Our take
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M452dw is a focused color office printer rather than an all-in-one. HP documents up to 28 pages per minute in both black and color, automatic duplex, built-in wireless and Gigabit Ethernet, and a recommended monthly range of 750 to 4,000 pages. Its 250-sheet main tray plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray give a shared queue more flexibility than a small personal printer. Those features make it a plausible fit when color and networking are requirements, but copy, scan and fax are not part of the documented M452dw workflow.
A shared color queue that benefits from Wi-Fi or wired networking and recurring automatic two-sided output..
Choose another model if you need copy, scan or fax, a much lighter published workload range, or a smaller personal printer with fewer office connections.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP rates both monochrome and color output up to 28 ppm and documents automatic duplex printing.
- Built-in Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and USB support different office connection layouts.
- HP states a recommended monthly range of 750–4,000 pages rather than relying on a duty-cycle maximum.
What to weigh up
- The M452dw is a single-function printer with no documented copy, scan or fax capability.
- Its recommended range begins at 750 pages monthly, which may not align with occasional home printing.
- The exact condition, toner level and current support fit of an offered unit remain unknown.
The key details
| Model covered | M452dw (CF394A) |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color laser print only |
| Print output | Up to 28 ppm black and color; automatic duplex |
| Two-sided printing | Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and USB; recommended 750–4,000 pages monthly |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 5, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
A color printer for a shared document queue
HP positions the M452dw as a color LaserJet Pro printer for office printing, not an all-in-one. It can cover reports, presentations and marked-up documents that need color, while leaving document capture to another device. That clear boundary is helpful when comparing with MFPs: there is no need to pay attention to an ADF or scanner if print output is the whole job. The model suffix matters, since adjacent M452 versions have different connection features. The dw configuration reviewed here is the wireless model with the documented office ports and duplexing.
Automatic two-sided output and tray flexibility
HP lists automatic duplex printing, which can remove manual page-stack handling from recurring reports and handouts. The paper arrangement is a 250-sheet main tray with a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, useful for keeping common paper loaded while reserving the second feed for a short alternate-media job. Capacity is a convenience rather than a measure of recommended workload. Confirm the exact model code CF394A and the physical condition of the trays in any used offer. Automatic print duplex also does not imply scanning or copying on this print-only unit.
Wi-Fi and wired networking are both specified
The M452dw's documented connections include Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and USB. That combination lets an office choose wireless placement or a wired connection to its network, with USB available for direct setup. Separate interfaces are useful because printer location, access controls and network policies vary across small offices. The presence of Wi-Fi does not establish cloud features or support for every device; verify the exact operating system and deployment requirements. For buyers who need only a single USB-connected printer, this breadth may be unnecessary. For a shared queue, the network options can fit more layouts without relying on an add-on server.
Use HP's recommended range to size the queue
HP publishes a recommended monthly volume of 750 to 4,000 pages for the M452dw. That range gives a more useful planning reference than maximum duty cycle. A home office producing a few dozen pages may be better served by a smaller model, while a team with regular color output can compare its monthly estimate against this published guidance. The 28 ppm rating describes rated engine speed and is not a promise for every file or connection. The recommended range is also not evidence that a particular used printer can sustain that volume without maintenance.
No copy or scan functions are included
Because the M452dw is a print-only model, it should not be shortlisted as a replacement for a copier or scanner. A separate flatbed or MFP is required when paper originals must be captured. This can be a benefit in an office that already has document equipment: the printer's review can stay focused on output and networking. Fax is likewise not listed. Avoid relying on a seller title that mixes M452 family names or bundles accessories; compare the device label to HP's exact CF394A variant and confirm any accessories separately.
Confirm present condition and the exact variant
The manufacturer specifications establish the M452dw's design but cannot tell whether a particular listing has full toner, clean transfer components, a sound paper path, all trays, or a compatible driver for the intended computers. Ask for the exact CF394A label, printed page count if available, sample color and duplex pages, wireless or Ethernet setup details, return terms and the cartridge state. Current pricing, inventory and included supplies are not inferred from the catalog entry. No hands-on test is claimed. This checklist is especially relevant for a discontinued-era office printer where seller-specific completeness may vary.
What else to compare
For copy or scan work, compare a color MFP; for a mostly monochrome queue, compare a mono duplex printer with a closer workload range.
Before you buy
Does the M452dw print in color?
Yes. HP identifies it as a color printer and rates both black and color output up to 28 pages per minute.
Does it have automatic duplex?
Yes. HP lists automatic two-sided printing for the M452dw configuration.
Can it join a Wi-Fi or wired network?
HP documents built-in Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as USB, for the M452dw.
Is this an all-in-one?
No. The M452dw is a print-only model; HP does not list copy, scan or fax functions for it.
What workload range is recommended?
HP gives a recommended monthly volume of 750 to 4,000 pages for this model.
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 Pro M452 series specifications ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- HP U.S. M452dw product page and CF394A identification ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
- HP Color LaserJet Pro M452 series speed, paper handling, interfaces and recommended volume ↗ — checked October 5, 2026.
The decision
The M452dw is a capable specification match for a shared color print queue with networking and automatic duplex. Confirm the exact dw variant, supplies and unit condition before buying.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.