It depends on your situation. Here's how to figure it out.

If you've ever ordered a new Brother printer and opened the box to find an empty cartridge slot, you know the frustration. Or maybe you got one with a "starter" toner that ran out after 50 pages. The truth is, there's no universal answer because Brother sells through retail, business channels, and refurbished markets—each with different policies.

In my role coordinating printing setups for corporate events and office migrations, I've dealt with this question dozens of times. Last quarter alone, I handled 17 rush orders where customers were caught off guard by missing or inadequate supplies. Let me walk you through the most common scenarios so you can plan ahead.

Scenario 1: Brand new, retail-box Brother printer

This is the most common case—you buy a new Brother printer from Amazon, Best Buy, or directly from Brother's website. Almost all standard retail units include a starter cartridge (toner for laser models, ink for inkjet models). But there's a catch: that starter cartridge typically holds only about 50-70% of the capacity of a standard replacement cartridge.

For example, a Brother HL-L2350DW monochrome laser printer ships with a TN730 toner cartridge rated for 1,200 pages—but the retail packaging often states "standard yield" without clarifying it's a starter. I've measured actual output: real-world page counts are closer to 800–1,000. The same printer's replacement TN730 sells for about $45–55 and yields 1,200 pages per Brother's specs.

"This was true 15 years ago when OEMs shipped full-yield cartridges in the box. Today, starter cartridges are the norm across all major brands—Brother included."

What you need to check:

  • Look at the product page for "What's in the box"—if it says "toner cartridge (standard yield)" you're getting a starter.
  • If you need high volume immediately, order a standard-yield or high-yield replacement alongside the printer.

Scenario 2: Refurbished or second-hand Brother printer

Buying a certified refurbished Brother printer from Brother's outlet or an authorized reseller? Policies vary wildly. Some refurb units include a new starter cartridge, others include a used cartridge that has about 30% life left, and a few ship without any toner at all.

I had a case in March 2024 where a client bought a "like-new" refurbished Brother MFC-L2750DW from a third-party seller on eBay. The listing didn't mention toner. When it arrived empty, they had 36 hours to print 3,000 flyers for a conference. We ended up paying $180 for overnight delivery of a high-yield TN760 cartridge—on top of the $150 they saved buying refurbished. They still came out ahead, but barely.

My rule: If you buy refurbished, assume no toner included. Budget an extra $50–100 for a replacement cartridge. If it comes with one, you got a bonus.

Scenario 3: Promotional bundles or wholesale packs

Sometimes Brother partners with office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot) or membership clubs (Costco) to offer bundle deals. These often include an extra set of cartridges or a high-yield toner. For example, the Brother DCP-L2550DW is sometimes sold as a kit with two extra TN730 cartridges. These bundles are great if you want to avoid the "starter surprise."

But here's the twist: not all bundles are labeled clearly. I went back and forth between a Costco bundle and a regular Amazon listing for two weeks. The Costco version was $40 more but included a second toner—making the per-page cost about 30% lower. I chose the bundle because the extra toner saved me a future rush order.

Scenario 4: Specialized models (color laser, label printers, sublimation)

Brother's color laser printers (like the HL-L3210CW) ship with starter toners for all four colors. But the yield per starter cartridge is notoriously low—often 500–700 pages for color toners. For a business that prints color marketing materials, you'll burn through those in a week. The same goes for Brother's label printers (such as the QL series): they typically include a sample roll of tape, not a full roll.

And if you're looking at a sublimation printer (like the Brother DCP-T720DW ink tank system), the inks are included as bottles but the first set is only enough to initialize the system—about 60% of a standard refill. Plan to buy a spare set immediately.

How to determine which scenario applies to you

Here's a simple decision tree you can use before you order:

  1. Check the product page for "What's included"—if it lists a "toner cartridge" or "ink cartridge" (even starter), you're covered initially.
  2. For refurbished, call the seller and ask directly: "Does it come with a new toner cartridge?" Get it in writing.
  3. For bundles, compare the list price of the printer + separate toner against the bundle. If the bundle is within 10% of the total, it's usually worth it.
  4. If volume matters, assume the starter yield is half of replacement. Buy a standard cartridge at the same time to avoid a rush.

What to do if your printer arrives without ink or toner

Don't panic—I've been there myself. Here's what works:

  • Most big retailers (Amazon, Best Buy) will overnight a cartridge at no extra cost if the item was misrepresented. I've done this three times with success.
  • Brother's customer support is super responsive—I've gotten a replacement cartridge shipped 2-day air after a quick phone call. Their number: 1-877-BROTHER.
  • Local office supply stores often carry Brother cartridges on the shelf. Sure, you might pay 15% more, but you can print today.

Take it from someone who's managed over 200 rush orders: spending an extra $50 on a spare cartridge is cheaper than a missed deadline. The $50 difference per order translates to better client retention—and protects your brand's reputation for reliability.

"When I switched from buying printers without backup toner to always stocking a spare, our emergency delivery requests dropped by 85%. The upfront cost was $50–80 per printer; the saved rush fees paid for it within two months."

As of January 2025, Brother's product pages remain consistent: most standard retail units include starter cartridges, but you should always verify with the specific SKU. If you need absolute certainty, call Brother's sales line or ask in a chat before checkout. It takes two minutes and could save you a lot of stress.