Brother TN920XL High Yield Black Toner: what it is and what it fits

The Brother TN920XL is a black toner cartridge for Brother monochrome laser printers and all-in-one machines. It is the high-yield version of the TN920, aimed at offices and home workers who print enough that they want to change cartridges less often. Here is what the yield means, what the cartridge fits and what to check first.

What "high yield" means

Brother rates the TN920XL for up to 6,000 pages, and says it holds up to double the pages of the standard-yield TN920. Page yield is measured under standard test conditions, using a fixed amount of coverage on each page. Real-world numbers depend on what you print: pages with dense text or large black areas use more toner than simple letters, and printing a few pages at a time, switching the machine on and off often, usually uses a little more than long runs do.

A higher-yield cartridge generally means fewer changes and less time spent ordering and fitting. It also holds more toner, which suits busier machines.

Genuine toner and print quality

This is a Brother Genuine cartridge. Brother says it is engineered together with its printer hardware to deliver sharp black prints that last, with consistent results across the life of the cartridge. Laser printing works by fusing toner powder onto paper with heat, which typically gives text that is crisp and resistant to smudging and water compared with many ink prints.

Brother also notes that it offers an environmentally responsible way to dispose of its genuine cartridges at the end of their life, so it is worth checking the company's recycling instructions rather than throwing the empty cartridge out.

Which printers it fits

Compatibility is the most important detail with any toner cartridge. Brother lists these models:

• HL series: HL-L5210DN, HL-L5210DW, HL-L5210DWT, HL-L5215DW, HL-L6210DW, HL-L6210DWT, HL-L6217DW, HL-L6310DW, HL-L6415DW, HL-L6415DWT and HL-EX415DW
• DCP series: DCP-L5510DN
• MFC series: MFC-L5710DN, MFC-L5710DW, MFC-L5715DW, MFC-L5717DW, MFC-L5915DW, MFC-L6810DW, MFC-L6915DW and MFC-EX915DW

The cartridge is for monochrome machines, so it only produces black output. Colour laser printers use a different set of cartridges.

Size and handling

The package measures about 5.9 x 14.2 x 9.8 inches and weighs about 2.1 lb, so it is a sizeable item. Toner is a fine powder. Most manufacturers advise keeping the cartridge sealed until the moment you install it, handling it gently, and following the instructions in the printer manual for fitting it.

Who it suits

The TN920XL suits anyone who already owns one of the listed Brother printers and prints regularly, such as a small office, a home business or a school or club that produces documents in volume. It is a replacement part rather than a printer, so it is of no use without a compatible machine.

What to check before you buy

• Your exact printer model appears on the compatibility list above. Look at the label on the machine or the manual.
• Whether you need the high-yield TN920XL or the standard TN920, based on how much you print.
• That the cartridge number matches what your printer's display or software asks for.
• Whether your printer is set to accept it, and whether it needs a firmware update or any setup step described in the manual.
• Where to keep a spare cartridge: somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight.
• How you will recycle the empty cartridge.

The short version

• A high-yield black toner cartridge from Brother, rated for up to 6,000 pages.
• Brother says it holds up to double the pages of the standard TN920.
• Made for a list of about twenty Brother monochrome laser printers and all-in-ones.
• Black only; it is not for colour laser machines.
• Check your printer model against the list before ordering.

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