MFC-8820

The Brother MFC-8820 is a monochrome laser multifunction machine that keeps its toner and its drum on separate schedules. Its toner is the TN560, and this page stocks the other half of that system: the DR500 drum unit. It is listed here as a compatible 2-pack, a compatible 4-pack and the genuine Brother drum, which is rated for 20,000 pages.

The MFC-8820 is the kind of machine that stays in service for years, and on a machine like that the drum is the part that decides whether the prints stay clean. Toner runs out and gets replaced often; the drum wears slowly, and when it finally wears, the signs show up on every page at once. This page is built around that rhythm: multipacks for keeping a spare drum ready, and the genuine drum for buyers who want the rated service life written down before they order.

Drum Unit for the MFC-8820

Drum Unit	Type	Page Yield
Compatible Brother DR500 (DR500) Toner Cartridge Black 2 Pack	Compatible, 2-pack	See product page
Compatible Brother DR500 (DR500) Toner Cartridge Black 4 Pack	Compatible, 4-pack	See product page
Brother DR500 Black Genuine OEM Drum Unit - 20,000 pages	Genuine Brother	20,000 pages

Which drum should you buy?

If you replace a drum once and then forget about it for years, the genuine Brother drum is the straightforward choice: it is rated at 20,000 pages, so you know what you are getting before you fit it. The compatible 2-pack and 4-pack are the economical way to keep a spare on the shelf — the drum is a wear part, and having the next one ready means a streaked Monday does not become a week of bad prints. Compatible cartridges carry a 1-year warranty and 1-year returns. Either way, buy the drum when the prints tell you to, not on a calendar: a drum that still prints cleanly has life left in it.

Chip, toner and everyday use

A drum unit slides in on its rails and clicks home when it seats; if it feels stuck halfway, pull it out and check that nothing is caught under it before trying again. Keep the unit out of strong light — the drum surface is sensitive to it, and bright sun across a bare drum can leave a mark that shows up on prints. The machine's display will prompt you to reset the drum counter after a new unit is fitted, so the warning about the old drum clears. Page counts are estimates at 5% coverage, and a drum that mostly prints short memos will last longer than one that prints dense graphics all day. Store a spare drum in its box, in a cool, dry place, until it is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a toner cartridge on this page?

No. This page stocks the DR500 drum unit only. The MFC-8820's toner is the TN560, which is sold separately from the drum. If you need toner, check the code printed on the cartridge you are replacing.

How long does the DR500 drum last?

The genuine Brother drum is rated at 20,000 pages. The compatible drum units on this page are listed with their own yields on their product pages. Either way, a drum lasts several toner cartridges, so it is not a frequent purchase.

Do I replace the toner and the drum at the same time?

No. They are separate parts with separate cycles. Change the toner when the machine says it is empty, and change the drum when print quality degrades in a way a new toner does not fix.

Compatible or genuine drum — which should I choose?

Both fit the MFC-8820. The genuine drum carries the 20,000-page rating up front. The compatible drums cost less and are covered by the 1-year warranty and 1-year returns that apply to compatible cartridges.