What is the difference between the toner cartridge and the drum unit?

The toner cartridge and drum unit are different consumables. They are used in the Brother machine, and the machine requires both consumables.

Regular toner cartridges feature complex parts along with the toner and drum in one self-contained unit. Once the toner has run out, the entire cartridge must be replaced, resulting in higher costs and unnecessary waste of the drum. With Brother’s latest Toner Box technology, you’ll only need to replace a small toner tube, allowing you to reuse the drum cartridge unit for optimal cost-efficiency.

The toner cartridge contains powder (toner) used for creating letters and images.

You need to replace the toner cartridge when the toner is running short or print quality becomes poor. If the Brother machine displays "Toner Low" or "Toner Life End" error message, you need to replace the toner.

[Example 1] The high yield toner cartridge of monochrome laser model MFCL2750DW

[Example 2] The ultra high yield toner cartridge of colour laser model MFCL8900CDW(4 colours)

The drum unit transfers the toner to the paper.

The laser printer puts the toner on the roller called "The photosensitive drum" inside the drum unit, and then prints letters and images by fixing toner to the paper by heat and pressure.

To keep good print quality, the Brother machine detects the quality deterioration of the drum unit automatically. If the Brother machine displays "Replace drum" error message, you need to replace the drum unit.

Let's take an example, you are the owner of mono laser multi-function printer MFCL2750DW and using high yield toner (TN2480), approximate 3,000 page.*,after you used up around 3-4 pcs toners (TN2480) and then you need to replace the drum (DR2455) as the drum yield is 12,000 pages.

[Example 1] The drum unit of monochrome laser model MFCL2750DW

*Declared yield value in accordance with ISO/IEC 19752

[Example 2] The drum unit of colour laser model MFCL8900CDW (4 colours in 1 drum)

To use the consumables, put the toner cartridge into the drum unit.

[Example 1] The case to put the toner cartridge into the drum unit for monochrome laser model MFCL2750DW

[Example 2] The case to put the toner cartridges into the drum unit for colour laser model 

If the toner runs out or the toner cartridge/ drum unit comes to the end of its life, separate the toner cartridge and drum unit and replace the unusable consumable only.

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