Shopping for printer supplies can be confusing. With countless printer models, part numbers, and product naming schemes, it can be difficult to navigate through the arbitrary fluff and get what you need. Add in aftermarket supplies and you’ve got a perfect recipe for mishmash. Many users think remanufactured and compatible cartridges are the same thing, but there is a difference. Hopefully we can help clear up a few things by defining OEM, remanufactured, and compatible toner cartridges.
1. OEM. Toner cartridges developed and manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer are aptly categorized as “OEM” products. These are your Lexmark, HP, Dell, InfoPrint and what-have-you toner cartridges. They are also commonly referred to as “original” and “genuine” supplies.
2. Remanufactured. A remanufactured toner cartridge is a used OEM cartridge that has been disassembled, cleaned, prepped, and rebuilt with new or reconditioned parts. It is distinct from “compatible” cartridges because it is built using the empty core of the OEM cartridge. Print.Save.Repeat. toner cartridges fall into this category.
3. Compatible. In contrast to remanufactured cartridges, compatible cartridges are not built using OEM empty cores. They are manufactured from scratch. Compatible cartridges are not typically built in the US and are often imported from overseas. Although the cheapest, they tend to have the most quality issues.
It’s important to note that not all companies list their products clearly. For instance, some listings show “compatible” to specify compatibility with certain printers though it is a remanufactured product.
I hope that helps. As always, if you have any questions about compatibility or aftermarket printer supplies, you can call us 800-587-1173 or chat online at printsaverepeat.com and we’ll help you sort it out.