The LaserJet Pro M404 and MFP M428 are among the most common office printers in the US, and their toner is refreshingly simple: one black cartridge in two sizes. This guide covers which one to buy, what it costs per page, how to install it and how to get the most pages from it.
Key takeaways
- Which toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn use? The M404n, M404dn and M404dw use HP 58A (CF258A, 3,000 pages) or the high-yield HP 58X (CF258X, 10,000 pages).
- Does the M428fdw take the same toner as the M404? Yes. The MFP M428fdn, M428fdw and M428m use HP 58A and 58X, the same cartridges as the M404 series.
- Is HP 58X worth the extra price? Almost always. It prints more than three times the pages of the 58A for roughly twice the price, so the cost per page is around 40% lower.
Printers covered
- HP LaserJet Pro M404n, M404dn, M404dw
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdn, M428fdw, M428m
The similar-looking Enterprise M406 and M430 use a different cartridge (HP 148A/148X), and the older M402/M426 use HP 26A/26X. Check the sticker inside the toner door if in doubt.
HP 58A vs HP 58X
| HP 58A (CF258A) | HP 58X (CF258X) | |
|---|---|---|
| Declared yield | 3,000 pages | 10,000 pages |
| Fits | M404, M428 | M404, M428 |
| Print quality | Identical | Identical |
| Best for | Under ~500 pages/month | 500+ pages/month, shared printers |
The M404 is rated for a monthly duty cycle of tens of thousands of pages and a recommended volume of 750 to 4,000 pages a month. At the low end of that a 58A lasts four to six months; at the high end a 58X lasts two to three. For any printer that is shared by more than two people, the 58X is the sensible default: fewer changes, lower cost per page.
Cost per page
At GS TONER pricing the 58A works out to about 4¢ per page and the 58X to about 2.3¢. Over 20,000 pages — a busy year for one M428 — the difference is more than $300. The 2-pack versions shave a further 3%.
Installing toner in the M404 / M428
- Open the front cartridge door (below the control panel on the M428, above the tray on the M404).
- Pull the old cartridge straight out by its handle.
- Rock the new cartridge gently, remove the orange clips, and slide it in along the guides until it seats.
- Close the door. The supplies page should report an original HP 58A/58X at 100%.
Getting more pages
- Enable EconoMode in the driver for internal drafts; it lightens output and stretches the cartridge by roughly a quarter.
- Batch print jobs rather than printing one page at a time; each job spends a little toner on cycling.
- Ignore "very low" until you see fading; the estimate is conservative.
- Keep the next cartridge on the shelf. A sealed 58X stores for years.
Genuine only
The M404/M428 firmware checks the cartridge chip. Refilled and compatible cartridges are the usual cause of "supply problem" and "non-HP chip" messages on these models, and a leaking compatible has been the end of more than one fuser. Every HP 58A and 58X we ship is a factory-sealed original with HP's security label.
Frequently asked questions
Which toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn use?
The M404n, M404dn and M404dw use HP 58A (CF258A, 3,000 pages) or the high-yield HP 58X (CF258X, 10,000 pages).
Does the M428fdw take the same toner as the M404?
Yes. The MFP M428fdn, M428fdw and M428m use HP 58A and 58X, the same cartridges as the M404 series.
Is HP 58X worth the extra price?
Almost always. It prints more than three times the pages of the 58A for roughly twice the price, so the cost per page is around 40% lower.
