HP 79A Toner Cartridges
HP 79A (CF279A) toner cartridges are designed for mono LaserJet Pro printers, supplying consistent black text output across standard single units and multi-packs. Both genuine HP cartridges and cost-effective compatible alternatives are available to suit your budget. Our 4.8 Google Star rating shows that our customers consistently receive high-quality cartridges backed by reliable performance.
Printers Compatible with HP 79A Toner Cartridges
Expected Page Output and Replacement Cycles
The HP 79A toner cartridge yields approximately 1,000 pages, measured under ISO/IEC 19752 testing standards for monochrome laser printing at 5% page coverage.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79A | Standard | Black | 1,000 | $0.13 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Genuine vs Compatible Cartridges
Choosing compatible CF279A cartridges reduces your running costs significantly down to approximately 3.1 cents per page compared to 13.1 cents for genuine HP toner. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. Read our comprehensive genuine vs compatible cartridge guide to weigh up performance differences before ordering.
Managing Your HP 79A Cartridge Setup
If you print mostly invoice runs or standard text documents, switching to compatible 2-packs drops your per-unit cost down even further while securing back-up supply. Compatible options are backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee. Standard orders ship fast directly from distribution hubs in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99. Find additional options in our complete HP toner cartridges catalogue.
Pro Tip
Keep a spare CF279A cartridge on hand; monochrome laser printers stop printing entirely the moment the drum-integrated toner sensor reads as empty, offering no draft override mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP 79A cartridge include the imaging drum unit?
Yes, the CF279A is an all-in-one cartridge design containing both the toner powder reservoir and the photosensitive drum, so you automatically replace the drum every time you install a fresh cartridge.
Why does my page yield drop when printing invoices or receipts?
ISO/IEC 19752 page yield ratings rely on standard 5% coverage; heavy logos, bold text tables, or full-width borders increase coverage to 10–15%, reducing real-world output closer to 350–500 pages per cartridge.
Can I run a compatible 79A cartridge alongside a genuine HP printer firmware update?
Yes, HP LaserJet Pro M12 and M26 series printers do not utilise dynamic security chip-blocking updates for the CF279A series, allowing third-party compatible cartridges to function consistently without firmware lockouts.
