What is Compatible Toner?

A toner cartridge, also called printer toner or laser toner, is the consumable component of a laser printer. Toner cartridge contains toner powder, a fine, dry mixture of plastic particles, carbon, and black or other coloring agents that make the actual image on the paper. The toner is transferred to paper via an electrostatically charged drum unit, and fused onto the paper by heated rollers during the printing process.

A. Genuine – known as “Original Equipment Manufacturer” or “OEM” These are manufactured by printer manufacturers. Manufacturers offer certain guarantees when you use genuine brand toner in your printer and makes certain threats if you don’t, voiding warranty is a typical accusation made, although in many countries this is illegal. Genuine cartridges are more expensive than refills, compatibles or re-manufactured cartridges, however you can reduce the difference in price dramatically by purchasing Toners from a specialist retailer like Toner Save.

Good : Excellent Quality, Reliable

Bad: Expensive. Many counterfeit products in Malaysia. Every 3 genuine toners sell, 1 of them is counterfeit.

B. Compatible – Also known as “Generic” or “Alternative Brand” These toners are manufactured from scratch, they are not used toner cartridges that have been refilled or re-manufactured. They are produced by a third party companies and sold under different brand names like APPLE TONER. Often compatible toner cartridges may vary slightly in look, design and page yield to their genuine counterparts due to certain patents that restrict the exact copying of designs. Although some might say these generic toner cartridges less reliable, they are undoubtedly a cost-effective alternative to the genuine article. Buy compatible toner cartridge here

Good : Cost Saving, As Good as original

Bad: There are many compatible toners out there. Not everyone selling the high quality compatible toner like  Apple Toner 

C. Re-manufactured – A process by which the OEM toner cartridge is dismantled after the first use. Any worn or defective parts are replaced and the toner cartridge is cleaned then it is refilled with toner. Many so called re-manufactured toner, which selling price fall below RM70, very likely to be refilled toner, due to the cost structure.

Good : Cheap price, recycled product

Bad: Every toner condition and quality are different. Quality not stable.

D. Refilled – Many say Drum & blades of OEM toner cartridge can hold for 3~4 life cycle. So, refill service provider just open a hole and refill it with toner powder. Worn or defective parts might affect the printing quality. The results of no cleaning process & low quality toner powder on refill toner are leaking issue & low page yield. Refill price in Klang valley is about RM 50 per toner.

Good : Super Cheap, as low as RM 30.

Bad: Low quality print out. Print much less than original. (Expect only print 30~60%)