We get it—picking out the right toner can be confusing at times. When dealing with printer consumables, such as toner, you need to match up the right ink cartridge with your particular device. But it goes beyond just one option per device make and model. With so many different manufacturers offering printer consumables at various price points, this is where the purchase decision gets difficult. With that in mind, take a look at the following breakdown of pros and cons of some of the different toner options that are out there.

OEM Toner

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) toner cartridges are made by the original manufacturer of your device. This is the toner that came with the device on day one.

Pros: OEM toner is the highest quality toner you can find for your device. It may also help your device last longer since this toner is specifically designed to work with this device.

Cons: It’s the most expensive toner option out there. It’s also not as environmentally friendly as other toners, since no OEM toners come from recycled parts.

Remanufactured Toner

This is toner made up of some pre-used parts that have gone through a thorough recycling process. All cartridges are meticulously refurbished to meet the standards of OEM toner.

Pros: Remanufactured toner tends to be very affordable—especially in comparison to OEM toner. It’s also an eco-friendly option with a light carbon footprint.

Cons: At times, not all remanufactured toner is held to the same standards as OEM toner, so be sure to work with a reputable company to ensure that you receive high-quality parts.

Compatible Toner

Compatible toner cartridges are created by third-party, independent companies. These are usually overseas products created from all new parts.

Pros: Compatible toner is usually the most affordable option on the market when it comes to printing consumables.

Cons: Quality control can be an issue with international ink manufacturers, as there are no internationally enforced quality assurance measures to hold manufacturers accountable for their products. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you are using a top-of-the-line manufacturer and trusted vendor when going with compatible toner.

Understanding the pros and cons of each type of toner makes the purchasing decision a little easier. For more information on toner or any of our other consumables, contact us today.