Question 1

What's the difference between a paper tray and an Auto Document Feeder (ADF)?

Accepted Answer

A paper tray is a passive cassette that holds paper ready for printing, while an Auto Document Feeder (ADF) is an active mechanism that automatically pulls documents through a scanner or copier one by one. Paper trays sit inside or beneath the printer and feed blank paper into the print engine. ADFs sit on top of a scanner or MFP and are used to scan, copy, or fax multi-page documents without manual page-by-page feeding. The two components serve entirely different functions and are not interchangeable.

Question 2

How do I know if a tray or feeder is compatible with my printer?

Accepted Answer

Check the exact model number of your printer against the feeder's compatibility list — there is no shortcut here. For Brother, HP, Lexmark, and KYOCERA, trays are model-specific and will not physically fit or function correctly on incompatible machines. The safest approach is to use the OEM part number from your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website. Third-party compatibility claims should be treated with caution, particularly for KYOCERA and OKI units where fitment tolerances are tight.

Question 3

Are the Relaxdays trays compatible with printers?

Accepted Answer

No — Relaxdays trays in this category are generic desk organisers and paper sorters, not printer-integrated components. They are not designed to connect to or feed paper into any printer. They're useful for organising documents on a desk or in a filing system, but if you need a replacement paper cassette or ADF for your printer, you'll need to look at brand-specific units from HP, Brother, Lexmark, or similar. The price difference reflects this entirely different use case.

Question 4

Is a 520-sheet ADF worth the extra cost over a 250-sheet model?

Accepted Answer

For offices processing more than 50–100 pages per day, yes — the productivity gain from halving the number of reload interruptions is real and measurable. The Brother LT-6500 (520 sheets) costs more than the LT-5500 (250 sheets), but in a busy document-processing environment, the time saved reloading pays back the price difference quickly. For light use — occasional scanning, home office tasks — the 250-sheet capacity is more than adequate and the lower price is the better choice.

Question 5

What paper weights can printer feeders handle?

Accepted Answer

Most standard printer trays and ADFs are rated for 60–80 g/m², which covers typical office paper. More capable units — generally those priced above 183 £ — support 60–120 g/m² or even 60–160 g/m², allowing use with heavier stock, envelopes, and light card. If you regularly print or scan on anything heavier than standard 80 g/m² paper, check the g/m² rating carefully before purchasing. Feeding unsupported media weights is a common cause of roller wear and persistent paper jams.

Question 6

Can I use a third-party tray instead of the OEM one to save money?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally, but the risks are higher than with consumables like ink or toner. Printer trays and feeders involve precise mechanical tolerances — a poorly fitting third-party tray can cause persistent misfeeds, paper jams, or even damage the printer's internal feed mechanism. For high-volume office environments, we'd recommend sticking with OEM components from HP, Brother, or Lexmark. The cost saving rarely justifies the downtime risk, particularly if the printer is under a managed print service contract that may be voided by non-OEM parts.

Question 7

When is the best time to buy a printer tray or feeder in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Black Friday and the January sales are the most reliable windows for discounts on printer accessories from UK retailers like Amazon.co.uk, Currys, and John Lewis. Brother and Lexmark units in particular tend to see meaningful price reductions — we've tracked drops of 15–25% on several models during these periods. If your need isn't urgent, setting a price alert on MagicPrices is the most efficient way to catch a deal without having to monitor retailers manually.

Trays & Feeders Price Comparison

Trays & Feeders price comparison UK