What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M252dw Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 201A & 201X Toner Cartridges – CF400A–CF403X → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Correction: an earlier version of this article listed the HP 201A color cartridges at about 1,400 pages. HP rates them at about 1,330 pages.
CastleScore · October 2026
77/100 — Recommended
HP LaserJet Pro M252dw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 751 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (18%) | 68 | About 5.9¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible 201X toner (2,800 black / 2,300 color pages). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (11%) | 63 | Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 73 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. CDW-G lists the M252dw as discontinued since November 2017. This score rates it for current owners.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 201X 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
HP 201X BlackCF400X · ~2,800 pages
HP 201X CyanCF401X · ~2,300 pages
HP 201X MagentaCF403X · ~2,300 pages
HP 201X 4-pack
HP 201X Black
HP 201X Cyan
HP 201X MagentaOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M252dw use?
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M252dw uses four HP 201A toner cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) or the high-yield HP 201X versions. Each cartridge has its imaging drum built in, so there's no separate drum to buy.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part number | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| HP 201A black | CF400A | ~1,500 pages |
| HP 201A cyan / yellow / magenta | CF401A / CF402A / CF403A | ~1,330 pages each |
| HP 201X black | CF400X | ~2,800 pages |
| HP 201X cyan / yellow / magenta | CF401X / CF402X / CF403X | ~2,300 pages each |
*Approximate HP-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage and how often the printer runs cleaning or calibration cycles.
Common questions about HP LaserJet Pro M252dw toner
Should I buy HP 201A or 201X?
201X for most offices. The 201X black is rated for about 2,800 pages versus 1,500 for the 201A, and the 201X colors about 2,300 versus 1,330, so the cost per page is much lower. 201A only makes sense if you print a few pages a week.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of standard and high-yield sizes works.
What other printers use HP 201A/201X?
The same cartridges fit the LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw, M252n, MFP M274n and MFP M277n. If you own more than one, a single stock covers them all.
Will other HP cartridges fit the M252dw?
No. HP 202A/202X (Color LaserJet Pro M254 and MFP M281) and HP 206A/207A (M255dw, MFP M283fdw) look similar but have different shapes and chips. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Does the printer need a separate drum?
No. The imaging drum is built into each HP 201A/201X cartridge, so it's replaced every time you change toner. The transfer belt and fuser are long-life parts; see HP transfer belt: signs it's failing and HP fuser unit: signs it's failing if you see repeating marks or smearing late in the printer's life.
Are compatible or remanufactured toner cartridges safe for the M252dw?
They print, but there is a firmware risk. A 2016 HP update made this printer reject some non-HP chips, so turn off automatic firmware updates before you switch. Using third-party toner doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. More: How to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink, Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and toner, and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the toner in the M252dw?
Open the front door and pull out the cartridge drawer. Pull the old cartridge straight up and out. Take the new cartridge out of its bag, rock it gently side to side to spread the toner, and pull off any orange tape or clips. Line it up with its color-coded slot, press it in, and close the drawer and door. The printer calibrates automatically.
Can I keep printing when a cartridge says “very low”?
Usually, yes. HP LaserJets let you keep printing past the “very low” warning until quality drops; you can change that behavior under Supplies settings on the control panel or the printer's web page. When a color is completely empty, replace it; print quality on that color will fade or streak first.
Why are my M252dw prints streaked or showing lines?
Light, faded streaks usually mean a toner cartridge is low: remove it, rock it side to side, and reinstall. A sharp line that repeats down the page points to a scratched drum on one cartridge; swap cartridges one at a time to find it. If marks repeat at the same spacing on every color, the fuser or transfer belt may be worn. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Does the M252dw scan or copy?
No. It's a print-only color laser. The MFP M277dw adds scanning, copying, and fax with the same toner.
Does the M252dw print double-sided?
Yes. The “dw” model prints on both sides automatically and has Wi-Fi.
M252dw key facts
- Type: color laser printer (print only)
- Toner: HP 201A or 201X, four cartridges with built-in drums
- Duplex: automatic
- Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
What Color LaserJet Pro M252dw owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
My non-HP toner stopped working after the printer updated itself. Why?
A 2016 HP firmware update made the M252dw reject some non-HP and remanufactured 201A/201X cartridges with “unauthorized supplies” or “Supply Memory Error” messages, and changing the cartridge settings didn't help. HP's answer was to use genuine cartridges; one owner got them working again by installing older firmware.
How long do the cartridges that came with the printer last?
SHI lists the in-box cartridges at up to 1,500 pages for black and 700 pages for each color, so the colors run out first.
How much paper does it hold?
A 150-sheet main tray plus a priority feed slot, with a 100-sheet output bin.
Some stores say the 201A colors print 1,400 pages. Which number is right?
HP's current listing rates them at about 1,330 pages, while some U.S. retailers still print 1,400. We use HP's figure.
Is the M252dw still sold?
No. CDW-G lists it as discontinued on November 13, 2017.
Color LaserJet Pro M252dw quirks worth knowing
- It has NFC touch-to-print and a front USB port for walk-up printing, which is unusual on a small color laser.
- The control panel is a 3-inch touchscreen, and HP's recommended volume is 250–2,500 pages a month.
- A 2017 HP Community thread reports error 10.00.00 after a firmware update with non-HP cartridges installed. The cause was never confirmed, but it is another reason to leave automatic updates off.
Other printers that use HP 201A and 201X toner
More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M402n · HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdw · HP LaserJet Pro M201dw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 201A & 201X Toner Cartridges – CF400A–CF403X? Shop HP 201A & 201X Toner Cartridges – CF400A–CF403X at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.