HP 206A vs 206X, Which One Should I Buy?


When it comes to toner cartridges, many customers have asked the very same question: Should I buy a standard-yield toner or a high-yield toner? The similar question “HP 206A vs 206X, which one should I buy?” frequently occurs when printer users are planning to buy replacements for HP 206A/206X toner. However, there are many factors needed to consider. In order to help you to make the most informed choice, we have written this article to give you a comprehensive understanding of HP 206A and HP 206X toner cartridges.
Let’s start by analyzing the similarities and differences between HP 206A and HP 206X toner cartridges.

HP206X toner set-chip

Compatible HP 206X Toner Set (With Chip) – High Yield

  • Built-in with IC chip
  • Highly compatible with HP M255dw, M255nw, M282nw, M283cdw, M283fdn, M283fdw
  • 30-day money-back guarantee & 2-year product warranty
  • Free shipping & fast delivery
  • Super low price: $199.95

What are the Similarities between HP 206A and HP 206X Toner Cartridges?

(1)Same Compatible Printers

HP 206A and 206X toner cartridges are engineered to work with the same printer models. In detail, they are compatible with HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw, M255nw, M282nw, and HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283cdw, M283fdn, M283fdw.

(2)Same Print Quality

HP 206A and 206X cartridges of the manufacturer brand are produced using the same raw materials and production techniques. Moreover, their quality has been tested based on the same HP quality standards. Hence, there is no difference in print quality between the HP 206A and 206X toners.

(3)Same Temperature and Humidity Range of Operating & Storage

HP 206A and HP 206X toner cartridges have the same temperature and humidity range for operating and storage. Namely, there is no difference in the environment in which they work or where they are stored. The table below provides detailed data on the operating and storage temperature and humidity ranges for the HP 206A and 206X toner cartridges.

Operating temperature range50 to 90.5°F
Storage temperature range-4 to 104°F
Operating humidity range20 to 80% RH
Storage humidity10 to 90% RH

(4)Same Shelf Life

The shelf life of a printer cartridge refers to the estimated length of time it will remain in its sealed packaging. Generally speaking, a printer cartridge has a shelf life ranging from 24 months to 36 months.
As for the shelf life of printer cartridges, there is a fact you need to know. That is, a toner cartridge commonly has a longer shelf life than an ink cartridge. That’s because a toner cartridge does not dry out as easily as an ink cartridge because of the plastic nature of toner powder. So why is the shelf life of a toner cartridge limited? The answer is that the internal toner cartridge components may wear out over time. Many factors contribute to the eventual deterioration of a toner cartridge, such as the temperature and humidity of the storage environment, and whether it is stored in a sealed package.
Hence, to prolong the shelf life of your toner cartridges, we recommend you store them in sealed packages. Then put them in an environment within a temperature range of -4 to 104°F and a humidity range of 10 to 90% RH.

To sum up, HP 206A and HP 206X have the same compatible printers, print quality, and shelf life. That is to say, there is no need to dwell on these factors when choosing between the HP206A and HP206X. It’s the differences, as opposed to the commonalities, that will determine whether you can make an informed shopping choice.

What are the Differences between HP 206A and HP 206X Toner Cartridges?

(1)Different Page Yield

Page yield data is not to predict the exact yield you will get from the ink and toner cartridge. Page yield refers to the estimated average yield of a particular cartridge that is measured by the ISO test methodology. The actual page yield is influenced by many factors, such as the typical printer job size, the content of printed pages, the environmental conditions during operation, and the amount of color printing relative to monochrome printing. Nonetheless, page yield data is still very informative. It is the starting point for comparison purposes.
Since 2006, HP has adopted ISO/IEC 19798 test methodology for color printers. Under the ISO/IEC 19798 test methodology, a standard set of five pages is printed until the toner cartridge reaches the end of its life. Check HP LaserJet page yields for more information.
Based on the ISO/IEC 19798 test method, the HP 206A black toner cartridge has a capacity of 1,350 pages, and each color toner cartridge yields 1,250 pages. Meanwhile, the HP 206X high-yield black original toner cartridge prints 3,150 pages, and each color toner provides 2,450 pages.

BlackColor(C/Y/M)
HP 206A1,350 Pages1,250 Pages
HP 206X3,150 Pages2,450 Pages

As shown above, the capacity of the HP 206X toner cartridge is about twice that of the HP 206A toner cartridge. Specifically, the HP 206X black toner cartridge W2110X can print 1,800 pages more than the HP 206A black toner cartridge W2110A. At the same time, an HP 206X color toner cartridge can print 1,200 more pages than an HP 206A color toner cartridge.

(2)Different Price

Due to different production costs, HP 206A and 206X toner cartridges differ in price. Although they are produced from the same raw materials, the HP 206X high yield original laserjet toner cartridges are filled with more toner powder. Thus the HP 206X cartridges cost more to produce. Hence, the prices of the HP 206X toners are higher.

BlackColor(C/Y/M)4-pack
HP 206A$68.99$81.99 ea$314.96
HP 206X$104.99$110.99 ea$437.96

*The data comes from HP’s official shopping website. Please note that store pricing may vary in different periods.

As you can see, the HP 206X black toner cartridge costs $36 more than the HP 206A black toner cartridge. And an HP 206X color toner cartridge costs $29 more than an HP 206A color toner cartridge. If you want to purchase four color toner cartridges at once, you need to pay $314.96 for an HP 206A toner cartridges 4-pack and $437.96 for an HP 206X toner cartridges 4-pack.

(3)Different Cost Per Page

Cost per page is another important factor in choosing toner cartridges because it is the best way to measure how cost-efficient a toner cartridge is. You can calculate the cartridge’s cost per page by taking the cartridge’s price and dividing it by its expected page yield:
cost per page = cartridge price /cartridge page yield.
The table below compares the cost per page of the HP 206A and HP 206X toner cartridges.

BlackColor(C/Y/M)
HP 206A5.11 cents6.56 cents
HP 206X3.33 cents4.53 cents


According to the above table, we can know that the cost per page of the HP 206X toner cartridge is lower than that of the HP 206A toner cartridge. In other words, the HP 206X toner cartridge is more cost-effective than the HP 206A toner cartridge.

(4)Different Weight

Different toner cartridges may have different weights. Although the HP206A and HP 206X are suitable for the same printer, they are not the same weight. That’s because the toner cartridges with different page yields contain different amounts of toner powder. The HP 206A toners and HP 206X color toners(cyan magenta yellow) are 1.65 lb. In contrast, the HP 206X high yield black original toner is a bit heavier, which is 1.69 lb.

(5)Different Package Dimension

There is also a difference in package dimensions between the HP 206A and 206X. The HP 206X color toner cartridges and the HP206A toner cartridges have the same package dimensions of 14.29 x 3.78 x 4.37 inches. However, the HP206X black toner cartridge comes in a slightly larger package at 14.29 x 4.02 x 4.37 inches.

To conclude, HP 206A and 206X differ in page yield, price, cost per page, weight, and package dimension. Among these five factors, we believe that the first three factors, i.e. page yield, price, and cost per page, are more important for you to decide which one to buy, HP 206A or HP 206X.

HP 206A vs 206X, Which One is More Suitable for You?

If you’re still struggling with the question “HP toner 206A vs 206X, which one should I buy?” or “HP toner 206A vs 206X, which one is worth buying?”, we suggest you consider it from the following four perspectives.

Printing Volume

Toner cartridges with different capacities are designed to meet different printing needs. A toner cartridge is not as prone to becoming unusable due to ink drying out as an ink cartridge is. But the print quality of a toner cartridge can be affected if it is left idle in the printer for too long. Therefore it is not wise to buy a toner cartridge that exceeds your printing needs.
However, there is also a risk of interrupting your print job if you purchase a toner cartridge that can’t meet your printing need. Hence, it is essential for you to purchase a toner cartridge with the right capacity to ensure print quality while maintaining productivity.
As mentioned above, the HP 206X toners print approximately twice as much as the HP 206A toners. If you don’t frequently print too much, HP 206A toners can accommodate your printing needs. However, if you print a lot and often, HP 206X high-yield toners are more adaptable to your high print volume needs.

Printing Cost

For printer users, the printing cost is an essential factor they need to ponder over when buying toner cartridges. Undoubtedly, purchasing toner cartridges with lower costs per page can help you cut down on printing costs. As mentioned above, the HP 206X has a lower cost per page than the HP 206A. To put it another way, the HP 206X toner cartridge is more economical.

Budget

Although the page per cost of HP 206X is relatively low, there is no denying that the price of HP 206X is higher than 206A. If your budget is limited, or if you don’t plan to spend too much of your budget on toner cartridges, then the HP 206A toner cartridges are the best for you. Conversely, if you have enough budget or don’t care how much money to spend, you can choose the HP206X toner cartridges so that you can print more pages at a low cost.

Frequency of Cartridge Replacement

Since HP 206A and 206X toner cartridges are filled with different amounts of toner powder, they print different numbers of pages. With less toner powder, the HP 206A toner cartridges print fewer pages before being replaced. On the contrary, the HP 206X high-yield toner cartridges last longer with more toner powder. Therefore, if you want to reduce the number of times you have to replace ink and toner cartridges, the HP 206X high-yield toner cartridges are the best choice.

Shop for the Best Alternatives of HP 206A/206X at YB Toner

Do you still pay for expensive original HP 206A/206X laserjet toner cartridges? Are you struggling to find the right compatible cartridges for HP 206A and 206X toner replacement? Surprisingly, YB Toner provides you with an excellent choice!

Guaranteed Quality

Since YB Toner produces HP ink & toner replacements with high quality raw materials and advanced technology, the quality of compatible printer inks and toners is guaranteed. You can count on compatible HP 206A/206X laserjet toner cartridges to work seamlessly with your HP laser printers at high speeds to create color prints.

Same Page Yield

Like original HP toner cartridges and printer inks, these compatible HP 206A/206X laserjet toner cartridges have been tested for page yield based on the ISO standard. They print the same number of page as the original, ensuring your business runs smoothly.

Great Compatibility

With excellent compatibility, these compatible cartridges for HP 206A and 206X are engineered to work with your compatible printers to produce professional quality color prints.

Affordable Price & Lower Cost Per Page

Though compatible HP 206A/206X laserjet toner cartridges have professional quality and the same page yield, they are not expensive. Instead, these printer cartridges feature affordable prices and lower costs per page. In addition, YB Toner provides you with two versions, namely HP 206A/206X compatible toner with chip and HP 206A/206X compatible toner without chip. The HP 206A/206X compatible toner with chip is easy-to-install and provides precise data of toner level. The compatible HP 206A without chip and HP 206X without chip are much cheaper than the original HP toner cartridges HP 206A/206X and compatible HP 206A/206X with chip. Look at the below tables for more details!

Price comparison:

OEM HPYB Toner(with chip)YB Toner(without chip)
HP 206A black$68.99$49.49$35.95
HP 206A color(C/Y/M)$81.99$49.49$35.95
HP 206A 4-pack$314.96$199.99$108.95
HP 206X black$104.99$66.99$40.99
HP 206X color(C/Y/M)$110.99$66.99$40.99
HP 206X 4-pack$437.96$269.99$128.95

Note: Store pricing may vary in different seasons.

Cost per page comparison:

OEM HPYB Toner(with chip)YB Toner(without chip)
HP 206A black5.11 cents3.67 cents2.66 cents
HP 206A color(C/Y/M)6.56 cents3.96 cents2.88 cents
HP 206A 4-pack6.18 cents3.92 cents2.14 cents
HP 206X black3.33 cents2.13 cents1.3 cents
HP 206X color(C/Y/M)4.53 cents2.73 cents1.67 cents
HP 206X 4-pack4.17 cents2.57 cents1.23 cents

As you can see, these compatible cartridges are much cheaper than the original HP 206A/206X laserjet toner cartridges of manufacturer brand. Buy high quality HP 206A/206X toner replacements now to enjoy free shipping and reliable customer service!

Leave a comment

All comments are moderoted bafore being published

10% OFF COUPON
*Valid for the first-time customer only. Not applicable to specific discounted products. Enter your email address to get the coupon code in your inbox.
Get Your 10% OFF Coupon Now!

Subscribe with us and get exclusive deals today.