Is it worth choosing compatible inks or are originals still the best choice? We analyze the advantages and disadvantages.
What are compatible inks?
Compatible inks are products made by companies other than the one that made your printer. For example, if you have a Canon printer, genuine inks are those that carry the Canon brand. Compatible inks, however, are made by other companies and are designed to work with your printer, but are not officially approved by the original company.
These inks can be brand new cartridges that look just like the originals, or they can be original cartridges that have been refilled with new ink by specialty companies. Both categories are called "compatible" because they promise to work with your printer just like the originals.
The big difference in price
The most obvious difference between genuine and compatible inks is the price. While a set of genuine cartridges can cost anywhere from €60 to €150, compatible cartridges typically cost between €15 and €40. This huge difference is due to the fact that printer companies often sell printers at a loss and make their profits from the inks.
Print Quality: The Big Comparison
When it comes to print quality, results vary considerably. The best compatible inks can produce results that are almost identical to the original, especially for everyday printing such as documents, emails and simple photos. However, cheaper compatibles can present problems such as less vibrant colors, uneven color distribution or even smudges on the paper.
The problem becomes more apparent when you want to print something important, like family photos for albums or business documents. That's where genuine inks tend to excel, offering more accurate colors and better detail resolution.
Advantages of Compatibles
- Significant money savings
- Wide variety of options on the market
- Easy availability online
- Satisfactory quality for everyday use
- Many times more ink per cartridge
Disadvantages of Compatibles
- Uneven quality between manufacturers
- Possibility of printer problems
- Less durable prints over time
- Not covered by printer warranty
- They may dry faster
Durability over time
An important point that is often overlooked is how well the colors hold up over time. Genuine inks are usually designed to last for many years without fading, especially when used with appropriate photo paper. Compatible inks, depending on their quality, may start to lose their color intensity after a few months or a year or two.
This is especially important if you plan to keep your prints for a long time. Family photos you print today with cheap inks may have completely changed color or faded in 5-10 years.
The dangers to the printer
One of the biggest fears of those considering using compatible inks is that they will damage their printer. It must be said that this risk, while it exists, is not as great as printer companies would have us believe. Most compatible inks from reputable companies will not damage your printer.
However, very cheap and low-quality compatibles can cause problems such as clogged nozzles, ink leakage inside the printer, or even damage to the supply system. The key is to choose compatible inks from well-known and reliable companies.
How to choose correctly
The decision between genuine and compatible inks depends on your needs. If you mainly print documents for the office or home, compatible inks can save you significant money without much loss in quality. However, if you are a photographer, graphic designer, or simply want the best possible results for important prints, genuine remains the safest choice.
When buying compatible inks, read reviews carefully, check if the company offers a warranty, and start with small orders to test the quality. Avoid overly cheap products with no reviews or warranty.
Compatible inks are not necessarily worse than originals - they are just different. Your choice should be based on your needs, your budget, and the type of printing you do. With the right choice and reliable companies, you can save money without sacrificing quality.
Loading comments...