Our take
The HP Color LaserJet 3800dn is a color print-only printer for a wired workplace that wants automatic two-sided output. HP documents a 22 ppm Letter rating, USB 2.0 and Jetdirect Ethernet on this configuration. Those details make it easier to place in a shared network and to compare against the older 3800 family, while its lack of copy, scan and fax keeps the role narrow. The evidence does not provide a recommended monthly workload or Wi-Fi specification, and the historical candidate clue does not establish a current sale listing.
A wired office that needs color pages and automatic two-sided output, but not copying or scanning..
Choose another model if you need copy, scan, built-in Wi-Fi, or a documented recommended monthly volume for matching the printer to a queue.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP identifies the exact 3800dn configuration with automatic duplex and Jetdirect Ethernet.
- The 22 ppm Letter rating gives a manufacturer-published speed reference for office comparisons.
- USB 2.0 and Ethernet support direct or wired-network placement.
What to weigh up
- It is a single-function printer, so paper capture and copying require separate equipment.
- HP's reviewed material does not establish built-in wireless networking or a recommended monthly range.
- Current seller offer, consumables, and the condition of a renewed unit remain unknown.
The key details
| Model covered | Q5983A / 3800dn |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color print only |
| Print output | Up to 22 ppm Letter |
| Two-sided printing | Automatic duplex; Ethernet and USB |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 5, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
A print-only color model for a shared queue
HP identifies the Color LaserJet 3800dn as a printer rather than an all-in-one. That distinction is useful for a team that only needs color pages: it avoids treating a printer family as if every member also copies or scans. A forms desk that receives paper originals still needs a separate scanner or multifunction device. The selection question is therefore simple: if color output is the job and document capture is not, this model's function set can be enough. The 3800dn suffix must remain attached to the choice because neighboring 3800 variants have different standard configurations.
Automatic duplex is part of the dn configuration
HP's user guide identifies automatic two-sided printing for the 3800dn. This matters for recurring reports, policy packets and school or office handouts because the machine turns supported sheets without asking someone to re-feed each page. The convenience is different from a driver-assisted manual duplex path, where the person manages the stack. Buyers should still match paper size and media to HP's supported settings. The main point for comparing this product is not a vague claim that the family can duplex: the evidence is tied to this exact dn configuration.
Speed and connections point to wired work
HP rates this model at up to 22 pages per minute on Letter paper. It documents USB 2.0 for a direct connection and Jetdirect 10/100 Ethernet for a wired network. That combination can suit a shared location where a cable run is available, but no built-in Wi-Fi is listed in the reviewed specification. The speed is a manufacturer rating, not a guarantee for every complex color file or print path. If wireless access is a hard requirement, compare a model whose exact specifications state Wi-Fi rather than assuming an older network card can add it.
Do not turn maximum capacity into a workload recommendation
The saved HP specifications do not provide a recommended monthly page range for the exact 3800dn. Without that guidance, a shopper can compare its rated speed and paper path, but cannot use this evidence to say it is recommended for a particular number of monthly pages. A duty-cycle ceiling, if found elsewhere, would answer a different question and is not substituted here. For a high-volume department, look for an explicit recommendation or expected-workload guide from the manufacturer, then weigh that evidence with service and consumable needs.
Check lifecycle and seller details separately
The model comes from an older product family, and the candidate source described a renewed printer. Those clues do not establish the condition of an individual unit, what supplies are included, or whether a seller currently has stock. The cited historical ASIN does not have sufficient exact-model proof for a direct purchase link, so this guide uses a tagged search for 3800dn and Q5983A. Before buying a used machine, ask for a clear model label, a printed sample, included cartridge details and return terms. That seller-level check is separate from HP's stable technical specifications.
When its trade-offs make sense
The 3800dn is a candidate when color output, Ethernet sharing and automatic duplex are required together, and print-only operation is acceptable. A current color printer with Wi-Fi may be easier to place where network cabling is absent; a color MFP is the better route when staff must copy or scan originals. HP's source set leaves monthly recommendation unknown, so workload should be matched through other reliable evidence before committing. The model is most defensible as a targeted wired-office option after confirming that its exact variant, consumables and unit condition suit the planned job.
What else to compare
The Samsung CLP-620ND and Lexmark CS317dn are other wired color duplex print-only candidates in this batch. A buyer needing copy, scan or fax should compare a documented color MFP instead.
Before you buy
Does the 3800dn automatically print on both sides?
Yes. HP's exact configuration guide identifies automatic duplex printing for the dn version.
Can this printer scan or make copies?
No. The reviewed HP materials identify the Color LaserJet 3800dn as a print-only model, so scanning requires another device.
Does HP give a recommended monthly page range?
A recommended monthly range is not confirmed in the HP material saved for this exact 3800dn.
Does this exact model include Wi-Fi?
The reviewed specification lists USB and Jetdirect Ethernet but does not list built-in Wi-Fi for the 3800dn.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP Color LaserJet 3800 printer-series specifications; Q5983A model documentation ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- HP Color LaserJet 3800 series official specification page and configuration facts ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- HP Color LaserJet 3000/3800 series user guide; duplex, speed, paper and interfaces ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- HP support material confirming Q5983A as 3800dn product configuration ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- Search this model on Amazon · Tagged exact-model Amazon search; historical ASIN not verified ↗Paid link · We may earn a commission. — checked October 5, 2026.
The decision
Choose the 3800dn for wired color output and automatic duplex when print-only work fits. Confirm the exact label, included supplies, return terms and seller condition; current availability and recommended workload are not established here.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.