With increasing availability of compatible toner cartridges with different types of chips, it can be difficult to select the best option for your specific needs.
Here is what’s currently available for some of the latest compatible cartridges:
Compatible Cartridges Without a Chip:
If you wish to reuse your OEM chip from an empty genuine toner, this option might work for you. Please note that removing a chip from a cartridge is not always easy, especially if the chip is glued.
The advantage of purchasing a cartridge without a chip is mainly the cost savings, as cartridges without chips are the least expensive. Also, when reusing a chip from your original genuine toner, your cartridge will work even after a firmware update.
The disadvantages are that if you cannot remove the chip from your original toner or the chip gets damaged during removal/installation or if it’s installed incorrectly, the cartridge will not work. You will need an undamaged chip installed on your toner in order for the printer to recognize it. Also, if you are reusing a chip, the printer will not indicate the toner level and will always
read your cartridge as empty. You can simply ignore/snooze the empty toner message and continue to print until out of toner.
Compatible Cartridges With Reused OEM chip:
This is a good option if you don’t have your own chip to transfer onto a new compatible toner or if you simply don’t want to go through the hassle of transferring a chip.
The advantage is that you can use the toner out of the box without having to transfer the chip yourself. Even though this toner will cost more than one without a chip, it still offers significant savings compared to a genuine brand cartridge. When your printer does a firmware update, the cartridge will continue to work.
The disadvantage is your printer will not read the toner level. It will read it as empty. You can simply ignore/snooze the empty toner message and continue to print until out of toner.
Compatible Cartridges With New Chips:
The advantage besides the convenience of not having to transfer the chip yourself is the fact that the cartridge WILL read toner level accurately.
The disadvantage is the cost. The cartridge will most likely be slightly higher in cost than toners with reused or no chips, but still significantly less than genuine products. Also, if your printer has a firmware update, the toner might not work as the chip will no longer be compatible with the new firmware version. Since some printers are set for automatic firmware updates, this might happen without you being aware of it.
To check out our full product catalog, go to www.toner-inkjet.com
For information on some of the most popular compatible cartridges with chips, check out:
HP CF258X
HP CF258A
HP 414A
HP 414X
If you would like to discuss what cartridge options might work best for your specific situation, please call us at 760-431-3756.