Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet 4700 uses HP 643A toner: Q5950A black (about 11,000 pages) plus Q5951A cyan, Q5952A yellow and Q5953A magenta (about 10,000 pages each). The drum is built into each cartridge. Castle Ink sells all four as compatibles for $87.95 each.
The same cartridges fit every model in the series: the 4700, 4700n, 4700dn, 4700dtn and 4700ph+. The similar-looking HP 644A cartridges are for the CM4730 MFP and do not fit.
CastleScore · November 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP Color LaserJet 4700
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | GCN's 2006 lab review graded it in the A-minus range but gave no numeric score, so we didn't use it. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 90 | About 0.8¢ per black page with our compatible HP 643A black (Q5950A, 11,000 pages, $87.95) and about 0.9¢ per color cartridge-page (10,000 pages, $87.95), before the fuser and transfer kits. |
| Reliability (18%) | 84 | Built for workgroups, with 120,000-page fuser and transfer kits; no recurring fault pattern in the sources we checked. Expect to replace those kits on a high-mileage unit. |
| Features (11%) | 62 | Print only, about 30 pages per minute in black and color; 500-sheet tray plus 100-sheet multipurpose tray; Ethernet, USB and parallel on network models; automatic duplex on the dtn (and dn) models. |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published numeric expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked November 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 643A BlackQ5950A · ~11,000 pages
HP 643A CyanQ5951A · ~10,000 pages
HP 643A YellowQ5952A · ~10,000 pages
HP 643A MagentaQ5953A · ~10,000 pages
HP 643A Black
HP 643A Cyan
HP 643A Yellow
HP 643A MagentaOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP Color LaserJet 4700 Toner at a Glance
| Consumable | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 643A Black | Q5950A | ~11,000 pages | Compatible, $87.95 |
| HP 643A Cyan | Q5951A | ~10,000 pages | Compatible, $87.95 |
| HP 643A Yellow | Q5952A | ~10,000 pages | Compatible, $87.95 |
| HP 643A Magenta | Q5953A | ~10,000 pages | Compatible, $87.95 |
| Fuser kit / transfer kit | Q7502A / Q7504A | ~120,000 pages each | Not sold by Castle Ink |
Toner yields are HP's ISO figures. The fuser and transfer kits are maintenance parts you only replace when the printer asks.
What Does Color LaserJet 4700 Toner Cost per Page?
HP made only one size of 643A, so there's no standard-versus-XL decision. With our compatibles, black is about 0.8¢ a page ($87.95 ÷ 11,000) and each color about 0.9¢ per cartridge-page ($87.95 ÷ 10,000). A full-color page at normal coverage comes to roughly 3.4¢, which is low for a color laser and the reason so many offices keep these running. Toner cartridges at Castle Ink are newly manufactured compatibles. Orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day, and U.S. orders over $50 ship free.
Will Compatible Toner Work in the 4700?
Yes. Our 643A cartridges carry their own chips. The printer may report a non-HP supply; press the check button to continue. Page-count estimates on aftermarket cartridges can read differently from HP's, so order the next cartridge when the printer first warns you.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the 4700?
- With the printer on, open the front door.
- Grasp the empty cartridge by its handle and pull it straight out of its color-coded slot.
- Unpack the new cartridge and rock it gently side to side to spread the toner.
- Remove the orange packing material and pull the sealing tape straight out, without touching the drum.
- Slide the cartridge into its matching slot until it seats, close the door and let the printer finish calibrating.
These are the standard steps for this printer family. If the label inside your door shows a different order, follow the label.
Which Other Printers Use HP 643A?
HP 643A is made for the Color LaserJet 4700 series only: the 4700, 4700n, 4700dn, 4700dtn and 4700ph+. For HP's other workgroup lasers, see our guides for the HP Color LaserJet 3800 and the HP LaserJet 4250.
What 4700 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer, answered in our words.
Which 4700 model do I have?
Check the label on the front. In HP's naming, "n" means a network card, "d" means automatic two-sided printing and "t" means an extra paper tray. Every version, including the ph+, uses the same toner.
The printer says to replace the fuser or transfer kit. Can I keep printing?
Usually for a while, but print quality and paper feeding get worse as the kits wear. Both are rated around 120,000 pages, so on a busy unit they come due every few years.
Why does it pause before printing?
Color lasers like the 4700 calibrate themselves after a cartridge change and periodically during use. Let the cycle finish rather than turning the printer off.
Can I put it on Wi-Fi?
Not directly. Network models connect by Ethernet; plug it into your router and print to it over your network.
Color LaserJet 4700 quirks worth knowing
- It prints about 30 pages a minute in both black and color.
- Paper comes from a 500-sheet tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, with more trays on the dtn.
- It is print only: no scanner, copier or fax.
- It is a big, heavy workgroup printer; plan on two people to move it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP Color LaserJet 4700 use?
HP 643A: Q5950A black (about 11,000 pages) and Q5951A cyan, Q5952A yellow and Q5953A magenta (about 10,000 pages each).
Do the 4700n, 4700dn and 4700dtn use the same toner?
Yes. Every 4700 model takes HP 643A cartridges.
Does HP 644A fit the 4700?
No. HP 644A is for the Color LaserJet CM4730 MFP. The 4700 needs 643A.
More HP ink guides: HP Color LaserJet 3800 · HP LaserJet 4250 · HP Color LaserJet CP2025 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II — CastleScore 85
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
- Brother HL-L2460DW (black only) — CastleScore 90
Sources
Prices and specifications were checked on November 9, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP toner cartridges? Shop HP toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.