SKU:

TN221BK

Printer Brand:

Brother

OEM Number:

TN221BK

Ink Color:

Black

Page Yield:

2,500 Pages

Printer Type:

Laser Cartridge

Condition:

New Compatible

Frequently Asked Questions

What does black printing actually cost with this cartridge?

The TN221BK is rated at 2,500 pages and priced at $27.27, which works out to roughly 1.09¢ of toner per page. For a printer that lives on invoices, shipping labels, and text documents, that is the whole running-cost story — about a penny a page before paper.

Is 2,500 pages a realistic rating?

It is the standard rating at 5% page coverage, the same basis every manufacturer uses. Plain-text pages often come in under that coverage and stretch the cartridge further; pages with large black graphics or dense fills will use it up faster. Treat 2,500 as the honest midpoint, not a ceiling.

Which printers use the TN221BK?

It fits the Brother color laser/LED printers and all-in-ones in this family — the DCP-9020CDN, HL-3140CW, HL-3150CDN, HL-3170CDW, HL-3180CDW, MFC-9130CW and MFC-9330CDW. The same machines take TN225 color cartridges in their cyan, magenta, and yellow slots.

Why is there no higher-yield black for these printers?

Within this family, the TN221 is the black cartridge — Brother never released a bigger black sibling the way it did with the TN225 colors. So for heavy black volume, the saving strategy is pack size: multi-packs of this same cartridge bring the per-page cost down well below 1.09¢.

Does the drum need changing when I change this cartridge?

No — the toner cartridge and the drum unit (the DR221CL) are separate parts on these printers. The drum lasts through many toner swaps, and the printer tells you when the drum itself is nearing the end of its life. Just seat the new cartridge and keep printing.

What happens if the cartridge gives me trouble?

It is covered by a 1-year warranty, and you can return it free of charge within that year — see our returns information. We dispatch from warehouses in IL, PA, GA, and CA, and support is on hand Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM CST.

About This TN221BK Black Cartridge

The TN221BK is the black workhorse of this Brother family: 2,500 rated pages at $27.27, about 1.09¢ per page for text-sharp everyday printing. Buy it on its own when only the black is low, or take the four-color set when the colors are fading too — both are listed on our Brother page.