64 models · 3 brands

Printer Ink & Toner Cartridges: Compatible Replacement Guide

Printer ink is one of the most expensive liquids on Earth per ounce — more costly than champagne or perfume. OEM cartridges carry enormous markup because manufacturers sell printers at a loss and recoup profits on consumables. What you get from a compatible cartridge varies by seller: the chip version decides whether your printer accepts it, and the ink itself is rarely specified. Check the printer model and the cartridge number, and read what the listing states about the chip.

Jump to brand:Brother Canon HP

Brand · 16 listings

Brother

Brand · 16 listings

Canon

Brand · 32 listings

HP

Reference · Buying Guide

How to Choose Compatible Ink & Toner Cartridges

Compatible cartridges fall into two categories: remanufactured (used OEM cartridges that are cleaned and refilled) and new-build compatibles (newly made cartridges sold as fitting the same printers). We have not tested either, and we have not found a published comparison we can cite, so what the listing states about page yield and chip compatibility is what there is to go on.

For inkjet printers (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother), verify the cartridge number, not just the printer model. For example, an HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 uses HP 962 cartridges — searching by printer model alone may return multiple compatible cartridge numbers. For laser printers, match the toner cartridge number (e.g., Brother TN-760, HP 26A CF226A).

Page yield is the critical metric. OEM and compatible cartridges are rated by ISO/IEC 24711 (inkjet) or ISO/IEC 19752 (toner) standards. A compatible cartridge rated at 1,000 pages will deliver 1,000 pages — the yield is determined by ink volume and print density, not brand name.

Reference · FAQ

Frequently asked

01Will compatible ink void my printer warranty?

Not on that ground alone. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits conditioning warranty coverage on the use of branded parts unless the brand supplies them free of charge. A manufacturer would have to show that the specific third-party cartridge caused the failure it is refusing to cover.

02Why does my printer say the compatible cartridge is not recognized?

Some printers use firmware updates to block third-party cartridges. Ensure your compatible cartridge has an updated chip. You may also need to dismiss a warning dialog — this is a manufacturer scare tactic, not a compatibility issue.

03Is the print quality really the same?

We have not tested print quality, and we cannot point to an independent report that settles it -- the page-yield studies most often quoted were commissioned by the printer makers, and STMC certifies a remanufacturer's testing capability rather than any one cartridge. What you can check is that the listing names the cartridge your printer takes.

Federal Protection

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2301-2312) prohibits manufacturers from voiding your warranty solely for using third-party replacement parts.Read more