W2021X cyan · XL
W2021X is a HP cyan XL cartridge rated at ~6000 pages (3.3¢/page at $200.00).
Check genuine W2021X on Amazon → Find a cheaper compatible at 4inkjets →
At 6000 rated pages, nearly three times the 2100 of the standard W2021A, the W2021X is the high yield cyan for the Color LaserJet Pro M454dw and the MFP M479fdw. It lists near $200.00.
That buy price puts people off, and the cost per page argues back: 3.33c against 4.52c, about 26 percent less for every cyan page. The step costs $105.00 more than the standard cartridge and is repaid well inside the cartridge's rated life on any printer doing regular colour work. Across the full set, a four colour page falls from about 17.32c on the standard cartridges to 12.20c on the high yield ones, roughly 30 percent.
The one caution is matching the size to the machine's actual workload. Six thousand pages of cyan is a lot of colour, and on a printer that produces occasional charts the cartridge will be in the machine for years. That is not harmful, but the saving only materialises as pages come out.
HP's dynamic security notice applies across this series, so third party toner carrying a non HP chip can be blocked by a firmware update. Compatible cyan is also where colour matching varies most between manufacturers, so buy the three colours from one supplier rather than mixing brands, and run the printer's colour calibration after fitting a new set before judging the result.
Printers that use W2021X
Frequently asked questions
Which printers use the W2021X?
2 printers in our database use the W2021X, including the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw and HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw.
Is the W2021X a standard or high-yield cartridge?
The W2021X is a XL (high-yield) cartridge. It costs more upfront than a standard cartridge but prints more pages, so the cost per page is lower.
How many pages does the W2021X print?
The W2021X is rated at about 6000 pages. Actual yield varies with how much of each page you print.
What does the W2021X cost per page?
At a list price of $200.00 and about 6000 pages, the W2021X works out to roughly 3.3 cents per page. A reliable compatible can cost noticeably less.
Are compatible or remanufactured versions of the W2021X safe to use?
Compatible and remanufactured cartridges are third-party alternatives to the W2021X 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
- W2021A cyan · standard
- 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.