Should You Buy Compatible Ink & Toner Cartridges?

Here’s What You Need to Know

Written by

Braydon Stone

Replacing your printer ink or toner shouldn't break the bank—but if you've ever bought original (OEM) cartridges, you know how quickly those costs add up. That’s why more Kiwis are making the switch to aftermarket (compatible) cartridges, and at Regen Computers, we’re proud to supply affordable, high-quality compatible cartridges for homes, schools, and businesses across New Zealand.

But what exactly are aftermarket cartridges? Are they reliable? And do they work with all printers?

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of going compatible—especially when it comes to brands like HP.

What Are Aftermarket Ink and Toner Cartridges?

Aftermarket (also known as compatible) cartridges are brand-new cartridges made by third-party manufacturers—not the original printer brand. Unlike refilled or remanufactured cartridges, aftermarket cartridges are made from all-new components, specifically designed to be compatible with popular printer models.

At Regen Computers, we stock compatible cartridges for leading brands including:

  • HP

  • Brother

  • Epson

  • Canon

  • And more

The Benefits of Choosing Aftermarket Cartridges from Regen Computers

💰 Significant Cost Savings

Compatible cartridges often cost 30–70% less than OEM cartridges. For households, schools, and small businesses that print regularly, that adds up fast.

♻️ Eco-Friendly Choice

Using aftermarket cartridges helps reduce e-waste and limits demand for energy-intensive OEM production. Most third-party brands also use recyclable packaging and components.

📦 Wide Compatibility

We stock a huge range of compatible cartridges for popular inkjet and laser printers, including high-yield options that offer even better value per page.

🛡️ Tested & Reliable

All cartridges we supply are fully tested for print quality and reliability, delivering crisp prints, bold colours, and consistent page yields—without the OEM price tag.

🧾 Perfect for Home, Office & Education

From basic text documents to colour charts and classroom worksheets, our compatible inks and toners perform beautifully for everyday printing needs.

⚠️ But What About Compatibility Issues?

While compatible cartridges are a great option for most users, some HP printers are known to have firmware updates that block third-party cartridges. This isn’t a fault with the cartridge—it’s a feature HP has implemented to lock down the use of non-HP ink.

Here’s what to know:

  • 🔄 HP may push firmware updates that cause printers to reject non-OEM cartridges

  • 🧠 The printer may show messages like “Cartridge Not Recognised” or “Blocked Cartridge”

  • 🛑 Some HP models are more aggressive than others with these restrictions

🛠️ What Can You Do?

  • Disable automatic firmware updates if your printer allows it

  • Stick with trusted third-party cartridges from reliable NZ suppliers like Regen

  • If unsure, ask us which compatible models are the least problematic with HP firmware

💡 Pro tip: Brother, Canon, and Epson printers tend to be more third-party friendly if you're considering a long-term switch to compatible cartridges.

Why Buy Compatible Cartridges from Regen Computers?

Here’s why we’re Hamilton’s trusted source for ink and toner:

  • ✅ Affordable pricing without sacrificing quality

  • ✅ Local support—we’ll help troubleshoot any issues

  • ✅ Huge range in stock for fast pickup or shipping

  • ✅ Eco-conscious alternative to buying new OEM plastics

  • ✅ No cheap imports—we only stock reliable brands we trust

Whether you’re a student printing assignments, a business doing bulk invoicing, or a home user printing the odd photo or recipe—we’ve got the right cartridge at the right price.

Final Verdict: Are Aftermarket Cartridges Worth It?

Absolutely—as long as you buy from a reputable supplier.

If you want to reduce your printing costs without sacrificing print quality, compatible cartridges are an excellent alternative to OEM ink. Just be aware of firmware limitations with some HP printers, and don’t hesitate to ask us if you’re unsure.

Need ink or toner?

✅ Shop our compatible cartridges online or visit Regen Computers in Hamilton today.

✅ We stock ink and toner for HP, Brother, Epson, Canon & more.

✅ Save money, reduce waste, and print smarter with Regen.

Shop our full range of inks and toners at regeneration.co.nz - or visit us in-store in Hamilton for friendly, expert advice.