E‑Z Ink TN‑760/TN‑730 Review: Budget-Friendly Verdict
A surprising number of users report that the E‑Z Ink Compatible Toner Cartridges for Brother TN‑760/TN‑730 (Black, 4 Pack) perform nearly identically to OEM cartridges despite costing a fraction of the price. Across platforms, ratings hover around 4.5/5, but digging deeper reveals patterns: most praise centers on cost savings and print quality, while complaints often involve page yield discrepancies, chip recognition issues, and occasional early toner warnings. Overall verdict: 8.5/10 for budget-conscious Brother printer owners who can tolerate occasional troubleshooting.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — Excellent value for high-volume home and small office users who are comfortable with minor setup quirks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Significant cost savings vs OEM (often 70–80% cheaper) | Some cartridges fail to be recognized without chip swap |
| Print quality often matches Brother originals | Page yield sometimes falls short of 3,000-page claim |
| Easy installation for most users | Early “replace toner” warnings reported |
| Works with a wide range of Brother printers | Confusing warranty terms (1 year vs 2 years) |
| Secure packaging prevents shipping damage | Occasional defective units in multi-packs |
| High yield option better value than TN‑730 | Drum unit reset process can be tricky |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing materials boast a 3,000-page yield per cartridge at 5% coverage, “identical results to the original brand at a fraction of the cost,” and “100% printer compatibility.” While many users agree with the quality claim, yield and compatibility are less consistent.
A verified buyer on Amazon noted: “At around 2000 pages, the print started getting light, and by 2350 pages, I decided to change the cartridge. This is less than the 3000 stated pages, but still much more economical than buying the OEM Brother cartridge.” This reflects a recurring theme — even when yield is lower than advertised, the cost-per-page remains competitive.
On compatibility, most buyers report “plug and play” installation. One Amazon customer wrote: “Install was easy with no chip issues… printed perfectly first time.” Yet others encountered the dreaded “No toner cartridge” error. A Reddit user described having to “take the chip from the old cartridge and replace the chip in the second malfunctioning cartridge… pretty simple once I watched a YouTube video.”
Cross‑Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Reddit, and Fakespot summaries, affordability is the standout benefit. “A bargain at 1/8 the price of the name brand product… toner color and consistency are exactly as the factory ones,” one Fakespot review reads. For small offices, the cost savings are transformative. A Reddit user called it “a phenomenal win for our office… performing identical to the much more expensive toner sold by the manufacturer.”
Print quality also earns consistent praise. A verified Amazon buyer wrote: “I can’t tell any difference in the quality of printed materials. I’ll never pay for the brand again.” Even skeptical first-timers report being converted. One buyer admitted: “I was apprehensive about using non-brand toner, but these are great!”
Packaging and shipping speed add to the positive experience. According to Fakespot’s highlights, “The cartridges are packed neatly, securely, and snug in the box… none were damaged during shipment.”
Common Complaints
Not all experiences are trouble-free. Page yield shortfalls are the most common gripe, with several users hitting 2,000–2,500 pages before quality drops — well below the 3,000-page spec. While some accept this as a trade-off for price, high‑volume users may need to factor in more frequent replacements.
Chip recognition issues are another pain point. An Amazon reviewer explained: “The printer would say ‘no toner cartridge’… My solution was to take the chip from the old cartridge and replace it in the malfunctioning one.” For less tech-comfortable buyers, this could be a deal-breaker.
Some users also flagged confusing or difficult drum unit resets. One Reddit post bluntly stated: “Very hard to reset new drum configuration,” which can halt printing until resolved.
Divisive Features
Longevity perception splits buyers. Several report cartridges lasting six months or more under moderate use. Others, especially heavy-duty printers, find they burn through them faster than expected. A Redditor offered perspective: “If you are paying less than 25% the cost of the regular toner and you are complaining that you ‘only’ get 80% of the pages per cartridge, this isn’t the product for you.”
Warranty and support experiences vary. While E‑Z Ink advertises a “100% satisfaction guarantee,” Trustpilot and Top Consumer Reviews note unclear terms — with references to both one and two-year coverage.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot-linked feedback and independent reviews suggest E‑Z Ink’s brand reputation is uneven. While many individual cartridges work flawlessly, the company’s overall online footprint shows a mix of 5‑star and 1‑star ratings. Top Consumer Reviews criticized “confusing labeling” and “low inventory,” and mentioned cases where cartridges failed early.
Long-term users on Reddit, however, share more reassuring stories. One wrote: “I have used this for years. Good product.” Another said about their multi-pack: “So far has had 100% success rate with the toner we’ve put in the printer.”
The key risk appears to be occasional defective units in bulk orders — something mitigated by keeping the company’s return policy handy.
Alternatives
The most cited alternative is sticking with the Brother TN‑760 OEM cartridge, praised on Best Buy for reliability and consistent high yield but criticized for cost. At $84.99 for a single cartridge, this can be over 4–5x the per-unit price of E‑Z Ink’s compatible option. Best Buy reviewers are nearly unanimous about OEM ease-of-use, with one writing: “You are wasting your money if you purchase off brands of toner,” a clear contrast to aftermarket fans.
Price & Value
Market prices for the E‑Z Ink 4‑pack hover around $80–$85 direct, but eBay listings for compatible TN‑760 units range from $20 to $60 per cartridge depending on chip inclusion and seller. Amazon buyers consistently highlight the per-cartridge cost of around $13 in multi‑packs as the main draw.
Resale value on opened or partially used toner is negligible, so community members recommend buying only what you will use within the 24-month shelf life. As one Quora FAQ notes, proper storage away from heat and sunlight is essential to preserve print quality.
FAQ
Q: Do these cartridges really print 3,000 pages?
A: Some users achieve close to the rated yield, but many report 2,000–2,500 pages before fading. Even at lower yields, cost-per-page remains far lower than OEM.
Q: Will they work with all Brother TN‑760/TN‑730 compatible printers?
A: Most report plug-and-play compatibility, but occasional chip recognition errors may require swapping the chip from an old cartridge.
Q: How does print quality compare to Brother OEM?
A: The majority say quality is indistinguishable, with crisp text and solid blacks. A few note lighter output as toner runs low.
Q: What’s the shelf life if I buy in bulk?
A: About 24 months when stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Q: Is the warranty actually one year or two?
A: Buyer reports and website info conflict. Best to confirm at purchase and retain documentation in case of defects.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home office or small business user seeking major cost savings and are comfortable with occasional DIY fixes like chip swaps. Avoid if you require guaranteed maximum page yields or zero-maintenance reliability. Pro tip from the community: keep one OEM cartridge on hand as a backup for troubleshooting and to swap chips if needed.
