If you've recently bought a printer for the house or office, finding the right ink cartridges can be quite confusing. Several compatibility factors need to be taken into consideration before deciding which type of ink to purchase for getting the right print quality. Ink cartridges are of three main types:

original, recycled, and compatible. Herein, we further elaborate on these three types to help you know which one suits your printer the best.

Types of ink cartridges
Depending on the kind of printing you’ll be doing and the features you are looking for, you have the option to choose any one of the following ink cartridge options:

Original cartridges
These ink cartridges are the ones that, by default, come with your printer when you buy it. Original ink cartridges, also known as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) cartridges, are usually made by the same manufacturer as as that of your printer. These cartridges are specifically designed to work well with the printers of their own brand. Thus, such a type of ink will offer a better print quality as compared to that manufactured by other brands. Since originals carry the inhouse brand name and are high in quality as well as quantity, these cartridges tend to be a lot more expensive as compared to others types available in the market. Despite the extra cost, original cartridges are definitely worth paying the that much money if you are looking for a precise and high-quality printing experience. Such cartridges are often also known as branded or genuine cartridges. Since these cartridges often come with a warranty, you won’t have to worry about your printing bailing on you, especially at the time of need.

Recycled cartridges
Recycled cartridges, also known as remanufactured cartridges, are made by taking old empty cartridges by refilling them with ink. Another method that's commonly employed is using old mechanisms to build new units. In both cases, these cartridges are made using raw materials from old ones instead of using completely new parts. Using these cartridges is an excellent option is ideal for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Making use of recycled cartridges reduces the amount of waste that’s created in the long run. This option is also the most financially viable and convenient one as recycled cartridges tend to be easily available in most online and offline stores for an considerably inexpensive rate. Moreover, these cartridges come with the manufacturer’s guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of these products.

Compatible cartridges
These ink cartridges can be described as the middle ground between original and recycled cartridges. Such a type is suitable if you want to buy a new cartridge but not necessarily the original one that it can be expensive. These cartridges are usually manufactured by third-party manufacturers that do not come labeled with popular brand names of printers. Although compatible cartridges are not made by the original manufacturers, they tend to worl quite well with a wide variety of printers and can help you get a decent output. But the in in a compatible cartridge tends to dry up pretty quicklym and you can not expect the quality to be as good as that of OEM cartridges. If you are opting for such third-party products, make sure you go for a brand that you know of since some of them can cause damage to your printer due to incompatibility.