TN750 toner is Brother's high-yield black cartridge (about 8,000 pages) for the HL-5400 and HL-6180 laser printers, DCP-8100 series and MFC-8510 to MFC-8950 all-in-ones. Every model also takes the 3,000-page TN720, while the HL-6180DW and MFC-8950DW also accept the 12,000-page TN780. All of them use the DR720 drum, rated for about 30,000 pages.
Many of these business machines are still in daily use, and they stay inexpensive to run when you buy the right cartridge. This guide shows exactly which cartridge each model accepts, how the three sizes compare per page, and when the drum needs attention.
TN720, TN750, TN780 and DR720 at a glance
| Part | Type | Rated life | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother TN720 | Standard-yield toner | ~3,000 pages | All 15 models in the series |
| Brother TN750 | High-yield toner | ~8,000 pages | All 15 models in the series |
| Brother TN780 | Super high-yield toner | ~12,000 pages | HL-6180DW/DWT, MFC-8950DW/DWT only |
| Brother DR720 | Drum unit | ~30,000 pages | All 15 models in the series |
Toner yields are ISO/IEC 19752 figures at about 5% coverage. Toner and drum are sold separately; a toner box never contains a drum.
Which printers use TN750 toner and the DR720 drum?
Brother USA lists the TN720, TN750 and DR720 for the same 15 machines. The only difference between models is whether they accept the TN780.
| Series | Models | TN720 / TN750 | TN780 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL-5400 laser printers | HL-5440D, HL-5450DN, HL-5470DW, HL-5470DWT | Yes | No |
| HL-6180 laser printers | HL-6180DW, HL-6180DWT | Yes | Yes |
| DCP-8100 copier/printers | DCP-8110DN, DCP-8150DN, DCP-8155DN | Yes | No |
| MFC all-in-ones | MFC-8510DN, MFC-8710DW, MFC-8810DW, MFC-8910DW | Yes | No |
| MFC-8950 all-in-ones | MFC-8950DW, MFC-8950DWT | Yes | Yes |
Printer pages: HL-5450DN, HL-5470DW, HL-6180DW, MFC-8910DW and MFC-8950DW.
The model number is printed on the front of the printer and on the rating label at the back. A "T" at the end (HL-5470DWT, MFC-8950DWT) only means the printer came with an extra paper tray; it takes the same supplies as the model without the T. Brother's later HL-L5000/L6000 and MFC-L5000/L6000 printers use different cartridges, covered in our TN820, TN850, TN880 and TN890 guide.
TN720 vs TN750 vs TN780: which toner to buy
All three cartridges hold the same Brother toner; the only difference is how much. Based on current GS TONER prices:
| Cartridge | Pages | Price vs TN720 | Pages vs TN720 | Toner cost per page vs TN720 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN720 | 3,000 | 1.0× | 1.0× | baseline |
| TN750 | 8,000 | ~1.5× | 2.7× | about 44% less |
| TN780 | 12,000 | ~1.7× | 4.0× | about 57% less |
The TN750 is the clear choice for most machines in this series: for roughly half again the price of a TN720 you get 2.7 times the pages. On the HL-6180DW and MFC-8950DW, the TN780 cuts the per-page cost by another 23% or so compared with the TN750.
Decision rule
- HL-6180DW/DWT or MFC-8950DW/DWT: buy the TN780 unless you print very little.
- Any other model in the series: buy the TN750, the largest cartridge those machines accept.
- TN720: only if the printer sees very light use or will be retired soon, because it costs about 80% more per page than the TN750.
Yields assume about 5% coverage, roughly a typed letter. Forms, logos and graphics use more toner, but the ranking between the three sizes stays the same.
The Brother DR720 drum: life and warning signs
The drum is the light-sensitive cylinder that picks up toner and transfers it to the paper, and it wears gradually with use. Brother rates the DR720 at approximately 30,000 pages and notes that drum yield varies by type of use; frequent one- or two-page jobs wear a drum faster than long runs. For the full explanation, see what the drum on a Brother printer is.
One DR720 typically lasts through about 10 TN720s, 3 to 4 TN750s or 2 to 3 TN780s. Per page, the drum adds roughly a third to the toner cost of a TN750.
Replace the drum when:
- The display shows Drum End Soon: the drum is nearing its rated life. Keep printing, but order a DR720.
- The display shows Replace Drum: install the new drum and reset the drum counter.
- Prints show dots or marks repeating at the same spacing, a gray background or streaks that a new toner cartridge does not fix.
How to replace TN750 toner or the DR720 drum
- Leave the printer on, open the front cover and let the inside cool for a few minutes.
- Pull out the toner and drum assembly and set it on a sheet of scrap paper.
- Push down the green lock lever and lift the toner cartridge out of the drum.
- Unpack the new cartridge, remove the protective cover and rock it gently side to side a few times.
- Push the cartridge into the drum until it locks and the green lever lifts automatically.
- Clean the corona wire by sliding the green tab end to end a few times, then return it to its home position. A tab left out of position causes a vertical stripe.
- Slide the assembly back in and close the front cover.
Replacing the drum works the same way: move the toner cartridge from the old DR720 into the new one. Then reset the drum counter from the control panel, and only when you have fitted a new drum. The key sequence differs between models with a button-and-LCD panel and those with a touchscreen, so follow your model's user's guide or our Brother drum reset guide.
Genuine vs compatible TN750
Because this series has been around for years, compatible and remanufactured TN750-type cartridges and DR720-type drums are easy to find and usually cheaper upfront. Quality and actual yield vary between makers, and Brother states that its warranty may not cover damage caused by non-Brother supplies. Genuine cartridges deliver the rated ISO yield and can be returned free through Brother's recycling program. Compare cost per page at realistic yields, not the box price.
A genuine Brother cartridge comes in a factory-sealed Brother box with the exact part number on the box and the cartridge label. The UPCs on our product pages are TN720 012502631064, TN750 012502631071, TN780 012502631088 and DR720 012502631095. More checks are in our guide on how to tell if Brother toner is genuine. Everything we sell at GS TONER is genuine Brother OEM, brand new and factory sealed, with free US shipping and same-day dispatch on orders placed before 2 PM ET.
Bottom line
For the HL-5440D, HL-5450DN, HL-5470DW, DCP-8100 series and MFC-8510DN to MFC-8910DW, buy the TN750. For the HL-6180DW and MFC-8950DW, buy the TN780. Keep a DR720 on hand once the printer shows Drum End Soon, and reset the drum counter only after the new drum is in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TN720 and TN750?
Only the yield. The TN720 is the standard cartridge at about 3,000 pages and the TN750 is the high-yield cartridge at about 8,000 pages. Both fit the same 15 printers and use the same DR720 drum.
Which printers use the Brother TN780?
Brother lists the TN780 only for the HL-6180DW, HL-6180DWT, MFC-8950DW and MFC-8950DWT. Other printers in the series, such as the HL-5450DN and MFC-8910DW, take the TN720 or TN750.
Does TN750 toner come with a drum?
No. The TN720, TN750 and TN780 are toner-only cartridges. The DR720 drum is sold separately and is replaced far less often than the toner.
How long does the Brother DR720 drum last?
Brother rates the DR720 at approximately 30,000 pages, and actual life varies with how the printer is used. That covers several toner cartridges, typically 3 to 4 TN750s.
Do I need to reset the drum after replacing the DR720?
Yes. Reset the drum counter from the control panel after installing a new DR720, following the steps in your printer's user's guide. Do not reset it on an old drum; the warning goes away but print quality keeps declining.
