hp 138a vs 138x — same HP black toner family for the same printers. The only real difference is page yield (and cost per page).
138A (W1380A) is the standard-yield black — about 1,500 pages. Buy this when you print lightly.
138X (W1380X) is the high-yield black — about 4,000 pages. Same fit. Fewer swaps. Better cost per page if the printer runs often.
| Feature | 138A (W1380A) | 138X (W1380X) |
|---|---|---|
| Black yield | ~1,500 | ~4,000 |
| Best for | Light / occasional | Regular office use |
| Printers | LaserJet Pro 3001dw / 3001dwe; MFP 3101fdw / 3101fdwe | |
Mono black only — there is no 138 color pack in this series. Not 134A / 30A / 58A. Read the label on the cartridge already in the printer.
We sell a compatible 138A black and a compatible 138X high-yield black, chips installed.
When to buy which: replace toner more than a couple of times a year → start with 138X (about 2.7× the pages). Occasional printing → 138A is enough. If the label says 138X / W1380X, stay on X unless you intentionally want fewer pages per cartridge.
FAQ
What is hp 138a vs 138x in one sentence?
Same LaserJet Pro 3001 / MFP 3101 printers; 138A is standard yield (~1,500), 138X is high yield (~4,000).
Are 138A and 138X for the same printers?
Yes. Same family. Only the yield changes.
Is there a 138A 4-pack?
No. These are single black cartridges only.
Does compatible toner void the printer warranty?
Using a third-party cartridge does not by itself void HP’s limited printer warranty. Damage HP attributes to a non-HP cartridge is a different question.
Ready to order: compatible HP 138A or compatible HP 138X.