Brother toners and drums: TN codes and page yields
Brother laser printers use TN toner cartridges and, on many models, a separate DR drum unit. For colour lasers, TN243 and TN247 fit printers such as the HL-L3210, HL-L3230, HL-L3270, MFC-L3730 and MFC-L3750, while TN248 and TN248XL are made for the newer HL-L3220, HL-L3240, DCP-L3520, DCP-L3560, MFC-L3740 and MFC-L3760. Older colour codes such as TN241 and TN245 are included as well.
For mono printers there are the TN2420, TN2424 and TN2510XL, the compact TN-1090 and TN1050, the TN-B023 for the HL-B2080DW and MFC-B7710DN, and the TN3480 for higher-volume office printing. Drum units include the DR2300, DR-2400 and DR-3400, each rated for many thousands of pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Brother toner and a drum?
The toner cartridge holds the powder that forms the printed image, while the drum unit transfers it onto the paper. On many Brother mono lasers they are separate parts, and one drum lasts through several toners. The DR-2400, for example, is rated at about 12,000 pages and the DR-3400 at about 30,000. Replace the drum when the printer asks for it or print quality drops.
What is the difference between standard and XL Brother toners?
Higher-yield cartridges print more pages in the same printer. For the HL-L3220 and MFC-L3760 family, the standard TN248 is rated at about 1,000 pages per colour, while the TN248XL reaches about 3,000 pages in black and 2,300 in colour. For mono printers, the TN3480 is rated at about 8,000 pages, which means fewer changes in a busy office.
How do I know which Brother toner fits my printer?
Check the TN code on the cartridge you are replacing, or your printer model, and compare it with the models listed in the product title. Codes are specific: TN243 and TN247 fit the HL-L3210 family, while TN248 is made for newer models such as the HL-L3240 and DCP-L3560, so they are not interchangeable. If your printer uses a separate drum, check its DR code as well.