The HP 49A / 49X family is one of the cartridges we ship most often, so we wrote the guide we wish every buyer had before ordering: compatibility, yields, cost per page, and the difference between the versions. Every cartridge listed below is a genuine HP original, brand new and factory sealed, with free shipping across the USA.
Which printers use HP 49A / 49X?
HP 49A / 49X cartridges are made for the following HP printers:
- HP LaserJet 1320, 1320n, 1320nw, 1320tn
- HP LaserJet 3390, 3392
- HP LaserJet 1160, 1320, 1320n, 1320tn, 1320nw
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 49A / 49X cartridge lineup
| Cartridge | Part number | Color | Page yield* | Price | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 49A Toner Cartridge | Q5949A | Black | 2,500 pages |
|
3.2¢ |
| HP 49X Toner Cartridge | Q5949X | Black | 6,000 pages |
|
1.5¢ |
*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.
49A vs 49X: which one should you buy?
Both cartridges fit the same printers and produce identical print quality — the difference is capacity and price. The 49A holds enough toner for about 2,500 pages; the 49X high-yield version prints about 6,000 pages, roughly 2.4× more. At our prices that works out to 3.2¢ per page for the 49A and 1.5¢ per page for the 49X — the high-yield cartridge is about 52% cheaper per page.
Choose the 49A 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 49X if you print 1,250+ pages a month, share the printer in an office, or simply want fewer cartridge changes.
Multipacks: when they pay off
| Pack | Cartridges | Pack price | Bought singly | You save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 49A Toner Cartridge 2-Pack | 2 |
|
$160.00 | 3% |
| HP 49X Toner Cartridge 2-Pack | 2 |
|
$184.00 | 3% |
Every cartridge in a GS TONER multipack is the same genuine HP 49A 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 49A 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.
| Monthly volume | 49A: cartridge life / toner cost per month | 49X: life / cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| 250 pages | 10.0 months / $8.00 | 24.0 months / $3.83 |
| 500 pages | 5.0 months / $16.00 | 12.0 months / $7.67 |
| 1,000 pages | 2.5 months / $32.00 | 6.0 months / $15.33 |
| 2,000 pages | 1.2 months / $64.00 | 3.0 months / $30.67 |
Below about 208 pages a month a cartridge would sit in the printer for more than a year, so the standard version is the better fit; above 833 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 49A / 49X
Search results for “HP 49A / 49X” 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 (Q5949A for the 49A) molded or printed on it, and the printer's supplies page identifies it as an original HP cartridge after installation.
Replacing the HP 49A / 49X cartridge
- Open the cartridge door (front or top, depending on the model) and pull the old cartridge straight out by its handle.
- 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.
- Remove the orange shipping clips and pull the sealing tape straight out if the cartridge has one (many current HP models do not).
- 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 49A / 49X compatible with?
HP 49A / 49X fits HP LaserJet 1320, 1320n, 1320nw, 1320tn, HP LaserJet 3390, 3392, HP LaserJet 1160, 1320, 1320n, 1320tn, 1320nw. The full list is above and on each product page.
How many pages does the 49A print?
About 2,500 pages at 5% coverage, which is a typical business letter. Heavy graphics or full-page images reduce that noticeably.
Is the 49X the same as the 49A?
Same printers, same print quality. The 49X is the high-yield version with about 6,000 pages instead of 2,500, and a lower cost per page.
Are your HP 49A / 49X 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 53A Toner (Q7553A) Guide: Yield, Printers & Price
- HP 55A vs 55X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page
- How to Tell If HP Toner Is Genuine (7 Checks)
Ready to order? Every HP 49A / 49X cartridge and pack above is in stock at GS TONER with free US shipping and 30-day returns.
