HP and Canon ink and toner: how to find the right cartridge number and avoid fakes
Buying the wrong ink cartridge is the most common mistake we see, and it is an expensive one because opened cartridges cannot be returned. This guide shows you how to find your exact HP or Canon cartridge number in under a minute, how to tell original from compatible, and how to get more pages for your money.
Find the cartridge number on the printer, not the box
Printer model names and cartridge numbers are different things. An HP DeskJet 2720 uses HP 305 cartridges, an HP LaserJet Pro M404 uses HP 59A toner, and a Canon PIXMA G3411 uses GI-490 ink bottles. The quickest ways to check are: open the printer's cartridge door and read the number printed on the cartridge already inside; look at the sticker on the back or underside of the printer for the model number, then search that model on our website; or on a Windows PC open Settings, Printers and scanners, select your printer and click Printing preferences, where the supplies tab usually names the cartridge.
Original, compatible or refilled?
Original cartridges (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson branded) give guaranteed page yield and keep the printer warranty intact. Compatible cartridges are made by a third party to fit the same printer and are cheaper, but yields and colour accuracy vary. Refilled cartridges are the cheapest and the least reliable. For office printers under warranty and for anything printing colour documents for clients, we recommend originals. Big O Trading sells only genuine original HP, Canon, Brother and Epson consumables, sourced from the official South African distributors, so every cartridge is covered by the manufacturer.
Standard versus XL: which is cheaper per page?
An XL or high yield cartridge costs more up front but prints two to three times as many pages, so the cost per page is usually 30 to 40 percent lower. If you print more than about 100 pages a month, XL is the better buy. Example: HP 305 black prints around 120 pages, HP 305XL prints around 240 pages for well under double the price.
How to avoid counterfeit cartridges
Counterfeit HP and Canon cartridges are common in South Africa, especially on marketplaces. Warning signs are a price far below every other seller, packaging without a security label or with blurry printing, and a seller who cannot tell you where the stock comes from. Every HP cartridge box has a security label you can verify on HP's website. If you have doubts about a cartridge you bought elsewhere, bring it to our Pretoria office and we will check it for you.
Popular HP cartridges we keep in stock
HP 305 and 305XL (DeskJet 2700 and 4100 series), HP 653 (DeskJet Ink Advantage 6000 series), HP 912 and 912XL (OfficeJet Pro 8000 series), HP 953 and 953XL (OfficeJet Pro 7000 and 8700 series), HP 59A, 30A, 85A and 26A LaserJet toner, and the full Canon PIXMA GI-490, PG-445 and CL-446 range. Browse the printer supplies collection, or send us your printer model on WhatsApp 083 455 7367 and we will tell you exactly which cartridge to order. Free delivery on orders over R3 000, and same day dispatch on stock items ordered before 12:00.