What’s the difference between the HP 81A and HP 81X?

Why looking into getting the HP 81 replacement cartridge, you may have noticed that you have two choices. So, what are the differences between the A and X variants?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the HP 81A and HP 81X.

Quick Summary

The HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge is able to print out more than twice as many black and white pages when compared to HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge.

So, although more expensive, the X version of the HP81 provides better value over the long run as you won’t have to replace it as often as the A version.

Both cartridges have the same operating temperature range, storage temperature range, operating humidity range and storage humidity range.

The HP 81A Black Original has slightly more recycled content than the HP 81X High Yield Black, however.

HP 81A vs. HP 81X Comparison Chart

You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the HP 81A and HP 81X below.

What’s in the Box

Both products come with a toner cartridge along with a recycling guide.

Package Dimensions

When it comes to packaging, the X version of the HP81 is a little bit taller when compared to the A version. Both boxes are the same when measuring the width and depth.

You can find the exact measurements for both packages below:

• HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: 15.39 in x 7.60 in x 11.81 in
• HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: 15.39 in x 7.60 in x 12.87 in

Package Weight

The 81X is also quite a bit heavier when compared to the 81A.

You can check out the weight specifications for the two retail boxes below:

• HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: Around 5.43 lbs.
• HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: Around 7.33 lbs.

Print Technology

For printing technology, the HP 81A and HP 81X use laser.

Compatible Printers

The HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge and HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge are compatible with the following printers:

• HP LaserJet Enterprise Flow MFP M630z (B3G86A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M604dn (E6B68A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M604n (E6B67A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M605dn (E6B70A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M605n (E6B69A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M605x (E6B71A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M605dh (L4W89A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M606dn (E6B72A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M606x (E6B73A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M630f (B3G85A#BGJ)
• HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M630h (J7X28A#BGJ)

Page Yield (Black and White)

Page yield is a metric that measure the output capacity of the HP 81 in terms of how many pages can be printed before it needs to be replaced.

According to internal testing done by HP, the HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge is able to output approximately 14,500 more pages, in balck and white, when compared to the HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge.

In terms of percentages, the X variant has an 138.095% advantage over the A variant of the HP81.

The ISO/IEC 19752 testing methodology was used.

You can take a look at page yield stats for both products below:

• HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: Around 10,500 pages
• HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: Around 25,000 pages

Operating Temperature Range

Both of the HP replacement cartridges in this versus guide have an operating temperature range of 50°F to 90.5°F.

Storage Temperature Range

The A and X versions of the HP81 have the same storage temperature range of -4°F to 104°F.

Operating Humidity Range

For operating humidity range, both the HP 81A Black Original and HP 81X High Yield Black Original needs to be at 20% to 80% RH.

Storage Humidity Range

For storage humidity, these two toner cartridges have to be stored within a range of 20% to 80% RH.

Recycled Content in Cartridge

The HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge is slightly more eco-friendly when compared against the HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge as it is built with more recycled content.

You can take a look at the percentages of recycled parts used for both products below:

• HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: 16%
• HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge: 15%

Warranty

The HP 81A Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge and HP 81X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner Cartridge each comes with the HP Premium Protection Warranty, which will cover any defects.

Resources:

• https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-81a-black-original-laserjet-toner-cartridge
• https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-81x-high-yield-black-original-laserjet-toner-cartridge