What Toner Does the Brother MFC-L5850DW Use?

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Quick answer: The Brother MFC-L5850DW uses TN820 (standard, about 3,000 pages) or TN850 (high yield, about 8,000 pages) black toner, with a separate DR820 drum unit rated at about 30,000 pages.

Brother does not list the 12,000-page TN880 for this model, and the newer TN920 series for the MFC-L5710DW and MFC-L5915DW does not fit either. Castle Ink sells a compatible TN850 and a compatible DR820 drum.

CastleScore · November 2026

69/100 — Situational

Brother MFC-L5850DW (Scored on Brother MFC-L5850DW ratings)

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) — No owner rating with a usable sample we could verify; major US retailers no longer show reviews for this discontinued model.
Expert reviews (20%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify.
Cost per page (18%) 90 About 0.9¢ per page with our compatible TN850 toner (8,000 pages), plus about 0.3¢ for the DR820 drum.
Reliability (18%) 68 Reported problems (limited data): drum errors that persist after a new DR820; paper wrinkling from both trays
Features (11%) 80 Print, copy, scan, fax, 42 ppm, auto duplex, 70-page duplex ADF, 3.7-inch color touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB, 300 sheets standard (up to 1,340).
Value (5%) 70 Running cost and features against a list price of $499.99

Limited data: We could not find a verifiable owner rating or a published numeric expert score for this printer, so the score rests on running cost, reliability reports, features and value, and is capped at 69.

Retired. Brother discontinued the MFC-L5850DW in 2021; 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

Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.

What Toner Does the Brother MFC-L5850DW Take?

Cartridge Brother part no. Approx. yield Castle Ink option
Brother TN850 Black (high yield) TN850 ~8,000 pages Castle Ink TN850, $69.95
Brother TN820 Black (standard) TN820 ~3,000 pages Amazon
Brother DR820 Drum Unit DR820 ~30,000 pages Castle Ink DR820, $99.95

Yields are Brother's ISO/IEC 19752 figures from Brother USA, confirmed by Staples, Toner Buzz and Precision Roller. 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 and cost per page.

What Does MFC-L5850DW Toner Cost per Page?

On November 2, 2026, Brother USA and Staples both listed the TN850 at $140.79, and Toner Buzz had the TN820 at $84.95: about 1.8¢ and 2.8¢ a page. Our compatible TN850 is $69.95, about 0.9¢ a page. For the drum, Toner Buzz listed Brother's DR820 at $149 (about 0.5¢ a page); our DR820 is $99.95 (about 0.3¢).

Will Compatible Toner Work?

Yes. We know of no Brother firmware that blocks compatible TN820 or TN850 cartridges in the MFC-L5850DW. Brother says it does not recommend non-Brother supplies and that its warranty does not cover damage they cause. If the printer still asks for toner after a swap, take the toner out of the drum, reseat it until the green lever lifts, and close the front cover firmly.

How Do I Replace the Toner in the MFC-L5850DW?

  1. Press the front cover release button and open the front cover.
  2. Pull out the drum and toner assembly by its handle.
  3. Push down the green lock lever and lift the toner cartridge out of the drum.
  4. Unpack the new TN850 or TN820, shake it gently side to side a few times, and remove the protective cover.
  5. Push the new cartridge into the drum until it locks; the green lever lifts by itself.
  6. Clean the corona wire by sliding the green tab left and right a few times, then return it to its home position.
  7. Slide the assembly back into the printer and close the front cover.

When you replace the drum itself, reset the drum counter afterward; our Brother drum reset guide walks through it.

Which Other Printers Use TN820 and TN850?

The same toner and DR820 drum fit the HL-L5000D, HL-L5100DN, HL-L5200DW, HL-L6200DW and HL-L6250DN, the DCP-L5500DN, DCP-L5600DN and DCP-L5650DN, and the MFC-L5700DW, MFC-L5800DW, MFC-L5900DW, MFC-L6700DW and MFC-L6800DW. The newer HL-L5210DW, MFC-L5710DW and MFC-L5915DW use different (TN920) toner.

What MFC-L5850DW 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.

Will the 12,000-page TN880 fit?

Brother does not list it for the MFC-L5850DW; Brother's TN880 page names other models, such as the HL-L6200DW and MFC-L6700DW. The TN850 is the highest-yield cartridge Brother lists for this printer.

I put in a new DR820 and the printer still will not print. What now?

Remove and reseat the drum and toner assembly, then do a full power cycle: switch off, unplug, wait, and power back on. If the drum warning remains, reset the drum counter from the menu.

Why is my paper coming out wrinkled?

Try fresh paper from a sealed ream first, since damp paper is the usual cause. If both trays still wrinkle with fresh paper, a worn fuser is the next suspect.

Can it scan both sides of a page?

Yes. The 70-page document feeder scans two-sided originals automatically, at up to 56 images per minute in black, per Brother.

MFC-L5850DW quirks worth knowing

  • Brother discontinued it in 2021, so new units are scarce, but TN850 toner and DR820 drums are widely sold.
  • The toner and drum are separate; a DR820 lasts several TN850 cartridges.
  • The box ships with a standard-yield (about 3,000 page) cartridge, so the first TN850 comes sooner than you might expect.
  • Paper capacity is 300 sheets as standard but can grow to 1,340 sheets with optional trays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What toner does the Brother MFC-L5850DW use?

TN820 (about 3,000 pages) or the high-yield TN850 (about 8,000 pages), with a separate DR820 drum unit rated at about 30,000 pages.

Does the TN920 fit the MFC-L5850DW?

No. The TN920 series belongs to the newer MFC-L5710DW and MFC-L5915DW; the MFC-L5850DW takes TN820 or TN850.

Is the MFC-L5850DW still made?

No. Brother has discontinued it and points buyers to models such as the MFC-L5710DW and MFC-L5915DW, which use different toner.

Other printers that use Brother TN820 and TN850

Brother HL-L6200DW

More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-L5710DW · Brother MFC-L5915DW · Brother HL-L5210DW · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on November 2, 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.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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