What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J825DW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother MFC-J825DW uses four separate cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow, in either standard-yield LC71 or high-yield LC75. It does not use LC61 or LC65, even though some listings say it does. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured LC75 Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.
Brother lists the same cartridges for the MFC-J835DW, and the MFC-J430W takes them too. LC61 and LC65 are a different Brother cartridge and won't fit. In the UK and Europe the MFC-J825DW takes LC1220/LC1240 cartridges, which won't fit a U.S. model either.
CastleScore · October 2026
85/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-J825DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 78 | Trusted Reviews: 7.75/10 average across its four category scores (no overall score shown) |
| Cost per page (24%) | 93 | About 1.9¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC75 high-yield cartridges (about 600 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 80 | Most-reported problems: pale color copies; mediocre scan quality and no two-sided scanning; a fiddly photo tray |
| Features (12%) | 86 | Print, copy, scan, fax, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, CD/DVD printing. |
| 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. Brother launched the MFC-J825DW in 2011 at about $150 and now lists it as discontinued. LC71 and LC75 cartridges are still sold, though some colors are out of stock at Staples.
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 15, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC75 BlackLC75BK · ~600 pages
LC75 CyanLC75C · ~600 pages
LC75 MagentaLC75M · ~600 pages
LC75 YellowLC75Y · ~600 pages
LC75 Black
LC75 Cyan
LC75 Magenta
LC75 YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the Brother MFC-J825DW Take?
| Cartridge | Brother part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| LC71 Black / Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | LC71BK / LC71C / LC71M / LC71Y | ~300 pages each | — |
| LC75 Black | LC75BK | ~600 pages | Remanufactured LC75 Black |
| LC75 Cyan | LC75C | ~600 pages | Remanufactured LC75 Cyan |
| LC75 Magenta | LC75M | ~600 pages | Remanufactured LC75 Magenta |
| LC75 Yellow | LC75Y | ~600 pages | Remanufactured LC75 Yellow |
The LC75 cyan yield is Brother's ISO figure. The other yields come from PCWorld's review and Staples listings. Retail boxes add an S to the part number, such as LC75BKS.
Is LC75 Worth It?
Yes. LC75 holds twice the ink of LC71. On October 15, 2026, Staples listed Brother's LC75 black at $30.99 (about 5.2¢ a page) against $18.69 for the standard LC71 black. Staples had the LC75 magenta at $18.99 and a color three-pack at $54.49, and Brother listed the LC75 cyan at $18.79. Our remanufactured LC75 black is $6.95 (about 1.2¢ a page) and each color $6.99.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the Brother MFC-J825DW?
- Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the machine.
- Press the lock-release lever for the color shown on the touchscreen and take that cartridge out.
- Unpack the new LC71 or LC75 cartridge and remove its protective cap.
- Insert it in the direction of the arrow on the label and push until it clicks.
- Close the cover. If the touchscreen asks whether it's a new cartridge, confirm it.
Which Other Printers Use LC71 and LC75?
Brother confirms the MFC-J835DW, and the MFC-J430W uses them too. Retailer listings also show the MFC-J280W, MFC-J425W, MFC-J435W, MFC-J625DW, MFC-J5910DW, MFC-J6510DW and MFC-J6710DW, but we haven't confirmed those with Brother, so check your printer's manual first.
What MFC-J825DW owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer in Brother support forums and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Does it take LC61 or LC65 cartridges?
No. The U.S. MFC-J825DW takes LC71 (about 300 pages) or LC75 (about 600 pages). Brother lists it on its LC75 product pages.
Can it print on CDs and DVDs?
Yes. It prints directly on printable CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Does it scan two-sided documents automatically?
No. The 20-sheet document feeder scans one side only, though the printer prints two-sided pages automatically.
Will UK LC1240 cartridges fit?
No. The UK version takes LC1220 and LC1240. U.S. printers take LC71 and LC75.
MFC-J825DW quirks worth knowing
- Brother rates it at 12 ISO pages a minute in black and 10 in color.
- It prints, copies, scans and faxes, with PC-Fax, over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB.
- It has a 3.3-inch touchscreen, a 100-sheet tray plus a 20-sheet photo tray, and prints directly on discs.
- Reviewers found color copies pale and scan quality average. Trusted Reviews also called the photo tray fiddly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Brother MFC-J825DW use?
LC71 standard or LC75 high-yield cartridges in black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Will LC61 or LC65 cartridges fit?
No. They're a different cartridge. The U.S. model takes LC71 and LC75 only.
Is the MFC-J825DW still made?
No. Brother lists it as discontinued, but LC71 and LC75 cartridges are still sold.
Other printers that use LC71 and LC75
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 15, 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.