HP has been making laser printers for over 30 years and they sell dozens of different printer cartridges for the home and office, but how do you know which one is right for you?\u00a0 Here, we’ll be breaking down the basics of HP toner cartridges so you can make a smart buy when you are shopping for a new laser printer. We\u2019ll cover the three main cartridge types that HP\u00ae offers, how the cartridges are named and even show you how to lower your printing costs too.\u00a0 Let\u2019s jump right into it!<\/p>\n
HP sells toner cartridges for monochrome and color laser printers.\u00a0 Most cartridges are available in a standard yield and high yield cartridge size, while a handful of printers also offer an extra high yield version.\u00a0 No matter which size you go with, the cartridge will install the exact same way in your printer.\u00a0 In fact, the physical cartridge size is the same regardless of the yield \u2013 the only difference is the amount of toner inside the cartridge.\u00a0 The higher the yield, the more toner you get, which translates to more prints!<\/p>\n
HP toner cartridge part numbers that end with an \u201cA\u201d are the standard yield version of a cartridge series and part numbers that end with an \u201cX\u201d are the high yield option.\u00a0 For example, the HP 87 cartridge series includes the HP 87A, which prints 9,800 pages and HP 87X, which prints 18,000 pages.\u00a0 Part numbers with a \u201cY\u201d at the end are extra high yield, like the HP 976Y series.\u00a0 If you print frequently, you are better off paying a little bit more for a high yield or extra high yield cartridge.\u00a0 Higher yield cartridges often have a lower overall cost per page than their standard yield counterpart and they don\u2019t need to be replaced as often either!<\/p>\n
HP Monochrome Toner Cartridges<\/strong><\/p>\n Monochrome or black toner cartridges print are best suited for homes and offices that only need to print text.\u00a0 If you buy a monochrome laser printer, it uses a single HP black toner cartridge.\u00a0 With just one cartridge to replace, monochrome printers are a lot cheaper to run than a color laser printer and require less maintenance too.\u00a0 Some popular HP monochrome toners include the HP 12A \/ X, HP 85A \/ X and the HP 87A \/ X.<\/p>\n HP Color Toner Cartridges<\/strong><\/p>\n Color laser printers use four separate cartridges, sold in black, cyan, magenta and yellow. \u00a0Each color can be replaced as needed, so if it\u2019s just your cyan cartridge that\u2019s running low, that\u2019s the only color you have to replace!\u00a0 If you regularly print business reports or presentations in color, a color laser printer is a great option.\u00a0 However, replacing color toner cartridges can be expensive and you\u2019ll likely spend the same amount (or more!) on four new cartridges than the price you paid for the printer.\u00a0 Color toner cartridges can print photos too but they don\u2019t do it very well.\u00a0 Photos printed with a laser printer often appear dull and some of the details can be muted due to the limitations of the toner powder inside that creates the print.\u00a0 Inkjet printers are a better choice if you need gallery grade photographs.\u00a0 Some popular HP color toner series include the HP 410A \/ X, HP 202A \/ X and HP 131A \/ X.<\/p>\n HP Pagewide Cartridges<\/strong><\/p>\n HP Pagewide cartridges are a newer cartridge line that HP introduced a few years ago.\u00a0 Although technically they are not toner cartridges, we are including them here because they look and operate a lot like a toner cartridge.\u00a0 If you put a Pagewide cartridge next to a regular HP toner cartridge, you\u2019d have a hard time telling the difference between the two.\u00a0 HP Pagewide cartridges are actually a type of inkjet cartridge that\u2019s designed for business printers.\u00a0 Instead of fusing toner powder onto the page like a typical laser printer, Pagewide cartridges use a stationary printhead to create a print.\u00a0 Just like a toner cartridge, they are capable of printing thousands of pages and they can print lightning fast too.\u00a0 The HP 972A \/ X \/ Y cartridges are the most popular HP Pagewide cartridge series.<\/p>\n Yes, a new HP laser printer comes with a toner cartridge.\u00a0 Most new printers include a starter cartridge.\u00a0 This is filled with less toner powder than a standard yield cartridge, so don\u2019t be surprised if you need to buy a replacement cartridge relatively soon.\u00a0 You should still get a decent number of prints out of the starter cartridge but you will get more with the standard yield and high yield versions!<\/p>\n Installing an HP toner cartridge is slightly different from printer to printer but the basic concept is the same no matter which machine you own.\u00a0 Consult your printer manual or the specs page of your printer on HP.com for specific instructions for your printer.\u00a0 Most new HP toner cartridges include a protective clip that needs to be removed before installation.\u00a0 Some also include a sealing tape that must be removed.\u00a0 If both these items are not removed from your toner, the cartridge will not function in your printer.\u00a0 In the instructions below, we show you how to install an HP 48A toner cartridge in your HP M15w printer.<\/p>\n
\nDo HP laser printers come with toner?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nHow to install an HP toner cartridge<\/strong><\/h3>\n