Brother HL 3170CDW Toner Cartridges
Shop toner cartridges for your Brother HL 3170CDW, which uses the Brother TN-251 and TN-255 toner cartridge series along with DR-251CL drum units, BU-220 transfer belt units, and WT-220CL waste toner bottles. Ink Depot has been supplying reliable consumables for this printer since Jul 2013. The Brother HL 3170CDW is a fast wireless colour LED printer built for daily office productivity. Upgrading standard TN-251 colour cartridges to high-yield TN-255 options lowers cost per page during high-volume print runs. Our 4.8 Google rating reflects a long-standing track record of premium cartridge performance.
Cartridge Yield & Real-World Output
Standard TN-251 black cartridges yield approximately 2,500 pages, while TN-251 standard colour cartridges yield 1,400 pages. High-yield TN-255 colour toners extend output to 2,200 pages. Page yields are tested according to ISO/IEC 19798 testing standards, though actual coverage varies depending on document complexity and colour density.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN-251BK | Standard | Black | 2,500 | $0.073 |
| TN-251C | Standard | Cyan | 1,400 | $0.10 |
| TN-251M | Standard | Magenta | 1,400 | $0.10 |
| TN-251Y | Standard | Yellow | 1,400 | $0.10 |
| TN-255C | High Yield | Cyan | 2,200 | $0.087 |
| TN-255M | High Yield | Magenta | 2,200 | $0.087 |
| TN-255Y | High Yield | Yellow | 2,200 | $0.087 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing Between Genuine and Compatible Toners
Both genuine Brother toners and high-performance compatible options are available for the HL 3170CDW. Compatible TN-251 and TN-255 toners deliver clear text and crisp colour prints at a fraction of the cost, backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. Read our genuine vs compatible cartridge guide to select the best option for your office workflow.
Separate Drum and Transfer Components
Unlike all-in-one cartridge systems, the HL 3170CDW uses separate long-life components including the DR-251CL drum unit, BU-220 transfer belt, and WT-220CL waste toner collector. Experience Tip: The DR-251CL drum unit operates as an independent assembly rated for 15,000 pages, outlasting multiple toner cartridge replacements before needing to be replaced. Replacing only the depleted individual component keeps overall running costs manageable over the lifetime of the printer.
Efficient Toner Purchasing Strategies
If your office prints mostly standard correspondence, standard TN-251BK black toners combined with high-yield TN-255 cyan, magenta, and yellow toners offer the best balance between page capacity and initial expense. Buying multi-packs or compatible value sets further reduces operational outlay. All compatible toners include a money-back guarantee for total peace of mind. We dispatch directly from local warehouses across Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99. Review our returns policy or explore our full range of Brother toner cartridges.
Pro Tip
Pro Tip: When replacing colour toners on the HL 3170CDW, you can mix standard TN-251 and high-yield TN-255 cartridges across different slots based on individual colour usage, as each slot operates independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace the DR-251CL drum unit every time I change a TN-251 or TN-255 toner cartridge?
No. The drum unit and toner cartridges are separate components. A single DR-251CL drum unit is rated for up to 15,000 pages and typically lasts through several toner replacements before requiring renewal.
Can I install a high-yield TN-255 colour toner if my printer originally came with TN-251 cartridges?
Yes. High-yield TN-255 cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges have the exact same physical dimensions as standard TN-251 cartridges and fit into the same slot inside the drum unit, but contain more toner.
Why does the HL 3170CDW show a drum warning even after replacing toner cartridges?
Toner cartridges (TN-251/TN-255) supply the toner powder, while the DR-251CL drum unit transfers the image to the paper. The printer tracks life cycles separately for each component, so a drum warning indicates the physical drum unit has reached its rated page count independent of toner levels.
