What Toner Does the Brother HL-L3220CDW Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said TN229 prints about 1,000 pages per cartridge and TN229XL about 2,300 black and 1,200 color. Brother rates TN229 at about 1,500 pages black and 1,200 per color, and TN229XL at about 3,000 black and 2,300 per color. The 1,000-page figure applies only to the starter toner in the box.
Quick answer: The Brother HL-L3220CDW uses Brother TN229 toner for standard-yield replacement, or TN229XL for high-yield replacement. Each color is sold as its own cartridge (TN229BK, TN229C, TN229M and TN229Y, and the same with XL), and multipacks are sold too. The drum, DR229CL, is a separate part.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Brother HL-L3220CDW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 80 | 4.09★ average across 1,863 ratings at Amazon (3.9), Staples (4.2), Quill (4.3) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 81 | About 4.8¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible TN229XL toner (3,000 black / 2,300 color pages). |
| Reliability (18%) | 89 | Most-reported problems: firmware update reset the admin/default password requiring a full reset |
| Features (11%) | 54 | Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 75 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $284 |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new at about $285 at Staples and Quill.
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 7, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
TN229XL 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
TN229XL BlackHigh yield · ~3,000 pages
TN229XL Cyan~2,300 pages
TN229XL Magenta~2,300 pages
TN229XL Yellow~2,300 pages
TN229XL 4-pack
TN229XL Black
TN229XL Cyan
TN229XL Magenta
TN229XL YellowOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
Brother HL-L3220CDW Toner at a Glance
| Cartridge | Colors | Approx. Page Yield (per cartridge) |
|---|---|---|
| In-box starter toner | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow | ~1,000 pages each |
| Brother TN229 | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow | ~1,500 pages black / ~1,200 pages per color |
| Brother TN229XL | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow | ~3,000 pages black / ~2,300 pages per color |
| Brother DR229CL drum unit | One unit for all four colors | ~20,000 pages |
| Brother WT229CL waste toner box | — | ~50,000 pages |
| Brother BU229CL belt unit | — | ~50,000 pages |
This same TN229 toner family is shared across several related Brother color laser models, including the HL-L3280CDW, HL-L3295CDW, HL-L3300CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3720CDW, MFC-L3765CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW. They also share the DR229CL drum, so one stock of supplies covers them all.
How to Replace the Toner Cartridges
- Open the front cover and pull out the toner cartridge you need to replace — each color has its own slot.
- Gently rock the new cartridge from side to side several times to redistribute the toner.
- Remove the protective cover and pull the sealing tape straight out of the cartridge.
- Slide the new cartridge into its matching color slot until it locks into place.
- Close the front cover and print a test page to confirm color accuracy.
Troubleshooting Tips
Some buyers report pages coming out slightly curled. It is a minor complaint, not a sign of a fault. If a specific color looks off or streaky, try removing and reseating that color's cartridge before assuming it's defective — toner settling during shipping is a common, easily fixed cause.
What HL-L3220CDW 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 I use the super-high-yield TN229XXL black?
No. Brother lists TN229XXLBK (about 4,500 pages) for the HL-L3295CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW only. It is not listed for the HL-L3220CDW.
Is the drum separate from the toner, and how long does it last?
Yes. The DR229CL drum unit is a separate part that serves all four colors. Brother rates it for about 20,000 pages when you print one page per job, and about 30,000 at three pages per job.
What comes in the box?
Starter toner in all four colors (about 1,000 pages each), plus the DR229CL drum, WT229CL waste toner box and BU229CL belt unit. With those parts rated for 20,000 to 50,000 pages, most owners will only buy toner for a long time.
Can I connect it with an Ethernet cable?
No wired Ethernet is listed by Brother, Staples or CDW. It connects by dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or USB 2.0.
Can it scan, copy or print two-sided?
It prints two-sided automatically, but it is a print-only printer: there is no scanner, so no copying or scanning.
HL-L3220CDW quirks worth knowing
- Genuine toner costs more than the printer. Brother lists TN229BK black at $79.79 and TN229C cyan at $84.99, so a standard four-color set comes to about $335 if magenta and yellow are priced like cyan, against $284.99 for the printer at Staples.
- TN229, TN229XL and the DR229CL drum are shared with the HL-L3280CDW, HL-L3295CDW, HL-L3300CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3720CDW, MFC-L3765CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW.
- Brother rates it at 19 pages a minute in both black and color, with a 250-sheet tray, a single-sheet manual feed slot and a 150-sheet output tray.
- Brother quotes a maximum duty cycle of 40,000 pages a month but recommends up to 3,000. Stay near the lower figure for a long life.
FAQ
Do I need to replace all four toner cartridges at once?
No. Each color cartridge is replaced independently, only when that specific color runs low.
Can I mix standard TN229 and high-yield TN229XL cartridges?
Yes, you can mix and match standard and high-yield cartridges across the four colors as needed.
Other printers that use TN229 toner
Brother MFC-L3720CDW · Brother MFC-L3780CDW · Brother HL-L3280CDW
More Brother ink guides: Brother DCP-L2640DW · Brother MFC-L2820DW · Brother HL-L2460DW · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother HL-L5210DW — CastleScore 89
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 7, 2026 and will change over time.
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.