Which ink/toner does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw use?
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw (laser, 2017) uses CF500X, CF501X, CF503X, CF502X, CF500A, CF501A, CF503A, CF502A.
Third-party cartridge risk: Low no firmware lockout is on record for this printer, so compatible and remanufactured cartridges should work.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP uses a combination of toners including CF500X for black XL and CF500A for standard black. For cyan magenta and yellow it takes CF501X CF503X and CF502X respectively in XL or standard versions with yields ranging from about 1300 to 2500 pages depending on the specific cartridge. When choosing a replacement consider whether you need high-yield cartridges for more prints or standard ones for lower upfront cost as both are available in genuine and compatible options.
Compatible cartridges
| Cartridge | Color | Yield | Pages | OEM price | Cost/page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF500X | black | XL | 3200 | $130.00 | 4.1¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF501X | cyan | XL | 2500 | $140.00 | 5.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF503X | magenta | XL | 2500 | $140.00 | 5.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF502X | yellow | XL | 2500 | $140.00 | 5.6¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF500A | black | standard | 1400 | $75.00 | 5.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF501A | cyan | standard | 1300 | $80.00 | 6.2¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF503A | magenta | standard | 1300 | $80.00 | 6.2¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| CF502A | yellow | standard | 1300 | $80.00 | 6.2¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
XL (high-yield) cartridges cost more upfront but lower the cost per page, which is better if you print a lot.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw is not on our firmware-lockout list, so third-party toner should work. By list price its high-yield CF500X works out to about 4.1 cents per page, roughly 24% less than the 5.4 cents of the standard CF500A. If you print often the high-yield cartridge is the better value, and a well-reviewed compatible version lowers the cost further.
Frequently asked questions
Which toner does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw use?
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw uses CF500A, CF500X, CF501A, CF501X, CF502A, CF502X, CF503A and CF503X.
Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw take XL cartridges?
Yes. Besides the standard cartridges it accepts CF500X, CF501X, CF502X and CF503X. A high-yield XL holds more toner and costs less per page, which is worth it if you print often.
Will third-party toner work in the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw, or will firmware block it?
The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw is not on our firmware-lockout list, so compatible and remanufactured cartridges should work. Firmware can change with an update, so it is worth checking before buying a large supply.
How many pages do the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw cartridges print?
Rated yields run from about 1300 pages (CF501A) to about 3200 pages (CF500X), depending on the cartridge. Real-world yield depends on how much you print and how much toner each page uses.
What is the cheapest toner for the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw?
By list price the lowest cost per page here is the CF500X at about 4.1 cents per page. A reliable compatible or remanufactured cartridge can lower that further.
Related HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP printers
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Last reviewed . Compiled by MyCartridgeFinder from manufacturer cartridge finders and retailer cross reference tables, then checked against this printer's database record. Cartridge numbers and yields come from that record, never from guesswork. See our methodology and data sources.