Printer ink and toner are some of the most expensive liquids and powders you'll ever buy by volume, and the brand-name price tag is mostly paying for the logo. That's why more offices, home workers, and resellers are switching to compatible printer cartridges every year. This guide explains exactly what compatible and remanufactured cartridges are, how to tell a good one from a bad one, and which cartridges fit the most popular HP, Canon, Brother, Samsung, and Lexmark printers.

We've written it for 2027 buying decisions: current cartridge numbers, what firmware updates mean for aftermarket supplies, and a quick-reference compatibility chart you can bookmark.

Key takeaways

• Compatible cartridges are newly manufactured by a third party. Remanufactured cartridges are original-brand shells that have been cleaned, refilled, and tested. Both are "aftermarket" cartridges.
• For laser printers, premium compatible laser toner cartridges are the default choice. For inkjet cartridges with a built-in printhead (many HP and Canon models), remanufactured cartridges are usually the best option.
• Using third-party supplies does not void your printer's warranty in the U.S. under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
• The biggest quality signals are ISO-standard page yields, a current chip, and a warranty of at least one year.
• Always match the cartridge number printed on your current cartridge, not just the printer name.

Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM: what's the difference?

All three types go into the same printer and do the same job. The difference is who built the cartridge and where its parts came from.

You'll also see the terms "generic ink cartridges for HP," "third-party," and "aftermarket." These are umbrella words for compatible and remanufactured products. What matters is not the label but how the cartridge was built and tested.

Are compatible and remanufactured cartridges any good?

Yes, when they come from a reputable source. The early reputation for streaky prints and leaky cartridges came from unbranded, untested products sold on marketplaces. The aftermarket has matured since then, and premium manufacturers now build to the same international yield standards the printer brands use.

Compatible toner quality

Laser toner is a dry powder, and modern compatible toner is formulated to match the particle size and melting point of the original. That's why compatible toner is the easiest aftermarket product to get right. For everyday business documents, invoices, shipping labels, and reports, most people cannot tell the difference between a premium compatible and an OEM page.

Remanufactured ink quality

Many HP and Canon inkjet cartridges have the printhead built into the cartridge. Remanufacturing reuses that original shell and printhead, then cleans, refills, and tests it. That makes remanufactured cartridges the best remanufactured printer ink cartridges option for these models, because you keep the original nozzle hardware while paying far less for the ink.

Will aftermarket cartridges void your printer warranty?

No. In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents manufacturers from voiding your printer warranty just because you used a third-party ink or toner cartridge. A manufacturer can only deny a warranty claim if it can show that a specific cartridge directly caused the damage. We break this down in more detail in our guide to why a 3rd-party cartridge won't void your warranty.

Brand-by-brand buying guide

Each printer brand works a little differently. Start with this summary, then jump to your brand for the exact cartridge and printer list.

HP compatible toner and ink cartridges

HP toner cartridges and ink carry some of the highest brand-name prices on the market, which is why HP is the most popular brand for aftermarket supplies. Choose high-yield "X" or "XL" cartridges when your printer takes them. They cost a little more upfront but give you the lowest cost per page.

HP LaserJet toner

HP OfficeJet ink

These XL cartridges are some of the best cheap ink cartridges for HP printers because they deliver more pages than standard cartridges at a fraction of the OEM price. For HP cartridges with a built-in printhead, HP remanufactured ink cartridges are the best pick. Browse every option on our HP ink and toner page.

Canon compatible ink cartridges

Most Canon PIXMA printers use a black (PG) cartridge and a color (CL) cartridge, each with the printhead built in. That's why remanufactured cartridges are the best value for Canon. "XL" means the cartridge holds more ink. Use this ink cartridge compatibility chart for Canon to find your set.

Not sure which set you need? Shop by printer model on our Canon ink and toner page.

Brother compatible toner cartridges

Brother laser printers are some of the cheapest machines to run with compatible toner. The catch is that Brother uses similar printer names across different generations, so the TN number matters more than the printer name.

The same rule applies to the best compatible ink cartridges for Brother printers: match the LC number exactly and choose high-yield when you can. Find your model on our Brother ink and toner page.

Samsung compatible toner cartridges

HP bought Samsung's printer business in 2017, but millions of Samsung Xpress printers are still in use. Samsung compatible toner is the easiest way to keep them running as original cartridges become harder to find.

Shop every Samsung compatible toner cartridge on our Samsung toner page.

Lexmark compatible toner

Lexmark printers are built for busy offices, so compatible toner delivers some of the biggest savings in this guide. Many Lexmark models also use a separate imaging unit, so check whether yours needs one when you reorder.

See every option on our Lexmark toner page.

How to find your cartridge number in 3 steps

1. Check the cartridge you have now. Open the printer and read the number on the label, such as "TN760" or "952XL."
2. Or check the printer. The model number is on the front or top of the printer, such as "HL-L2350DW." Match it to the tables above.
3. Pick your yield. If there's a high-yield (XL or X) version, choose it for the lowest cost per page.

Don't see your printer? Every brand page on our site lets you search by printer model or cartridge number.

How to spot a premium compatible cartridge

Not all ink cartridge suppliers hold themselves to the same standard. Before you buy aftermarket toner cartridges or compatible printer inks from anyone, check for these five signals:

1. An ISO-rated page yield. Look for yields tested to ISO/IEC 19752 (mono toner), ISO/IEC 19798 (color toner), or ISO/IEC 24711 (inkjet). A stated yield with no standard behind it is a guess.
2. A current chip. Quality suppliers track printer firmware and update chips so cartridges are recognized and report ink levels.
3. A real warranty. One year with a full refund or replacement is the benchmark. Anything under 90 days is a red flag.
4. Exact model matching. The listing should name your cartridge number and specific printer models, not just "fits most HP printers."
5. Responsive customer support. If something goes wrong, you want a quick replacement, not a support ticket that disappears.

How much you actually save with compatible cartridges

The fairest way to compare cartridges is cost per page, not sticker price. The formula is simple:

Cost per page = cartridge price ÷ rated page yield

Here's an illustrative example using round numbers. Your exact prices will vary by cartridge.

For a small office printing 1,000 pages a month, that gap adds up to hundreds of dollars a year on a single printer. Multiply that across a fleet, and it's easy to see why businesses look for discount toner cartridges from a trusted supplier instead of paying brand-name prices.

Why buy from Supplies Outlet

Supplies Outlet has one job: keep your printers running for less. Here's what you get when you order compatible and remanufactured cartridges from us:

• Premium compatible quality. Our cartridges are built to match OEM page yields and print quality for everyday business and home printing.
• 1-year warranty. If a cartridge isn't right, we'll give you a full refund or replacement.
• Competitive pricing. Save on every order compared with brand-name cartridges, with even better value on multi-packs and high-yield options.
• Fast shipping. Get supplies to your office or home quickly so you're never stuck mid-print.
• OEM when you need it. For HP+ printers or any situation where original cartridges make more sense, we carry genuine OEM supplies too.

Frequently asked questions

Are compatible toner cartridges any good?

Yes. Premium compatible toner cartridges produce business-quality prints and deliver page yields comparable to OEM when they're built to ISO standards. The main difference is price. Buy from a supplier that offers at least a one-year warranty so you're covered if a cartridge ever underperforms.

Are remanufactured ink cartridges good?

Yes. Remanufactured ink cartridges reuse an original-brand shell, often with its built-in printhead, so print quality stays consistent. They're especially good for HP and Canon cartridges that have printheads inside. They're also a greener choice because they keep used cartridges out of landfills.

Can generic ink or toner cartridges damage my printer?

A quality compatible or remanufactured cartridge will not damage your printer. Problems are almost always linked to untested, no-name products. Using third-party cartridges also does not void your printer warranty in the United States.

What should I do if my printer doesn't recognize a compatible cartridge?

First, remove the cartridge, check that all protective tape and clips are removed, and reseat it firmly. Next, power-cycle the printer. If the message continues, the printer may have received a firmware update. Contact your supplier for a replacement cartridge with an updated chip, and consider turning off automatic firmware updates to prevent it from happening again.

What are the best compatible toner cartridges for HP printers?

The best HP compatible toner cartridges are high-yield versions that match your exact cartridge number, such as the HP 58X for the LaserJet Pro M404 series or the HP 410X for the Color LaserJet Pro M452. High-yield cartridges give you the lowest cost per page.

Is the Brother TN-2350 the same as the TN660?

They're regional versions of the same cartridge family. The TN-2350 number is used outside North America, while the TN660 (high yield) and TN630 (standard) are the U.S. equivalents for printers like the HL-L2340DW and MFC-L2700DW. If you're in the U.S. and searching for a Brother TN 2350 compatible toner cartridge, order the TN660.

Does Supplies Outlet carry Epson compatible ink?

Yes. Alongside HP, Canon, Brother, Samsung, and Lexmark, we carry compatible Epson printer ink cartridges for popular Expression and WorkForce models. The same rule applies: match the cartridge number printed on your current cartridge.

How long do compatible cartridges last on the shelf?

Sealed toner cartridges typically stay usable for two years or more when stored in a cool, dry place. Ink cartridges are best used within about 18 to 24 months of manufacture. Keep them in their sealed packaging until you're ready to install them.