HP 218A & HP 218X Toner Cartridges
HP 218A standard and HP 218X high-yield toner cartridges deliver dependable, vibrant colour printing for HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201 and 3301 series printers. Both standard and high-capacity options are available in genuine and compatible replacement formats to suit your daily office budget. Our 4.8 Google Star rating shows that our customers consistently receive high-quality cartridges backed by reliable performance.
Printers Compatible with HP 218A & HP 218X Toner Cartridges
Expected page output and replacement cycles
HP 218A toners yield 1,300 black and 1,200 colour pages, while 218X high-yield variants produce up to 3,200 black and 2,500 colour pages. Yields are tested under the ISO/IEC 19798 standard for colour laser cartridges. Actual output depends on page coverage and colour usage.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 218A | Standard | Black | 1,300 | $0.096 |
| 218A | Standard | Cyan | 1,200 | $0.12 |
| 218A | Standard | Magenta | 1,200 | $0.12 |
| 218A | Standard | Yellow | 1,200 | $0.12 |
| 218X | High Yield | Black | 3,200 | $0.057 |
| 218X | High Yield | Cyan | 2,500 | $0.085 |
| 218X | High Yield | Magenta | 2,500 | $0.085 |
| 218X | High Yield | Yellow | 2,500 | $0.085 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing between genuine and compatible options
Compatible HP 218 toners deliver crisp text and graphic output at a significantly lower purchase price. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. Read our guide that compares genuine and compatible cartridges to determine which option suits your office workflow.
How most users manage replacements
If your office primarily prints text documents, upgrading to HP 218X high-yield black toner lowers cost per page and reduces downtime. For balanced colour printing, multipacks provide complete toner replacement at once. Compatible 218 cartridges include a money-back guarantee for peace of mind. Review our returns policy for details. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99. Orders dispatch fast from warehouses in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Browse our full range of HP toner cartridges to stock your office.
Pro Tip
You can install high-yield HP 218X black toner alongside standard-yield HP 218A colour cartridges without causing system errors or uneven calibration. Mixing yield capacities is fully supported by the printer firmware.
Match Your Printing Habits to the Right HP 218A or HP 218X Toner Cartridge Pack
If all your colours are running low, the 4-Pack 218A Genuine (from $558.12) covers every colour in one order and qualifies for free delivery.
Want longer between reorders? The 4-Pack 218A Genuine (from $804.05) gives the same full-colour coverage with a higher page yield per cartridge and also qualifies for free delivery.
If only one colour has run dry, there's no need to replace the rest - a single Genuine 218A cartridge (from $124.54) is the lowest-cost way to keep printing.
Watching the budget? Compatible cartridges match the fit and yield of genuine ink at a lower price, from $64.50 for a single 218A cartridge or 5-pack 218A for $508.95 (free delivery).
For a high-volume office, buying in bulk cuts the cost per unit further - the 10-Pack 218A Compatible (from $1,007.50) works out cheapest per cartridge, while the 8-Pack 218A Genuine (from $1,591.69) is the equivalent option if you'd rather stick with official ink. Both qualify for free delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix standard HP 218A and high-yield HP 218X cartridges in the same printer?
Yes. The printer reads each cartridge chip independently, so you can run a 218X high-yield black toner alongside 218A standard colour cartridges without issue.
Do HP 218X high-yield cartridges require a different installation process?
No. HP 218X cartridges share the exact physical outer footprint as standard 218A cartridges. The internal toner reservoir holds more toner powder, fitting directly into the existing tray.
Why do cyan, magenta, and yellow toner levels drop at different rates?
Colour toner consumption varies based on document content, corporate branding elements, and graphic fills. Cyan often depletes faster in standard business documentation containing hyperlinks and headers.
Is part number W2180A the same as HP 218A Black toner?
Yes. W2180A is the specific HP manufacturer part code for the standard 218A Black toner cartridge, while W2180X represents the high-yield 218X Black cartridge. Both terms refer to the exact same items.
