What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro CP1525nw Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 128A Toner Cartridges – CE320A–CE323A → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro CP1525nw uses HP 128A toner: CE320A black (about 2,000 pages) plus CE321A cyan, CE322A yellow and CE323A magenta (about 1,300 pages each). The drum is built into each cartridge, and HP never made a high-yield 128X. Castle Ink sells all four as compatibles for $48.95 each.
The CP1525nw is the wireless version of the CP1525n, a small print-only color laser. It shares HP 128A with the LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw and CM1415fn multifunction printers.
CastleScore · November 2026
64/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet Pro CP1525nw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | Adorama shows a 5-star average from about 90 reviews, but the listing is closed and we couldn't verify the ratings, so we didn't use them. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score for the CP1525nw we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 62 | About 2.4¢ per black page with our compatible HP 128A black (CE320A, 2,000 pages, $48.95) and about 3.8¢ per color cartridge-page (1,300 pages, $48.95). A full-color page runs roughly 14¢. |
| Reliability (18%) | 78 | Simple single-pass color laser with no separate drum or transfer kit to buy; HP rates it for up to 30,000 pages a month. No recurring fault pattern in the sources we checked. |
| Features (11%) | 45 | Print only, up to 12 ppm black and 8 ppm color, manual two-sided printing, 150-sheet tray. USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n). |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find verifiable owner ratings or a published expert score 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.
Discontinued. HP no longer sells the CP1525nw. HP 128A 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 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 128A BlackCE320A · ~2,000 pages
HP 128A CyanCE321A · ~1,300 pages
HP 128A YellowCE322A · ~1,300 pages
HP 128A MagentaCE323A · ~1,300 pages
HP 128A Black
HP 128A Cyan
HP 128A Yellow
HP 128A MagentaOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP LaserJet Pro CP1525nw Toner at a Glance
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 128A Black | CE320A | ~2,000 pages | Compatible, $48.95 |
| HP 128A Cyan | CE321A | ~1,300 pages | Compatible, $48.95 |
| HP 128A Yellow | CE322A | ~1,300 pages | Compatible, $48.95 |
| HP 128A Magenta | CE323A | ~1,300 pages | Compatible, $48.95 |
| Separate drum or high-yield version | None made | — | — |
Yields are HP's ISO figures. The printer shipped with lower-capacity starter cartridges, so the first replacements come sooner than later ones.
What Does CP1525nw Toner Cost per Page?
There's no standard-versus-XL choice here, because HP only made one size of 128A. With our compatibles, black works out to about 2.4¢ a page ($48.95 ÷ 2,000) and each color to about 3.8¢ per cartridge-page ($48.95 ÷ 1,300). A typical full-color page that uses all four cartridges at normal coverage lands around 14¢, so it pays to print drafts in black only. 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 CP1525nw?
Yes. Our 128A cartridges carry their own chips. The printer may show a notice that a non-HP supply is installed; press OK and it prints normally. Toner-level readings on aftermarket cartridges are estimates, so keep a spare black on hand.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the CP1525nw?
- With the printer on, open the front door and pull out the cartridge drawer.
- Lift the empty cartridge out of its color-coded slot by the handle.
- Unpack the new cartridge and rock it gently side to side to spread the toner.
- Pull off the orange tab and sealing tape, without touching the green drum surface.
- Drop the cartridge into its matching slot, push the drawer in and close the door.
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 128A?
HP 128A fits the LaserJet Pro CP1525n and CP1525nw printers and the LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw and CM1415fn color MFPs. The look-alike HP 125A cartridges from the CP1215 and the 126A cartridges from the CP1025 do not fit.
What CP1525nw owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer, answered in our words.
Can it print two-sided automatically?
No. Two-sided printing is manual: the driver prints one side, then tells you how to reload the stack.
Can it print in black when a color cartridge is empty?
Don't count on it. Like most HP color lasers, it wants all four cartridges installed and working, so replace an empty color before your next job.
Does it work on Wi-Fi?
Yes. The nw model has 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet and USB. Older Wi-Fi standards mean it works best on a 2.4 GHz network.
Is there a cheaper multipack?
We sell the four colors individually, which is usually cheaper for this printer because black runs out far more often than the colors.
CP1525nw quirks worth knowing
- HP rates it at up to 12 pages a minute in black and 8 in color.
- The input tray holds 150 sheets; there is no second tray.
- HP's recommended maximum is up to 30,000 pages a month, far more than most home offices print.
- It is print only: no scanner, copier or fax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP LaserJet Pro CP1525nw use?
HP 128A: CE320A black (about 2,000 pages) and CE321A cyan, CE322A yellow and CE323A magenta (about 1,300 pages each).
Is there a high-yield toner for the CP1525nw?
No. HP only made the standard 128A cartridges for this printer.
Do the CP1525nw and CM1415fnw use the same toner?
Yes. Both take HP 128A cartridges, CE320A through CE323A.
Other printers that use HP 128A toner
More HP ink guides: HP Color LaserJet CP1215 · HP Color LaserJet CP2025 · HP Color LaserJet 3800 · 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 128A Toner Cartridges – CE320A–CE323A? Shop HP 128A Toner Cartridges – CE320A–CE323A at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.