What Toner Does the Brother HL-L3295CDW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother HL-L3295CDW uses TN229 toner in black, cyan, magenta and yellow, in three sizes: standard TN229 (about 1,500 black and 1,200 color pages), high-yield TN229XL (about 3,000 black and 2,300 color) and super-high-yield TN229XXL (about 4,500 black and 4,000 color). It also uses a DR229CL drum unit, rated at about 20,000 pages.
It is one of only four Brother models that accept the TN229XXL. The older TN223 and TN227 cartridges look similar but do not fit. Castle Ink sells compatible TN229, TN229XL and TN229XXL toner in all four colors, plus TN229 and TN229XL 4-packs.
CastleScore · November 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Brother HL-L3295CDW (Scored on Brother HL-L3295CDW ratings)
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 82 | 4.2★ average across 540 reviews at Staples |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify (Digital Trends reviewed it without an overall number). |
| Cost per page (18%) | 84 | About 1.7¢ per black page with our compatible TN229XXLBK (4,500 pages) and about 1.9¢ per color with our TN229XXL colors (4,000 pages). |
| Reliability (18%) | 72 | Most-reported problems: Wi-Fi drop-outs and reconnections; paper curl on printed pages; no No. 10 envelope option when printing from a phone |
| Features (11%) | 72 | Print only, 31 ppm, auto duplex, 2.7" touchscreen, dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, NFC badge reader, front USB port, 250-sheet tray plus 30-sheet bypass. No scan, copy or fax. |
| Value (5%) | 70 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a current price of about $430 |
Limited data: We could not find a published numeric expert score for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked November 2, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
TN229XXLBK
TN229XXLC
TN229XL 4-packOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
What Toner Does the Brother HL-L3295CDW Take?
| Cartridge | Brother part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN229XXL Black (super high yield) | TN229XXLBK | ~4,500 pages | Castle Ink TN229XXLBK, $75.95 |
| TN229XXL Cyan / Magenta / Yellow (super high yield) | TN229XXLC / TN229XXLM / TN229XXLY | ~4,000 pages each | Castle Ink TN229XXLC, $75.95 (also M and Y) |
| TN229XL Black (high yield) | TN229XLBK | ~3,000 pages | Castle Ink TN229XLBK, $65.95 |
| TN229XL Cyan / Magenta / Yellow (high yield) | TN229XLC / TN229XLM / TN229XLY | ~2,300 pages each | Castle Ink TN229XLC, $65.95 (also M and Y) |
| TN229XL 4-color set | TN229XLBK/C/M/Y | ~3,000 black, ~2,300 color | Castle Ink TN229XL 4-pack, $259.95 |
| TN229 Black (standard) | TN229BK | ~1,500 pages | Castle Ink TN229BK, $55.95 |
| TN229 Cyan / Magenta / Yellow (standard) | TN229C / TN229M / TN229Y | ~1,200 pages each | Castle Ink TN229C, $55.95 (also M and Y) |
| TN229 4-color set | TN229BK/C/M/Y | ~1,500 black, ~1,200 color | Castle Ink TN229 4-pack, $199.95 |
| Drum unit (all four colors) | DR229CL | ~20,000 pages | Amazon |
| Belt unit / waste toner box | BU229CL / WT229CL | ~50,000 pages each | Amazon |
Yields are Brother's ISO/IEC 19798 figures as listed by Brother, Staples and 4inkjets; the drum yield is from Brother Canada's HL-L3295CDW page. Amazon links are tagged (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
Not sure which TN229 option fits your budget? Our best compatible toner for Brother TN229 guide compares the sizes, and our compatible vs OEM Brother toner guide covers warranty, chips and cost per page.
What Does HL-L3295CDW Toner Cost per Page?
On November 2, 2026, Brother and Staples both listed the TN229XXLBK at $128.29, about 2.9¢ a black page, and 4inkjets listed the TN229XXL colors at $160.99 each, about 4¢ a page per color. Our compatible TN229XXLBK is $75.95 (about 1.7¢ a page) and our TN229XXL colors are $75.95 each (about 1.9¢ a page per color).
Will Compatible Toner Work?
Yes. Compatible TN229 cartridges, including the XXL size, are widely sold for the HL-L3295CDW and its TN229 siblings, and you can mix sizes, for example an XXL black with XL colors. Brother's warranty language excludes damage caused by non-Brother supplies, not the use of them. Some owners of Brother color lasers believe firmware updates affect third-party toner; Brother denies that, and we have not seen it confirmed. If the printer shows "Toner Not Detected" after a swap, pull the drum unit out, reseat the cartridge until it locks, and push the drum back in fully.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the HL-L3295CDW?
- With the printer on, open the front cover.
- Hold the green handle and pull the drum unit out until it stops.
- Push down the green lock lever for the empty color and lift that toner cartridge out of the drum unit.
- Unpack the new cartridge, shake it gently side to side and remove the protective cover.
- Push the new cartridge firmly into the matching color slot until it locks.
- Slide the green corona-wire tab gently back and forth a few times for each color, then return it to its home position.
- Push the drum unit back into the printer and close the front cover.
These are the standard steps for this printer family. If your model's door label shows a different order, follow the label.
Which Other Printers Use TN229?
The HL-L3220CDW, HL-L3280CDW, HL-L3300CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3720CDW, MFC-L3765CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW all take TN229 toner and the DR229CL drum. Brother lists the TN229XXL only for the HL-L3295CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW.
What HL-L3295CDW owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, manufacturer support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can I use the TN229XXL in this printer?
Yes. Brother lists the TN229XXLBK for the HL-L3295CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW only. It is the cheapest size to run, at about 4,500 black and 4,000 color pages per cartridge.
What cartridges come in the box?
Starter cartridges. Brother Canada lists them at about 2,300 black and 1,200 color pages, along with the DR229CL drum unit, so plan on your first color replacement well before the black.
Do I need a new drum every time I change toner?
No. The DR229CL is a separate part rated at about 20,000 pages, and it holds all four toner cartridges. You only replace it when the printer asks or print quality drops.
Why can't I pick a No. 10 envelope from my phone?
Digital Trends found no No. 10 envelope option in the Brother Mobile Connect app or AirPrint, although envelopes printed fine from a computer. Print envelopes from a PC or Mac and feed them through the 30-sheet multipurpose slot.
HL-L3295CDW quirks worth knowing
- It is print-only. There is no scanner, copier or fax; the MFC-L3780CDW is the all-in-one with the same toner.
- The 2.7-inch touchscreen does not tilt, which makes it hard to read when you are seated next to the printer.
- Reviewers note some paper curl on printed pages, and Walmart's review summary mentions Wi-Fi drop-outs and reconnections.
- It includes an NFC badge reader, a front USB port for walk-up printing, Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother HL-L3295CDW use?
TN229 (standard), TN229XL (high yield) or TN229XXL (super high yield) in black, cyan, magenta and yellow, with a DR229CL drum unit.
Does TN227 or TN223 toner fit the HL-L3295CDW?
No. TN223 and TN227 are for the older HL-L3210CW, HL-L3270CDW and MFC-L3770CDW generation. The HL-L3295CDW takes TN229 only.
Can I mix TN229XL and TN229XXL cartridges?
Yes. Each color slot accepts any TN229 size, so you can run an XXL black with XL or standard colors.
Other printers that use Brother TN229, TN229XL and TN229XXL
Brother MFC-L3780CDW · Brother HL-L3280CDW · Brother HL-L3300CDW
More Brother ink guides: Brother HL-L3290CDW · Brother HL-L8360CDW · Brother MFC-L2820DW · 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 November 2, 2026 and will change over time.
- Brother USA: TN229XXLBK super high-yield toner (price, yield, compatible models)
- Brother Canada: HL-L3295CDW specs, in-box supplies and replacement parts
- Staples: Brother TN229XXLBK toner
- Staples: Brother HL-L3295CDW listing and ratings
- 4inkjets: Brother HL-L3295CDW toner and drums
- Digital Trends: Brother HL-L3295CDW review
- Walmart: Brother HL-L3295CDW listing and ratings
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.