What Toner Does the Brother MFC-L6900DW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother MFC-L6900DW uses Brother TN820 (about 3,000 pages), the high-yield TN850 (about 8,000 pages), the super-high-yield TN880 (about 12,000 pages) or the ultra-high-yield TN890 (about 20,000 pages) black toner, with a separate DR820 drum unit rated at about 30,000 pages. Castle Ink stocks a compatible TN850 and DR820; the TN880 and TN890 are linked to Amazon below.
CastleScore · November 2026
69/100 — Situational
Brother MFC-L6900DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use; workgroup printers are sold mostly through resellers. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 94 | 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 TN880 (12,000 pages) and TN890 (20,000 pages) bring its own cost per page below 2¢. |
| Reliability (18%) | 82 | Heavy-duty workgroup engine; the recurring complaints on the L6000 series are the price of Brother's own supplies and toner spots traced to debris on the drum unit. |
| Features (11%) | 92 | Mono print, copy, scan and fax at up to 52 pages per minute; 80-sheet document feeder with single-pass two-sided scanning at up to 100 images per minute; auto two-sided printing; Wi-Fi, Ethernet, NFC and USB; 520-sheet tray plus 50-sheet multipurpose tray; 4.85 in. touchscreen; optional tower tray. |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. Brother's replacement is the MFC-L6915DW (TN920 toner). TN820, TN850, TN880 and TN890 toner and DR820 drums are still widely sold; we stock the TN850 and DR820.
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. We don't stock the TN880 or TN890; see the Amazon links in the guide.
Brother TN820 / TN850 / TN880 / TN890 / DR820 at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner (standard) | TN820 | ~3,000 pages | — |
| Black Toner (high-yield) | TN850 | ~8,000 pages | Castle Ink compatible, $69.95 |
| Black Toner (super high-yield) | TN880 | ~12,000 pages | Amazon |
| Black Toner (ultra high-yield) | TN890 | ~20,000 pages | Amazon |
| Drum Unit | DR820 | ~30,000 pages | Castle Ink compatible, $99.95 |
Yields are Brother's ISO figures from its Workhorse brochure, which names the 20,000-page cartridge for the MFC-L6900dw; Staples and B&H list it for the TN880 and TN850. As an Amazon Associate, Castle Ink earns from qualifying purchases on the Amazon links.
What Does MFC-L6900DW Toner Cost per Page?
About 1.2¢ per page all in with our TN850 and DR820. Brother's TN880 and TN890 bring its own cost per page under 2¢; a compatible TN850 undercuts both.
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 cartridge 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 This Toner?
TN820/TN850/DR820 fit the whole L5000/L6000 family, including the MFC-L5900DW, HL-L6200DW, HL-L6400DW and MFC-L6700DW. TN880 fits the L6000 series; TN890 fits only the HL-L6400DW family and the MFC-L6900DW.
What MFC-L6900DW owners ask
These come from Staples reviews of the TN880 and DR820, Brother's brochure and owner reviews of the L6000 series, answered in our words.
Which cartridge should I buy?
Brother's TN890 for the fewest changes, or a compatible TN850 for the lowest price; all sizes use the same slot.
Why are there spots on every page?
Check the drum for debris; if a mark repeats every few inches after cleaning, the DR820 is due.
How fast does it scan?
Up to 50 images a minute one-sided and 100 two-sided from the 80-sheet feeder, per Brother's brochure.
Can I add trays?
Yes: optional 520-sheet trays and the TT-4000 tower tray.
What replaced it?
The MFC-L6915DW, which uses TN920 toner.
MFC-L6900DW quirks worth knowing
- Prints up to 52 pages a minute; the DWT and DWG variants add a tray or GSA configuration.
- 4.85 in. touchscreen with NFC and scan-to-cloud.
- Staples reviewers' main complaint is the price of Brother's own drum and toner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother MFC-L6900DW use?
Brother TN820, TN850, TN880 or TN890 black toner, with a separate DR820 drum unit.
Does the MFC-L6900DW take the TN890?
Yes. It and the HL-L6400DW are the only models that accept the 20,000-page TN890.
How often is the DR820 drum replaced?
About every 30,000 pages.
Other printers that use Brother TN850 / TN880 / DR820
Brother MFC-L6700DW · Brother HL-L6400DW · Brother HL-L6200DW · Brother MFC-L5900DW
More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-L5915DW · Brother HL-L6210DW · Brother MFC-L2750DW · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother MFC-L5900DW — CastleScore 86
- Brother HL-L5210DW — CastleScore 89
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
Sources
Prices and part data 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.