What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M478f-9f Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 414A & 414X Toner Cartridges – W2020A–W2023X → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M478f-9f uses HP 414 toner in four colors: the standard 414A (black W2020A, about 2,400 pages; cyan, magenta and yellow about 2,100 pages) or the high-yield 414X (black W2020X, about 7,500 pages; colors about 6,000 pages). These are the same cartridges as the M479 and M454 series.
The odd model number confuses a lot of buyers, and CDW reviewers have asked outright whether M479 toner fits. It does: the M478f-9f is part of the same family. Castle Ink sells compatible 414X and 414A cartridges with chips.
CastleScore · November 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M478f-9f
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 82 | About 1.1¢ per black page and about 5.4¢ per color page with our compatible HP 414X toner. |
| Reliability (18%) | 78 | Most-reported issues: HP dynamic-security firmware rejecting non-HP chips after updates; owners unsure which 414 cartridges fit this model number. |
| Features (11%) | 84 | Color laser print, scan, copy and fax, up to 28 ppm, auto two-sided printing, document feeder, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and a color touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Older model. HP has moved this class to the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301 series. HP 414 toner is still sold.
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 5, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 414X BlackW2020X · ~7,500 pages
HP 414X CyanW2021X · ~6,000 pages
HP 414X MagentaW2023X · ~6,000 pages
HP 414X YellowW2022X · ~6,000 pages
HP 414X Black
HP 414X Cyan
HP 414X Magenta
HP 414X YellowOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
What Toner Does the HP M478f-9f Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 414X Black (high yield) | W2020X | ~7,500 pages | Castle Ink 414X Black, $85.95 |
| HP 414X Cyan | W2021X | ~6,000 pages | Castle Ink 414X Cyan, $85.95 |
| HP 414X Magenta | W2023X | ~6,000 pages | Castle Ink 414X Magenta, $85.95 |
| HP 414X Yellow | W2022X | ~6,000 pages | Castle Ink 414X Yellow, $85.95 |
| HP 414A Black | W2020A | ~2,400 pages | Castle Ink 414A Black, $69.95 |
| HP 414A Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | W2021A / W2023A / W2022A | ~2,100 pages each | Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, $79.95 each |
Yields are HP's ISO figures. 414A and 414X are physically identical; the X simply holds more toner. You can mix A and X cartridges across colors.
What Does M478f-9f Toner Cost per Page?
With our 414X cartridges at $85.95 each, black works out to about 1.1¢ a page and each color to about 1.4¢, so a typical color page costs roughly 5.4¢. The 414A is cheaper up front but costs more per page. 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?
Usually, with a caveat. The M478/M479 family uses HP dynamic security, which checks the cartridge chip. Compatible 414 cartridges with their own chips work on most current firmware, but an HP firmware update can later make the printer refuse them. If you plan to use non-HP toner, turn off automatic firmware updates in the printer's Embedded Web Server (or ask your IT team to hold them). If a cartridge is rejected, see our cartridge not recognized guide.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the M478f-9f?
- With the printer on, open the front door.
- Pull the toner drawer out by its green handle.
- Lift the used cartridge straight up and out.
- Unpack the new cartridge, rock it gently, and remove the orange protective pieces.
- Drop it into the matching color slot, slide the drawer back in and close the door.
These are the standard steps for this type of printer. If your model's door label shows a different order, follow the label.
Which Other Printers Use HP 414?
HP 414A and 414X fit the Color LaserJet Pro M454dn and M454dw, the Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw, M479fdn and M479fdw, and the Color LaserJet Enterprise M455dn and MFP M480f. See our guides for the M479dw, M479fdw and M454dw.
What M478f-9f owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, support forums and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Will M479 toner fit my M478f-9f?
Yes. Both take HP 414A and 414X.
Does the black run out faster than the colors?
For most offices, yes. If you mostly print text, buy the 414X black and the cheaper 414A colors.
Why does the printer say "non-HP supply"?
That message appears with any compatible cartridge. Acknowledge it and printing continues, as long as firmware has not been updated to block third-party chips.
Does a compatible cartridge need its chip moved?
Not ours. Our 414 cartridges ship with chips installed. Some no-chip versions sold elsewhere require moving the chip from your old HP cartridge.
M478f-9f quirks worth knowing
- It prints, scans, copies and faxes, with automatic two-sided printing and a document feeder.
- It has Wi-Fi, Ethernet and a color touchscreen.
- HP's newer Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301 series uses different toner (HP 210), so it won't share cartridges with this printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP M478f-9f use?
HP 414A or high-yield 414X in black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
How many pages does a 414X print?
About 7,500 pages for black and 6,000 pages per color.
Can I mix 414A and 414X cartridges?
Yes. Each slot takes either the A or X version of its color.
Other printers that use HP 414 toner
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw · HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw · HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw
More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M402n · HP LaserJet M209dw · HP LaserJet MFP M234dw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw — CastleScore 85
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw — CastleScore 84
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on November 5, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 414A & 414X Toner Cartridges – W2020A–W2023X? Shop HP 414A & 414X Toner Cartridges – W2020A–W2023X at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.