Brother TN223 is the standard-yield toner and TN227 the high-yield toner for the same Brother color lasers: the HL-L3210CW, HL-L3230CDW, HL-L3270CDW, HL-L3290CDW and MFC-L3710CW/L3750CDW/L3770CDW. TN223 prints about 1,400 pages in black and 1,300 per color. TN227 prints 3,000 and 2,300. The toner sits in a separate DR223CL drum unit.
Brother TN223 and TN227 cartridges at a glance
Both sizes come in four colors and fit the same slots. Yields are Brother's ISO/IEC 19798 ratings at about 5% coverage per color. In each size the black cartridge is rated higher than the colors.
| Color | TN223 (standard) | TN227 (high yield) |
|---|---|---|
| Black | TN223BK: 1,400 pages | TN227BK: 3,000 pages |
| Cyan | TN223C: 1,300 pages | TN227C: 2,300 pages |
| Magenta | TN223M: 1,300 pages | TN227M: 2,300 pages |
| Yellow | TN223Y: 1,300 pages | TN227Y: 2,300 pages |
| Drum (four-drum set) | DR223CL: about 18,000 pages per drum | Same DR223CL drum |
Brother makes no super-high-yield size for these printers. TN227 is the largest cartridge available.
Which printers use TN223 and TN227?
- Color printers: HL-L3210CW, HL-L3230CDW, HL-L3270CDW
- Compact all-in-ones: HL-L3290CDW (print, copy and scan despite the HL name), MFC-L3710CW, MFC-L3750CDW, MFC-L3770CDW
All seven models take both TN223 and TN227 and use the DR223CL drum. A common mistake is ordering TN229 toner because the number is close. TN229 is for Brother's newer HL-L3220CDW, HL-L3280CDW and MFC-L3780CDW generation and does not fit these printers. If you own one of the newer models, see our TN229 vs TN229XL vs TN229XXL guide instead.
Brother HL-L3230CDW toner: what to order
The HL-L3230CDW is a single-function duplex color printer. It takes the same cartridges as the rest of the family: TN223 or TN227 in black, cyan, magenta and yellow. For most offices a TN227 black plus TN227 colors is the best value, as shown below. The printer comes with starter cartridges that hold less toner than retail ones, so the first replacements come sooner than the yields above suggest.
TN223 vs TN227: cost per page
TN227 costs more per cartridge but holds much more toner. At current prices:
- Black: the TN227BK costs about 1.3 times as much as the TN223BK but prints 2.1 times the pages, so each black page costs about 39% less.
- Colors: a TN227 color costs about 1.33 times as much as a TN223 color and prints 1.8 times the pages, so each color page costs about 25% less.
| Your printing | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Light home-office use, mostly text | TN227 black with TN223 colors |
| Regular office printing, some color every week | TN227 in all four colors |
| Need the lowest upfront cost right now | TN223, then move to TN227 at the next order |
The sizes can be mixed freely, one color slot at a time.
Replace one color or the full set?
The printer tracks each cartridge separately and names the color that is low or empty. Replace only that cartridge. Black prints every line of text, so it usually runs out first. The three colors empty at different times depending on what you print: logos and charts in one brand color use that toner much faster than the others.
Buying a full set only makes sense when all four are low at once, or when you want a spare of each color on the shelf. The better habit is to keep one spare black and one spare of whichever color runs out fastest. Our article Color laser printer: replace one cartridge or the full set? covers the reasoning.
The DR223CL drum unit
TN223 and TN227 cartridges contain toner only. Each cartridge clicks into a drum unit, and the Brother DR223CL set contains the four drums, one per color. Brother rates each drum at about 18,000 pages, so a drum outlasts several toner cartridges. Like all drum ratings, the figure depends on how you print: many short jobs wear a drum faster than a few long ones. A DR223CL set costs about 1.7 times as much as a TN227 black cartridge but is rated for six times as many pages.
- When to replace it: when the display shows a drum warning such as Drum End Soon or Replace Drum (wording varies by model), or when spots or streaks repeat at the same position on every page and a new toner cartridge does not fix them.
- Do not replace early: Drum End Soon is an advance warning. Order the drum set then, but keep printing until the quality drops or the printer asks for a replacement.
- Reset after replacing: after installing a new drum, reset the drum counter from the printer menu so the warning clears. See how to reset the drum on a Brother printer.
This series also has two long-life parts that are not part of the toner or drum: the BU223CL transfer belt and the WT223CL waste toner box. Each is rated at roughly 50,000 pages, and the printer shows a message when either needs replacing. For a plain-language explanation of what the drum does, read what is the drum on a Brother printer.
How to replace a TN223 or TN227 cartridge
- With the printer on, open the top cover until it locks in the open position.
- Lift out the toner and drum assembly for the color named on the display.
- Push down the green lock lever and lift the old toner cartridge out of the drum.
- Unpack the new cartridge, shake it gently side to side and remove the protective cover.
- Push the cartridge firmly into the drum until it locks. The green lever lifts back up on its own.
- Clean the corona wire by sliding the green tab on the drum gently from side to side a few times, then return it to its home position.
- Put the assembly back in the slot for its color and close the top cover. The printer detects the new cartridge, so no toner reset is needed.
Your model's online User's Guide has illustrated steps if any part looks different.
Genuine vs compatible TN223 and TN227
Genuine Brother cartridges are designed and yield-tested with the DR223CL drum. Compatible and remanufactured cartridges vary from batch to batch. Common complaints are shorter real yields, color shifts and "toner not recognized" messages. Poor-quality toner can also contaminate the drum or belt, which cost more to replace than a cartridge. Genuine cartridges come in sealed Brother boxes printed with the part number (for example TN227C), the color and the yield. Every cartridge we ship is genuine Brother, brand new and factory sealed, with free US shipping.
Which should you buy?
Choose TN227 for any color you replace more than once or twice a year. It cuts cost per page by roughly a quarter on colors and more than a third on black. TN223 makes sense only for very light printing or when you need the lowest price per cartridge. Keep a spare black, and order a DR223CL set when the printer first warns that the drum is nearing its end, not before.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Brother TN223 and TN227?
Capacity. TN223 is the standard size, rated at about 1,400 pages for black and 1,300 for each color. TN227 is the high-yield size, rated at about 3,000 pages for black and 2,300 for each color. Both fit the same printers and can be mixed.
Which printers use the Brother DR223CL drum?
The HL-L3210CW, HL-L3230CDW, HL-L3270CDW, HL-L3290CDW, MFC-L3710CW, MFC-L3750CDW and MFC-L3770CDW. The DR223CL set contains four drums, one for each color, each rated at about 18,000 pages.
Is the drum included with TN223 or TN227 toner?
No. The cartridges contain toner only and click into the separate DR223CL drum unit, which lasts through several toner replacements.
What does Drum End Soon mean on a Brother printer?
It is an early warning that a drum is nearing the end of its rated life. You can keep printing while quality is good, but order a DR223CL drum set so you have it ready when the printer asks for a replacement.
How do you reset the drum on a Brother HL-L3230CDW?
Reset the drum counter only after installing a new drum unit, using the drum reset option in the printer's menu. The exact steps vary by model and are in the printer's User's Guide and our Brother drum reset guide. Replacing a toner cartridge does not require any reset.
Can I use TN229 toner in a Brother HL-L3270CDW?
No. TN229 is made for Brother's newer HL-L3280CDW and MFC-L3780CDW generation. The HL-L3270CDW and the rest of this family use TN223 or TN227.
