What's the Difference Between High Yield and Standard Ink and Toner Cartridges?
A vs. X, Standard vs. XL, it can sometimes feel like a lot of letters and numbers that don’t really mean anything. The good news about all these different types of replacement ink cartridges is that you now have options - and lots of them! When did toner and ink shopping get so complicated?
Most brand-name ink manufacturers offer different size toner and ink cartridges so that you can shop smarter. If you don’t print all that often, a standard ink or toner cartridge might be all you need. But, if you have kids at home who love printing everything and anything in full color, you might want to upgrade to a high yield ink or toner cartridge.
By understanding what you need when shopping for ink or toner, you can make smarter purchases that stretch your budget further and ensure you don’t run out of ink in the middle of an important project.
HP A Cartridges vs. X Cartridges
When purchasing HP toner cartridges, for example, the HP 202, you have the option to choose the A version or the X version. And if you don’t shop for toner all that regularly, you might not fully understand the difference. That’s where we come in.
The HP A version of a toner cartridge is typically the standard yield. The HP X version is the high-yield option and can typically print three times as many pages as the standard size.
That being said, the HP X toner cartridge will always be the best recommendation to get more prints from each cartridge. HP X cartridges provide a better long-term value as they will last significantly longer than the HP A, meaning you will be purchasing toner less often. However, the high-yield version comes at a higher price point, so it all comes down to your specific needs and budget.
Buying HP ink from the manufacturer can sometimes be more expensive than buying from a third-party retailer. If you choose to shop at a reputable company, like Ink Genie, you can save money on high-yield HP ink and toner cartridges and feel confident you are getting only genuine OEM cartridges.
Comparison of HP 202A vs. HP 202X
As a helpful apples-to-apples comparison, below are the statistics of an HP 202A cartridge vs. an HP 202X black toner cartridge.
| HP 202A | HP 202X | |
| Print Technology | Laser | Laser |
| Page Yield | ~1400 pages | ~3200 pages |
| Compatible Printers |
HP Color LaserJet Pro M254dw (T6B60A#BGJ) HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw (T6B82A#BGJ) |
HP Color LaserJet Pro M254dw (T6B60A#BGJ) HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw (T6B82A#BGJ) |
| Where to Buy | Shop on Ink Genie | Shop on Ink Genie |
One important thing to understand when comparing HP ink and toner cartridges is that the physical size of the cartridges doesn’t change so they will both fit into your printer without any issues. But, by investing a little more upfront with the HP 202X, you’ll get about a 128.5% printing advantage over the standard HP 202A cartridge.
Find High Yield and Standard Ink and Toner Cartridges at Ink Genie
Ink Genie® is one of the leading ink and toner suppliers to businesses, government institutions, schools, and homes in the country. We have thousands of customers that we consider part of our family and always offer them our best service, satisfaction, and savings! Learn more about Ink Genie and shop our selection of name-brand ink cartridges and toners. Shop for OEM ink and toner cartridges from top brands, including Brother, Epson, HP, Canon, and more.
