Ink & toner cartridges

Finding the right cartridge

The safest route is to search by cartridge code (for example LC1280XLBK or 50F2X0E) — it is printed on the side of the old one. The other way is by printer model: every product lists a «Compatible with» field naming the printers it fits.

Types

• Ink cartridge — for inkjets, usually black and colours (cyan, magenta, yellow) separately.
• Toner cartridge — for lasers: costs more but yields thousands of pages.
• Drum. A separate laser consumable, replaced less often than toner.
• Maintenance kit / waste box. Collects waste ink; the printer tells you when it is full.

Yield and cost per page

Check the «Yield» field (page count): an XL cartridge costs more up front but less per page. If you print a lot, XL always pays off.

Related

Printers, all-in-one printers and paper. Label printers take their own tapes.

FAQ

Do cartridges dry out? Sealed in the box the ink keeps for years; it is the print head inside an idle printer that dries.

Why is my cartridge not recognised? Check the code suffix (XL, XXL) and that the protective tape has been removed.