Brother TN920 vs TN920XL vs TN920XXL vs TN920UXXL vs DR920: Understanding Your Options

If you're managing a Brother laser printer, you may have come across a variety of toner cartridge options, including the TN920, TN920XL, TN920XXL, and TN920UXXL, as well as the DR920 drum unit. Understanding the differences between these products can help you choose the right one for your printing needs. In this guide, we'll break down each option, explaining how they differ in terms of page yield, cost efficiency, and use cases.

What Are Toner Cartridges and Drum Units?

Before we dive into the details of each model, it's important to understand that toner cartridges and drum units play different roles in your printer.

• Toner Cartridges contain the toner powder that is used to print text and images on paper.
• Drum Units (like the DR920) are responsible for transferring toner powder onto paper. They need to be replaced much less frequently than toner cartridges.

Now, let’s break down the different Brother toner cartridge options in the TN920 series and the DR920 drum unit.

Compare Brother TN920, TN920XL, TN920XXL, TN920UXXL and DR920

Brother TN920 (Standard Yield) Toner Cartridge

The TN920 is the standard toner cartridge for Brother laser printers. It is designed for light to moderate printing needs and has a lower page yield compared to the high yield and extra high yield options.

• Page Yield: 3,000 pages at 5% coverage (A4/Letter).
• Ideal For: Home offices or small businesses with low to moderate printing needs.
• Cost Efficiency: While the TN920 has a lower upfront cost, it will need to be replaced more frequently, which will increase your cost per page over time.
• Compatible Printers: Brother DCP-L5510DN, HL-EX415DW, HL-L5210DN, HL-L5210DW, HL-L5210DWT, HL-L5215DW, HL-L6210DW, HL-L6210DWT, HL-L6217DW, HL-L6310DW, HL-L6415DW, HL-L6415DWT, MFC-EX915DW, MFC-L5710DN, MFC-L5710DW, MFC-L5715DW, MFC-L5717DW, MFC-L5915DW, MFC-L6810DW, MFC-L6915DW.

Brother TN920XL (High Yield) Toner Cartridge

The TN920XL is the high-yield version of the TN920 and holds more toner, which means more pages can be printed before it needs to be replaced.

• Page Yield: 6,000 pages at 5% coverage (A4/Letter).
• Ideal For: Medium-sized businesses or individuals with moderate to heavy printing needs.
• Cost Efficiency: Despite a higher upfront cost than the standard TN920, the TN920XL offers a better cost-per-page ratio, making it a smarter choice for those who print more frequently.
• Compatible Printers: Brother DCP-L5510DN, HL-EX415DW, HL-L5210DN, HL-L5210DW, HL-L5210DWT, HL-L5215DW, HL-L6210DW, HL-L6210DWT, HL-L6217DW, HL-L6310DW, HL-L6415DW, HL-L6415DWT, MFC-EX915DW, MFC-L5710DN, MFC-L5710DW, MFC-L5715DW, MFC-L5717DW, MFC-L5915DW, MFC-L6810DW, MFC-L6915DW.

Brother TN920XXL (Extra High Yield) Toner Cartridge

The TN920XXL is designed for even heavier print volumes. It holds significantly more toner, meaning fewer replacements and longer-lasting cartridges.

• Page Yield: 11,000 pages at 5% coverage (A4/Letter).
• Ideal For: Large businesses or users with high-volume printing needs.
• Cost Efficiency: The upfront cost of the TN920XXL may seem high, but the lower cost-per-page makes it an affordable solution for those with frequent and heavy printing needs.
• Compatible Printers: Brother DCP-L5510DN, HL-EX415DW, HL-L5210DN, HL-L5210DW, HL-L5210DWT, HL-L5215DW, HL-L6210DW, HL-L6210DWT, HL-L6217DW, HL-L6310DW, HL-L6415DW, HL-L6415DWT, MFC-EX915DW, MFC-L5710DN, MFC-L5710DW, MFC-L5715DW, MFC-L5717DW, MFC-L5915DW, MFC-L6810DW, MFC-L6915DW.

Brother TN920UXXL (Ultra High Yield) Toner Cartridge

The TN920UXXL is the ultimate toner cartridge for very high-volume printing environments. It offers the highest page yield in the TN920 series, minimizing the need for cartridge changes and maximizing efficiency.

• Page Yield: 18,000 pages at 5% coverage (A4/Letter).
• Ideal For: Very high-volume print settings like corporate offices, print shops, or educational institutions.
• Cost Efficiency: Despite the higher initial cost, the TN920UXXL has the lowest cost per page, making it the best choice for users who want to save toner in the long term.
• Compatible Printers: Brother HL-L5215DW, HL-L6210DW, HL-L6210DWT, HL-L6310DW, HL-L6415DW, HL-L6415DWT, MFC-EX915DW, MFC-L5715DW, MFC-L5915DW, MFC-L6810DW, MFC-L6915DW.

**Please note that the TN920UXXL is NOT compatible with Brother DCP-L5510DN, HL-EX415DW, HL-L5210DN, HL-L5210DW, HL-L5210DWT, HL-L6217DW, MFC-L5710DN, MFC-L5710DW, and MFC-L5717DW due to it's bigger toner container. You can use the TN920XXL to reduce the printing costs and frequency of toner replacement.

Brother DR920 Drum Unit

Unlike toner cartridges, the DR920 is a drum unit. Drum units work with toner cartridges to transfer the toner onto the paper. While toner cartridges need to be replaced frequently, the DR920 drum unit lasts much longer.

• Page Yield: 45,000 pages at 5% coverage (A4/Letter).
• Ideal For: Anyone who needs to replace the drum unit (drum units are usually replaced much less frequently than toner cartridges).
• Cost Efficiency: Regularly replacing the drum unit ensures optimal print quality and helps extend the life of the printer. It is more expensive than toner cartridges, but needs to be replaced much less frequently.
• Compatible Printers: Brother DCP-L5510DN, HL-EX415DW, HL-L5210DN, HL-L5210DW, HL-L5210DWT, HL-L5215DW, HL-L6210DW, HL-L6210DWT, HL-L6217DW, HL-L6310DW, HL-L6415DW, HL-L6415DWT, MFC-EX915DW, MFC-L5710DN, MFC-L5710DW, MFC-L5715DW, MFC-L5717DW, MFC-L5915DW, MFC-L6810DW, MFC-L6915DW.

Compare Printing Costs of Genuine and Compatible Replacements

The cost per page (CPP) is a key metric in determining how much you spend on toner cartridge over time. This is calculated by dividing the cartridge price by the number of pages it can print. Let’s compare the CPP of genuine cartridges and Ready Toner compatible replacements to help you make an informed choice.

Obviously, the compatible replacements are significantly cheaper in terms of CPP, making them a more budget-friendly option in the short term.

Which One is Right for You?

The choice between the TN920 series and the DR920 depends largely on your specific printing needs. Here is a quick guide to help you decide:

• For Best Savings: When it comes to saving money on printing costs, compatible toner cartridges are the clear winner. With lower upfront costs and a dramatically reduced cost per page, they make the most financial sense for individuals and businesses alike.
• Low-Volume Printing: If you print occasionally or have low-volume printing needs, the TN920 (Standard Yield) may be sufficient. It is affordable, but needs to be replaced more frequently.
• Moderate-Volume Printing: For users who print more frequently, upgrading to the TN920XL (High Yield) is a wise investment. You will reduce the number of replacements and reduce your cost per page.
• High-Volume Printing: If you manage a busy office or have high-volume printing needs, the TN920XXL (Extra High Yield) or TN920UXXL (Extra High Yield) cartridges are your best choices. These options offer longer-lasting performance and greater cost-effectiveness.
• Replace the Drum: Don't forget about the DR920 drum unit. It is essential to maintaining print quality and extending the life of the printer. When you get a "Replace Drum" message from your printer or computer, it's time to replace the drum.

Conclusion: Maximizing Your Printer's Performance

Choosing the right toner cartridge or drum unit can significantly impact your printer's performance, cost efficiency, and convenience. If you're printing large volumes, investing in high-yield or ultra-high-yield options like the TN920XXL or TN920UXXL will save you both time and money in the long run. Additionally, keeping an eye on the health of your DR920 drum unit ensures your printer continues to deliver top-quality prints. Whether you're a casual user or manage a high-demand print environment, Ready Toner offers a variety of options to meet your needs. Make sure you choose the one that balances your budget with your volume to get the most out of your printer!