Our take
The HP LaserJet 2420 base configuration is a monochrome print-only model rated up to 30 pages per minute on Letter paper. HP lists 350 sheets of standard input and USB 2.0 plus bidirectional parallel connectivity. Two-sided output is manual on the plain 2420, and built-in Ethernet is not included; the n and dn siblings add different network and duplex capabilities. This is a legacy printer with a narrower role than its family name may suggest. The saved materials do not assign a recommended monthly range or establish current unit condition.
A buyer considering a used legacy mono printer for direct or parallel-connected work who can handle manual duplex..
Avoid it if automatic duplex, built-in Wi-Fi or Ethernet, copy and scan functions, or a currently supported device is required.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- The base model's 30 ppm Letter rating and 350-sheet standard supply are clearly specified by HP.
- USB 2.0 and bidirectional parallel are documented standard interfaces for the plain 2420.
- The family guide distinguishes the base configuration from n and dn networked siblings.
What to weigh up
- Two-sided printing is manual; the base 2420 does not include an automatic duplexer.
- Built-in Ethernet belongs to specific variants, so a generic 2420 listing can misstate the connection fit.
- HP's sources do not provide a recommended monthly workload, current supplies, or condition of an offered unit.
The key details
| Model covered | 2420 / Q5956A |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Print only |
| Print output | Monochrome; up to 30 ppm Letter |
| Two-sided printing | Manual duplex; 350-sheet input |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 4, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
A model family where suffixes change the answer
HP identifies the base 2420 as product number Q5956A. Its series guide describes several closely named configurations; network capability and automatic duplex can differ across those suffixes. The plain model listed here has no built-in Ethernet, while an n or dn sibling adds a Jetdirect server and a different duplex configuration. This is more than a naming detail for a buyer planning to share a printer across an office. Check the label and installed hardware rather than assuming that a seller's short title or stock photo covers the exact 2420 variant.
Useful monochrome speed with a sizable standard feed
The user guide rates the 2420 up to 30 pages per minute on Letter and 28 on A4. HP lists a 250-sheet tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose feed, for 350 sheets standard, and an optional additional 500-sheet feeder. These numbers describe designed capacity and top rate, not the condition of an old device or sustained performance on every job. The combination may suit recurring black-and-white office pages when the operator accepts manual duplex and can verify the particular unit's trays and pickup path.
Manual duplex requires a person in the loop
The base 2420 supports manual two-sided printing, which means the user handles the paper between sides rather than relying on an integrated duplexer. That may be manageable for occasional forms or short packets, but it becomes a repeated task for long documents. The dn suffix should not be used to fill this feature gap unless the actual unit is the documented dn model. Buyers should confirm the printer driver and paper path for their preferred duplex method. The profile keeps automatic duplex false and manual duplex true based on the exact configuration guide.
Plan around the actual ports
HP lists USB 2.0, bidirectional parallel, and an EIO expansion slot for the base 2420. It does not establish built-in wireless or Ethernet on Q5956A. An expansion slot is not a preinstalled network connection, and optional products in a series brochure do not establish that a used printer includes them. If a workstation-only setup is acceptable, USB can be a direct connection; if several users need network access, verify an accessory and compatibility or select a confirmed network variant instead.
Legacy ownership requires unit-level verification
The saved HP product page marks the model discontinued, while the series guide preserves original specifications. Neither source answers whether a used example has a sound fuser, working trays, usable toner, or compatible drivers for a buyer's current computer. Ask for the Q5956A label, sample pages, page count when available, accessory inventory, and return policy. The historical Amazon page for one candidate ASIN was unavailable, so this review does not associate that ASIN with the model. No recommended monthly volume or current offer is claimed.
What else to compare
The HP LaserJet 4200tn offers wired Ethernet and a larger two-tray supply but still uses manual duplex; the P2015dn adds automatic duplex in a smaller networked configuration.
Before you buy
Does the base HP 2420 have automatic duplex?
No. The saved HP guide describes manual duplex for the plain 2420; suffix variants have different configurations.
Does the base 2420 include built-in Ethernet?
No. The n and dn siblings add network capability; built-in Ethernet is not documented for Q5956A.
What monthly print range does HP recommend?
The reviewed HP materials do not assign a recommended monthly range to this exact base 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 LaserJet 2400 series user guide ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- HP LaserJet 2420 product page; Q5956A base-model identity and discontinued status ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- HP LaserJet 2400 series user guide; speed, tray, interfaces, suffix networking and duplex details ↗ — checked October 4, 2026.
- Search this model on Amazon · Tagged exact-model Amazon search; exact ASIN and current offer are not asserted ↗Paid link · We may earn a commission. — checked October 4, 2026.
The decision
Consider the plain 2420 only for a direct-connected legacy mono workflow that can tolerate manual duplex. Confirm the Q5956A label, ports, supplies, driver path, and physical condition.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.