What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw 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, 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. Best Buy's Q&A also gives a rounded 1,200-page figure for every 218A; HP's rating is 1,300 for black. Castle Ink does not stock 218-series toner yet; we link to it below.
CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw (Scored on HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw ratings)
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 85 | 4.33★ average across 1,213 ratings at Best Buy (4.5) and Quill (4.1) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify for the 3301sdw. |
| 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%) | 80 | Most-reported problems: document-feeder jams; Wi-Fi drop-outs; toner cost and HP-chip-only cartridges |
| Features (11%) | 88 | Print, copy, scan, 50-sheet one-sided document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, 4.3-inch touchscreen, 26 ppm. No fax line. |
| Value (5%) | 80 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a price of about $539 |
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. Staples, Quill and Best Buy list it at about $539.
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 3301sdw 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 3301sdw 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 3301sdw?
- Open the printer's front door.
- Pull out the toner-cartridge drawer by its handle.
- Lift the empty cartridge straight up and out by its handle.
- 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.
- 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, 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 3301sdw 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.
Can the 3301sdw fax?
Not over a phone line. It has no fax modem; HP's Smart app offers digital fax. If you need a real fax line, the 3301fdw is the model to buy. Several Best Buy reviewers only found this out after buying.
Can it scan both sides automatically?
No. The 50-sheet document feeder scans one side at a time. Automatic two-sided printing is supported.
Does the included toner run out quickly?
Yes, compared with retail cartridges: the in-box toners are rated at about 600 black and 500 color pages, against 1,300 and 1,200 for a retail 218A.
Will third-party toner work?
It can, but HP's dynamic security may block cartridges without an HP chip now or after a firmware update. Remanufactured cartridges that reuse HP chips are the safer choice, with automatic updates turned off.
3301sdw quirks worth knowing
- It weighs about 38 pounds; Quill reviewers describe it as a two-person lift and much bigger than an inkjet.
- A Best Buy reviewer reports a firmware update and calibration step during first setup, so allow extra time.
- It costs about $100 less than the fdw. The difference buys a fax line and single-pass two-sided scanning.
- 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 3301sdw 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 3301sdw 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 3301fdw
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
- Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II — CastleScore 85
- Brother HL-L2460DW (mono) — CastleScore 90
- Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II (mono) — CastleScore 86
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 25, 2026 and will change over time.
- HP 218A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge (HP Store)
- HP 218X Black pricing (Sam's Club)
- HP 218X Black pricing (CDW)
- HP 218X Black pricing (Quill)
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301sdw (HP Store)
- HP 3301sdw spec sheet (Abt)
- Best Buy reviews: 3301sdw
- Quill: HP 3301sdw ratings and specs
- HP Community: MFP 3301fdw firmware downgrade
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.