Our take
Choose the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 500 M551n only when a color, print-only office device is the intended job and the exact suffix is visible on the unit. HP's U.S. page identifies the M551n and product CF081A#BGJ, while its feature notes separate the n model from the M551dn and M551xh variants that include automatic two-sided printing. The reviewed evidence does not establish a recommended monthly volume or all connection details, so those remain questions to resolve before a shared-office purchase.
A color print-only workflow that can verify the exact M551n suffix and does not depend on assumed duplex or connectivity..
Skip this exact M551n if automatic duplex, confirmed wireless, a known monthly recommendation, copying, scanning, or fax is mandatory. Do not use the dn or xh suffix specifications as a substitute.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP's U.S. page identifies the M551n and its CF081A#BGJ product number.
- The source establishes color laser printing in a single-function configuration.
- HP's variant notes make the automatic-duplex distinction visible rather than leaving it to a reseller title.
What to weigh up
- The M551n variant does not carry the automatic duplex feature HP lists for the dn and xh siblings.
- A recommended monthly page range and the exact n-model network interfaces are not established by the reviewed source.
- The product page does not describe the condition or supplies of any particular used or renewed unit.
The key details
| Model covered | Color LaserJet Enterprise 500 M551n |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Print only |
| Print output | Color laser |
| Two-sided printing | Automatic duplex not documented for M551n |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 8, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
Start with the exact suffix
HP identifies the M551n as a color laser printer with print-only functions. The product number on the U.S. page is CF081A#BGJ, a useful check when comparing a listing or the rear identification label. The M551 name family includes several variants, so the family name alone is not enough to establish its configuration. A team needing only color output can consider this model, but a buyer looking for copy, scan, or fax should choose an actual multifunction device instead of assuming that the Enterprise name implies those tasks.
Duplex depends on the model suffix
The decisive paper-handling difference is automatic two-sided printing. HP's page notes that the M551dn and M551xh include that capability; it does not assign the same feature to the M551n. That distinction changes the work: the n model may suit one-sided pages or jobs where a person can manage both sides, but it is a weaker fit for recurring two-sided packets. Do not transfer the dn or xh configuration to the M551n because a seller groups the devices on one page. Confirm the suffix before treating duplex as a requirement met.
Color is useful only when the routine needs it
Color laser output can help with charts, marked documents, and materials where color carries meaning, but it adds no value to a queue consisting almost entirely of plain monochrome pages. HP's source establishes that this is a color model; the supplied evidence does not support a claim about its cost per page or current toner supply. Buyers should consider their actual color share and whether this older Enterprise printer will be maintained by someone able to identify the correct cartridges and parts. A color capability is a task fit, not by itself a reason to prefer the M551n.
Treat missing workload and port facts as open
The reviewed U.S. page resolves the model and its print-only/color role but does not provide a recommended monthly volume or a complete interface list for the exact n configuration. A maximum duty-cycle figure, if found elsewhere, would not replace a recommended operating range. Likewise, the M551 family label is not enough to infer wireless or Ethernet. Before a shared-office deployment, check the manufacturer's exact M551n specification and inspect the specific unit for the network ports the office requires. Until then, the finder keeps those attributes unknown rather than scoring the printer as a match.
Check the actual machine and consumables
An official model page cannot tell whether a used printer has a clean feed path, acceptable imaging components, or toner in usable condition. Those questions matter especially for a legacy office model with several nearby suffixes. Ask a seller for a legible product label, the exact configuration, what consumables are included, and a clear return policy. This guide does not claim to have inspected a unit or verified present supply availability. Treat any offer as a separate transaction whose model and condition need confirmation rather than assuming the page describes what will arrive.
Compare the verified trade-offs
The Lexmark C540dw is another color print-only option in this set, but its manufacturer page explicitly documents built-in wireless, Ethernet, integrated duplex, and a 500–1,500 page recommended monthly range. Those facts make its network and paper-handling fit easier to evaluate, although Lexmark marks it discontinued and current parts or stock are not established here. The M551n's evidence instead confirms its exact HP identity and the absence of the sibling duplex feature. Choose based on verified configuration and workload, not brand or product-family prestige.
What else to compare
For documented built-in wireless and automatic duplex in a color print-only unit, compare the Lexmark C540dw; it has a 500–1,500 page recommendation and is marked discontinued.
Before you buy
Does the M551n automatically print both sides?
HP documents automatic duplex for the M551dn and M551xh variants, not for the exact M551n in the reviewed U.S. page. Treat it as not confirmed for this suffix.
Can I use the M551dn specifications for an M551n listing?
No. The suffix marks a different configuration. Match CF081A#BGJ and M551n on the device label and consult the exact page before assuming features.
Is the M551n a multifunction printer?
The reviewed HP page identifies it as print-only. Copying, scanning, and fax are not included in the documented M551n functions.
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 U.S. M551n product page ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- HP U.S. M551n product identity and variant feature notes ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
The decision
The M551n is a narrow color-printing choice whose exact suffix matters. Buy only after verifying that its missing duplex, workload, and connectivity details fit the real office routine.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.