Genuine vs Compatible Cartridges 

Why You Should Buy Genuine Every Time

One of the biggest debates in the printing world revolves around compatible toners. Many people have varied opinions when it comes to deciding which type of toner to buy. If you’ve ever been stuck with the job of buying new toners you may have seen a few different types on the market. The main two are genuine or compatible (generic). The influx of compatible toners into the market has been driven by the lower, attractive price. However hidden costs can surface in regards to printer repairs.

Genuine Toner

Genuine toner cartridges are made by the original manufacturer – those who made the printer brand you purchased. They are specifically designed for each model of printer, due to this they do generally cost more. That being said they are of a higher quality and produce sharper, more long lasting documents and images.

Compatible Toner

Non-Genuine or compatible toners are created by third-party suppliers that claim to be manufactured for certain models of printers. Due to this the quality of compatible cartridges vary widely depending on the manufacturer. They are generally cheaper but may not have the same standards of function set by the printer manufacturer. Meaning although you pay less initially, you may end up buying more cartridges in the long run.

Unfortunately due to the inconsistencies of compatible toners there are a few common problems that arise when using compatible. Below are just a few examples:

• Dead on arrival (DOA): According to a recent study by HP 1.2% of compatible cartridges arrived dead. With 4.8% experiencing early failures.
• Leaking toner powder: With low quality compatible toners the main issue that arises is leaking toner powder. This can cause irreversible damage to your printer if not fixed. 
• Damaged fuser unit: The fuser unit of the toner is what melts the toner powder into the fibre of the paper, this is done by a combination of pressure and high temperatures. Often in compatible cartridges the fuser is already half worn out an can result in malfunction. 

Due to the many studies and horror stories from people using compatible, we advise that it is best to purchase genuine toners due to the higher quality and better performance.

Below are our top reasons why you should be buying genuine toner cartridge every time. 

1. Better Compatibility 

Due to genuine cartridges being made by the manufacturer with a specific printer in mind, compatibility is never an issue. This means that installing the cartridges are a piece of cake. Along with high performance, there is less risk of problems occurring. Giving you that added peace of mind.

2. Higher Quality 

Genuine toners almost always provide you with better quality prints, this is mainly evident when it comes to images and photos. Not only does the clarity of the images outshine that of generic cartridges, the durability is also a key winner. Images printed with genuine cartridges also tend to last for a longer period of time before fading.

Since you are buying from a trusted brand you know that each and every cartridge you buy is going to give you 100% quality. This can’t be said for compatible cartridges, which are known to be very inconsistent due to the large number of copycat manufacturers. If the price looks too good to be true, it usually is.

3. Added Environmental Initiative 

Many brands feel the added pressure from consumers to do their part for the environment. This means that brands such as Brother, HP & Lexmark are constantly finding new ways to create more eco-friendly processes. Many companies including us here at MediaForm are involved in cartridge recycling programs. This helps to reduce landfill waste and overall decrease our environmental footprint. No compatible cartridge manufacturer offers a program like this. Although it may not seem like it, any small step you can take to be more environmentally conscious helps greatly.

4. Value for Money 

Choosing genuine allows you to get the most value for money possible, not just when it comes to cartridges but also your printer. By using genuine cartridges you are ensuring that your printer is performing to the best of its ability. Printers and genuine cartridges go hand in hand, the manufacturer has specifically designed them to work together harmoniously and produce maximum quality. You can guarantee that you will be getting the ultimate shelf life out of your printer.

It’s true that printing costs can start to add up quickly. That being said buying genuine toners can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially when it comes to repairs. By purchasing only genuine supplies you know you'll be getting 110% performance from your printer.

Check out Brother’s video below for even more reasons why we recommend purchasing genuine toner cartridges.  

Find our whole range of genuine, branded toners  here.