Laser Printer: OE or aftermarket toner?

[omni550]

I have two Brother B&W laser printers that have both performed flawlessly for years (IIRC one is ~10 years old, the other ~4), one each located at my northern and snowbird locations. I really appreciate that they sit idle for about 6 months and print their first page, every time, with zero problems.

The Brother printers were approx. $100-$125 new*. Although not expensive, I'd like to keep them for a long time, as I greatly dislike unnecessary waste.

I have always used Brother replacement toner which runs about $53 for the high-yield cartridge (~2,660 pages). A cartridge lasts me a long time; my guess 1-2 years, as it sits used for 6 months at a stretch.

I'm now seeing many aftermarket "Brother-compatible" toners, for a pittance of the price of the Brother toner, by IKONG, Linkyo, E-Z ink, etc. (Example: a Linkyo 2-pack of high-yield cartridges is $21., so one cartridge is ~$10.50. This is 80% cheaper than the Brother.)

Has anyone tried after-market toner? What was your experience, good or bad?

I hate to ruin a good thing. I am wondering if it's worth it to "cheap out" on toner to save a few bucks or not?

omni

*I see that new printers that have fax and copier capabilities are only $99. https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Monochrome-Multifunction-DCPL2550DW-Replenishment/dp/B0764P8F5J?keywords=brother+printer+laser&qid=1547308889&refinements=p_89%3ABrother%2Cp_n_feature_six_browse-bin%3A5662335011&rnid=5662333011&s=Office+Products&sr=1-1-spons&ref=sr_1_1_sspa&psc=1
At the same time, I'm perfectly delighted with the ones I have, as I don't need fax or copying capabilities...since I use my smartphone instead.

 

[target2019]

In the mid 90's, I bought a refill cartridge for my LaserWriter Plus (printer cost about $4500). The cartridge spilled its guts in my printer, and the company came out and cleaned up things. Re-manufacturing has improved, I'm sure, but I have not bought or recommended re-filled toner or ink since then.

 

[ransil]

I have a brother laser and have no problems with cheap toner cartridges .

Last alert i got i picked up a new cartridge but found the setting in the menu to turn off the alert to stop printing when low, removed to old one shook it up a bit and reinstallled it, been in there 3 months still not out of toner.

 

[USGrant1962]

I've been using aftermarket toner cartridges in my Dell multifunction laser for years with no problems. I just looked and high yield OEM cartridges are now $95 each from Dell . I quit buying them back when they were $80.

 

[ERD50]

I have purchased 8 3rd party hi-yield toner carts for the cheap Brother printers in our family (HL-2270 style models) on Amazon. Some in 2012, 2013, and 2014. A 4-pack for $13 (each), one for $12, and a 3 pack for $18 (each).

Of those, I had one bad one, it actually printed OK, but the gears made a loud clacking noise, so did not want to risk any damage to the printer. Maybe just bad luck on that one, maybe I could have bought dozens w/o a bad one, who knows?

That sat on my shelf a long time, so I didn't pursue a warranty claim or anything. And at ~ 1/4th the cost of OEM, I really was not concerned. They seem to give me as many pages as expected.

Suppliers seem to come and go, I'd check Amazon (or other) for a supplier with plenty of good reviews.

These seem to be the top ones at the moment ~ $12/cart:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051MT1HU/ref=dp_prsubs_3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JA586Y8/ref=dp_prsubs_2

-ERD50

 

[REWahoo]

I've used aftermarket toner cartridges for my Brother laser printer for years with zero problems.

 

[samclem]

For my Brother printer, I bought a couple of OEM cartridges, then refill them using a kit with loose toner and a reset cam. I refill them many times (don't keep track, but probably 5+, I've never had one crump out yet). If you are going to refilll them (it isn't hard, and is the cheapest way to go), I think buying the OEM cartridges is worth it, since you know it's brand new and of reasonable quality. If I weren't refilling them, I'd go with aftermarket cartridges.

 

[SumDay]

I've been using aftermarket (Linkyo, specifically) in my Canon printer for years and have had no problems at all. They really gig ya' on those brand names.

 

[tb001]

On a related note, what about Costco’s toner refills? Just realized they had this as an option.

 

[njhowie]

The problem is that quality is going to vary from one manufacturer to the next. Unless you have purchased from one in the past or have a good recommendation from others you trust, it's best to go with OEM. Considering how long they last for you, is it really worth saving $30 or $40 over a few years when you can get original and be sure of what you're getting?

 

[REWahoo]

The problem is that quality is going to vary from one manufacturer to the next. Unless you have purchased from one in the past or have a good recommendation from others you trust, it's best to go with OEM. Considering how long they last for you, is it really worth saving $30 or $40 over a few years when you can get original and be sure of what you're getting?

From reading the responses prior to yours, I'd say the answer to your question is "yes".

 

[njhowie]

From reading the responses prior to yours, I'd say the answer to your question is "yes".

The responses prior to mine are not necessarily representative of the usage of OP.

 

[easysurfer]

I have an old Samsung Multi-function printer and use aftermarket toners and haven't experienced any performance issues as for quality or short lifespan.

At a fraction of the cost (approximately $80 for new brand name vs $15 for aftermarket), I'm happy sticking with aftermarket.

The one drawback is once the toner cartridge is used up, may be harder to find a place to recycle empty aftermarket toners vs brand names.

 

[Jerry1]

The problem is that quality is going to vary from one manufacturer to the next. Unless you have purchased from one in the past or have a good recommendation from others you trust, it's best to go with OEM. Considering how long they last for you, is it really worth saving $30 or $40 over a few years when you can get original and be sure of what you're getting?

I agree. While I do believe 3rd party cartridges can be good, for the small amount of savings over the length of time a cartridge lasts, it doesn't seem worth it to me to take the risk, albeit a small risk assuming you read the reviews and don't go too cheap.

I am thinking about using a 3rd party cartridge(s) the next time I need them for my color laser, but for all for cartridges, I can save over $100 buy going 3rd party so I will consider it.

Maybe you could try a 3rd party one in your oldest machine and then if it mucked up the machine, it wouldn't hurt as bad to have to replace it. If you find that you're satisfied, then go ahead and get the same brand for the other (newer) printer.

 

[ERD50]

From reading the responses prior to yours, I'd say the answer to your question is "yes".

The responses prior to mine are not necessarily representative of the usage of OP.

And how would the "usage of OP" fit into the equation? The hi-yield Brother cartridge is rated for 2600 pages. That's it. I don't follow you.

I agree. While I do believe 3rd party cartridges can be good, for the small amount of savings over the length of time a cartridge lasts, it doesn't seem worth it to me ....

Sure, but aren't you the same guy that thinks paying 1% to an FA is OK too!

I'm just teasing/joking, I actually am interested in how your experience works out for you.


-ERD50

 

[Jerry1]

Sure, but aren't you the same guy that thinks paying 1% to an FA is OK too!

I'm just teasing/joking, I actually am interested in how your experience works out for you.


-ERD50

One thing no one needs to do here (with me) is pull any punches. I was raised in a work environment where if you didn't have thick skin, you weren't there long. I'm also very capable of taking a joke and understanding that making fun of someone is mostly done in good sprit. Hell, if we can't laugh at ourselves, what fun would that be. Most of all, I've never understood someone getting upset from reading a post, even those directed at them. It's dots on a screen - not too threatening.

 

[gauss]

I pay about $20/laser cartridge, including shipping, on EBAY for generic replacements.

I have never had problems.

Note, however, that these are not consumer-grade printers, but rather mid-size office network printers (ie HP4000 & HP CP3505n.

-gauss

 

[Texas Proud]

I have an HP color and have to replace 4 cartridge.... I am now on my 3rd set of aftermarket and am experiencing my first problem... my cyan is dumping and there are blue streaks on the paper... am cleaning it up as I type this....


So far have saved a lot of money to deal with this one time in 10 years and if need be will replace it... it is already at 23% when it got bad so if I do I still go 75% of the value out of it....

 

[Walt34]

I've been using aftermarket toner cartridges in a Dell E525w printer for a couple of years and no ill effects so far. The prices of Dell toner is silly - for the price of a set of new Dell cartridges I can buy a new printer, so if one of the aftermarket cartridges ruins the printer, I'll just buy a new printer. So far I'm well ahead on that gamble.

 

[RE2Boys]

I have used aftermarket refilled ink cartidges about 15 years ago and found them with short life, inconsistent results. Thus I go with HP new ink cartridges.

But the question was about laser printer powder cartridges. I've been using aftermarket laser toner cartridges last few years as I noted my workplace and the local school district regularly used aftermarket with no problems. Specifically LD brand. Very happy with them, never a problem.

 

[wmc1000]

I have used linkyo toner cartridges for years. Started getting them for our office printers when I still worked. I use them in my home laser printer and get a couple of years out of a toner cartridge without any issue.

 

[jollystomper]

I also have a Brother Laser printer. The first 2 replacement cartridges were high yield (5000 pages) OEM and worked fine, I got the expected page yield.

However, the last one I got has not been working, every attempt to duplex jammed the printer. The company sent me a replacement cartridge that is not jamming, but for some reason nothing is printing out on some pages of a multiple page job (e.g. if I send 4 pages to be printed duplex, pages 2 and 3 will print, pages 1 and 4 will not). I am testing some more this weekend... originally I asked for a refund for the first one, but the company said they would send me a replacement without having to send the first one back.

It has me kind of wary right now, if this one does not work I am going to demand a refund and no replacement. Perhaps I should have tried refilling the almost empty but working cartridge.

 

[Jerry1]

if I send 4 pages to be printed duplex, pages 2 and 3 will print, pages 1 and 4 will not

I wish I could be of more help, but I've seen this before. I don't believe it's the cartridge but a setting in the print settings (the default template has been changed) or the printer settings. Google it and see if anything comes up that will help.

 

[BigMoneyJim]

When I serviced printers I saw a *lot* of issues with aftermarket refilled toner cartridges. They were clearly originally OEM HP cartridges refilled, relabeled, and perhaps refurbished.

On the other hand, I never got calls for printers with no problems, so I can't judge percentages. But I've been at offices with 2-3 "extra" "new" 3rd-party refurbs and had them all bad with various issues.

And it's been...7+ years since I've had a job where I might service printers, so things might have changed.

 

[Sunset]

We are on our second Brother laser printer each has lasted many years and gone through many refills.
We use refilled cartridges and have not had a problem for over a decade.

Before I put in a "new" cartridge , I take out the existing one, and over a garbage can shake ( a trick I learned at work ) it spreads around the powder that is stuck in a clump or a corner and it will print another few dozen pages or more.