The arrival of the HP LaserJet Pro 4006dn, 4006dw, MFP 4112fdn and MFP 4112fdw introduces a new consumables platform for Australian and New Zealand businesses: HP 161 TerraJet toner.
The two cartridges may look like a simple standard-versus-high-yield choice, but the difference matters when you are comparing printer running costs. The HP 161A (W1610A) is rated at approximately 3,000 pages, while the HP 161X (W1610X) is rated at approximately 10,000 pages.
Quick answer
Choose HP 161A for light or irregular printing and the lowest replacement-cartridge purchase price. Choose HP 161X for regular office use: it prints about 3.33 times as many pages and will have a lower toner cost per page whenever its purchase price is less than 3.33 times the price of one 161A.
HP 161A vs HP 161X at a glance
| Cartridge | Part number | Approx. yield | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 161A Black Original LaserJet Toner | W1610A | 3,000 pages | Low-volume users, backup printers and buyers prioritising a lower upfront spend |
| HP 161X High Yield Black Original LaserJet Toner | W1610X | 10,000 pages | Busy offices, shared workgroup printers and customers focused on cost per page |
Declared toner yields are approximate and are measured using the relevant ISO test method. Real-world yield varies with page coverage, print density, job type, environmental conditions and printer settings.
Which ANZ printers use HP 161 toner?
In Australia and New Zealand, HP 161A and 161X are the correct cartridges for the new LaserJet Pro 4006 and 4112 families:
- HP LaserJet Pro 4006dn (8X3D4A) — print-only, automatic duplex and wired Ethernet.
- HP LaserJet Pro 4006dw (8X3D6A) — print-only, automatic duplex, Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6.
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4112fdn (8X3F0A) — print, copy, scan and fax with wired Ethernet.
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4112fdw (8X3F2A) — print, copy, scan and fax with Ethernet and wireless connectivity.
All four models are part of the new 45ppm A4 monochrome LaserJet Pro platform. The choice between 4006 and 4112 is therefore mainly about workflow: select a 4006 if you only need printing, or a 4112 if your office also needs scanning, copying and faxing. Choose the “dw” or “fdw” version when wireless connectivity is required.
ANZ model warning: Australian and New Zealand buyers should look for 4006dn, 4006dw, 4112fdn and 4112fdw. Overseas articles may refer to regional variants such as 4003 or 4103. Always confirm the complete printer model and HP product number before ordering.
Why the 161X usually makes more sense for a busy office
The high-yield cartridge does not make the printer faster or improve its resolution; both cartridges are designed for the same print engine. Its advantage is operational efficiency.
- More pages between changes: 10,000 pages versus 3,000 pages means fewer cartridge replacements and less staff interruption.
- Lower cost-per-page potential: the 161X delivers approximately 3.33 times the rated yield of the 161A.
- More predictable purchasing: a higher-yield cartridge reduces the frequency of urgent toner orders in a shared office.
- Better fit for the hardware: a 45ppm workgroup printer can consume a standard cartridge quickly when used for reports, invoices, forms or customer documentation.
A simple break-even rule makes the comparison easy:
161A cost per page = current 161A price ÷ 3,000
161X cost per page = current 161X price ÷ 10,000
If the 161X costs less than 3.33 times the price of the 161A, the 161X has the lower toner cost per rated page. Customers can use the live prices on the linked OzToner product pages to make an up-to-date comparison rather than relying on a price quoted in an older article.
| Planned print volume | Approx. 161A cartridges | Approx. 161X cartridges |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 pages | 1 | 1, with substantial capacity remaining |
| 10,000 pages | 4 cartridges required to cover the volume | 1 |
| 30,000 pages | 10 | 3 |
The table compares rated capacity rather than actual purchasing intervals. A cartridge cannot be bought fractionally, so the number required for a particular volume is rounded up.
What is different about HP TerraJet toner?
HP positions the new HP 161 family as its next-generation TerraJet monochrome toner. According to HP, the design is engineered for low-energy printing and uses toner more efficiently in a smaller cartridge. HP states that the new generation can produce 11% more pages while using less toner than the prior generation comparison.
HP also promotes consistent sharp text, clear graphics, accurate contrast and shading, which are especially relevant for business documents with small type, tables and fine lines. The cartridges incorporate tamper-resistant HP firmware, cartridge chips, packaging and security labels as part of HP’s print-security ecosystem.
HP announced that the new LaserJet Pro 4000/4100 generation can provide up to 25% lower ongoing print costs than the previous generation. That claim is based on HP’s March 2026 internal analysis comparing the HP 161X with the HP 148X in North America. It should not be interpreted as a guaranteed 25% saving for every Australian customer. Local cost per page depends on the actual cartridge purchase price, page coverage and printing behaviour.
Can HP 148 toner be used in a 4006 or 4112?
No. The HP 148 and HP 161 families are separate cartridge platforms and are not interchangeable.
- The outgoing Australian LaserJet Pro 4001dn/4001dw and MFP 4101fdn/4101fdw use HP 148A (W1480A) or HP 148X (W1480X).
- The new Australian LaserJet Pro 4006dn/4006dw and MFP 4112fdn/4112fdw use HP 161A (W1610A) or HP 161X (W1610X).
This distinction matters for businesses standardising a printer fleet. If you already hold a substantial quantity of HP 148 toner, retaining an existing 4001 or 4101 printer—or buying remaining stock—may have short-term value. For a new deployment without legacy toner inventory, the 4006 and 4112 provide the newer, faster and more future-facing platform.
A note about cartridge chips and dynamic security
The 4006 and 4112 are dynamic-security-enabled printers. HP states that they are designed to work with cartridges using a new or reused HP chip, and that periodic firmware updates may block cartridges using non-HP chips. This does not affect the choice between Genuine HP 161A and 161X, but businesses considering compatible, remanufactured or refilled cartridges should understand the firmware and chip requirements before purchasing.
Which combination should you buy?
- Occasional print-only use: 4006dn or 4006dw with HP 161A.
- Regular print-only office use: 4006dn or 4006dw with HP 161X.
- Occasional multifunction use: 4112fdn or 4112fdw with HP 161A.
- Busy multifunction workgroup: 4112fdn or 4112fdw with HP 161X.
For most businesses purchasing a 45ppm printer for shared daily use, the HP 161X is the more logical ongoing cartridge. The HP 161A remains useful when cash flow, low print volume or keeping a spare cartridge on the shelf matters more than the lowest long-term cost per page.
Frequently asked questions
Does HP 161X fit wherever HP 161A fits?
Yes. The Genuine HP 161A (W1610A) and 161X (W1610X) are standard- and high-yield options for the compatible HP LaserJet Pro 4006 and MFP 4112 families.
Does HP 161X print better than HP 161A?
Both are Original HP black TerraJet cartridges designed for the same print engine and output quality. The main difference is rated capacity, not print resolution or speed.
Is 161X always cheaper per page?
Not automatically. Compare each cartridge’s current price against its rated yield. The 161X has the lower cost per rated page whenever it costs less than approximately 3.33 times the price of the 161A.
Can the HP LaserJet Enterprise 6500dn use HP 161 toner?
No. The HP LaserJet Enterprise 6500dn belongs to a different enterprise platform and uses HP 160-series toner. HP 161 toner is for the LaserJet Pro 4006 and 4112 families.
Which toner should I keep as an emergency spare?
Either cartridge will work in a compatible 4006 or 4112 printer. The 161A costs less to keep as a spare, while the 161X provides more reserve capacity for a busy office or remote site where rapid replacement may be difficult.
For the manufacturer’s launch claims and applicable footnotes, see HP’s official LaserJet portfolio announcement. Australian specifications can also be checked on the HP Australia LaserJet Pro 4006dn page.
Information checked on 5 September 2026. Product availability, prices, specifications and declared yields may change. Always confirm the exact printer model and cartridge part number before purchase.