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Brother TN420 vs TN450: Which Fits You
03/18/2026
When choosing between Brother TN420 and TN450 toner cartridges, it mainly comes down to page yield and overall value. Both options work with the same Brother printer models, but they suit different printing needs.
In this guide, we’ll help you choose the right option based on your usage and budget.
Quick Overview of Each Cartridge
The TN420 is Brother's standard-yield black toner cartridge, designed for home users and light office use. It prints around 1,200 pages per cartridge, which works well for those who don't print very often.
The TN450 is the high-yield version, built for those who print more regularly and want to go longer between replacements. It holds more toner and can produce around 2,600 pages, roughly double what the TN420 offers.
Which Printers Work With TN420/TN450?
While TN420 and TN450 have different names, they fit the same Brother laser printers.
That means users should check their printing needs carefully and choose the option that best matches their usage, even though both cartridges will physically work in the same machines.
Here’s the full list of printers for both cartridges:
| Cartridge | Works In These Brother Printers |
| TN 420 / TN 450 |
|
TN420 vs TN450: Key Differences
| Feature | TN420 | TN450 |
|---|---|---|
| Page Yield | 1,200 pages | 2,600 pages |
| Price (TonerBuzz) | $48 | $67.95 |
| Cost Per Page | $0.04 | $0.026 |
| Best For | Light or occasional printing | Frequent or high-volume printing |
Page Yield: TN420 vs TN450
Page yield shows how many pages a toner can print before it runs out. For the Brother printers listed above, TN420 and TN450 differ mainly in how much they can print.
- TN420 produces about 1,200 pages, making it a good choice for light or occasional printing.
- TN450 produces about 2,600 pages and is better suited for higher-volume printing in offices or for frequent use.
When deciding between the two, think about your printing habits. A higher-yield cartridge like TN450 lasts longer and can lower your overall printing costs over time.
Price and Cost Per Page
These cartridges differ in price, which affects the overall cost per page. On TonerBuzz, TN420 is listed at $48 while TN450 costs $67.95.
To calculate the cost per page, divide the price of the cartridge by the number of pages it can print. Using this calculation, you can see how much each printed page actually costs:
- TN420 prints about 1,200 pages, resulting in a cost per page of roughly $0.04.
- TN450 prints around 2,600 pages, which brings the cost per page down to approximately $0.026.
While the cost per page gives a clear comparison, it is also helpful to see what this means when printing a larger number of pages. For example, if you need to print 5,000 pages:
- With TN420, you would need 5 cartridges. At $48 each, the total cost would be $240.
- With TN450, you would need 2 cartridges, costing $135.90 in total.
This shows that even though TN450 costs more upfront, it can save over $100 for the same printing volume, making it the better choice for heavier printing.
Print Quality
When it comes to output, TN420 and TN450 produce the same sharp black-and-white results, so there is no difference in print quality between them.
The main consideration is how much you print:
- TN420 works well for light or occasional printing.
- TN450 is better suited for higher-volume printing where fewer cartridge changes are preferred.
Which One Should You Buy?
If your printing is occasional or limited to small documents, TN420 is a straightforward choice because it covers light workloads without extra cost.
If you print regularly or handle larger volumes, TN450 can reduce the number of cartridge changes and overall effort, making it more convenient for continuous use.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to how much you print and how often you want to replace cartridges, letting you pick the option that matches your daily printing needs.
Why Buy From TonerBuzz
When buying toner cartridges, it’s important to choose original Brother products, because non-original cartridges can sometimes cause printing issues or inconsistent results.
Original cartridges may be more expensive, but at TonerBuzz you can get them at affordable prices online.
We provide genuine toner cartridges, fast shipping, and clear product information, so you can select the right cartridge for your printer without any guesswork.
Simply go to the TonerBuzz site, use the search bar, and find the cartridge you need for smooth, hassle-free printing.
