The TN360 toner is Brother's high-yield black cartridge (about 2,600 pages) for the HL-2140, HL-2170W, MFC-7340, MFC-7345N, MFC-7440N, MFC-7840W, DCP-7030 and DCP-7040. The TN330 is the standard version (about 1,500 pages) for the same eight printers. Both sit in the separate DR360 drum unit, rated for about 12,000 pages.
These printers have been around for years, and many are still running in home offices and small businesses. Below: which cartridge to buy, the cost-per-page math, when the DR360 needs replacing, and how to reset the drum light on each model.
TN330 vs TN360 vs DR360 at a glance
| Part | Type | Page yield* | Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother TN330 | Standard-yield black toner | ~1,500 pages | When the toner runs out |
| Brother TN360 | High-yield black toner | ~2,600 pages | When the toner runs out |
| Brother DR360 | Drum unit | ~12,000 pages | About every 4 to 5 TN360s |
*Toner yields per ISO/IEC 19752 at about 5% page coverage. Drum life is Brother's estimate and varies with how you print.
The TN330 and TN360 are the same shape and lock into the DR360 the same way, so they are interchangeable in every printer below. Switching from one to the other needs no setting change.
Which printers use TN360 toner?
Brother's US compatibility list for the TN330, TN360 and DR360 covers eight models:
| Series | Models | Control panel |
|---|---|---|
| HL printers | HL-2140, HL-2170W | LED lights and Go button |
| MFC all-in-ones | MFC-7340, MFC-7345N, MFC-7440N, MFC-7840W | Display and number keypad |
| DCP copier/scanners | DCP-7030, DCP-7040 | Display, no number keypad |
The next Brother generation (HL-2240, HL-2270DW, MFC-7360N, MFC-7860DW and others) looks similar but uses the TN420/TN450 and DR420 instead; see our TN420 vs TN450 guide. A TN450 will not fit a TN360 printer, and a DR420 will not replace a DR360. If your model was bought outside the US or is not in the table, confirm the cartridge in its manual first.
TN330 vs TN360: cost per page
At current GS TONER prices the TN360 costs about 1.4× as much as the TN330 and prints about 1.7× the pages, so each page costs roughly 18% less. Over one DR360 drum life of 12,000 pages, that is about eight TN330 cartridges versus four to five TN360s.
| Cartridge | Relative toner cost per page (TN330 = 100) | Cartridges per 12,000 pages |
|---|---|---|
| TN330 | 100 | 8 |
| TN360 | about 82 | 4 to 5 |
The drum matters more here than in newer families: a DR360 costs about one and a half times as much as a TN360. Spread over its 12,000 pages it still adds only about one-third on top of the TN360's toner cost per page, but it is a purchase to plan for rather than a surprise.
The DR360 drum: what it does and when to replace it
The toner cartridge clicks into the DR360 drum unit, and the pair goes into the printer as one assembly. The cartridge only supplies toner; the drum is the light-sensitive cylinder that forms the image and transfers it to the paper. Our explainer on what the drum on a Brother printer is covers the details.
Replace the DR360 when:
- the Drum LED lights up (HL-2140, HL-2170W), or the display shows Drum End Soon or Replace Drum (MFC and DCP models);
- prints show spots or marks that repeat down the page, or a gray background that a new toner cartridge did not fix.
When you fit a new drum, move your current toner cartridge into it; do not discard toner that still has pages left.
How to reset the DR360 drum counter
Brother says to reset the counter only when you install a new drum; resetting during a drum's life makes the remaining-life reading inaccurate. A toner change needs no reset.
HL-2140 and HL-2170W:
- Turn the printer on and open the front cover.
- Hold down Go for about four seconds until all four LEDs light up, then release it.
- Close the front cover and check that the Drum LED is off.
MFC-7340, MFC-7345N, MFC-7440N, MFC-7840W, DCP-7030, DCP-7040:
- With the printer on, open the front cover.
- Press Clear (labeled Clear/Back on some models).
- Press 1 on models with a number keypad (MFC), or the Up arrow on models without one (DCP).
- When the display shows Accepted, close the front cover.
Brother's own instructions for the LED models are on its HL-2170W drum LED page. If the light or message will not clear, our Brother drum reset guide lists the usual causes.
How to replace a TN360 or TN330 cartridge
- With the printer on, open the front cover and lift out the drum and toner assembly.
- Push down the lock lever on the drum and take the empty cartridge out.
- Unpack the new cartridge, rock it gently side to side a few times, and remove the protective cover.
- Push it firmly into the drum until it locks; the lever lifts by itself.
- Clean the corona wire by sliding the tab on the drum gently from side to side several times, then return the tab to its home position. A tab left out of place can cause a vertical stripe.
- Put the assembly back and close the front cover.
Brother takes back its genuine cartridges for free recycling; our guide on how to recycle Brother toner cartridges explains the process.
Genuine vs compatible, and how to check the box
For older printers like these, compatible and remanufactured TN360-type cartridges are easy to find, and some list yields above Brother's rated 2,600 pages. Those numbers are not always measured to ISO/IEC 19752, so compare like with like, and expect quality to vary by brand. To confirm the genuine Brother part:
- The Brother name and part number (TN360, also printed as TN-360) appear on the box and the cartridge label.
- The UPC on the box matches the part: TN330 012502619390, TN360 012502619406, DR360 012502619413.
- The retail box is factory sealed, and the cartridge is sealed with its protective cover in place.
GS TONER sells only genuine Brother supplies, brand new and factory sealed, with free US shipping and same-day dispatch on orders placed before 2 PM ET.
Which one should you buy?
- Regular printing: the TN360, about 18% cheaper per page with fewer swaps.
- Occasional printing, or a printer you plan to retire soon: the TN330, for the lowest upfront cost.
- Drum: order a DR360 when the Drum LED or Drum End Soon appears, and reset the counter only after installing it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TN330 and TN360?
Only the toner capacity. Both are genuine Brother black cartridges for the same eight printers. The TN330 is rated at about 1,500 pages and the TN360 at about 2,600 pages per ISO/IEC 19752, so the TN360 costs less per page.
What printers use the TN360 toner?
Brother lists the TN360 for the HL-2140, HL-2170W, MFC-7340, MFC-7345N, MFC-7440N, MFC-7840W, DCP-7030 and DCP-7040. The same printers also take the TN330 and the DR360 drum.
Does the TN360 toner come with a drum?
No. The TN360 is a toner cartridge only. It fits into the DR360 drum unit, which is sold separately and is rated for about 12,000 pages, so one drum lasts through about four to five TN360 cartridges.
Can I use TN450 toner in a printer that takes the TN360?
No. The TN450 belongs to the newer HL-2270DW and MFC-7860DW generation and does not fit TN360 printers. Use the TN330 or TN360 with the DR360 drum.
How do I reset the drum light on a Brother HL-2170W?
After installing a new DR360, turn the printer on, open the front cover, hold down Go for about four seconds until all four LEDs light up, release it, then close the cover.
