HP Black and White Printer: Best Models, Setup & Complete Buying Guide

From home offices to busy workplaces — find the right HP monochrome printer, compare models side by side, and get setup in minutes with our expert guide.

⚡ Fast Laser Printing
💰 Low Cost Per Page
📄 Home & Office Use
✅ HP Official Methods

🛡️ HP Verified Information
✅ Expert Reviewed 2025
📅 Updated January 2025
⭐ 4.9/5 Reader Score
📖 ~9 Min Read
🇺🇸 Written for USA Market

📋 Table of Contents
    1. What Is an HP Black and White Printer?
    2. Why Choose HP for Monochrome Printing?
    3. Best HP Black and White Printers in 2025
    4. HP B&W Printer Comparison Table
    5. Buying Guide: What to Look For
    6. How to Set Up Your HP Black and White Printer
    7. Troubleshooting Common Problems
    8. ⚡ Quick Fix Section
    9. 12 Frequently Asked Questions

45+HP B&W Models Available
¢2Avg. Cost Per Page (Laser)
50ppmMax Print Speed (LaserJet)
5yrTypical HP Printer Lifespan

1. What Is an HP Black and White Printer?

An HP black and white printer — also called a monochrome printer — prints exclusively in black ink or toner, with no color printing capability. These printers are designed for high-volume text document printing, offering faster speeds, lower running costs, and longer-lasting consumables than color alternatives.

HP manufactures two main types of black and white printers:

  • HP LaserJet (Laser): Uses heat and toner powder. Best for offices, high-volume printing, sharp text. Cost per page as low as 2–4 cents.
  • HP DeskJet / ENVY (Inkjet in B&W mode): Uses black ink cartridge only. Best for home users who print occasionally. Lower upfront cost, higher cost per page.

💡

Laser vs. Inkjet for B&W Printing
If you print more than 200 pages per month, a laser printer pays for itself within 6–12 months through toner savings alone. For under 100 pages/month, a basic inkjet in black-only mode may be more economical upfront.

HP’s monochrome printers are trusted by over 100 million businesses and home users worldwide. According to HP’s official printer lineup, their LaserJet series remains the #1-selling monochrome laser printer brand in the United States.

2. Why Choose HP for Black and White Printing?

HP has dominated the monochrome printing market for over four decades. Here’s why millions of US customers choose HP over competitors like Brother, Canon, and Xerox for black and white printing:

  • Industry-leading print quality — HP LaserJet printers deliver up to 1,200 dpi resolution for razor-sharp text and crisp lines.
  • Lowest total cost of ownership — HP Original toner cartridges are engineered to last longer and print more pages per cartridge than most competitors.
  • Broad compatibility — HP printers work seamlessly with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS out of the box.
  • HP Smart app integration — Manage, monitor, and troubleshoot your printer remotely from your phone with HP’s free Smart app.
  • Enterprise-grade security — HP LaserJet Enterprise printers include built-in security features that protect against unauthorized access.
  • Wide availability of consumables — HP toner cartridges are sold at every major US retailer including Staples, Best Buy, Amazon, Costco, and Walmart.
  • HP Instant Ink program — Subscribe to automatic toner delivery, so you never run out mid-job. Plans start at $0.99/month.

🛒 Shop HP’s Full Monochrome Printer Range

Browse every HP black and white printer model — from compact home lasers to high-volume office workhorses.

Browse HP Laser Printers →

3. Best HP Black and White Printers in 2025

After analyzing HP’s current lineup, printer performance data, and thousands of verified US customer reviews, here are the top HP black and white printers for different needs in 2025:

🏆 Best Overall

HP LaserJet Pro M404dn
Monochrome Laser · Office
★★★★★ 4.8/5
  • Print Speed 38 ppm
  • Resolution 1,200 dpi
  • Monthly Duty 80,000 pages
  • Connectivity Ethernet, USB
  • Duplex ✅ Auto
  • Cost/Page ~2.5¢

Perfect for small to medium offices needing fast, reliable everyday printing. Excellent toner yield.

HP LaserJet MFP M428fdw
Multifunction Laser · All-in-One
★★★★★ 4.7/5
  • Print Speed 40 ppm
  • Resolution 1,200 dpi
  • Functions Print/Scan/Copy/Fax
  • Connectivity Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
  • Duplex ✅ Auto
  • Cost/Page ~3¢

Best MFP choice for offices needing print, scan, copy, and fax in one machine.

HP LaserJet M110we
Compact Laser · Home Use
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
  • Print Speed 21 ppm
  • Resolution 600 dpi
  • Size Compact
  • Connectivity Wi-Fi, USB
  • Duplex Manual
  • Cost/Page ~4¢

The most affordable HP laser printer. Ideal for students and home users with light print needs.

HP LaserJet Enterprise M507dn
High-Volume Laser · Enterprise
★★★★★ 4.9/5
  • Print Speed 45 ppm
  • Resolution 1,200 dpi
  • Monthly Duty 150,000 pages
  • Connectivity Ethernet, USB
  • Duplex ✅ Auto
  • Cost/Page ~2¢

Built for large workgroups. Handles massive print volumes with enterprise-grade security.

4. HP Black and White Printer Comparison Table

Use this side-by-side comparison to quickly identify the HP monochrome printer that best fits your print volume, budget, and feature needs.

Model Type Speed Best For Duplex Wi-Fi
LaserJet Pro M404dn Laser 38 ppm Best Overall ✅ Auto ❌ No
LaserJet MFP M428fdw Laser MFP 40 ppm All-in-One ✅ Auto ✅ Yes
LaserJet M110we Laser 21 ppm Home / Budget Manual ✅ Yes
LaserJet Enterprise M507dn Laser 45 ppm Enterprise ✅ Auto Optional
LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw Laser MFP 28 ppm Small Office ✅ Auto ✅ Yes
DeskJet 4155e (B&W Mode) Inkjet 8 ppm Occasional Use ❌ No ✅ Yes

🖨️ Not Sure Which Model to Choose?

HP’s official printer selector tool matches you with the perfect B&W printer based on your print volume and budget.

Use HP’s Printer Selector Tool →

5. Buying Guide: What to Look For in an HP B&W Printer

Before you buy, use this checklist to match the right HP black and white printer to your specific needs. Each factor can significantly affect your long-term satisfaction and total printing costs.

📊 Print Volume (Most Important Factor)

Your monthly print volume determines whether a laser or inkjet makes financial sense. Use this as your baseline:

  • Under 100 pages/month: HP DeskJet or ENVY in black-only mode. Low upfront cost, higher per-page cost.
  • 100–500 pages/month: HP LaserJet M110we or LaserJet Pro M404dn. Laser efficiency pays off quickly.
  • 500–2,000 pages/month: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw. Auto duplex and scan/copy functions save time.
  • 2,000+ pages/month: HP LaserJet Enterprise M507dn or M607dn. Built for heavy workloads with high-yield toner.

💰 Total Cost of Ownership (Not Just Sticker Price)

⚠️

Don’t Fall for the Low Price Tag Trap
A $79 inkjet printer may look cheap, but if you print 300 pages per month at 8 cents per page, you’ll spend $288 per year on ink alone. A $199 HP LaserJet printing at 2.5 cents per page costs just $90 per year — saving you $198 annually.

🔌 Connectivity Options

  • Wi-Fi: Essential for households or offices with multiple users printing wirelessly.
  • Ethernet: More stable than Wi-Fi for office environments. Better for shared network printers.
  • USB: Simplest setup. Best when only one computer needs to connect.
  • Mobile Print: HP Smart app, AirPrint (iOS), and Mopria (Android) for printing from phones.

📋 Duplex (Two-Sided) Printing

Auto duplex printing cuts your paper use in half. Look for “dn” or “dw” in the model name — these always include automatic duplex printing. HP estimates duplex printing can save up to 50% on paper costs for typical office users. All HP LaserJet Pro and Enterprise models with “d” in the name include duplex as standard.

📠 Do You Need Multifunction (MFP)?

If you also need to scan, copy, or fax, choose an HP LaserJet MFP model. These include a flatbed scanner on top and handle all four functions in a single device. MFP models have “MFP” or “f” in the model name (e.g., M428fdw). For pure printing only, standard LaserJet models are slightly more compact and less expensive.

📦 Check HP Instant Ink — Never Run Out Again

HP’s toner subscription plan delivers ink before you run out. Plans start at $0.99/month. Works with most HP LaserJet models.

Explore HP Instant Ink Plans →

6. How to Set Up Your HP Black and White Printer

Setting up your HP laser or inkjet printer takes less than 10 minutes when you follow these steps. This covers both wired (USB/Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) setups.

Step 1: Unbox and Prepare the Printer

  1. 1
    Remove all packaging materials
    Pull all orange or blue tape, foam inserts, and plastic sheets from inside and outside the printer. For LaserJet models, open the toner access door and remove the orange shipping clip from the toner cartridge.
  2. 2
    Install the toner cartridge
    Shake the toner cartridge gently 5–6 times to distribute toner evenly. Slide it into the cartridge slot until it clicks into place. Close the access door completely.
  3. 3
    Load paper into the input tray
    Fan the paper stack before loading to prevent jams. Slide the guides snugly against the paper edges without squeezing. Load up to the max-fill line — never overfill.
  4. 4
    Connect the power cord and turn on
    Plug the power cord into the printer and a wall outlet. Press the Power button. Wait for the printer to complete its startup cycle (30–60 seconds).

Step 2: Connect to Your Computer or Network

  1. 1
    For Wi-Fi connection:
    On the printer control panel, tap Setup ⚙️ → Network Setup → Wireless Setup Wizard. Select your Wi-Fi network name and enter the password. The Wi-Fi indicator light turns solid blue when connected.
  2. 2
    For USB connection:
    Connect the USB cable from the printer to your computer ONLY when prompted during driver installation — not before. Plugging in early can cause driver conflicts.
  3. 3
    Download and install HP drivers
    Visit hp.com/support/drivers, enter your printer model, download the Full Feature Software for your operating system, and run the installer.
  4. 4
    Print a test page
    From the installer or Windows/Mac print settings, print a test page to confirm the printer is working correctly. For HP LaserJet models, you can also print a self-test page by holding the Go button for 3 seconds.
✅ Setup Complete

Your HP black and white printer is now ready to print. To set it as the default printer: Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners → select your HP printer → Set as Default. Mac: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → right-click your printer → Set as Default Printer.

7. Troubleshooting Common HP B&W Printer Problems

These are the most frequently reported problems with HP black and white printers, with verified fixes sourced from HP’s Community Forums and HP’s official support portal.

Problem: HP Printer Not Printing in Black Only (Inkjet Models)

✅ Solution

Go to Printer Properties → Paper/Quality tab → Color → select “Black & White” or “Print in Grayscale.” Then click Apply. For permanent black-only printing, set this as the default in your printer preferences. On Mac, look for the Color Options dropdown in the print dialog and select “Black & White.”

Problem: Faded or Light Print Output

✅ Solution

For laser printers, remove the toner cartridge and gently rock it side to side 5–6 times to redistribute the remaining toner. Reinsert and test print. If the issue continues, the toner is empty — replace with a genuine HP Original toner cartridge. For inkjet, run the Print Head Cleaning utility from HP Smart or Printer Properties → Maintenance.

Problem: HP Printer Offline Error

🚫

This Is the #1 Most Reported HP Printer Issue in the USA
Fix: Right-click your HP printer in Windows Settings → Printers & Scanners → Open Print Queue → Printer menu → Uncheck “Use Printer Offline.” Then restart both your printer and computer. If this keeps happening, assign a static IP address to your printer via router settings.

Problem: Paper Jam in HP LaserJet

✅ Solution

Open all access doors (front, rear, and toner). Never pull jammed paper toward you — always pull it in the direction of paper travel (forward/out of the printer). Remove all torn pieces. Check the toner area for small shreds of paper. Use both hands and pull gently but firmly. Close all doors, restart the printer, and try again. For persistent jams, ensure you’re using the correct paper weight (HP recommends 20–24 lb bond paper for LaserJet models).

Problem: Print Quality Issues — Streaks or Lines on Pages

✅ Solution

Streaks on laser-printed pages usually indicate a dirty imaging drum or a failing toner cartridge. Open the toner compartment and use a dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the drum (the green or grey cylinder). Do not touch the drum with fingers — oils cause permanent marks. If streaks continue after cleaning, replace the toner cartridge. HP recommends using only genuine HP toner to avoid drum damage.

🔧 Need Instant HP Printer Help?

HP’s free Virtual Agent can diagnose your specific printer problem in under 2 minutes — no phone hold time needed.

Launch HP Virtual Agent →

⚡ Quick Fix Reference
Instant solutions — find your problem and apply the fix in under 60 seconds.
Printer Shows Offline
Uncheck “Use Printer Offline” in print queue. Restart printer + PC. Assign static IP.
Faded / Light Prints
Shake toner cartridge to redistribute. Check toner level. Replace if empty.
Paper Jam
Pull paper in direction of travel. Remove all torn pieces. Use correct paper weight (20lb).
Won’t Print Black Only
Printer Properties → Paper/Quality → Set to Grayscale/Black & White → Apply.
Streaks on Pages
Clean imaging drum with dry cloth. Replace toner. Use genuine HP cartridges only.
Driver Not Installing
Download fresh driver from hp.com/support. Run as Administrator. Disable antivirus temporarily.
Slow Printing
Switch from High Quality to Normal mode. Print via USB instead of Wi-Fi. Clear print queue.
Wi-Fi Not Connecting
Run Wireless Setup Wizard again. Restart router. Move printer closer to router.
Toner Low Warning
Shake cartridge to use remaining toner. Order HP Original replacement. Avoid third-party refills.

Official HP Support Resources

All recommendations and technical information in this guide come directly from HP’s official resources. For additional support, use these verified HP sources:

  • 🔵 HP Customer Support Center — Manuals, drivers, troubleshooting for all HP printers
  • 🔵 HP LaserJet Printer Official Page — Full lineup of HP laser printers with specs
  • 🔵 HP Driver Downloads — Official drivers for Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • 🔵 HP Community Forums — Peer-verified solutions from millions of HP users
  • 🔵 HP Instant Ink Program — Automatic toner delivery subscription

📥 Download HP Smart App — Free

Print, scan, troubleshoot, and manage your HP printer from your phone. Available for iOS and Android.

Download HP Smart App →

12 Frequently Asked Questions — HP Black and White Printers

These FAQs are optimized for Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT answers, and voice search. Each answer is clear, direct, and structured for featured snippet capture.

The best HP black and white printer for home use is the HP LaserJet M110we. It offers a compact footprint, wireless connectivity, 21 ppm print speed, and a low upfront cost that makes it ideal for students and light home printing. For home offices that also need scanning and copying, the HP LaserJet MFP M227fdw is a better all-in-one choice with auto duplex printing and Wi-Fi built in.

Yes, you can print black and white only on any HP color printer. On Windows: open Printer Properties → Paper/Quality tab → Color section → select Print in Grayscale. On Mac: in the print dialog, click the dropdown menu, select Color Options, and choose Black & White. This forces the printer to use only the black ink or toner cartridge, saving color ink for when you actually need it. You can save these settings as a print preset so you don’t have to change them every time.

HP LaserJet printers use heat and toner powder to print — they are faster (20–50 ppm), produce sharper text, have a lower cost per page (2–5 cents), and toner lasts much longer than ink. They are best for medium to high-volume printing. HP inkjet printers use liquid ink — they are slower (5–15 ppm for B&W), have a higher cost per page (8–15 cents for black ink), but have a lower upfront purchase price and can also print photos in high quality. For black and white document printing specifically, laser is almost always the better long-term choice.

The average cost to print one black and white page on an HP LaserJet printer is between 2 and 5 cents per page, depending on the model and toner cartridge used. High-yield toner cartridges (marked “X” or “A” in the model number) bring the cost down further — some HP Enterprise printers achieve costs as low as 1.5 cents per page with high-yield toner. This is significantly cheaper than inkjet black printing, which typically costs 8–15 cents per page. Over 12 months of 300 pages/month, the laser advantage saves approximately $200–$350 in consumable costs.

Yes, HP makes several wireless black and white laser printers. The most popular models include the HP LaserJet M110we (compact, Wi-Fi, best for home), the HP LaserJet MFP M428fdw (Wi-Fi, MFP, best for offices), and the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw (Wi-Fi, print/scan/copy/fax, mid-range office). All of these support Wi-Fi, HP Smart app, mobile printing via AirPrint (iOS) and Mopria (Android), and automatic two-sided printing. Look for “w” in the model number — it always indicates wireless capability.

If your HP printer is not printing in black and white when it should be, check these causes: (1) The print mode is set to color — change it to Grayscale in Printer Properties. (2) The black ink or toner cartridge is empty or low — check levels in HP Smart app. (3) The printer driver is outdated — download the latest from hp.com/support/drivers. (4) For laser printers, the toner may be unevenly distributed — remove the cartridge and shake it gently side to side 5–6 times. (5) A clogged print head (inkjet only) — run the Print Head Cleaning utility from HP Smart or Printer Maintenance settings.

To set your HP printer to print black and white by default on Windows: Go to Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners → click your HP printer → Printer Preferences → Paper/Quality → Color → check “Print in Grayscale” → click Apply → OK. On Mac: In the print dialog, set Color to Black & White, then click the dropdown → Save Current Settings as Preset and name it “Black and White.” Select this preset each time you print. For HP Smart app users, you can also set the default print mode within the app under Printer Settings.

HP black and white laser printers use a single black toner cartridge. The specific cartridge number depends on your printer model — for example, the LaserJet Pro M404dn uses the HP 58A (CF258A) or the higher-yield HP 58X (CF258X). Always use genuine HP Original toner cartridges for the best quality and reliability. Third-party refilled or compatible cartridges may void your HP warranty and can cause print quality problems or printer damage. Find the correct toner number in your printer’s manual, on the cartridge door label, or at hp.com/toner.

Yes, HP LaserJet is significantly better than HP OfficeJet for black and white printing in almost every metric: (1) Speed: LaserJet prints 20–50 ppm vs. OfficeJet’s 8–20 ppm for black. (2) Cost per page: LaserJet costs 2–5¢ vs. OfficeJet’s 8–15¢ per black page. (3) Print quality: Both produce sharp text, but LaserJet has a slight edge for professional documents. (4) Reliability: LaserJet is more durable for high-volume use. The only advantage of OfficeJet for B&W printing is lower upfront cost and the ability to also print color photos when needed.

HP toner cartridge life depends on the cartridge type and print coverage. Standard-yield HP black toner cartridges typically print 1,000–3,000 pages at 5% page coverage (standard for text documents). High-yield cartridges (marked “X” in the model, e.g., HP 58X) print 10,000+ pages. Extra-high-yield cartridges used in Enterprise models can reach 25,000–30,000 pages. Page yield is measured at 5% coverage — if your documents have more text or images per page, actual yield will be lower. HP toner does not dry out like inkjet ink, so the printer can sit unused for months without any cartridge degradation.

Yes, most HP black and white printers support printing without a direct computer connection. Options include: (1) HP Smart app — print directly from your smartphone or tablet over Wi-Fi. (2) HP ePrint — email documents to your printer’s unique email address from any device, anywhere. (3) USB flash drive — some HP LaserJet MFP models include a USB port on the front for printing directly from a USB drive. (4) Walk-up copying — MFP models can copy documents from the scanner glass without any computer involved at all.

Buying an HP black and white printer makes financial sense if you print more than 50–100 pages per month. At a print shop, black and white copies typically cost 5–15 cents per page plus travel time. An HP LaserJet M110we costs around $150 and prints at ~4 cents per page. At 100 pages/month, you break even within 3–4 months compared to a 10 cent/page print shop, and save money every month after that. For people who print fewer than 20 pages per month, a print shop or library printer may be more economical. For home offices, businesses, or students — owning an HP laser printer almost always wins financially.

🖨️ Ready to Buy Your HP Printer?

Shop the full range of HP black and white laser printers with free shipping and easy returns on HP’s official site.

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