W2021A cyan · standard
W2021A is a HP cyan standard cartridge rated at ~2100 pages (4.5¢/page at $95.00).
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W2021A is the standard cyan in the 414A set for the Color LaserJet Pro M454dw and the MFP M479fdw, rated at 2100 pages and listing near $95.00, which is 4.52c for a page of cyan.
Compare that with the compact colour lasers a step below and the difference is obvious: colour on this family costs noticeably less per page than on HP's smaller M254 and M255 machines, and a page laying down all four toners comes to about 17.32c on the standard set. If you print colour in any quantity, the larger machine is cheaper to feed as well as faster.
Even so, the standard cyan is the wrong size for most owners of this printer. The high yield W2021X is rated 6000 pages and works out at 3.33c, roughly 26 percent less per page. Unlike the colour cartridges on HP's smaller colour lasers, where the high yield version barely repays its price, the step earns its money here.
HP's dynamic security notice covers the M454 and M479 series, so a compatible W2021A can be refused after an update that the printer installs by itself. The drum is part of this cartridge, which makes diagnosis simple: a fault showing only in cyan, or a mark repeating at a fixed interval in cyan alone, belongs to the cartridge and leaves with it. Faded output across all four colours is something else, usually paper, humidity or a print setting.
Printers that use W2021A
Frequently asked questions
Which printers use the W2021A?
2 printers in our database use the W2021A, including the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw and HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw.
Is the W2021A a standard or high-yield cartridge?
The W2021A is a standard-yield cartridge. Where a range also offers a high-yield XL version, it costs more upfront but prints more pages for a lower cost per page.
How many pages does the W2021A print?
The W2021A is rated at about 2100 pages. Actual yield varies with how much of each page you print.
What does the W2021A cost per page?
At a list price of $95.00 and about 2100 pages, the W2021A works out to roughly 4.5 cents per page. A reliable compatible can cost noticeably less.
Are compatible or remanufactured versions of the W2021A safe to use?
Compatible and remanufactured cartridges are third-party alternatives to the W2021A that usually cost much less. Most work well, though quality varies by seller. If your printer can receive firmware updates that block non-OEM ink, check that printer's page first.
Related cartridges
Other colors and standard or high-yield versions used in the same printers.
- W2020A black · standard
- W2020X black · XL
- W2021X cyan · XL
- W2022A yellow · standard
- W2022X yellow · XL
- W2023A magenta · standard
- W2023X magenta · XL
Guides worth reading before you buy
- HP LaserJet toner compatibility chart: which printer takes which CE, CF or W number
- Why did my printer stop accepting compatible ink after a firmware update?
- How to disable HP Dynamic Security and decline the firmware update safely
- What the chip on your ink cartridge actually does, and where it becomes a lock
- Printer will not print black because a colour cartridge is empty: what to do
Last reviewed . Compiled by MyCartridgeFinder from manufacturer cartridge finders and retailer cross reference tables, then checked against this cartridge's database record. Part number, yield and pricing come from that record, never from guesswork. See our methodology and data sources.