What is the difference between original and compatible cartridges?

Knowing which printer cartridges to buy can be a long and confusing process for most. Why are there so many different options? What exactly is the difference between an original and compatible cartridge? And why is there such a big difference in price? With so many companies providing conflicting advice, it can be hard knowing who to trust! Do you go for the overly expensive original (OEM) cartridges? Or do you take a ‘risk’ and pay less for the compatible ones?

Don’t worry, we completely understand your dilemma, and we’re here to help!

We’re going to run through the practical differences between compatible and original cartridges, what your money will get you and also the common misconceptions. We hope that by the time you finish reading, you’ll have all the advice and information you need to come to the decision that is best for you.

Let’s start with the basics…

Who makes original and compatible cartridges?

Original/genuine cartridges are made by the same brand that make your printer eg. an original cartridge for a HP printer is manufactured by HP

Compatible cartridges are made by a third party eg. a compatible cartridge for a HP printer, isn’t manufactured by HP

Why is there such a big difference in price?

Printer manufacturers claim that their branded cartridges are so expensive because the technology to make ink is expensive as it requires a high level of investment into research and development.

However, it is also known that printer manufacturers often sell their printers at relatively low prices, and then, with a captive customer, sell their branded ink cartridges at a high profit margin. They are able to do this as once a printer is sold, they have a degree of monopoly power, effectively eliminating the competition and allowing them to sell at whatever price they like (this is something to bear in mind when you’re purchasing a new printer – don’t be fooled by the low prices of the printers themselves, it’s the cost of the cartridges that you need to watch out for!)

On the other hand, third party manufacturers of high-quality compatible cartridges don’t have to invest as heavily in their technology, making them much more competitive and allowing them to keep the prices of their cartridges down for the benefit of the consumers.

Is there a difference in print quality?

As ink formulations are very much the same, the print quality of compatibles compared to the original cartridges should be very much the same, with any slight differences in the finish unnoticeable to most. To make sure of this, we highly recommend that you purchase premium compatible cartridges from a reputable retailer.

Are all cartridges the same size?

It may surprise you that generally, depending on the third party manufacturer, compatible cartridges often contain more ink than their original counterpart. This is a great way to make your money go even further!

We always recommend that our customers check the product details for each individual cartridge they order, as this will tell you the capacity in ml’s for our ink cartridges and the page yield for our toners.

Are original cartridges more reliable?

Brand new and tested to meet the same standards, compatible cartridges should be just as reliable as the originals. However, we always recommend that you purchase premium compatible cartridges from a reputable retailer that offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and warranty.

We do however advise against the use of refillable cartridges, as they are more likey to leak ink and damage the integrity of your printer.

HP regularly updates their printer software. When they do, the chip within the compatible cartridges won’t work in conjunction with the printer, but it will allow its own original counterpart. To overcome this we have put together a quick and easy step-by-step guide here.

Will compatible cartridges affect my printer warranty?

Premium compatible cartridges should not cause any issues with your printer. However, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, your printer warranty will not be affected. Click here to find out more about your printer warranty.

If you’re still wondering ‘which one should I go for?’, here’s some advice from our ink specialists…

Premium compatible cartridges bought from a credible third party manufacturer are often the best option.

Compatible cartridges should be the same high-quality, standard and reliability as their original counterparts. Many compatibles will include more ink, making your money go even further. 

Purchasing from a reputable retailer that sells premium own brand cartridges that won’t invalidate your printers warranty and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee will also give you that extra peace of mind if you’re trying them for the first time.

In fact, our Dottyink premium own brand cartridges fall into this category! Click here to quickly find your cartridges and see how much you can save today!