What Toner Does the Brother HL-5450DN Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother HL-5450DN uses the TN720 standard-yield (about 3,000 pages) or TN750 high-yield (about 8,000 pages) black toner cartridge, which snaps into a separate DR720 drum unit rated at about 30,000 pages.
The 12,000-page TN780 does not fit (Brother lists it only for the HL-6180DW and MFC-8950DW), and neither do the TN730/TN760/DR730 or TN620/TN650/DR620 families. Castle Ink sells a compatible TN750 and DR720.
CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother HL-5450DN (Scored on Brother HL-5450DN ratings)
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.28★ average across 157 ratings at Brother Canada |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 80 | 80/100 TechSpot aggregate of PCMag, CNET and PC Advisor reviews |
| Cost per page (18%) | 97 | About 0.7¢ per page all-in with our compatible TN750 toner (8,000 pages) and DR720 drum (30,000 pages). |
| Reliability (18%) | 72 | Most-reported problems: lights dimming or UPS alarms at warm-up; loud operation; occasional early fuzzy-print failures |
| Features (11%) | 70 | Print only, 40 ppm, auto two-sided printing, 250-sheet tray plus 50-sheet multipurpose tray, Ethernet and USB. No Wi-Fi, LED panel only. |
| Value (5%) | 85 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a list price of $199.99 |
Discontinued. Brother USA, Canada and UK all list the HL-5450DN as discontinued; TN720, TN750 and DR720 supplies 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 28, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
TN750
DR720Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
What Toner Does the Brother HL-5450DN Take?
| Cartridge | Brother part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN750 Black (high yield) | TN750 | ~8,000 pages | Castle Ink TN750, $37.95 |
| DR720 drum unit | DR720 | ~30,000 pages | Castle Ink DR720, $49.95 |
| TN720 Black (standard) | TN720 | ~3,000 pages | Amazon |
| TN750 2-pack | TN7502PK | 2 × ~8,000 pages | Amazon |
Yields are Brother's ISO 19752 figures from its TN720, TN750 and DR720 product pages, confirmed by Staples and 4inkjets. Amazon links are tagged (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
What Does HL-5450DN Toner Cost per Page?
On October 28, 2026, Brother and Staples listed the TN750 at $126.79 (about 1.6¢ a page), the TN720 at $84.99 to $88.99 (about 2.9¢ a page) and the DR720 drum at $171.79 (about 0.6¢ a page). Our compatible TN750 is $37.95 (about 0.5¢ a page) and our DR720 is $49.95 (about 0.2¢ a page), so the all-in cost is roughly 0.7¢ a page.
Will Compatible Toner Work?
Yes. Brother's TN720 and TN750 have no chip; the printer tracks toner by a counter and a sensor flag, so compatible cartridges work without firmware worries. The only wrinkle is the LED-only panel: if the Toner light stays on after a swap, open the front cover, reseat the cartridge in the drum until it clicks, and close the cover so the printer re-detects it.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the HL-5450DN?
- Leave the printer on, press the front-cover release and open the front cover.
- Pull the drum-and-toner assembly straight out and set it on a disposable surface.
- Push down the green lock lever on the drum unit and lift the old toner cartridge out.
- Unpack the new TN720 or TN750, remove the protective cover and rock it gently side to side to distribute the toner.
- Push the new cartridge firmly into the drum until it clicks; the green lever springs back up on its own.
- Slide the green corona-wire tab on the drum back and forth several times, then return it to the home (▲) position.
- Reinstall the assembly and close the front cover. Do not reset the drum counter when changing toner only.
When you fit a new DR720, open the front cover and hold Go for about four seconds until all the LEDs light, release it and close the cover to reset the drum counter.
Which Other Printers Use TN720, TN750 and DR720?
The HL-5440D, HL-5450DN, HL-5450DNT, HL-5470DW, HL-5470DWT, HL-6180DW and HL-6180DWT; the DCP-8110DN, DCP-8150DN and DCP-8155DN; and the MFC-8510DN, MFC-8710DW, MFC-8810DW, MFC-8910DW, MFC-8950DW and MFC-8950DWT all take the same toner and drum. Only the HL-6180DW and MFC-8950DW also accept the TN780.
What HL-5450DN owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, manufacturer support communities and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can I use the 12,000-page TN780 to cut my cost per page?
No. Brother's TN780 page lists only the HL-6180DW, HL-6180DWT, MFC-8950DW and MFC-8950DWT. The HL-5450DN tops out at the 8,000-page TN750.
Does it have Wi-Fi? Can I print from my phone?
There is no built-in Wi-Fi, only Ethernet and USB. AirPrint and Brother iPrint&Scan work once the printer is plugged into your router by Ethernet; the sibling HL-5470DW adds Wi-Fi and an LCD.
Why do my lights dim or my UPS beep when it prints?
The fuser draws a large surge of current as it warms up. Reviewers and owners advise plugging a laser printer straight into a wall outlet rather than a UPS battery outlet; a few report tripped breakers.
What toner came in the box, and why did it run out so fast?
The printer ships with a standard TN720 rated at about 3,000 pages. Switch to the 8,000-page TN750 for a lower cost per page; the DR720 drum is separate and lasts about 30,000 pages.
HL-5450DN quirks worth knowing
- There is no LCD: status comes from the Toner, Drum, Paper, Error and Ready lights plus a single Go button, so counter resets are button sequences rather than menus.
- The drum and toner are separate, so you keep the DR720 through roughly three TN750 changes.
- It is rated at 40 ppm, but reviewers measured real-world output below that on short jobs.
- It is loud at start-up and while printing (59 dB rated), which comes up repeatedly in owner reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother HL-5450DN use?
TN720 (about 3,000 pages) or TN750 (about 8,000 pages) black toner, with the DR720 drum unit (about 30,000 pages).
Does the TN780 fit the HL-5450DN?
No. Brother lists the TN780 only for the HL-6180DW, HL-6180DWT, MFC-8950DW and MFC-8950DWT.
How do I reset the drum counter on the HL-5450DN?
With the front cover open, hold Go for about four seconds until all the LEDs light, release it and close the cover. Only do this after fitting a new DR720.
Other printers that use Brother TN720, TN750 and DR720
DR720 drum guide (HL-5450DN and HL-6180DW)
More Brother ink guides: Brother HL-L2370DW · Brother MFC-7860DW · Brother HL-L2300D · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 28, 2026 and will change over time.
- Brother USA: TN750 high-yield toner
- Brother USA: TN720 standard-yield toner
- Brother USA: DR720 drum unit
- Brother USA: TN780 compatibility list
- Brother Canada: HL-5450DN ratings and status
- Staples: Brother TN-750
- TechSpot: Brother HL-5450 series expert reviews
- TonerParts: resetting the DR720 drum counter
Need replacement Brother toner cartridges? Shop Brother toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.