are reasons to consider investing in a more expensive genuine OEM toner cartridge:
Peace of mind for the highest quality prints.
Peace of mind for 100% compatibility with a specific printer model.
Peace of mind for high yields.
Peace of mind for reliability and minimized downtime.
A compatible or remanufactured version of the toner cartridge is not available.
While a quality compatible or remanufactured toner cartridge may provide similar performance to the original version, paying a premium price may be justified when ensuring peace of mind regarding quality, compatibility, and performance is paramount.