What Toner Does the Brother MFC-9130CW Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Brother TN221 & TN225 Toner Cartridges – Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The Brother MFC-9130CW uses TN221BK black toner (about 2,500 pages) and either standard Brother TN221 toner (about 1,400 pages) or high-yield TN225 (about 2,200 pages) cyan, magenta and yellow. Each color also has its own DR221CL drum, rated at about 15,000 pages.
There is no TN225 black; black is TN221BK only. The look-alike TN227, made for the newer HL-L3210CW family, does not fit. Castle Ink sells compatible TN221BK, TN225C, TN225M and TN225Y, the DR221CL drum set and single-color drums.
CastleScore · November 2026
80/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-9130CW (Scored on Brother MFC-9130CW ratings)
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 88 | 4.5★ average across 939 ratings at Best Buy (4.8★ across 51 ratings on eBay) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 85 | About 1.6¢ per page black with our compatible TN221BK (2,500 pages) and about 2.1¢ per color with TN225 (2,200 pages). |
| Reliability (18%) | 75 | Most-reported problems: drum replacement cost; Wi-Fi setup taking several tries; slight paper curl |
| Features (11%) | 65 | Color print, copy, scan, fax, 19 ppm, 35-sheet ADF, 3.7-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and USB, 250-sheet tray. No auto duplex, no Ethernet. |
| Value (5%) | 72 | Running cost and owner satisfaction for a retired color laser all-in-one that now sells used |
Limited data: We could not find a published numeric expert score for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Retired. Brother lists the MFC-9130CW as discontinued; it sells used or refurbished only.
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
TN221BK
TN225C
DR221CLOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
What Toner Does the Brother MFC-9130CW Take?
| Cartridge | Brother part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother TN221 Black | TN221BK | ~2,500 pages | Castle Ink TN221BK, $39.95 |
| Brother TN225 Cyan (high yield) | TN225C | ~2,200 pages | Castle Ink TN225C, $45.95 |
| Brother TN225 Magenta (high yield) | TN225M | ~2,200 pages | Castle Ink TN225M, $45.95 |
| Brother TN225 Yellow (high yield) | TN225Y | ~2,200 pages | Castle Ink TN225Y, $45.95 |
| Brother TN221 Cyan / Magenta / Yellow (standard) | TN221C / TN221M / TN221Y | ~1,400 pages each | Amazon |
| Brother drum unit set (4 drums) | DR221CL | ~15,000 pages each | Castle Ink DR221CL 4-pack, $109.95 |
| Brother single drum (black) | DR221CL-BK | ~15,000 pages | Castle Ink DR221CL-BK, $69.95 |
| Brother belt unit | BU220CL | ~50,000 pages | Amazon |
| Brother waste toner box | WT220CL | ~50,000 pages | Amazon |
Yields are Brother's ISO 19798 figures as listed by Brother, Staples, Quill and 4inkjets. Cyan, magenta and yellow single drums are also available from us at $69.95 each. The starter cartridges in a new MFC-9130CW print about 1,000 pages each. Amazon links are tagged (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
Wondering whether non-Brother toner is safe in this printer? Our compatible vs OEM Brother guide covers warranty, chips and cost per page.
What Does MFC-9130CW Toner Cost per Page?
On November 2, 2026, Staples listed Brother's TN221BK at $91.99 and TN225C at $100.29, and 4inkjets listed the TN221BK at $108.99 and the TN225 colors at $102.99 to $109.99: about 3.7¢ to 4.4¢ a page for black and 4.6¢ to 5¢ per color cartridge. Our compatible TN221BK is $39.95 (about 1.6¢ a page) and our TN225 colors are $45.95 each (about 2.1¢ a page per color). 4inkjets listed Brother's DR221CL drum set at $187.99; ours is $109.95.
Will Compatible Toner Work?
Yes. Compatible TN221 and TN225 cartridges are the usual way owners run this printer, and we know of no Brother firmware that blocks them. If a new cartridge is not recognized, take it out, remove all packing and the protective cover, and reseat it firmly in the drum. When the printer reports toner empty on a cartridge that still prints well, Brother's hidden reset menu (front cover open, hold the * key) can reset the count, as owner guides such as TonerParts' describe; it does not help a cartridge that is truly empty.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the MFC-9130CW?
- Make sure the printer is on, then open the front cover.
- Hold the green handle of the drum unit for the color shown on the screen and pull it out.
- Push down the green lock lever on the drum and lift the old toner cartridge out.
- Unpack the new cartridge, shake it gently side to side and remove the protective cover.
- Push the new toner into the drum until it clicks and the lock lever lifts.
- Clean the corona wire by sliding the green tab back and forth a few times, then return the tab to its home position.
- Slide the drum and toner assembly back into its matching color slot and close the front cover.
These are the standard steps for this type of printer. If your model's door label shows a different order, follow the label.
Which Other Printers Use TN221 and TN225?
The Brother HL-3140CW, HL-3170CDW, HL-3180CDW, MFC-9130CW, MFC-9330CDW and MFC-9340CDW all take TN221 and TN225 toner, the DR221CL drums, the BU220CL belt and the WT220CL waste toner box.
What MFC-9130CW owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer review pages, manufacturer support communities and owner forums, answered in our words.
Do I need to replace all four drums at once?
No. Each color has its own drum, rated at about 15,000 pages, and the printer tells you which one needs replacing. Drums are the most common cost complaint in Best Buy reviews, so buying a single color drum when only one is flagged saves money.
Can I mix TN221 and TN225 colors?
Yes. TN225 is simply the high-yield version of the TN221 color cartridge. You can run a TN225 cyan next to a TN221 magenta; black is always TN221BK.
Why did Wi-Fi setup take several tries?
Several owners on eBay and Best Buy say wireless setup needed more than one attempt, then stayed connected. The MFC-9130CW has no Ethernet port, so Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or USB are the only options; Brother's wireless setup wizard on the touchscreen is the most reliable route.
When do the belt and waste toner box need replacing?
Both are rated at about 50,000 pages, so most home and small-office owners rarely replace them. The printer warns you first; our transfer belt guide and waste toner box guide explain the signs.
MFC-9130CW quirks worth knowing
- There is no automatic two-sided printing, copying or scanning; the MFC-9330CDW adds duplex.
- It is large and heavy for a home printer, which several reviewers mention.
- Some owners report slight paper curl on output.
- The included starter toners print only about 1,000 pages each, so the first replacements come sooner than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother MFC-9130CW use?
TN221BK black (about 2,500 pages) and TN221 or high-yield TN225 cyan, magenta and yellow (about 1,400 or 2,200 pages), with DR221CL drums.
Is there a TN225 black cartridge?
No. TN225 is high-yield color only. Black is TN221BK at about 2,500 pages.
Does the MFC-9130CW print two-sided?
Not automatically. It prints, copies, scans and faxes with a 35-sheet document feeder, but has no duplexer.
Other printers that use Brother TN221 and TN225
More Brother ink guides: Brother HL-L3270CDW · Brother MFC-9840CDW · Brother HL-L8360CDW · 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: MFC-9130CW specifications
- Brother: BU220CL belt unit
- 4inkjets: Brother MFC-9130CW toner, drums, belt and waste box
- Staples: Brother TN225C
- Quill: Brother TN221BK
- Best Buy: Brother MFC-9130CW customer reviews
- eBay: Brother MFC-9130CW product reviews
- TonerParts: MFC-9130CW toner and drum counter reset
Need replacement Brother TN221 & TN225 Toner Cartridges – Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow? Shop Brother TN221 & TN225 Toner Cartridges – Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.