HP 26A & 26X Toner Cartridges
Keep your office output moving with HP 26A (CF226A) and high-yield HP 26X (CF226X) black toner cartridges. Engineered for high-volume monochrome printing on LaserJet Pro M402 and M426 series printers, options include standard 3,100-page and high-yield 9,000-page capacities. Our 4.8 Google Star rating shows that our customers consistently receive high-quality cartridges backed by reliable performance. Cost-effective compatible alternatives and twin-packs are available to lower running costs.
Printers Compatible with HP 26A & 26X Toner Cartridges
Expected page output and replacement cycles
Page yields are tested under ISO/IEC 19752 standards for monochrome laser cartridges based on 5% page coverage. The standard CF226A delivers 3,100 pages, while the high-yield CF226X prints up to 9,000 pages—nearly triple the capacity for a significantly lower cost per page.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26A | Standard | Black | 3,100 | $0.089 |
| 26X | High Yield | Black | 9,000 | $0.052 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing between genuine and compatible options
Compatible 26A and 26X cartridges provide a direct replacement to OEM units without affecting print clarity or reliability on office documents. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. Read our genuine vs compatible guide to compare performance benchmarks.
Managing high-volume office replenishment
Upgrading from standard CF226A to CF226X high-yield cartridges reduces cost-per-page from 8.9 cents to 5.2 cents on genuine toner, or down to 2.7 cents using compatibles. Multipacks offer further savings for busy environments. All compatible toner cartridges carry a 90-day money-back guarantee if they fail to meet expectations. Check our full returns policy for details. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99, dispatched quickly from our Australian warehouses in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Explore our complete range of HP toner cartridges to stock your office.
Pro Tip
The HP 26A and 26X toner cartridges feature an integrated drum unit. Every time you swap the toner, you replace the imaging drum, eliminating the need to purchase separate maintenance rollers or drum assemblies over the life of your printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install an HP 26X high-yield cartridge into a printer that came with an HP 26A standard toner?
Yes, the 26X (CF226X) shares the exact physical footprint and slot specifications as the 26A (CF226A). The outer shell is identical, but the internal hopper holds more toner to yield 9,000 pages instead of 3,100.
Why does my LaserJet Pro prompt a low toner warning when the page count is below 9,000 pages?
ISO yield testing assumes 5% toner coverage per page (roughly a short business letter). Printing dense black text, heavy graphics, bar codes, or logos uses significantly more toner per page, causing the cartridge to empty faster than the nominal rating.
Does replacing an HP 26 series toner cartridge also replace the imaging drum?
Yes. HP 26A and 26X cartridges combine the toner supply and photoconductor drum into a single unit. Swapping the cartridge automatically restores print crispness and eliminates background shadowing caused by worn drum surfaces.
