HP 26A vs 26X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page

Buying the right HP 26A / 26X toner is simple once you know three things: the printer models it fits, the page yield of each version, and how the price per page compares. Here is all of it in one place. Every cartridge listed below is a genuine HP original, brand new and factory sealed, with free shipping across the USA.

Which printers use HP 26A / 26X?

HP 26A / 26X cartridges are made for the following HP printers:

• HP LaserJet Pro M402n, M402dn, M402dw
• HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdn, M426fdw
• HP LaserJet Pro M402d / M402dn / M402dne / M402dw / M402n
• HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426dw / M426fdn / M426fdw

Tip: the model number is printed on the front or top of the printer and on the sticker inside the toner door. If your model is not listed here, check the cartridge number on the old cartridge itself — HP prints it on the label.

HP 26A / 26X cartridge lineup

*Yields are HP's declared values (ISO/IEC 19752 for mono, ISO/IEC 19798 for color) at 5% page coverage. Real-world yield depends on what you print: dense graphics use more toner than text.

26A vs 26X: which one should you buy?

Both cartridges fit the same printers and produce identical print quality — the difference is capacity and price. The 26A holds enough toner for about 3,100 pages; the 26X high-yield version prints about 9,000 pages, roughly 2.9× more. At our prices that works out to 4.0¢ per page for the 26A and 2.0¢ per page for the 26X — the high-yield cartridge is about 50% cheaper per page.

Choose the 26A if you print a few hundred pages a month, want a lower upfront cost, or the printer is lightly used (toner can settle in a cartridge that sits for a year). Choose the 26X if you print 1,550+ pages a month, share the printer in an office, or simply want fewer cartridge changes.

Multipacks: when they pay off

Every cartridge in a GS TONER multipack is the same genuine HP 26A sold individually — full yield, same packaging, same warranty. Packs make sense when you already know you will use every cartridge within about a year; unopened HP toner stores well for at least that long in its sealed bag, away from heat and sunlight.

How long will an HP 26A last you?

Use your monthly page count (the printer's usage page reports it) to see how often you will change cartridges and what toner costs per month with each version.

Below about 258 pages a month a cartridge would sit in the printer for more than a year, so the standard version is the better fit; above 1,033 pages a month the high-yield version (if one exists for this family) pays back quickly and halves the number of cartridge changes.

Genuine HP vs compatible HP 26A / 26X

Search results for “HP 26A / 26X” are full of compatible and remanufactured cartridges at a fraction of the price. They can work, but the trade-offs are real: yield claims are not measured to the same ISO standard, toner formulation differs from the one the fuser was tuned for, chip errors after firmware updates are common, and a leaking cartridge can put a drum or fuser repair on your bill. HP's warranty does not cover damage caused by non-HP supplies. We sell only original HP cartridges — the ones with HP's security label — because for a workgroup printer the difference in cost per page is small next to the cost of downtime.

How to check yours is genuine: the box carries a HP security label, the cartridge has HP's part number (CF226A for the 26A) molded or printed on it, and the printer's supplies page identifies it as an original HP cartridge after installation.

Replacing the HP 26A / 26X cartridge

1. Open the cartridge door (front or top, depending on the model) and pull the old cartridge straight out by its handle.
2. Take the new cartridge out of its bag. Rock it gently end to end five or six times to distribute the toner — do not shake it vertically.
3. Remove the orange shipping clips and pull the sealing tape straight out if the cartridge has one (many current HP models do not).
4. Align the cartridge with the guides and slide it in until it seats; close the door. The printer calibrates for a few seconds and reports the new cartridge on the supplies page.

Keep the old cartridge for recycling: HP Planet Partners takes back original HP cartridges free of charge in the US.

Frequently asked questions

Which printers is HP 26A / 26X compatible with?

HP 26A / 26X fits HP LaserJet Pro M402n, M402dn, M402dw, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdn, M426fdw, HP LaserJet Pro M402d / M402dn / M402dne / M402dw / M402n, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426dw / M426fdn / M426fdw. The full list is above and on each product page.

How many pages does the 26A print?

About 3,100 pages at 5% coverage, which is a typical business letter. Heavy graphics or full-page images reduce that noticeably.

Is the 26X the same as the 26A?

Same printers, same print quality. The 26X is the high-yield version with about 9,000 pages instead of 3,100, and a lower cost per page.

Are your HP 26A / 26X cartridges genuine HP?

Yes. GS TONER sells only original HP cartridges, brand new and factory sealed, sourced from authorized distribution. No compatibles, no refills.

How fast do you ship?

Orders placed before 2 PM Eastern ship the same business day from our US warehouse, with free shipping to all 50 states.

Related guides

• HP 30A vs 30X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page
• HP 32A Imaging Drum (CF232A) Guide: Yield, Printers & Price
• How to Tell If HP Toner Is Genuine (7 Checks)

Ready to order? Every HP 26A / 26X cartridge and pack above is in stock at GS TONER with free US shipping and 30-day returns.