HL-L3270CDW

Color printing on the Brother HL-L3270CDW runs through two heights of cartridge. The standard row is TN223 (TN-223) — TN223BK black at about 1,400 pages and TN223C, TN223M, TN223Y at about 1,300 pages each. The tall row is TN227 (TN-227) — TN227BK at about 3,000 pages with TN227C, TN227M, TN227Y at about 2,300 pages each. Four separate drums do the imaging: DR223 (DR223K), DR223C, DR223M and DR223Y — together the DR223CL set, rated at about 18,000 pages.

What owners tend to like about this machine is that nothing about its appetite is unusual: it eats the same cartridges as the rest of its color generation, so a shelf stocked for one of these printers quietly covers the others too. The practical questions are only ever which height of cartridge, and whether to buy colors singly or as a set.

Toner Cartridges for HL-L3270CDW

TN223BK — standard-yield black, compatible single · about 1,400 pages
TN223BK — standard-yield black, compatible 2 pack · about 1,400 pages each
TN223C — standard-yield cyan, compatible single · about 1,300 pages
TN223M — standard-yield magenta, compatible single · about 1,300 pages
TN223Y — standard-yield yellow, compatible single · about 1,300 pages
TN223 cyan — standard-yield listing, compatible single · about 1,300 pages
TN223 set listing — four-cartridge listing, filed under Cyan in the catalog · see product page
TN227BK — high-yield black, compatible single · about 3,000 pages
TN227 black — high-yield listing, compatible single · about 3,000 pages
TN227BK — high-yield black, compatible 2 pack · about 3,000 pages each
TN227BK — high-yield black, compatible 2 pack, alternate listing · about 3,000 pages each
TN227C — high-yield cyan, compatible single · about 2,300 pages
TN227M — high-yield magenta, compatible single · about 2,300 pages
TN227Y — high-yield yellow, compatible single · about 2,300 pages
TN227 cyan — high-yield listing, compatible single · about 2,300 pages
TN227 magenta — high-yield listing, compatible single · about 2,300 pages
TN227 yellow — high-yield listing, compatible single · about 2,300 pages
TN227 colors — high-yield 3 color set · about 2,300 pages each
TN227 set — high-yield 4 color set · black about 3,000, colors about 2,300 pages
TN227 set — high-yield 4 color set, alternate listing · black about 3,000, colors about 2,300 pages
TN227 set — high-yield 5 color set · see product page
TN227 set — high-yield 5 color set, alternate listing · see product page
TN223BK — genuine Brother black · about 1,400 pages
TN223C — genuine Brother cyan · about 1,300 pages
TN223M — genuine Brother magenta · about 1,300 pages
TN223Y — genuine Brother yellow · about 1,300 pages
TN223 colors — genuine Brother 3 color set · about 1,300 pages each
TN223 set — genuine Brother 4 color set · black about 1,400, colors about 1,300 pages
TN227BK — genuine Brother black · about 3,000 pages
TN227C — genuine Brother cyan · about 2,300 pages
TN227M — genuine Brother magenta · about 2,300 pages
TN227Y — genuine Brother yellow · about 2,300 pages
TN227 colors — genuine Brother 3 color set · about 2,300 pages each
TN227 set — genuine Brother 4 color set · black about 3,000, colors about 2,300 pages

In the catalog these drum units carry toner-cartridge names; the list below calls them drums.

DR223Y — compatible drum unit, yellow · about 18,000 pages
DR223M — compatible drum unit, magenta · about 18,000 pages
DR223C — compatible drum unit, cyan · about 18,000 pages
DR223K — compatible drum unit, black · about 18,000 pages
DR223K — compatible drum unit, black 2 pack · about 18,000 pages each
DR223 colors — compatible drum set, 3 colors · about 18,000 pages
DR223 set — compatible drum set, 4 colors · about 18,000 pages
DR223 set — compatible drum set, 5 piece · about 18,000 pages

Two further listings belong to a different branch of the family: the monochrome TN660 line, present here as a TN630/TN660 black cartridge and a TN630/TN660 4 pack. Those cartridges fit the monochrome models listed below, not this color machine — they share this page because the supply shelf is shared.

Which cartridge should you buy?

Start from the single-color rule: in a four-cartridge machine you only ever replace the color that is actually empty, so singles are the economical default and sets are for restocking a shelf. Between the two heights, the TN227 row prints close to double the pages of the TN223 row — about 3,000 against 1,400 in black — which suits any desk printing color weekly. The TN223 row still makes sense where the printer is a sometimes thing: school projects, the odd photo, a monthly report. Many owners run a hybrid: high-yield black for documents, standard colors for the occasional color page. All four slots accept either generation in any mix.

Chip, toner and everyday use

After any cartridge swap, print a test page and look at each color separately — it is the fastest way to confirm the new chip was read and the cartridge seated. Store unopened cartridges flat rather than on end so the toner stays evenly distributed, and keep them out of hot, bright rooms. When the machine warns about one color, believe it about that color only; the other three counters are independent. And remember that quoted yields lean on a light 5% coverage assumption, so graphics-heavy work will always beat the rating to empty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix TN223 and TN227 cartridges in the same printer?

Yes. Each slot accepts either generation independently, so a TN227 black can sit beside TN223 colors. The machine tracks each cartridge's own chip and life separately.

Only one color has run out. Do I need a whole set?

No — replace just that color. Sets like the TN227 four-color set are a restocking convenience for when several slots are low or you want spares on hand, never a requirement.

What is the DR223CL?

It is the name for this printer's four-drum system: DR223K, DR223C, DR223M and DR223Y, one drum behind each cartridge, rated at about 18,000 pages and also sold together as a set.

Should I choose genuine or compatible cartridges?

Both are stocked here for every slot. The compatible listings carry a 1-year warranty and 1-year returns; the genuine Brother listings carry Brother's manufacturer warranty. The cartridges themselves are interchangeable in the machine.