What Toner Does the Brother HL-L3290CDW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother HL-L3290CDW uses TN223 (standard) or TN227 (high-yield) toner in four colors, plus a DR223CL drum set. TN229 does not fit. Castle Ink stocks compatible TN223 and TN227 sets and DR223CL drums with free U.S. shipping and a one-year guarantee.
The HL-L3290CDW is a compact color laser all-in-one with a document feeder, duplex printing and fax.
Brother HL-L3290CDW Supplies at a Glance
| Supply | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| TN223BK | Black | ~1,400 pages |
| TN223C / TN223M / TN223Y | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~1,300 pages each |
| TN227BK | Black | ~3,000 pages |
| TN227C / TN227M / TN227Y | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~2,300 pages each |
| DR223CL drum set (all four) | — | ~18,000 pages |
| BU223CL belt unit | — | ~50,000 pages |
| WT223CL waste toner box | — | ~50,000 pages |
TN229 Is a Different Printer's Toner
This is the most common wrong purchase on these models, and it is easy to make because the printers look almost the same. TN229 with the DR229CL drum belongs to the newer HL-L3220CDW, HL-L3280CDW, HL-L3295CDW, HL-L3300CDW and MFC-L3720/3765/3780CDW. It will not work here. This printer takes TN223 or TN227 with a DR223CL drum.
Buy the TN227
TN227 black is more than twice the pages of TN223 black, and the TN227 colors are nearly double. Unless you print almost nothing, there is no good reason to buy the standard TN223 set.
The Starter Toners Are 1,000 Pages
All four cartridges in the box are 1,000-page starters, not full TN223s. Expect the first replacement sooner than the specification suggests.
Four Consumables, Not One
Beyond toner there is a drum set (DR223CL, about 18,000 pages, sold as all four drums together), a belt unit and a waste toner box. Budget for the full list rather than just cartridges.
Is the HL-L3290CDW Discontinued?
Brother shows it as out of stock but has not marked it discontinued, and names no replacement. In practice it is end-of-line — Brother's current equivalents are the HL-L3280CDW and HL-L3295CDW, which use TN229 and the DR229CL drum and do not share supplies with this machine.
Save on Supplies at Castle Ink
Castle Ink carries compatible supplies for the HL-L3290CDW:
- Brother TN227 Toner Cartridges – BKCMY 4-Pack — $249.95
- Brother TN223 Toner Cartridges – BKCMY 4-Pack — $139.95
- Brother DR223CL Color Drum Unit – Compatible Replacement — $69.95
All Castle Ink orders ship free in the U.S. and are backed by a one-year quality guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother HL-L3290CDW use?
TN223 standard or TN227 high-yield toner in black, cyan, magenta and yellow, plus a DR223CL drum set.
Will TN229 fit?
No. TN229 and the DR229CL drum belong to the newer HL-L3220CDW/L3280CDW/L3295CDW generation.
Is TN227 worth the extra over TN223?
Yes. TN227 black is about 3,000 pages against 1,400, and the colors are 2,300 against 1,300.
How long does the drum last?
About 18,000 pages. DR223CL is a four-drum set; individual color drums are not sold separately.
Can I use compatible TN227 toner?
Yes. Compatible TN223 and TN227 cartridges work normally in this printer.
See Also
- Find Ink by Printer Model
- Best Printers: Top Picks for Every Use Case and Budget
- PrinterIQ Finder — find your next printer in about 60 seconds
By William Elward, Founder of Castle Ink — 20+ years helping people solve printer and ink problems. Last updated August 23, 2026.
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