What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw Use?

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Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw uses HP 218A toner (W2180A black, W2181A cyan, W2182A yellow, W2183A magenta) or the high-yield HP 218X (W2180X–W2183X). 218A is rated for about 1,300 black and 1,200 color pages; 218X for about 3,200 black and 2,500 color pages. The same cartridges fit the 3301fdw, 3301sdw and Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw.

It does not take HP 220A/220X or 219A/219X, two numbers that show up on a lot of marketplace listings for this printer. 219 is the European cartridge for the 3302 models and 220 belongs to the European 4202/4302. Castle Ink does not stock 218-series toner yet; we link to it below.

CastleScore · October 2026

80/100 — Highly Recommended

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw (Scored on HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301 series ratings)

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 82 4.20★ average across 1,518 ratings at Staples (3301fdw 4.3, 3301sdw 4.1); the club-only 3301cdw has no large retail rating of its own
Expert reviews (20%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify. Digital Trends calls the 3301fdw fast and reliable but expensive.
Cost per page (18%) 73 About 4.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with Original HP 218X at retail (3,200 black / 2,500 color pages; we don't sell 218). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip.
Reliability (18%) 78 Most-reported problems: firmware updates blocking non-HP toner; multi-sheet feeds and jams; Wi-Fi drop-outs
Features (11%) 92 Print, copy, scan, fax, 50-sheet two-sided document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4.3-inch touchscreen, 26 ppm.
Value (5%) 72 Running cost and owner satisfaction against a Costco price of about $399

Limited data: No expert site has published a numeric score for the 3301 series, so the expert weight is spread across the other five pillars.

Still sold new through Costco and club stores; the retail 3301fdw and 3301sdw are the same printer family.

CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw Take?

Cartridge HP part no. Approx. yield (ISO) Where to buy
HP 218A Black W2180A ~1,300 pages Amazon
HP 218A Cyan / Yellow / Magenta W2181A / W2182A / W2183A ~1,200 pages each Amazon
HP 218X Black (high yield) W2180X ~3,200 pages Amazon
HP 218X Cyan / Yellow / Magenta (high yield) W2181X / W2182X / W2183X ~2,500 pages each Amazon

Yields are HP's ISO/IEC 19798 figures. Each cartridge has its imaging drum built in, so there is no separate drum to buy. The printer ships with smaller introductory cartridges, which Digital Trends measured at about 600 black and 500 color pages, so the first replacement comes sooner than most owners expect. Amazon links are tagged (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).

Is HP 218X Worth It Over 218A?

Yes, if you print more than a few hundred pages a month. At October 2026 retail (Quill: $120.99 for W2180X, $140.99 for each 218X color), the high-yield black works out to about 3.8¢ a page and each color cartridge to about 5.6¢. The standard 218A holds less than half the toner of the 218X, so the per-page cost climbs and you change cartridges more than twice as often. If you mostly print black text, buying 218X black and standard 218A colors is a sensible middle ground.

Will Compatible or Remanufactured 218A Toner Work?

Only with care. HP says the 3301 series uses dynamic security: it can block cartridges with non-HP chips, and a firmware update can block cartridges that worked before. Cartridges that reuse an original HP chip (remanufactured) are meant to keep working. An October 2025 HP Community thread shows a 3301fdw owner whose cartridges stopped after an update, and HP's agent said downgrading firmware is not supported. If you plan to use non-HP toner, turn off automatic firmware updates under LaserJet Update on the control panel before you install it. Read more in our guide to HP cartridge errors and dynamic security.

How Do I Replace the Toner in the HP 3301cdw?

  1. Open the printer's front door.
  2. Pull out the toner-cartridge drawer by its handle.
  3. Lift the empty cartridge straight up and out by its handle.
  4. Unpack the new 218A or 218X cartridge, rock it gently side to side to spread the toner, and remove the packing material without touching the drum.
  5. Set it in the slot that matches its color, slide the drawer back in and close the front door.

Which Other Printers Use HP 218A and 218X?

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw, MFP 3301sdw and the print-only Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw use the same 218A/218X cartridges. The 3301cdw is the Costco and club-store version of the 3301fdw.

What 3301cdw owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, manufacturer support communities and owner reviews, answered in our words.

What's the difference between the 3301cdw, 3301fdw and 3301sdw?

The cdw is the Costco/club version, with fax, a 50-sheet two-sided document feeder and dual-band Wi-Fi. The fdw is the retail version with the same fax line and two-sided scanning. The sdw drops the fax line (digital fax through HP Smart only) and, per Staples, scans one side at a time. All three take the same 218A/218X toner.

Can I roll back the firmware after an update stopped my toner working?

HP Support said in October 2025 that HP does not publish older firmware and does not support downgrades. Prevention is the only fix: turn off automatic updates under LaserJet Update before installing non-HP cartridges.

Why does it feed several sheets at once or jam?

HP's advice is to keep the tray at least half full, fan the paper, and clean the pickup rollers and separation pad. If misfeeds continue with a full tray, the rollers may be worn.

Why does it keep going offline?

Wi-Fi drop-outs are a recurring complaint in Best Buy reviews of the 3301 series. The printer has Gigabit Ethernet, so a wired connection is the most reliable fix if it sits near your router.

The toner warning appeared after a few days. Is that normal?

Yes. The introductory cartridges in the box are much smaller than retail 218A cartridges, and Staples reviewers often mention the early low-toner warning.

3301cdw quirks worth knowing

  • Toner numbers are region-coded: 218A/218X in North America, 219A/219X for the European 3302 models. Buy by the 218 number.
  • The single-sheet priority slot above the main tray is meant for one envelope or label sheet at a time. Digital Trends found the HP Smart app has no envelope option, though AirPrint handles envelopes.
  • Mobile scans from the HP Smart app top out at 300 dpi; scanning from a computer goes up to 1,200 dpi.
  • It prints up to 26 pages a minute in black and in color, with a 250-sheet tray and a 4.3-inch color touchscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the HP 3301cdw use HP 220A toner?

No. It uses HP 218A or 218X. HP 220A/220X is a European cartridge for the Color LaserJet Pro 4202/4302.

How many pages does HP 218X print?

About 3,200 pages for the black W2180X and about 2,500 pages for each 218X color, by HP's ISO ratings.

Does the 3301cdw need a separate drum?

No. The drum is built into each 218A/218X toner cartridge, so a new cartridge also gives you a new drum.

More HP ink guides: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw · HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw · HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 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.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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