What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J5330DW Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the MFC-J5330DW also takes "LC3015" standard cartridges. Brother makes no LC3015 for it. It takes LC3017 and LC3019 only.
CastleScore · October 2026
86/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-J5330DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 94 | About 1.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC3019 super-high-yield cartridges (3,000 black / 1,500 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: 'Cannot Detect Ink Volume' cartridge-detection errors |
| Features (12%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. The MFC-J5330DW is no longer sold new, and Brother has not named a successor. LC3017 and LC3019 cartridges are still sold.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC3019 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
LC3019 BlackLC3019BK · ~3,000 pages
LC3017 BlackLC3017BK · ~550 pages
LC3017 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
LC3019 4-pack
LC3019 Black
LC3017 Black
LC3017 4-packOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Brother MFC-J5330DW use?
The Brother MFC-J5330DW uses 4 Brother LC3017/LC3019 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. High-yield LC3017 and super-high-yield LC3019 cartridges fit the same slots. LC3019 super-high-yield cartridges are rated for about 3,000 black and 1,500 color pages, several times the LC3017, so they're the better value for regular office printing. Each color is a separate cartridge, so you only replace the one that runs out.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part numbers | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Brother LC3017 (high yield) | LC3017BK / LC3017C / LC3017M / LC3017Y | ~550 pages each |
| Brother LC3019 black (super high yield) | LC3019BK | ~3,000 pages |
| Brother LC3019 color (C/M/Y) | LC3019C / LC3019M / LC3019Y | ~1,500 pages each |
*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Brother MFC-J5330DW ink
Should I buy LC3017 or LC3019 for the MFC-J5330DW?
LC3019 for most people. LC3019 super-high-yield cartridges are rated for about 3,000 black and 1,500 color pages, several times the LC3017, so they're the better value for regular office printing. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of LC3017 and LC3019 works.
What other printers use Brother LC3017 ink?
LC3017/LC3019 also fits the MFC-J5335DW, MFC-J5730DW, MFC-J6530DW, MFC-J6730DW, and MFC-J6930DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Brother cartridges fit the MFC-J5330DW?
No. Brother LC3029 (MFC-J5830DW, MFC-J5930DW, MFC-J6535DW, MFC-J6935DW) and LC3037/LC3039 (MFC-J5945DW, MFC-J6945DW) look similar but won't fit. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Can I use remanufactured LC3017 or LC3019 cartridges in the MFC-J5330DW?
Yes. We sell remanufactured LC3017 and LC3019 cartridges for it. Brother hasn't published any block on third-party cartridges for this model, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. If the printer shows “Cannot Detect” with a new cartridge, reseat it and check that the orange cap is removed. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink, Does compatible ink void your printer warranty? and The best compatible ink for Brother printers.
How do I replace the ink in the MFC-J5330DW?
Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer. Push the lock-release lever for the empty color and pull the cartridge out. Unpack the new cartridge, remove the orange protective cap, and push it in until it locks. Close the cover; the printer resets that color's ink counter automatically.
Why does the MFC-J5330DW say “Cannot Detect” or “Cannot Print”?
Remove and reseat the cartridge until it locks, make sure the orange protective cap is off, and wipe the cartridge's contacts with a dry lint-free cloth. Turn the printer off for a minute. If one color is empty, most Brother inkjets stop printing until it's replaced. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my MFC-J5330DW faded or streaky?
From the control panel, run Ink (or Maintenance) > Improve Print Quality > Check Print Quality, then clean the colors that show gaps. If lines look jagged or doubled instead, run the alignment from the same menu; see our print head alignment guide. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Why did the first set of cartridges run out so fast?
New printers use part of the first set to fill the ink system. It's a one-time cost. See why the first cartridges run out fast.
MFC-J5330DW key facts
- Type: business all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 4 individual Brother LC3017/LC3019 cartridges
- Max print size: 11 x 17 in.
- Same ink as: MFC-J5335DW, MFC-J5730DW, MFC-J6530DW, MFC-J6730DW, MFC-J6930DW
What MFC-J5330DW owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Brother's support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can it print 11 x 17?
Yes, it prints up to 11 x 17 in (ledger). Automatic two-sided printing only goes up to letter size, and the scanner glass takes letter or A4.
Does the document feeder scan both sides automatically?
No. The 50-sheet feeder scans one side at a time. Brother also lists two-sided copying and two-sided faxing as not supported.
The firmware won't update over Wi-Fi. What can I do?
TechRadar's reviewer couldn't update it through the app over Wi-Fi and had to connect an Ethernet cable and update from the touchscreen. Brother has a support FAQ for firmware-update errors on this model.
Can I feed envelopes or letterhead one at a time?
Yes. There is a one-sheet manual feed slot at the back, separate from the 250-sheet tray.
I bought my printer in Europe. Will LC3017 fit?
No. The European version takes LC3217 and LC3219XL cartridges instead, so buy ink for the region the printer came from.
MFC-J5330DW quirks worth knowing
- Brother rates it at 22 pages a minute black and 20 color (ISO). Its Fast Mode goes up to 35 and 27, at lower quality.
- Switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection meant reinitialising the printer in TechRadar's testing.
- Photo printing is slow: TechRadar measured nearly a minute for one A4 photo.
- It ships with LC3017 starter cartridges, not LC3019.
Other printers that use LC3017 and LC3019
Brother MFC-J6530DW · Brother MFC-J6730DW · Brother MFC-J6930DW · Brother MFC-J5730DW
More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-J1360DW · Brother MFC-J4355DW · Brother MFC-J6555DW · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother MFC-T780DW — CastleScore 90
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-J4335DW — CastleScore 89
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Brother ink cartridges? Shop Brother ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.