The HP 94A / 94X 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.
HP LaserJet 94A (CF294A) black toner at a glance
The HP 94A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge, part number CF294A, is the standard-yield black toner cartridge for HP's compact LaserJet Pro M118dw and LaserJet Pro MFP M148/M149 printers. If you print more, the HP 94X (CF294X) black toner cartridge fits the same printers and holds more than twice as much toner.
| Cartridge | HP 94A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge |
|---|---|
| Part number | CF294A |
| Color | Black |
| Page yield | About 1,200 pages (ISO/IEC 19752, 5% coverage) |
| Printers | HP LaserJet Pro M118dw, LaserJet Pro MFP M148dw, M148fdw, LaserJet Pro MFP M149fdw |
| High-yield alternative | HP 94X (CF294X), about 2,800 pages |
Which printers use HP 94A / 94X?
HP 94A / 94X cartridges are made for the following HP printers:
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 94A / 94X cartridge lineup
| Cartridge | Part number | Color | Page yield* | Price | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 94A Toner Cartridge | CF294A | Black | 1,200 pages |
|
4.2¢ |
| HP 94X Toner Cartridge | CF294X | Black | 2,800 pages |
|
3.4¢ |
*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.
94A vs 94X: which one should you buy?
Both cartridges fit the same printers and produce identical print quality — the difference is capacity and price. The 94A holds enough toner for about 1,200 pages; the 94X high-yield version prints about 2,800 pages, roughly 2.3× more. At our prices that works out to 4.2¢ per page for the 94A and 3.4¢ per page for the 94X — the high-yield cartridge is about 19% cheaper per page.
Choose the 94A 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 94X if you print 600+ 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 94A Toner Cartridge 2-Pack | 2 |
|
$102.00 | 3% |
| HP 94X Toner Cartridge 2-Pack | 2 |
|
$192.00 | — |
Every cartridge in a GS TONER multipack is the same genuine HP 94A 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 94A 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 | 94A: cartridge life / toner cost per month | 94X: life / cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| 250 pages | 4.8 months / $10.62 | 11.2 months / $8.57 |
| 500 pages | 2.4 months / $21.25 | 5.6 months / $17.14 |
| 1,000 pages | 1.2 months / $42.50 | 2.8 months / $34.29 |
| 2,000 pages | 0.6 months / $85.00 | 1.4 months / $68.57 |
Below about 100 pages a month a cartridge would sit in the printer for more than a year, so the standard version is the better fit; above 400 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 94A / 94X
Search results for “HP 94A / 94X” 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 (CF294A for the 94A) molded or printed on it, and the printer's supplies page identifies it as an original HP cartridge after installation.
Replacing the HP 94A / 94X 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 94A / 94X compatible with?
HP 94A / 94X fits HP LaserJet Pro M118dw, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M148dw, M148fdw, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M149fdw. The full list is above and on each product page.
How many pages does the 94A print?
About 1,200 pages at 5% coverage, which is a typical business letter. Heavy graphics or full-page images reduce that noticeably.
Is the 94X the same as the 94A?
Same printers, same print quality. The 94X is the high-yield version with about 2,800 pages instead of 1,200, and a lower cost per page.
Is HP 94A the same as CF294A?
Yes. CF294A is HP's part number for the HP 94A black LaserJet toner cartridge; the high-yield HP 94X is CF294X. Both numbers are printed on the box and on the cartridge label.
Can I use the HP 94X instead of the 94A?
Yes. The 94A and 94X black toner cartridges fit the same LaserJet Pro M118dw, MFP M148dw, M148fdw and MFP M149fdw printers, so you can switch between them at any cartridge change.
Are your HP 94A / 94X 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 90A vs 90X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page
- HP 89A vs 89X Toner: Yields, Printers & Cost Per Page
- How to Tell If HP Toner Is Genuine (7 Checks)
Ready to order? Every HP 94A / 94X cartridge and pack above is in stock at GS TONER with free US shipping and 30-day returns.
