Our take
The HP Color LaserJet 3800n is a color laser printer for a wired document workflow. HP's exact-model product page recommends 1,500 to 5,000 pages per month. The 3000-series guide distinguishes the 3800n configuration: it provides JetDirect 10/100 Ethernet but not the automatic duplex option fitted to the 3800dn and 3800dtn. HP rates the series at 22 ppm Letter and 21 ppm A4. Color and network printing are documented, while automatic two-sided output is not part of the 3800n configuration. The model is older, so check driver compatibility and the physical unit carefully; an Amazon search does not verify availability, condition or included accessories.
A wired office that wants color laser output and a manufacturer-stated workload range but can accept one-sided standard printing..
Skip it if automatic duplex, built-in wireless or current manufacturer support is essential, or if the workload falls outside HP's stated recommendation.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP documents a 1,500–5,000-page recommended monthly range for the exact 3800n.
- The series guide identifies JetDirect 10/100 Ethernet on the 3800n configuration.
- HP rates the series at 22 ppm Letter and 21 ppm A4.
What to weigh up
- The 3800n does not include automatic duplex; the dn/dtn siblings are differently configured.
- The reviewed exact-model materials do not establish built-in wireless.
- This is a legacy product, so driver availability and the condition of a specific unit need checking.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | Color LaserJet 3800n |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color laser print only |
| Print output | 22 ppm Letter / 21 ppm A4 |
| Two-sided printing | 10/100 Ethernet; 1,500–5,000 pages recommended monthly; no automatic duplex |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 15, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
A color printer rather than an all-in-one
HP identifies the 3800n as a Color LaserJet printer. The reviewed sources establish printing, not an integrated scanner, copier or fax for this model, so it belongs in a comparison for color document output rather than shared office capture. This can be useful when a separate MFP handles scanning and the printer has a stable wired location. Buyers who need one machine for several tasks should compare a color laser MFP instead of reading the broader Color LaserJet name as evidence of those functions. HP's support page gives the exact model and monthly recommendation ([HP 3800n specifications](https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-color-laserjet-3000-printer-series/model/500936)).
The 3800n is a specific network configuration
HP's series guide distinguishes 3800n from 3800dn and 3800dtn. The 3800n has a JetDirect 10/100 Ethernet interface and does not include automatic two-sided printing; the duplex-equipped suffix models are separate configurations. That distinction matters when comparing marketplace descriptions that group several related printers under one family title. The profile records automatic duplex as false for the exact 3800n, not unknown or true. Before purchasing an older device, inspect its rear ports and model label, and verify that the expected network setup can still reach it.
Rated speed is a comparison point, not a guarantee
HP rates the series at up to 22 pages per minute on Letter and 21 on A4. The two paper-size ratings are useful for comparing jobs printed on those formats, but neither represents an independently measured result from a particular refurbished unit. Color coverage, document complexity, warm-up and host setup can affect a real job. Treat the published figure as a manufacturer rating. The more decisive selection distinction may be the missing automatic duplex: if regular two-sided output is required, a faster one-sided rating does not meet that need.
A documented monthly range helps size the queue
HP's exact-model page states a recommended monthly range of 1,500 to 5,000 pages. This is explicitly presented as the recommended range, rather than a maximum duty figure, and can be used as a workload comparison. It does not predict toner consumption or output cost for every job. An office above the range should compare a larger device, while a lighter home queue may not need this capacity. Keep the range tied to the exact 3800n source instead of applying it to another similarly named configuration without evidence.
Check legacy setup before treating it as an office fit
The 3800n's age makes system compatibility and unit condition practical parts of the decision. Check HP's support page for a driver that fits the intended computers, confirm the network port responds, and verify that paper trays and color imaging supplies are present. The model name and a seller description cannot establish those details about an individual unit. The Amazon search uses the exact model and affiliate tag, but it does not promise a current offer or a particular service history. Choose it for documented color, Ethernet and monthly-range facts after confirming the specific listing.
Compare for your needs
For confirmed automatic duplex compare a duplex-equipped color laser printer; for integrated scanning and copying compare a color laser MFP.
Find the undefined that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Does the 3800n print automatically on both sides?
No. HP's series guide distinguishes the 3800n from the automatic-duplex 3800dn/dtn configurations.
What is HP's recommended monthly volume?
HP lists 1,500 to 5,000 pages per month for the exact model.
Does it have Ethernet?
Yes. HP's guide identifies JetDirect 10/100 Ethernet on the 3800n.
Is built-in Wi-Fi confirmed?
The reviewed exact-model materials do not establish built-in wireless.
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 and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP Color LaserJet 3800n product specifications ↗ — checked October 15, 2026.
- HP exact-model 3800n identity, rated speed and recommended monthly range ↗ — checked October 15, 2026.
- HP 3000 series guide distinguishing 3800n Ethernet and duplex configuration ↗ — checked October 15, 2026.
The decision
The 3800n offers documented color output, wired Ethernet and a monthly range, but it is the one-sided configuration in its family.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.