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

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Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw 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 3301sdw, the club-store 3301cdw and the print-only Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw.

It does not take HP 219A/219X, the European cartridge for the 3302 models, even though that number turns up on marketplace listings. RTINGS lists HP 208A for this model, which looks like an error; HP, CDW and Quill all list 218A/218X. Castle Ink does not stock 218-series toner yet; we link to it below.

CastleScore · October 2026

79/100 — Recommended

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw (Scored on HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw ratings)

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 78 3.99★ average across 143 ratings at Best Buy (4.2) and HP.com (3.9). Staples shows 4.1 from 744 reviews, but that pool is shared across the 3301 models, so we left it out.
Expert reviews (20%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify. Digital Trends calls the 3301fdw fast and reliable but priced too high.
Cost per page (18%) 74 About 4.6¢ 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: crooked scans from the document feeder; going offline and buggy software; firmware updates blocking non-HP toner
Features (11%) 92 Print, copy, scan, fax, 50-sheet single-pass two-sided document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, 4.3-inch touchscreen, 26 ppm.
Value (5%) 76 Running cost and owner satisfaction against a price of about $640

Limited data: We could not find a published numeric expert score for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.

Still sold new. Best Buy, Staples and Micro Center list it at $639.99.

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 25, 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 3301fdw 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 cartridges in the box are smaller introductory ones, rated 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. On October 25, 2026, Sam's Club and CDW both listed the black 218X (W2180X) at $114.99, which works out to about 3.6¢ a page. The color 218X cartridges cost more; Quill listed them at $140.99 each earlier this month, about 5.6¢ a page. The standard 218A holds less than half the toner, so you pay more per page and change cartridges more than twice as often. If you mostly print black text, 218X black with standard 218A colors is a sensible middle ground.

Will Compatible or Remanufactured 218A Toner Work?

Only with care. HP calls the 3301fdw a dynamic-security-enabled printer: it can block cartridges with non-HP chips, and a later firmware update can block cartridges that worked before. Cartridges that reuse an original HP chip (remanufactured) are meant to keep working. In an HP Community thread about a 3301fdw whose toner stopped working after an update, HP's agent said older firmware is not provided. If you plan to use non-HP toner, turn off automatic firmware updates 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 3301fdw?

  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 3301sdw, the club-store 3301cdw 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 3301fdw 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 3301fdw and 3301sdw?

The fdw has a phone-line fax modem and scans both sides of a page in one pass from its 50-sheet document feeder. The sdw has no fax line and scans one side at a time. Both take the same 218A/218X toner.

Does it work with HP Instant Ink?

No. HP's own Q&A says the 3301fdw is not Instant Ink-eligible; you buy 218A or 218X toner.

Can it print #10 envelopes and card stock?

Yes. Envelopes go through the single-sheet priority slot, and HP rates the paper path for heavier stock and glossy laser paper.

Can I add a second paper tray?

No. HP says no optional tray is available; you get the 250-sheet tray plus the single-sheet priority slot.

Why are my scans from the document feeder crooked?

Skewed feeder scans are one of the more common complaints in HP.com reviews. Square the stack against the guides, keep it under the 50-sheet limit and clean the feeder rollers; persistent skew on a new printer is a warranty issue.

3301fdw quirks worth knowing

  • The introductory toners are about 600 black and 500 color pages, far below the 1,300/1,200 of a retail 218A.
  • A Best Buy reviewer found the default tray setting pointed at the single-sheet priority slot, so check tray settings if jobs stall waiting for paper.
  • Scans from the HP Smart mobile app top out at 300 dpi, and Digital Trends found the app has no envelope option; scanning from a computer reaches 1,200 dpi.
  • It prints up to 26 pages a minute in black and color and has Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and a 4.3-inch touchscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the HP 3301fdw use HP 219A toner?

No. It uses HP 218A or 218X. HP 219A/219X is the European cartridge for the 3302 models.

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 3301fdw need a separate drum?

No. The drum is built into each 218A/218X toner cartridge.

Other printers that use HP 218A and 218X

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301cdw · HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw

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 25, 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 — Castle Ink CEO since 2005; more than 20 years of experience in the printer supplies and e-commerce industry..

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