HP PageWide XL Series Compared: 3950, 4200, 4250, 4700, and 5200
The right HP PageWide XL depends on how fast your print room needs to run and whether you need scanning. The 3950 prints up to 10 D/A1 pages per minute, the 4250 up to 12, the 4700 up to 15, and the 5200 up to 20. Earlier names such as the HP PageWide XL 4200, 4000, and 3900 are covered further down.
SBR Technologies sells and services wide-format printers and plotters, and is an authorized HP DesignJet dealer for Utah and Nevada. This guide is for print room managers, reprographics teams, and AEC and GIS teams choosing between PageWide XL models. It compares the current range first and then maps the earlier names to today's lineup.
How do the HP PageWide XL 3950, 4250, 4700, and 5200 compare?
From slowest to fastest, the HP PageWide XL 3950, 4250, 4700, and 5200 print up to 10, 12, 15, and 20 D/A1 pages per minute. HP quotes speed in D/A1 pages, meaning ANSI D or ISO A1 sheets.
| Model | Best for | Speed (D/A1 pages per minute) | Rolls | Ink supply | Print-only or MFP | Model page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP PageWide XL 3950 | Lower-volume technical printing with scanning | Up to 10 | Up to 4 | 500 ml | MFP only | Ask SBR |
| HP PageWide XL 4250 | Mid-volume mono and color technical printing | Up to 12 | Up to 4 | 500 ml | Printer or MFP | HP PageWide XL 4250 page |
| HP PageWide XL 4700 | Scanning work at higher volume | Up to 15 | Up to 4 | 500 ml | MFP only | HP PageWide XL 4700 page |
| HP PageWide XL 5200 | The busiest print rooms and reprographics houses | Up to 20 | Up to 4, with spindle-less drawers | 1 liter | Printer or MFP | HP PageWide XL 5200 page |
Which PageWide XL should you choose?
Choose by speed first and scanning second.
- Lower volume: the 3950.
- Mid-volume work, with a choice of printer-only or scanning: the 4250.
- Faster scanning work: the 4700.
- High volume, plus maps and posters: the 5200.
- Replacing a 4200: the 4250.
Who is the HP PageWide XL 3950 for?
The HP PageWide XL 3950 is the entry model in HP's current PageWide XL lineup, printing up to 10 D/A1 pages per minute in mono and color. It suits teams that want PageWide speed without moving to the fastest tier. HP builds it as a multifunction model only, so scanning and copying come with it.
Ink comes in 500-ml Eco-Carton supplies, and the printer takes up to 4 rolls. A 15-inch touchscreen and HP Wolf Pro Security complete the package. The HP PageWide XL 3950 datasheet lists the full specifications.
Who is the HP PageWide XL 4250 for?
The HP PageWide XL 4250 fits mid-volume technical printing, at up to 12 D/A1 pages per minute in mono and color. It prints both at the same speed, which helps teams that mix line drawings with color plans.
HP sells it as a printer or multifunction model, so teams without a scanning workflow can skip the scanner. It takes up to 4 rolls and 500-ml Eco-Carton supplies, with a 15-inch touchscreen and HP Wolf Pro Security. For 4200 owners, it is the closest current model. The HP PageWide XL 4250 datasheet carries the full specifications.
Who is the HP PageWide XL 4700 printer for?
The HP PageWide XL 4700 printer suits teams that scan and print at up to 15 D/A1 pages per minute. HP sells the 4700 as a multifunction model only. It shares the 4250's 500-ml Eco-Carton supplies, up to 4 rolls, and a 15-inch touchscreen, and it carries HP Wolf Pro Security.
HP says it runs at a lower cost than LED printers. The 4200 reaches the same 15 pages per minute with an optional speed upgrade, which is why the two models get confused. The HP PageWide XL 4700 datasheet covers the details.
Who is the HP PageWide XL 5200 printer for?
The HP PageWide XL 5200 printer is the fastest technical model in this comparison, at up to 20 D/A1 pages per minute. HP positions it for reprographics houses and high-volume print rooms, including GIS maps and point-of-sale posters. It comes as a printer or a multifunction model. Supplies are 1-liter cartridges, and up to 4 spindle-less drawers automatically switch rolls.
It includes HP Wolf Pro Security and a 15-inch touchscreen. Above it, HP's 8200 reaches 30 D/A1 pages per minute. Some buyers write the name as XL5200. The HP PageWide XL 5200 datasheet has the full specifications.
Do you need a print-only or a multifunction PageWide XL?
A PageWide XL needs a scanner only if the team digitizes wide drawings or copies markups. The 3950 and 4700 come only as multifunction models. The 4250 and 5200 come as printers or multifunction models, so those two let a team choose.
On an HP PageWide XL MFP, HP lists scan on the fly, a live scan preview, and scanning to folders and email. HP also says its AI Vectorization software turns scanned paper plans into editable CAD files on any PageWide XL multifunction printer. A team that already owns a wide-format scanner can skip the scanner and choose a printer-only model.
Looking for the HP PageWide XL 4200, 4000, or 3600/3900?
These are earlier PageWide XL names, and each one maps to the closest model in HP's current US lineup.
What is the HP PageWide XL 4200 MFP printer?
The HP PageWide XL 4200 is a 40-inch printer, available as a printer or a multifunction model, that prints up to 10 D/A1 pages per minute. An optional speed upgrade raises that to 15. HP's datasheet gives a first page out in 22 seconds from USB, two rolls as standard (expandable to four), and a 100-page top stacker.
The closest current model is the 4250, which prints up to 12 pages per minute. HP's current US lineup page lists the 4250 and 4700 as one series. The HP PageWide XL 4200 datasheet has the full specifications.
What is the HP PageWide XL 4000?
The HP PageWide XL 4000 is the 2015 original, which printed up to 8 D/A1 pages per minute. It took up to 4 rolls with a 100-page top stacker, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a 36-inch scanner on the multifunction model. HP rates its first page out at 20 seconds. Listings for the 4000ps describe a 4000 with PostScript support. HP's current "4000 series" page covers the 4250 and 4700. HP posts HP PageWide XL 4000 drivers on its support site. The HP PageWide XL 4000 datasheet lists its specs.
What about the HP PageWide XL 3600/3900?
HP made a PageWide XL 3900, a 6-pages-per-minute multifunction model from the 2018 generation, and later the 3920 and 3950. HP's PageWide XL lineup includes no 3600. Searches for a PageWide XL 3600 usually mean the DesignJet XL 3600, a 36-inch DesignJet covered in the DesignJet section below.
Closest current model, by model family. The mapping follows HP's model-number families, so confirm any specific replacement with SBR.
| Earlier model | Speed (D/A1 pages per minute) | Closest current model |
|---|---|---|
| HP PageWide XL 3900 and 3920 | Up to 6 | HP PageWide XL 3950 |
| HP PageWide XL 4000 | Up to 8 | HP PageWide XL 4250 |
| HP PageWide XL 4100 and 4200 | Up to 10 | HP PageWide XL 4250 |
| HP PageWide XL 4500 | Up to 12 | HP PageWide XL 4700 |
| HP PageWide XL 4600 | Up to 15 | HP PageWide XL 4700 |
| HP PageWide XL 5000 | Up to 14 | HP PageWide XL 5200 |
Is the HP PageWide XL Pro 5200 the same as the 5200?
The HP PageWide XL Pro 5200 is a separate model from HP's graphics group. It prints up to 400 m² or 600 B1 pages per hour, prints single- and double-sided, and accepts boards, sheets, and rolls.
The HP PageWide XL 5200 prints single-sided on rolls, at up to 20 D/A1 pages per minute. Both use 1-liter supplies and take up to 4 rolls. HP's PageWide XL Pro 5200 page has the full specifications. Ask SBR whether the Pro 5200 is available.
PageWide XL or DesignJet XL: which fits your team?
A DesignJet XL fits one team's daily printing, and a PageWide XL fits production volume. The HP DesignJet XL 3600 is a 36-inch DesignJet with a first page out in 29 seconds and two rolls. It uses a printhead that moves across the page. PageWide XL printers use a stationary, full-width printhead that prints a page in one pass, and they handle 40-inch media.
Both lines sit in HP's XL range, which likely explains why some buyers search for a PageWide XL 3600. A team that prints at lower volume and wants predictable running costs usually belongs on the DesignJet XL 3600. The HP DesignJet guide compares the DesignJet models in depth.
How can you buy a PageWide XL: new, lease, or trade-in?
SBR sells PageWide XL printers new, offers leasing, and accepts trade-ins.
SBR offers plotter leasing; pricing and terms are by quote. Read up on leasing vs. buying before you decide. The trade-in program takes an old plotter toward a new HP plotter: any brand, any age; even a little tired. Credit depends on the plotter's age, brand, and other factors. SBR sells, installs, and services wide-format printers across Utah, including Salt Lake City, with its own technicians handling installation and service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the HP PageWide XL 4250, 4700, and 5200?
The HP PageWide XL 4250, 4700, and 5200 differ mainly in speed and ink supply. The 4250 prints up to 12 D/A1 pages per minute, the 4700 up to 15, and the 5200 up to 20: the 4250 and 4700 use 500-ml supplies, and the 5200 uses 1-liter supplies. The 4700 is multifunction only, and the 4250 and 5200 also come as printers.
Which PageWide XL is the current counterpart to the 4200?
Among current models, the 4250 is the closest counterpart to the HP PageWide XL 4200. It sits in the same model family and prints up to 12 D/A1 pages per minute, compared with the 4200's 10. HP's current US lineup lists the 4250 and 4700 as one series. SBR can confirm the best replacement for a specific 4200 setup.
Do HP PageWide XL printers come in print-only and MFP versions?
Some HP PageWide XL models come in both versions. The 4250 and 5200 are available as printers or as MFP models, and the 3950 and 4700 are MFP only. An HP PageWide XL MFP adds scanning and copying to the same machine.
What are the HP PageWide XL specs, and how fast is each model?
HP PageWide XL specs vary by model. The 3950 prints up to 10 D/A1 pages per minute, the 4250 up to 12, the 4700 up to 15, and the 5200 up to 20. All four take up to 4 rolls. Ink supplies are 500 ml on the first three and 1 liter on the 5200. The earlier 4200 prints up to 10 pages per minute, and the original 4000 up to 8.
Where can I find the HP PageWide XL datasheet or brochure for each model?
SBR links the HP PageWide XL datasheet for each model in this guide. HP hosts the files for the 3950, 4250, and 4700, and SBR hosts the 4200 and 4000 files. For the HP PageWide XL Pro 5200 datasheet, HP's own product page is the place to look. For an HP PageWide XL brochure, HP's product pages are the place to start.
How much does an HP PageWide XL cost?
The price of an HP PageWide XL depends on the model, whether it is a printer or an MFP, and the options. Speed tier, roll drawers, stackers, folders, and the optional speed upgrade on earlier models such as the 4200 all change the total. Request a quote for current pricing on the models SBR sells. Price questions about the 4200, 4000, 3900, and DesignJet XL 3600 go to a specialist, who can say what applies today.
Can I trade in an older PageWide XL or another plotter?
SBR Technologies takes plotter trade-ins toward a new HP plotter, and an older PageWide XL qualifies like any other brand. Any brand, any age; even a little tired. Credit depends on the plotter's age, brand, and other factors.
PageWide XL or DesignJet XL: which one fits my team?
A DesignJet XL fits one team's daily printing, and a PageWide XL fits production volume. The DesignJet XL 3600 is a 36-inch printer with a 29-second first page. PageWide XL models print on 40-inch media with a stationary printhead, at 10 to 20 D/A1 pages per minute across the current range. Choose the PageWide XL when speed and volume come first.
Is the HP PageWide XL Pro 5200 the same as the 5200?
HP lists the PageWide XL Pro 5200 as a separate model in its graphics group. It handles boards and sheets, as well as rolls, and prints double-sided at up to 400 m² or 600 B1 pages per hour. The HP PageWide XL 5200 is a technical printer that handles rolls, at up to 20 D/A1 pages per minute. Ask SBR whether the Pro 5200 is available.
