If your printer takes the HP 81X toner, this guide answers the practical questions: which printers it fits, how many pages each cartridge really prints, what a page costs you, and when a high-yield or multipack option saves money. Every cartridge listed below is a genuine HP original, brand new and factory sealed, with free shipping across the USA.
Which printers use HP 81X?
HP 81X cartridges are made for the following HP printers:
- HP LaserJet Enterprise M605 series (M605n, M605dn, M605x)
- HP LaserJet Enterprise M606 series (M606dn, M606x)
- HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M630 series (incl. Flow MFP)
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 81X cartridge lineup
| Cartridge | Part number | Color | Page yield* | Price | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 81X Toner Cartridge | CF281X | Black | 25,000 pages |
|
1.3¢ |
*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.
81X vs 81X: which one should you buy?
Both cartridges fit the same printers and produce identical print quality — the difference is capacity and price. The 81X holds enough toner for about 25,000 pages; the 81X high-yield version prints about 25,000 pages, roughly 1.0× more. At our prices that works out to 1.3¢ per page for the 81X and 1.3¢ per page for the 81X — the high-yield cartridge is about 0% cheaper per page.
Choose the 81X 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 81X if you print 12,500+ 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 81X Toner Cartridge 2-Pack | 2 |
|
$664.00 | 3% |
Every cartridge in a GS TONER multipack is the same genuine HP 81X 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 81X 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 | 81X: cartridge life / toner cost per month | 81X: life / cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| 250 pages | 100.0 months / $3.32 | 100.0 months / $3.32 |
| 500 pages | 50.0 months / $6.64 | 50.0 months / $6.64 |
| 1,000 pages | 25.0 months / $13.28 | 25.0 months / $13.28 |
| 2,000 pages | 12.5 months / $26.56 | 12.5 months / $26.56 |
Below about 2,083 pages a month a cartridge would sit in the printer for more than a year, so the standard version is the better fit; above 8,333 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 81X
Search results for “HP 81X” 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 (CF281X for the 81X) molded or printed on it, and the printer's supplies page identifies it as an original HP cartridge after installation.
Replacing the HP 81X 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 81X compatible with?
HP 81X fits HP LaserJet Enterprise M605 series (M605n, M605dn, M605x), HP LaserJet Enterprise M606 series (M606dn, M606x), HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M630 series (incl. Flow MFP). The full list is above and on each product page.
How many pages does the 81X print?
About 25,000 pages at 5% coverage, which is a typical business letter. Heavy graphics or full-page images reduce that noticeably.
Is the 81X the same as the 81X?
Same printers, same print quality. The 81X is the high-yield version with about 25,000 pages instead of 25,000, and a lower cost per page.
Are your HP 81X 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 80A vs 80X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page
- HP 83A vs 83X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page
- How to Tell If HP Toner Is Genuine (7 Checks)
Ready to order? Every HP 81X cartridge and pack above is in stock at GS TONER with free US shipping and 30-day returns.
