Printer review: HP Color LaserJet CP2025dn

Posted by Rob Errera on 06/20/2019

When the HP Color LaserJet CP2025dn was released thirteen years ago, reviewers were impressed with its ability to duplex print and connect to a network. (This is what the “d” and “n” in the CP2025dn represent.

Other models in the CP2025 family include the base model CP2025, the CP2025n, with 10/100 Ethernet networking, and the CP2025x, which offers duplex printing, networking and an additional 250-sheet paper tray.)

The CP2025dn wasn’t the fastest or cheapest printer on the market, but it was a solid performer.

“I love this printer model and have used it for seven years!” user Raccoon Brat reports.

Like many HP products, the CP2025dn has aged fairly gracefully over the years. The printer averages 3.7 out of 5 stars when you combine reviews from CNET, Techspot, and Amazon users.

Note: This printer model has been discontinued.

Special Specs

The CP2025dn offered easy set-up and a 250-page standard paper tray, with a 50-page second tray for additional media.

The CP2025dn delivered good print quality for both text and graphics, but its speed was merely average. (In fact, Macworld reports the CP2025dn was a bit slower than other color printers in its class, with a speed of 44 seconds.)

The CP2025dn has a print resolution of 600 dpi and can handle letter, legal, executive, cards, and envelopes. The unit is 12.7 inches tall by 15.9 inches wide by 25.9 inches deep with all the drawers tucked in. At a hefty 53 pounds, the printer requires two people to move.

The front control panel houses a small two-line LCD for alerts and toner level graphics, a left and right directional pad, a cancel button, and two LEDs to alert users of low toner and print errors.

HP's ToolboxFX software also shows the status of the device in real time, current toner levels, approximate pages remaining, usage trends, and the option to receive e-mail alerts when the printer malfunctions. (HP offers a useful start-up video on the installation CD with step-by-step instruction.)

Unhappy Users

Right off the bat, users were unhappy with the cost of replacement cartridges. Buying a full set of four OEM toner cartridges from HP cost $486 — nearly the cost of the printer itself. (Newsflash: You can get this set of genuine HP 304A toner cartridges on sale for $375!)

The four separate toner cartridges -- CC530A (black), CC531A (cyan), CC532A (yellow), and CC533A (magenta) -- are mounted in a rollout drawer, and released with a simple push-to-release latch.

Test prints and page yields resulted in a cost of 15.4 cents per page, which was high compared to other printers in its class. The CP2025dn has a high monthly duty-cycle (40,000 pages) but if you do a lot of high volume printing, you’ll want to find a machine with a lower operating cost.

Of note, the printer comes with toner cartridges that are only about 1/3 full — you get about 1,200 pages before you have to replace the four cartridges (black, magenta, cyan, yellow). Genuine OEM toner cartridges cost over $100 each, but yield 3,500 pages.

The main drawback of the CP2025dn in the high cost of replacement toner ... and cutting corners causes problems.

“I have problems with generic toner,” Amanda reports. “The machine works great with genuine HP toner, but I get powder splatter marks all over the first piece of paper out of the machine whenever I use generic toner. Just a heads up, people.”

Users also reported other issues with the CP2025dn. Some found that the printer frequently jams, especially when using thicker paper.

Others noted that the printer's software can be difficult to install and use, with some users reporting that they had to manually configure the printer's network settings to get it to work properly.

Some users also found that the CP2025dn is quite noisy when printing, which can be a problem in quieter office environments. And while the printer does offer duplex printing, some users found that this feature can be slow and unreliable.

Overall, while the HP Color LaserJet CP2025dn was generally well-regarded for its print quality and networking capabilities, its high operating costs and other issues left some users feeling frustrated.

Noisemaker

Other users complain the CP2025dn is noisy compared to other laser printers.

“After several years it developed squeaky noises as it prints,” E-consumer reports. “It is not very quiet, and if you are within six feet of it, it is hard to talk on the phone while printing.

It's not uncommon for laser printers to make noise during operation, and it seems that some users have found the CP2025dn to be particularly noisy. E-consumer's report of squeaky noises is likely due to worn or aging printer components, which can affect the printer's performance and cause additional noise.

However, it's important to note that the noise level of a printer can be subjective and vary depending on the user's environment and sensitivity to sound.

Real HP Toner For Less!

The bottom line: HP makes fine printers, but they charge too much for toner. Similar to our review of the HP LaserJet Pro 400 Color Printer M451dw, the biggest complaint about the CP2025dn (and its companion printers, the HP CP2025n and CP2025x, as well as the CM2320fxi, CM2320n, CM2320nf series of HP printers) is the cost of original HP toner.

Your cost-per-page can vary wildly depending on how much you pay for original toner. Fortunately we’ve got the ultimate printer hack to increase the lifespan and quality of your HP printer.

Toner Buzz offers the lowest prices on genuine HP toner for your CP2025dn. With Toner Buzz on your team, your CP2025dn will stay productive and cost-effective for years to come!

HP Color LaserJet CP2025dn Full specs:

General

Printer Type -- Workgroup printer - laser - color
Manufacturer -- HP

Printer

Technology -- laser
Print Speed -- Up to 20 ppm - B/W. Up to 20 ppm - color, Up to 21 ppm - B/W. Up to 21 ppm - color
Built-in Devices -- status LCD
Connectivity Technology -- wired
Interface -- USB
Image Enhancement Technology -- HP ImageREt 3600
PostScript Support -- standard
Language Simulation -- PCL 5C, PCL 6, PostScript 3
Printer Features -- HP ColorSphere Toner
Type -- workgroup printer
Min H-Document Size -- 3 in
Min V-Document Size -- 5 in
Max H-Document Size -- 8.5 m
Max V-Document Size -- 14 in
Media Type -- cards, envelopes, glossy paper, labels, plain paper, recycled paper, transparencies
Media Sizes -- A4 (8.25 in x 11.7 in), Executive (7.25 in x 10.5 in), A5 (5.83 in x 8.25 in), Legal (8.5 in x 14 in), Letter A Size (8.5 in x 11 in), A6 (4.13 in x 5.83 in), B5 (6.93 in x 9.83 in), C5 (6.38 in x 9 in)
Min Media Weight -- 60 g/m²
Max Media Weight -- 220 g/m²
Total Media Capacity -- 300 sheets

Power Device

Type -- power supply
Power Consumption Operational -- 445 Watt
Form Factor -- internal

Power

Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep -- 6.7 Watt
Power Consumption Operational -- 445 Watt

Networking

Networking -- Print server - integrated
Data Link Protocol -- Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
Connectivity Technology -- wired

Miscellaneous

Microsoft Certifications -- Works with Windows Vista
Consumables Included -- 1 x toner cartridge (black). 1 x toner cartridge (cyan). 1 x toner cartridge (magenta). 1 x toner cartridge (yellow)

Processor

Processor -- Motorola 540 MHz
Manufacturer -- Motorola
Clock Speed -- 540 MHz

Battery

Form Factor -- none

RAM

Technology / Form Factor -- SO-DIMM 200-pin, DDR2 SDRAM - DIMM 144-pin
Max Supported Size -- 384 MB
Slots Qty -- 1
Empty Slots -- 1
Form Factor -- DIMM 144-pin, SO-DIMM 200-pin
Technology -- DDR2 SDRAM

Environmental Standards

ENERGY STAR Certified -- Yes
ENERGY STAR -- Yes

Printing

Max Resolution B/W -- 600 dpi
Max Resolution Color -- 600 dpi
Max Printing Speed B/W (ppm) -- 21 ppm, 20 ppm
Max Printing Speed Color (ppm) -- 21 ppm, 20 ppm

System Requirements

OS Required -- Apple MacOS X 10.2.8, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Media Handling

Min Media Size (Custom) -- 3 in x 5 in
Max Media Size (Custom) -- 8.5 in x 14 in
Media Weight -- 60 g/m² - 220 g/m²
Max Media Capacity -- 550 sheets
Output Trays Capacity -- 150 sheets
Media Type -- Envelopes, transparencies, labels, plain paper, cards, recycled paper, glossy paper
Total Media Capacity -- 300 sheets
Media Sizes -- Letter A Size (8.5 in x 11 in), Legal (8.5 in x 14 in), Executive (7.25 in x 10.5 in), A4 (8.25 in x 11.7 in), A5 (5.83 in x 8.25 in), B5 (6.93 in x 9.83 in), A6 (4.13 in x 5.83 in), C5 (6.38 in x 9 in)

Duty Cycle

Monthly Duty Cycle (max) -- 40000 pages
Recommended Monthly Volume -- 750 - 2000 pages

Copier

Copier Type -- none

Environmental Parameters

Min Operating Temperature -- 59 °F
Max Operating Temperature -- 80.6 °F
Humidity Range Operating -- 20 - 70%

Document & Media Handling

Media Type Class -- envelopes, film / transparencies, other, plain paper
Media Size Class -- Legal, A4

Header

Brand -- HP
Product Line -- HP Color LaserJet
Model -- CP2025n
Country Kits -- Western Europe
Packaged Quantity -- 1
Compatibility -- Mac, PC

Interface Required

Connector Type -- 4 pin USB Type B, RJ-45
Type -- LAN, USB 2.0
Total Qty -- 1

Dimensions & Weight

Width -- 15.9 in
Depth -- 17.9 in
Height -- 12.7 in
Weight -- 50.04 lbs

Expansion Slots

Type -- memory
Form Factor -- SO-DIMM 200-pin
Total Qty -- 1
Free Qty -- 1

Printer Output

Max Speed -- 20 ppm, 21 ppm
Output Quality -- B/W, color

Service & Support

Type -- 1 year warranty

Rob Errera

Rob Errera is an award-winning journalist embedded in the world of printers and printing supplies. Rob has nearly two decades of experience writing about cutting edge technology, business trends, and the ever-evolving industry of printing.