This article mainly explains how to choose a cost-effective HP printer.

There are many cost-effective models of HP laser printers. However, they are basically older or more expensive models of the “Canon platform”. (Canon platform HP printers refer to products in HP printers that use the Canon technology platform)

For example: printers using 12A/Q2612A toner cartridges, like HP 1020 plus, are durable and low-cost.

Generally, HP printers can be divided into: low-speed machines, medium-speed machines, and high-speed machines according to printing speed.

1.Low-speed machines:
HP low-speed machines have always been Canon platforms, and basically all of them are stable and durable. The cost of compatible consumables and accessories is extremely low.

HP low-speed machines, especially the Q2612A series, are the most popular among users, which is the 12A toner cartridge we are familiar with.

12A/Q2612A toner suitable for:
Single printing: HP LaserJet 1010/1012/1015/1018/1020/1022
Multifunction machine series: HP LaserJet 3015/3020/3030/3050/3052/3055/M1005 MFP/M1319f MFP

However, the Q2612A series machines are too old, the functions are not complete, and there is no automatic duplex model. If you need automatic duplex, you can look at the upgraded models, such as: CE285A, CF283A series machines.

CE285A toner cartridges suitable for:
Single printing: HP LaserJet P1102/P1005/P1006
All-in-one machine: M1132

CF283A for use in: HP LaserJet M201/M125/M126/M127/M225

2.Medium-speed machine:
HP medium-speed machines are also durable and have cheap consumables, such as printers using CE505A/CF280A cartridge. These two models are actually the same, except for the chips, and compatible toner cartridges are now universal.

These two series of printers have fast printing speeds, durable, low costs, and easy maintenance. They are generally used as “self-service printers” and almost no maintenance is required in the later stage. Just change the toner cartridge or fill toner.

CE505A/CF280A toner cartridge works in these printers:
All-in-one machine: HP M425
Single printing: HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401/P2035/P2050/P2055

image of HP Laser printers

CF226A series machine (printing speed 38 sheets)

CF226A series can be regarded as the reverse upgrade version of CF280A series, with planned obsolescence design. For single printing models, the machine will start to make abnormal noises when the printing volume exceeds 100,000 sheets, and the automatic duplex printing will cause paper jams.

CF226A suitable for:
Single printing: HP LaserJet Pro M402
All-in-one: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426

CF287A series printer (printing speed 45 sheets)

CF287A series fixes the abnormal noise problem of the frame of CF226A series, and other aspects are not much different. The machine is more durable, and the printing speed is faster, up to 45 sheets per minute.

CF287A for use in:
Single printing: HP LaserJet Enterprise M506 / Pro M501
All-in-one: HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M527

3.High-speed machine:
HP high-speed A4 laser printers include CF281A, CF237A and CE390A series machines. All these machines use metal fixing film, which is more wear-resistant and durable. They are targeted at production scenarios and do not have a planned scrap design. They are suitable for printing shops or large-volume printing scenarios.

The CE390A series was once the king of HP high-speed machines, with a maximum printing speed of 60 sheets per minute. However, the style is relatively old and has been discontinued.

CE390A cartridge suitable printer models:
Single printing: HP 600/M602/M601n/M603
All-in-one machine: HP M4555

The upgraded version of the CE390A series is the CF281A series.

CF281A series (printing speed up to 62 pages)
For Use In: HP M630/605/604/606

If you think the printing speed is still not fast enough, there is also the CF237A series, which can print up to 71 pages per minute.

CF237A compatible printer models:
Single printing: HP LaserJet Enterprise M607/M608/M609
All-in-one: HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M631/M632/M633

Summary:
The above machines are all products of the HP Canon platform, mainly black and white A4 laser printers, all of which are durable, with cheap compatible consumables and cost-effective models.

You can choose according to your needs. For most users, low-speed machines can already meet their needs.