What Toner Does the Brother MFC-L5700DW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother MFC-L5700DW uses Brother TN820 (about 3,000 pages) or the high-yield TN850 (about 8,000 pages) black toner, with a separate DR820 drum unit rated at about 30,000 pages. Castle Ink stocks a compatible TN850 and DR820. Brother's newer TN920 family does not fit.
CastleScore · November 2026
85/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-L5700DW (Scored on Brother MFC-L5900DW data (same engine and toner; the L5700DW has a smaller display and no NFC))
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 86 | 4.5★ average across 84 ratings for the MFC-L5900DW at Best Buy |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 92 | About 1.2¢ per page with our compatible TN850 (8,000 pages, $69.95) plus our DR820 drum (30,000 pages, $99.95); Brother's own run about 2.3¢ combined. |
| Reliability (18%) | 82 | Owners praise Brother's durability; the specific complaints on the L5000 series are toner spots traced to debris on the drum unit and TN820 buyers surprised by its low yield. |
| Features (11%) | 80 | Mono print, copy, scan and fax at up to 42 pages per minute; 70-sheet document feeder with two-sided scanning; auto two-sided printing; Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB; 250-sheet tray plus 50-sheet multipurpose tray; 3.7 in. touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 82 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not verify a published numeric expert score for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Brother has retired the MFC-L5700DW in favor of the MFC-L5710DW (TN920 toner), but TN820/TN850 toner and DR820 drums are still widely sold, including our compatible versions.
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 7, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner and drum, pictured
Brother TN850 Black
Brother DR820 DrumOur own compatible cartridge and drum, the same ones we ship.
Brother TN820 / TN850 / DR820 at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner (standard) | TN820 | ~3,000 pages | — |
| Black Toner (high-yield) | TN850 | ~8,000 pages | Compatible, $69.95 |
| Drum Unit | DR820 | ~30,000 pages | Compatible, $99.95 |
Yields are Brother's own, from its TN850 product page, and B&H and Staples list the MFC-L5700DW among the TN850's compatible printers. Our toner and drum are newly manufactured compatibles.
What Does MFC-L5700DW Toner Cost per Page?
About 1.2¢ per page all in with our TN850 and DR820. Brother's originals run about 2.3¢; one Staples reviewer paid $512 for a drum and two TN850s in 2026.
How to Replace the Toner
- Open the front cover and pull out the drum-and-toner assembly.
- Push the green lock lever down and lift the toner out of the drum.
- Rock the new TN850 and press it into the drum until it locks.
- Slide the green tab across the corona wire and back, reinstall and close the cover.
Which Other Printers Use TN820, TN850 and DR820?
The DCP-L5500DN, DCP-L5600DN, DCP-L5650DN, HL-L5000D, HL-L5100DN, HL-L5200DW, HL-L6200DW, HL-L6250DW, HL-L6300DW, HL-L6400DW, MFC-L5800DW, MFC-L5850DW, MFC-L5900DW, MFC-L6700DW, MFC-L6750DW, MFC-L6800DW and MFC-L6900DW.
What MFC-L5700DW owners ask
These come from owner reviews of the L5000 series at Best Buy and Staples and Brother's supply pages, answered in our words.
Should I buy TN820 or TN850?
TN850. The standard cartridge yields less than half the pages for not much less money, a complaint that recurs in Staples reviews.
Why are there spots on every page?
Brother's own advice is to check the drum for debris. If a mark repeats every few inches after cleaning, the DR820 is due.
How is it different from the L5800DW and L5900DW?
Same 42-page-per-minute engine and toner; the L5800DW adds NFC and the L5900DW adds Gigabit Ethernet and more memory.
Does it scan two-sided?
Yes, from the 70-sheet feeder, and it prints two-sided automatically.
Will it keep printing on "Replace Toner"?
Set Replace Toner to Continue in the menu to finish a job; order toner then.
MFC-L5700DW quirks worth knowing
- Brother's TN880 (12,000 pages) also lists this printer on some retailer tables; TN850 is the safe choice.
- A fuser unit is a separate part the printer will request after six figures of pages.
- Brother's replacement, the MFC-L5710DW, uses TN920 toner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother MFC-L5700DW use?
Brother TN820 (about 3,000 pages) or TN850 (about 8,000 pages), with a separate DR820 drum unit rated at about 30,000 pages.
Does the TN920 fit the MFC-L5700DW?
No. TN920 belongs to the newer L5710/L5915 series.
How often is the DR820 drum replaced?
About every 30,000 pages, or roughly four TN850 cartridges.
Other printers that use Brother TN850 / DR820
Brother MFC-L5900DW · Brother MFC-L5800DW · Brother MFC-L5850DW · Brother HL-L5100DN
More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-L2750DW · Brother HL-L6200DW · Brother MFC-L5710DW · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
- Brother MFC-L5900DW — CastleScore 86
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on November 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.