Despite rapid innovation in printing technology, many discontinued printers are still widely used across Europe. Offices, schools, and home users continue to rely on older laser printers because they are durable, reliable, and cost-efficient.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover what discontinued or legacy printers are, why they remain popular, a detailed list of common models still in use, and how to choose toner cartridges for these printers in 2026.
Index
- I. What Are Discontinued Printers?
- II. Why Old Printers Are Still Widely Used？
- III. Discontinued Printer Market Overview
- IV. Different Brand Discontinued Printers Still Popular
- V. How Discontinued Laser Printers Differ from Modern Budget Printers
- VI. The Economics of Toner for Discontinued Printers
- VII. Why Compatible Toner Is Essential for Discontinued Printers
- VIII. Choose Right Toner for Discontinued Printers
- IX. Future of Discontinued Printers in Europe
- X. Frequently Asked Questions
I. What Are Discontinued Printers?
A discontinued printer (also called a legacy printer) is a model that is no longer manufactured or officially supported by the original brand. However, these printers often continue to operate for many years.
Typical Characteristics of Discontinued Printers
- Released more than 8–15 years ago
- No longer sold by manufacturers
- Limited official driver or firmware updates
- Still widely used in offices and homes
- High demand for toner or ink replacements
discounted laser printers are especially common because they were built for enterprise workloads and long-term durability.
II. Why Old Printers Are Still Widely Used？
1. Exceptional Durability
Older enterprise printers were engineered with metal frames and high-duty-cycle components. Many can last 10–20 years with proper maintenance.
2. Cost Efficiency
Replacing a printer fleet can be expensive. Many organisations prefer replacing toner cartridges instead of purchasing new devices.
3. Stable IT Infrastructure
old printers are integrated into existing networks, workflows, and enterprise software systems. Replacing them often requires IT reconfiguration.
4. Sustainability and E-Waste Reduction
Keeping older printers in use reduces electronic waste and supports sustainability initiatives across Europe.
III. Discontinued Printer Market Overview
European businesses typically follow long depreciation cycles for IT equipment. Laser printers often remain in service for 10–15 years or more.
Key trends in the European market:
- High installed base of legacy Brother and HP printers
- Growing second-hand printer market
- Increasing demand for compatible toner cartridges
- Rising corporate focus on circular economy and device reuse
This makes discontinued printers a long-term opportunity for toner suppliers and e-commerce businesses.
IV. Different Brand Discontinued Printers Still Popular
Many other older printers are still in use today, such as the laser printer models and their compatible toner cartridges that will be introduced below.
1. Brother Discontinued Printers
Brother has one of the largest installed bases of discontinued laser printers in Europe.
|
Brother Printer Model |
Toner Cartridge Model |
| Brother HL-4150CDN | TN-320 / TN-325 / TN-328 |
| Brother HL-3150CDW | TN-241 / TN-245 |
| Brother HL-3140CW | TN-241 / TN-245 |
| Brother HL-L3230CDW | TN-243 / TN-247 |
| Brother HL-L3270CDW | TN-243 / TN-247 |
| Brother HL-L8350CDW | TN-321 / TN-326 |
| Brother HL-L8360CDW | TN-421 / TN-423 |
| Brother HL-1210W | TN-1050 |
| Brother HL-L2400DW | TN-2510 / TN2510XL |
| Brother DCP-L2620DW | TN-2510 / TN2510XL |
| Brother HL-2170W | TN-2120 |
| Brother HL-2270DW | TN-2220 |
2. HP Discontinued LaserJet Printers
HP LaserJet printers are widely used in enterprises and households.
|
HP Printer Model |
Toner Cartridge Model |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro 200 M251n | CF210 / CF211 / CF212 / CF213 |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M252dw | CF400 / CF401 / CF402 / CF403 |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M277dw | CF410 / CF411 / CF412 / CF413 |
| HP LaserJet Pro M477fdn / M477fdw | CF410 / CF411 / CF412 / CF413 |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M254dw | CF530 / CF531 / CF532 / CF533 |
| HP LaserJet Pro M203 / M227 | CF230A |
| HP LaserJet P1606dn | CE278A |
| HP LaserJet P1102 / P1102w | CE285A |
3. Canon Discontinued Printers
Canon shares platforms with HP and has a strong European presence.
|
Canon Printer Model |
Toner Cartridge Model |
| Canon MF643Cdw | CRG-054 |
| Canon MF6140dn | CRG-719 |
| Canon LBP6000 / LBP6020 | CRG-725 |
| Canon LBP6200d | CRG-726 |
| Canon MF4430 / MF4450 | CRG-728 |
4. Samsung Discontinued Printers
Samsung printers are still widely used despite HP acquiring Samsung’s printing division.
|
Samsung Printer Model |
Toner Cartridge Model |
| Samsung ML-2160 / ML-2165 | MLT-D101S |
| Samsung SCX-3400 | MLT-D101S |
| Samsung ML-2955 | MLT-D103S |
| Samsung CLP-365 | CLT-K406S |
| Samsung CLP-315 | CLT-K409S |
5. Kyocera Discontinued Business Printers
Kyocera remains popular in corporate environments due to low running costs.
|
Kyocera Printer Model |
Toner Cartridge Model |
| Kyocera FS-1041 | TK-1110 |
| Kyocera FS-1061DN | TK-1120 |
| Kyocera ECOSYS M2030dn | TK-1140 |
| Kyocera ECOSYS M5521cdw | TK-5220 / TK-5230 |
| Kyocera ECOSYS M5526cdw | TK-5240 |
V. How Discontinued Laser Printers Differ from Modern Budget Printers
Older enterprise laser printers were designed for durability rather than low upfront cost. Key differences:
| Feature | Discontinued Enterprise Printer | Modern Budget Printer |
| Build Quality | Metal frame | Plastic |
| Duty Cycle | Very high | Limited |
| Cartridge System | Replaceable toner & drum | Often integrated |
| Firmware Restrictions | Minimal | Often locked |
| Lifespan | 10–20 years | 5–10 years |
This is one reason many businesses prefer keeping older printers running.
VI. The Economics of Toner for Discontinued Printers
Printer manufacturers often use a razor-and-blade business model, selling printers cheaply and profiting from toner cartridges.
|
Toner Type |
Typical Cost Per Page |
Example Toner - TN2510 |
| OEM Toner | £0.05–£0.12 | £0.04 |
| Compatible Toner | £0.01–£0.03 | £0.01 |
Compatible toner cartridges can reduce printing costs by up to 70%, making them ideal for offices and high-volume users.
|
Compatible Brother TN2510 Black Toner - 1,200 Pages Sale Price: £14.95 |
Compatible Brother TN2510XL Black Toner - 3,000 Pages Sale Price: £15.95 |
VII. Why Compatible Toner Is Essential for Discontinued Printers
Original manufacturers may stop producing toner for discontinued models or charge premium prices. Compatible toner provides:
- Lower printing costs
- Reliable performance
- Wide availability for older models
- High-yield cartridges for offices
- Environmentally friendly remanufactured options
VIII. Choose Right Toner for Discontinued Printers
When selecting toner for discontinued printers, consider:
- 1. Exact Model Compatibility: Always match the toner model with your printer model.
- 2. Page Yield: Choose high-yield or XL cartridges for cost savings.
- 3. Certifications: Look for ISO, STMC, CE, RoHS, and REACH compliance.
- 4. Warranty: A supplier warranty protects your printer and ensures quality assurance.
- 5. Multipacks: Multi-pack bundles (e.g., 4-pack or 5-pack) reduce cost per cartridge.
Choose suppliers that offer:
- Detailed compatibility lists
- High-quality manufacturing standards
- Fast EU or UK delivery
- Competitive pricing and multipack discounts
- Customer support and warranty policies
IX. Future of Discontinued Printers in Europe
Although many printer models have been officially discontinued by manufacturers, legacy printers are far from disappearing. In fact, the market demand for older printers in Europe remains surprisingly strong—and is expected to continue for several years.
1. Legacy Printers Will Remain in Homes and SMEs
Millions of Brother, HP, Canon, Samsung, and Kyocera printers sold over the last 10–20 years are still in daily use. Small businesses, home offices, and schools often prefer to keep reliable hardware rather than replace it, especially when print quality still meets their needs.
Replacing a printer can cost £100–£1000, while replacing toner costs only a fraction of that. This economic logic ensures legacy printers will stay active in the market.
2. Manufacturers Are Reducing Support—but Demand Is Growing
Most brands stop producing original toner within 7–10 years after release.
However, the installed printer base continues to grow due to:
- Second-hand printer markets
- Refurbished printers sold in Europe
- Enterprises extending hardware life cycles
- Sustainability policies encouraging reuse
- Huge compatible toner suppliers
X. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are discontinued printers still worth using in 2026?
Yes. If your printer works well, there is no urgent need to replace it. Many discontinued models still deliver excellent print quality, and compatible toner keeps running costs low.
2. Can I still buy toner for discontinued printers?
Absolutely. While original manufacturer cartridges may be discontinued or overpriced, compatible toner cartridges are widely available for most legacy models.
Trusted brands maintain long-term production for legacy cartridges such as:
- Brother TN243 / TN247 / TN321 / TN326 / TN1050
- HP CF210 / CF400 / CF410 / CF530
- Canon CRG series
- Samsung MLT series
- Kyocera TK series
3. Are compatible toner cartridges safe for old printers?
Yes—if you choose a reputable supplier. High-quality compatible cartridges are:
- ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 certified
- RoHS & REACH compliant
- Fully tested for page yield and print quality
For example, True Image compatible toner is tested for chip compatibility, leak prevention, and color accuracy, making it safe even for older hardware.
4.Should I replace my old printer instead of buying toner?
Not necessarily. If your printer still works, replacing it may be unnecessary and environmentally wasteful. Many legacy printers are more durable than modern entry-level models. Replacing toner is usually the most cost-effective choice.
