MFC-295CN

What extends the working life of an MFC-295CN is not a higher-spec part but the specified one. This printer belongs to the 23 models in the family that take the standard LC61 tier only. High-yield LC65HY cartridges sold for this cassette family fit just four other printers (MFC-5890CN, MFC-5895CW, MFC-6490CW, MFC-6890CDW); offered as an upgrade for the MFC-295CN, they are the wrong component, however similar the cartridges look. Only LC61 cartridges are listed on this page.

The Brother MFC-295CN takes the standard LC61 tier: black (LC61BK) up to 450 pages and cyan, magenta and yellow up to 325 pages each (ISO/IEC 24711). On cost per page, the standard black works out at about 1.9 cents a page ($8.69 for up to 450 pages) and each color at about 2.7 cents (up to 325 pages). If you print mostly black, the Set of 10's four-black mix matches how these printers actually consume ink.

Which LC61 should you buy?

One color at a time: black, cyan, magenta and yellow — $8.69 each.
Full refresh: the Set of 4 ($29.94) puts one of each color in one box.
Print every week: the Set of 10 ($59.85) puts four blacks and two of each color in one box.

Chip, ink and everyday use

The specified part is also the protected part: every Clever Supplies LC61 cartridge carries a lifetime warranty with 1-year free returns, rated at Brother's own ISO/IEC 24711 figures (black 450, colors 325), even though Brother has discontinued the LC61 line. In the printer, black, cyan, magenta and yellow sit in separate slots, each with its own chip, and are replaced one at a time. Handle a new cartridge by the housing and keep fingers off the chip contact.