HP LaserJet M209dw Review (2026): Honest Pros, Cons & Who It's Really For

Name: HP LaserJet M209dw
Brand: HP

by William Elward · Editorial policy Last Updated: November 10, 2026

Last updated: November 10, 2026.

Disclosure: Castle Ink sells compatible ink and toner cartridges. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases through links on this page, including Amazon links. This doesn't affect our opinions or conclusions.

For more options in this category, see our 10 Best Laser Printers roundup.

This review is based on owner reviews, published expert reviews and manufacturer specifications, not on our own lab testing; see how we rank printers.

Quick Verdict

The HP LaserJet M209dw is a compact, fast, black-and-white laser printer built for small teams and home offices that print a lot of text and not much else. HP bills it as having the fastest two-sided printing in its class, and setup through the HP app is simple if your Wi-Fi cooperates. The catches: HP's dynamic security can reject toner cartridges that don't carry an HP chip, the paper tray only holds 150 sheets, and a vocal minority of buyers deal with wireless dropouts. If you just need clean, fast black-and-white pages, it's a solid buy at around $199 on Amazon, and it often sells for less.

Pros: 30 ppm with automatic duplex, very small footprint, dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset plus Ethernet, quick Bluetooth setup, high-yield 134X option
Cons: Print only, no screen, 150-sheet tray, 700-page starter cartridge, dynamic security limits third-party toner, the M209dwe version can be locked to HP toner by HP+

HP LaserJet M209dw Specifications

Type	Monochrome laser, print only (no scan, copy or fax)
Print speed	Up to 30 ppm one-sided (letter); about 18 to 19 images per minute two-sided
First page out	About 6.9 seconds
Resolution	600 x 600 dpi
Auto duplex printing	Yes
Paper handling	150-sheet input tray, 100-sheet output tray
Display	None; LED "smart-guided" buttons plus the HP app
Connectivity	Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset, Ethernet, USB 2.0, Bluetooth LE for setup
Toner	HP 134A (W1340A), about 1,100 pages, or 134X (W1340X), about 2,400 pages; drum built into the cartridge
In-box toner	Starter cartridge rated for about 700 pages
Size and weight	About 14" W x 11" D x 8.1" H, 11.2 lb
Variants	M209d (wired only, no Wi-Fi), M209dw, M209dwe (HP+ version)
Typical price	$199 list; frequently discounted

Who This Printer Is For

The M209dw makes the most sense for a home office, side hustle, or small team of one to five people that mainly prints text: invoices, contracts, school forms, shipping labels and reports. If your printing is almost entirely black and white and you want something faster and cheaper to run than an inkjet, this is a reasonable, no-frills pick. It's also a good fit if desk space is tight, since it has a genuinely compact footprint for a laser printer, and for anyone who prints lots of two-sided documents, where its duplex speed stands out.

Who Should Skip It

Anyone who needs to scan or copy. The M209dw is print-only. The HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw is the all-in-one version on the same toner.
Anyone who prints in color. It's monochrome only.
Buyers who want to run low-cost third-party toner without worry. HP's dynamic security can block cartridges that don't carry an HP chip. A Brother laser like the HL-L2460DW is friendlier to compatibles.
Offices that print in big batches. The 150-sheet tray needs refilling often.
Anyone on finicky home Wi-Fi who can't run a cable. Several owners report the printer dropping its wireless connection and needing a manual "Recover WLAN" step, especially first thing in the morning.

What People Love

Print quality. Text comes out sharp and dark straight out of the box.
Setup speed. Most buyers say they were printing within 10 to 15 minutes of unboxing, using Bluetooth and the HP app.
Size. The compact footprint is a recurring theme in reviews from people replacing bulkier office printers.
Duplex speed. Two-sided jobs move noticeably faster than on most printers in this price range.
Value. Several long-time HP customers say the high-yield 134X toner lasts a long time relative to the printer's price.

The Legitimate Complaints

Wireless reliability. Multiple owners describe the printer losing its Wi-Fi connection overnight or after periods of inactivity, requiring a trip to the printer and a manual reconnect before the next print job goes through. Several switched to a wired Ethernet or USB connection specifically to avoid this.

Toner restrictions. HP lists the M209dw as a dynamic-security printer: it is meant to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before. That applies to the plain M209dw, not just the HP+ model. Separately, some owners complain the printer stops at a page count before the toner is physically empty.

Graphics. TechRadar found graphics and photos printed too dark with poor contrast. That's normal for a budget mono laser, but don't buy it for anything but text and simple graphics.

Small starter cartridge and tray. The in-box toner is rated at only about 700 pages, and the 150-sheet tray is small for an office printer.

How It Compares

	HP LaserJet M110w (cheaper)	HP LaserJet M209dw (this model)	HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw (upgrade)	Brother HL-L2460DW (rival)
Function	Print only	Print only	Print, scan, copy (40-sheet ADF)	Print only
Print speed	About 20 ppm	Up to 30 ppm	Up to 30 ppm	Up to 36 ppm
Duplex printing	Manual only	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Paper tray	150 sheets	150 sheets	150 sheets	250 sheets
Connectivity	2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, USB	Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB	Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB	Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
Toner	HP 141A (about 950 pages)	HP 134A / 134X	HP 134A / 134X	Brother TN830 / TN830XL + DR830 drum
Third-party toner	Dynamic security	Dynamic security	Dynamic security	Accepted
Approx. price	~$130	~$199 list	~$180 to $280	~$180

Cheaper Alternative: HP LaserJet M110w

If you don't need automatic duplex printing or the fastest speeds, the HP LaserJet M110w covers basic black-and-white printing for less. Note that it does not use the same toner: it takes HP 141A, rated at only about 950 pages, which works out to a high cost per page. See what toner the HP LaserJet M110w uses before you decide it's the cheaper option, or check current HP 141A toner prices on Amazon.

Upgrade Pick: HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw

If you think you'll eventually need to scan or copy a document, it's worth paying a bit more up front for the M234sdw rather than buying a separate scanner later. It uses the same 134A and 134X toner as the M209dw, so supply costs don't change if you size up. Details are in what toner the HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw uses.

Rival Pick: Brother HL-L2460DW

For about the same money, the Brother HL-L2460DW is faster (36 ppm), holds 250 sheets, and runs happily on compatible toner. The HP wins on size and setup convenience. Our Brother HL-L2460DW review has the full comparison.

Toner Costs: HP 134A vs 134X

The M209dw uses one black cartridge with the imaging drum built in, so a new cartridge is also a new drum. HP sells two sizes, and the high-yield 134X is the better buy for anything past light use:

Cartridge	Price	Rated yield	Cost per page
HP 134A (genuine, Staples)	$65.94	1,100	6.0¢
HP 134X (genuine, Staples)	$111.20	2,400	4.6¢
Castle Ink HP 134A compatible	$39.95	1,100	3.6¢
Castle Ink HP 134X compatible	$55.95	2,400	2.3¢

At 500 pages a month, genuine 134X costs about $276 a year in toner, against about $138 on a compatible 134X. For comparison, the Brother HL-L2460DW runs about 4.3¢ a page on genuine supplies and 2.5¢ on compatibles once you include its separate drum.

Before you buy third-party toner: because of dynamic security, a cartridge with a non-HP chip can be rejected, now or after a firmware update. Buy from a seller that guarantees the cartridge will work and will replace it if it doesn't. Castle Ink's toner is backed by a 1-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Full yields and part numbers are in What Toner Does the HP LaserJet M209dw Use?, or shop every size in our HP 134A and 134X toner collection.

M209dw vs M209dwe vs M209d: Which One Do You Have?

M209dw: the standard wireless model reviewed here. No HP+ enrollment, but dynamic security still applies.
M209dwe: the HP+ version. If HP+ was accepted at setup, the printer requires Original HP toner for life and needs an internet connection and HP account. HP's community experts say enrollment can't be undone, so check the last letter on your label before buying compatibles.
M209d: the wired-only version with no Wi-Fi, usually cheaper.

Setup Tips That Prevent the Most Common Complaints

Plug in Ethernet if you can. It removes the overnight Wi-Fi dropouts most complaints are about.
Reserve the printer's IP address on your router so computers can always find it after a router reboot.
Use the HP app for setup, since there's no screen. Bluetooth handles the first connection.
Decide on firmware updates deliberately. Updates fix security issues, but they can also change which cartridges the printer accepts.
Keep a spare 134X on hand. The starter cartridge runs out early.

FAQ

Does the HP LaserJet M209dw scan or copy documents?

No. It's a print-only printer. If you need scanning or copying, look at the HP LaserJet MFP M234dw or M234sdw, which use the same toner.

Does it print in color?

No, this is a monochrome (black and white) laser printer only.

What toner does the HP LaserJet M209dw use?

HP 134A (W1340A, about 1,100 pages) or HP 134X (W1340X, about 2,400 pages). The drum is built into the cartridge.

How many pages does the included toner cartridge print?

The in-box starter cartridge is rated for approximately 700 pages before it needs replacing.

Can I use it with a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes. The M209dw has Ethernet and USB as well as Wi-Fi, and HP sells a wired-only M209d for less.

Does the M209dw need an HP account or internet connection?

No. The plain M209dw works without an HP account. The M209dwe (HP+) version is the one that requires an internet connection and Original HP toner if HP+ was accepted.

Will compatible 134A or 134X toner work?

It can, but HP's dynamic security may reject cartridges with non-HP chips, so buy from a seller with a replacement guarantee and avoid HP+ enrollment if you plan to use compatibles.

Bottom Line

The HP LaserJet M209dw is a fast, compact, no-nonsense black-and-white laser printer that's easy to recommend for text-heavy home and small-office printing, as long as you go in with realistic expectations about HP's cartridge restrictions, the small paper tray and the occasional Wi-Fi reconnect. If toner flexibility matters more than footprint, the Brother HL-L2460DW is the stronger buy.

Check current price on Amazon

Shop Compatible Toner at Castle Ink

Castle Ink stocks compatible versions of both cartridges this printer uses: the HP 134A (W1340A) ($39.95, about 1,100 pages) and the high-yield HP 134X (W1340X) ($55.95, about 2,400 pages). On a printer this size the 134X is the cheaper cartridge per page. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday to Friday ship the same day, and shipping is free over $50. You can also browse the full range on our HP toner cartridges page.

One caveat: if your printer is the M209dwe and it was enrolled in HP+ at setup, it is locked to Original HP toner and compatible cartridges will not work on it.