Our take
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 400 M451nw is a color print-only model with built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet. HP rates black and color output up to 21 ppm and recommends 750 to 2,000 pages per month. The nw configuration uses manual duplex; automatic duplex belongs to the distinct M451dn and M451dw. Verify the suffix before buying.
A shared small-office color queue that values both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, needs print-only operation, and can handle manual duplex for occasional two-sided jobs..
It is not suitable when automatic duplex, copy/scan, fax, or a current HP-supported color platform is required.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP documents both built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet on the exact M451nw configuration.
- The 750–2,000-page monthly recommendation gives a defined planning band for a small-office color queue.
- Black and color output share a rated speed of up to 21 ppm.
What to weigh up
- The M451nw uses manual duplex; automatic duplex belongs to different suffixes in the same family.
- It is print-only and cannot replace a copier, scanner, or fax machine.
- HP marks this generation discontinued, so present driver and supply support need checking.
The key details
| Model covered | Color LaserJet Pro 400 M451nw |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color laser print-only; up to 21 ppm black and color |
| Print output | Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet; manual duplex only |
| Two-sided printing | Recommended monthly volume 750–2,000 pages |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 8, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
Separate the M451nw from the duplex variants
HP's U.S. product page identifies the M451nw with product number CE956A and describes color laser printing. The final letters matter: the M451nw is not the M451dn or M451dw, and the shared family name does not make their standard features interchangeable. HP rates this model up to 21 pages per minute in both black and color. That is a manufacturer figure for comparison, not a forecast for a particular job or used machine. Match the exact model label and product number before interpreting an advertisement that may use a family photograph or combine several variants in one title.
Both wired and wireless paths are documented
For the M451nw, HP lists built-in wireless networking along with Ethernet. That combination supports a small office where a cabled placement and a wireless option both matter, but the actual network should still be checked for compatible security and host support. Wi-Fi does not mean that every mobile workflow or current security standard is guaranteed; the product record establishes the printer's interface features, not the state of a buyer's network. The device is print-only, so scanning, copying, and faxing need separate equipment or a different MFP. Its strongest fit is a color queue whose workflow is already organized around printing.
Manual page handling changes two-sided work
HP's configuration-specific M451nw technical specification lists manual duplex, although broader page copy also mentions automatic two-sided printing. The same page assigns automatic duplex to the M451dn and M451dw suffixes, so use the exact configuration detail rather than generic family marketing. In practice, a user must follow the driver sequence and turn or refeed paper for the second side. That is manageable for occasional documents but can add labor and interruption to recurring double-sided jobs. If automatic page turning is essential, compare those distinct suffixes or another exact model with standard duplex. Do not treat a software checkbox as evidence that this M451nw contains an automatic duplexing mechanism.
Use the 750–2,000 range to judge workload
HP recommends a monthly volume of 750 to 2,000 pages. A desk below that band may find a larger office printer unnecessary, while a color queue above it should compare a model with higher manufacturer guidance. The recommendation is not the same as a maximum duty-cycle claim, and it cannot tell whether a particular used printer has been maintained well. Consider both routine pages and seasonal peaks, especially if color reports are frequent. The range gives a concrete planning reference; it does not establish cartridge cost, present supply availability, or the future reliability of a unit offered for sale.
A dedicated color queue has trade-offs
The M451nw makes sense when a workgroup needs color documents and already has separate equipment for capture, copies, or fax. Its simultaneous wired and wireless interfaces make it more flexible to place than a USB-only printer, while print-only construction avoids paying attention to functions outside the task. The opposing trade-offs are manual duplex and the age of the platform. Check which color cartridges are installed, the condition of the imaging components, the exact ports, and whether the intended operating systems can still use the device. HP's product record defines the model; it does not verify any seller's inventory or offer.
Make the suffix and condition part of the purchase
HP marks the M451 generation discontinued, so a used or remaining-stock offer deserves model-specific questions. Read the nameplate for M451nw and CE956A, confirm the Wi-Fi and Ethernet interfaces, and ask for a sample page and details of included toner. Check return terms and driver availability on the computers that will submit jobs. If automatic duplex is essential, a listing that calls the device an M451nw should not be accepted as an M451dn by implication. These checks preserve the important configuration difference and avoid assuming that the reviewed documentation proves current stock or an individual unit's condition.
What else to compare
Compare the released M451dn if automatic duplex is more important than the nw model's wireless configuration, and confirm the exact interfaces on either model.
Before you buy
Does the M451nw print on both sides automatically?
No. HP documents manual duplex for the M451nw; its automatic-duplex M451dn and M451dw are separate configurations.
Does the exact M451nw include Wi-Fi and Ethernet?
Yes. HP lists built-in wireless and Ethernet connectivity for the M451nw product configuration.
What monthly range does HP recommend?
HP recommends 750 to 2,000 pages per month for the M451nw family configuration reviewed here.
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. Color LaserJet Pro 400 M451nw product page ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- HP U.S. M451nw product page: CE956A, speed, interfaces and configuration-specific duplex specification ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- HP U.S. M451 series specifications: recommended monthly volume and suffix differences ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- HP LaserJet Pro 300/400 Color user guide: model-specific M451nw operating and duplex instructions ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
The decision
The M451nw fits a modest color print-only queue that needs Wi-Fi and Ethernet and can manage manual duplex. Its suffix, discontinued status, and 750–2,000-page guidance deserve close attention.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.