TN635BK
Compatible Brother TN635BK Black Toner Cartridge
3,000 pages
$33.99
Brother MFC-L8970CDW toner
Your MFC-L8970CDW takes the TN635BK (standard yield), TN635C (standard yield), TN635M (standard yield), TN635XLBK (high yield), TN635XLC (high yield), TN635XLM (high yield), TN635XLY (high yield), TN635XXLBK (high yield), TN635XXLC (high yield), TN635XXLM (high yield), TN635XXLY (high yield) and TN635Y (standard yield). At our price that is about 0.5¢ a page.
The Brother MFC-L8970CDW is a mono laser printer in the MFC-L8900 series, which shares cartridges across 4 models.
It takes two black cartridges that differ only in capacity: the TN635BK at about 3,000 pages and the TN635XLBK at about 5,500. At our prices that is 1.1¢ a page against 0.7¢, so the high-yield cartridge costs less to run unless you print very little.
Brother has stated publicly that its firmware updates do not block third-party cartridges, and the printer counts pages rather than measuring toner, which is why the Replace Toner message can appear before a cartridge is empty.
When you compare prices, compare cost per page rather than the sticker price: a cheaper cartridge with half the rated yield costs more to run. Every cartridge here ships free, is covered by our printer damage protection and can be returned within 90 days, opened or not.
Cartridges that fit
TN635C
Compatible Brother TN635C Cyan Toner Cartridge
1,800 pages
$33.99
TN635M
Compatible Brother TN635M Magenta Toner Cartridge
1,800 pages
$33.99
TN635XLBK
Compatible Brother TN635XLBK Black High Yield Toner Cartridge
5,500 pages
$36.99
TN635XLC
Compatible Brother TN635XLC Cyan High Yield Toner Cartridge
4,500 pages
$36.99
TN635XLM
Compatible Brother TN635XLM Magenta High Yield Toner Cartridge
4,500 pages
$36.99
TN635XLY
Compatible Brother TN635XLY Yellow High Yield Toner Cartridge
4,500 pages
$36.99
TN635XXLBK
Compatible Brother TN635XXLBK Black High Yield Toner Cartridge
7,500 pages
$39.99
TN635XXLC
Compatible Brother TN635XXLC Cyan High Yield Toner Cartridge
6,500 pages
$39.99
TN635XXLM
Compatible Brother TN635XXLM Magenta High Yield Toner Cartridge
6,500 pages
$39.99
TN635XXLY
Compatible Brother TN635XXLY Yellow High Yield Toner Cartridge
6,500 pages
$39.99
TN635Y
Compatible Brother TN635Y Yellow Toner Cartridge
1,800 pages
$33.99
Which yield is worth it
| Cartridge | Yield | Price | Per page |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN635BK | 3,000 pages | $33.99 | 1.1¢ |
| TN635C | 1,800 pages | $33.99 | 1.9¢ |
| TN635M | 1,800 pages | $33.99 | 1.9¢ |
| TN635XLBK High yield | 5,500 pages | $36.99 | 0.7¢ |
| TN635XLC High yield | 4,500 pages | $36.99 | 0.8¢ |
| TN635XLM High yield | 4,500 pages | $36.99 | 0.8¢ |
| TN635XLY High yield | 4,500 pages | $36.99 | 0.8¢ |
| TN635XXLBK High yield | 7,500 pages | $39.99 | 0.5¢ |
| TN635XXLC High yield | 6,500 pages | $39.99 | 0.6¢ |
| TN635XXLM High yield | 6,500 pages | $39.99 | 0.6¢ |
| TN635XXLY High yield | 6,500 pages | $39.99 | 0.6¢ |
| TN635Y | 1,800 pages | $33.99 | 1.9¢ |
What it costs you a month
About $9.66 a month in toner, roughly one TN635XXLBK every 3 months.
Questions about the MFC-L8970CDW
What toner does the Brother MFC-L8970CDW use?
The TN635BK, TN635C, TN635M, TN635XLBK, TN635XLC, TN635XLM, TN635XLY, TN635XXLBK, TN635XXLC, TN635XXLM, TN635XXLY and TN635Y. Brother lists these cartridges as compatible with this model, and the yields on this page are Brother's published figures.
Does using a compatible cartridge void the MFC-L8970CDW warranty?
No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act a manufacturer cannot void your warranty because you used a third-party cartridge. If one of ours damages the printer, our printer damage protection covers the repair.
Other Brother MFC-L8900 models
Most of these share the same cartridges. Check the model page to be sure.
Guides for Brother owners
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Page updated Sep 22, 2026. Compatibility checked by Dan Whitaker, Print Technician. Brand names and part numbers are used only to identify compatibility. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any printer manufacturer.