HP 35A Black Toner Cartridge | Works LaserJet P1005, P1006 |

The Verdict

Let’s be direct: if you own an HP LaserJet P1005 or P1006, the HP 35A cartridge (model CB435A) is the only toner you should seriously consider. With 235 Amazon ratings averaging 4.7 stars, this is one of the most dependable consumables HP still makes for its older monochrome line. Here’s what you’re actually getting.

What’s in the box

The package contains a single sealed black toner cartridge rated for approximately 2,000 pages at 5% coverage. That’s a standard OEM yield — nothing inflated, nothing misleading. The cartridge arrives in HP’s molded foam cradle with a plastic pull-tab seal. You won’t need tools, a manual, or a support call. Shake it gently once, slide out the protective strip, and it clicks into the P1005 or P1006 with a satisfying thunk.

Performance and build quality

HP’s OEM toner formulation for the 35A is engineered specifically for these two printers. Text output is uniformly dark with sharp edges — no gray banding, no toner dust residue on the page edges. Grayscale graphics render acceptably for internal documents, though this isn’t a photo printer. We’re talking office-grade output: contracts, invoices, shipping labels.

The cartridge body itself feels solid. The drum surface is smooth, and the gear train engages cleanly with the printer’s drive mechanism. I’ve seen reports of compatible cartridges rattling or producing streaky output after 500 pages; the genuine 35A holds up for its full rated life. One buyer noted, “Second HP 35A I’ve bought for my P1005 — same perfect quality as the cartridge that came with the printer.” That’s the experience you’re paying for: consistency.

What buyers consistently praise

Scrolling through the reviews, three themes dominate:

• Reliability without exceptions. Multiple reviewers mention using this cartridge for years across multiple printers with zero jams or dirty-print issues.
• Genuine page yield. Unlike some third-party options that claim 2,500 pages but die at 1,800, the 35A hits its 2,000-page rating in real-world use.
• Simple, mess-free installation. The sealed design means no toner dust on your hands or desk.

One verified purchase put it plainly: “I’ve tried cheap knockoffs. Never again. The HP 35A just works — no streaks, no wasted paper, no frustration.”

Where it falls short

The honest downsides, because they exist:

• No refill path. HP builds no reset chip into this cartridge. Once the toner’s gone, the printer locks it out. You can’t refill and reuse — you’re buying a new one each time.
• Price premium. At typical street prices, the 35A costs roughly 30-40% more per page than a well-reviewed compatible cartridge. For a home office printing 100 pages a month, that’s maybe $15–20 extra per year. For a busy office, it adds up.
• No high-yield variant. HP never released an XL version of the 35A. You’re stuck at 2,000 pages per cartridge, so high-volume users will swap cartridges frequently.

Who should buy this

• Home office users printing under 500 pages monthly — the premium is negligible, and reliability matters more than cents per page.
• Small businesses running a single P1005 or P1006 for invoices or client documents — downtime costs more than toner.
• Anyone burned by cheap compatibles — if you’ve dealt with streaky prints or premature failures, the OEM 35A ends that cycle.

Skip it if you’re a high-volume shop printing 5,000+ pages monthly. You’ll want a printer with a larger cartridge format or a service contract.

FAQ

Q: Will the HP 35A work with my LaserJet P1007 or P1008? A: No. The 35A (CB435A) is specifically for P1005 and P1006. The P1007 and P1008 use the HP 36A (CB436A). Double-check your model before ordering.

Q: How do I know when it’s genuinely empty? A: The printer’s software tracks page count. When it hits ~2,000 pages, you’ll see a “Replace Toner” warning. HP’s OEM chip prevents printing after that point, even if you shake the cartridge to redistribute toner.

Q: Is there any way to extend its life? A: Not really. You can gently rock the cartridge when the low-toner warning appears to squeeze out the last 50-100 pages, but the chip will eventually block further printing. Budget for a replacement when you see the warning.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

Buy it if you own a P1005 or P1006 and want print quality and reliability you never have to think about. The premium over compatibles is real but modest for most users.

Skip it if you’re printing at extreme volumes, or you’re willing to gamble on third-party cartridges to save money — just know the gamble sometimes fails.

For the vast majority of owners of these aging-but-reliable HP workhorses, the HP 35A is the only cartridge worth installing. It’s the boring, correct choice — and boring is exactly what you want from office supplies.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.