Brother DR520 Drum Unit – Compatible | Castle Ink

Brother DR520 Drum Unit at a glance: a replacement imaging drum rated at about 25,000 pages. Compatible: newly manufactured to Brother's specifications. Fits the Brother HL-5240/5250DN/5270DN/5280DW, DCP-8060/8065DN and MFC-8460N/8660DN/8860DN/8870DW. Toner is sold separately (TN550 or TN580). Backed by a 1-year 100% satisfaction guarantee; orders by 4 PM ET (Mon–Fri) ship the same day from Long Island, NY.

Key Facts

What's in the Box

• 1 × Brother DR520 compatible drum unit (toner not included) — about 25,000 pages

Page yields are the manufacturer's rating for the matching original cartridge, measured at roughly 5% page coverage under ISO/IEC 19752 or 19798 testing. Your results will vary with what you print.

Compatible Printers (10 models)

• Brother HL-5240
• Brother HL-5250DN
• Brother HL-5270DN
• Brother HL-5280DW
• Brother DCP-8060
• Brother DCP-8065DN
• Brother MFC-8460N
• Brother MFC-8660DN
• Brother MFC-8860DN
• Brother MFC-8870DW

Don't mix these up: DR520 is not the same as DR620 (HL-5340D/MFC-8890DW) or DR400 (HL-1440/HL-1470N).

Not sure? Look up your exact model on our Find Ink by Printer page, or contact us and we'll confirm the right toner for you.

Part Numbers & Also Known As

This toner cartridge replaces or is also searched for as: DR520, Brother DR520, DR520 drum, Brother DR520 drum unit, DR-520

Chips, Printer Messages & Installation

Installing: open the front cover and lift out the drum unit with the toner attached. Push down the green lock lever and lift the toner cartridge out of the old drum, then click it into the new drum until the lever lifts. Slide the corona wire tab back and forth a few times and reinstall the assembly.

Reset the drum counter: after installing a new drum, reset the drum counter from the printer's menu or by holding the Go/OK button with the front cover open (the exact steps vary by model). If you skip this, the "Replace Drum" message stays on.

Drum vs. toner: this is the drum only. It works with TN550 or TN580 toner and lasts through several toner cartridges.

Still stuck? See our guide to fixing a cartridge that isn't recognized or contact us and we'll make it right.

Compatible vs. Remanufactured vs. Original

Original (OEM) toner is new from the printer brand and costs the most. Compatible toner, like this cartridge, is newly manufactured by a third party to the original's size, chip and page-yield specifications, so it drops into the same slot at a much lower price. Remanufactured toner is an emptied original cartridge that has been rebuilt and refilled. Castle Ink sells compatible (newly manufactured) toner and remanufactured inkjet cartridges.

Other Options for the Same Printers

• Brother TN580 Black Toner (high yield)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the DR520 drum last?

About 25,000 pages, based on Brother's rating for the original drum. Actual life depends on how many pages you print per job.

Does it come with toner?

No. The drum is sold on its own; move your existing TN550 or TN580 toner over or install a new one.

Will this void my printer warranty?

No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer can't void your printer warranty just because you used a third-party or remanufactured supply. If a non-original supply directly caused damage, that specific repair might not be covered.

How long can I store it?

Sealed toner keeps for about two years at room temperature. Keep it in its bag, away from heat and direct sunlight, and store it flat.

When will my order ship?

Orders placed by 4 PM ET, Monday through Friday, ship the same business day from Long Island, NY, by USPS (2–5 business days). Expedited 1–2 day delivery is available at checkout, and shipping is free on orders over $50.