Brother LC2033PKS Review: Quality Ink, Lower Yield
The surprising finding from hundreds of user reports is that while the Brother LC2033PKS Color Ink Cartridge Three Pack is marketed to yield up to 550 pages per cartridge, real-world performance often falls short—especially for heavy color users. Still, satisfaction scores remain high, with an overall rating of 8.6/10 driven by vibrant print quality, easy installation, and strong printer compatibility.
Quick Verdict: Conditional – Best for those prioritizing authentic Brother ink quality over maximum page yield.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vibrant, true-to-life color reproduction | Page yield often below advertised 550 pages |
| Easy, mess-free installation | Higher price compared to third-party alternatives |
| Reliable compatibility with many Brother printers | Some cartridges flagged as empty prematurely |
| Fade-resistant prints that last years | Occasional defective units (e.g., leaking or non-recognition) |
| Multipack offers convenience and savings | Excessive plastic packaging noted by buyers |
Claims vs Reality
Brother’s marketing emphasizes “superior inkjet print quality… up to 550 pages per cartridge” and “rich, vivid color prints that withstand the test of time.” Digging deeper into user reports, this quality claim holds up well. A verified Best Buy buyer stated: “Great colors, smooth printing performance with perfect finished prints… easy snap-in installation with zero mess.”
However, the yield claim is where reality diverges. Staples reviewers frequently noted shortfalls—one called it a “major ripoff” saying, “Box states printing 550 sheets. I’m lucky if I get 50 sheets!” This was echoed by Reddit users who still praised color vibrancy but wished the cartridges “would last a bit longer.”
Brother also promotes environmentally responsible disposal. While some users appreciated this, there’s little evidence in customer feedback that recycling programs influenced purchase decisions; the conversation focused more on price, compatibility, and authenticity concerns.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Best Buy, Trustpilot, and Reddit, the standout praise is for color fidelity and print quality. Reddit user colorprinterink said: “Best ink product for my Brother printer. Great colors… best pricing, and ready-to-go printing!” Teachers and home office users noted that presentations and photos printed with LC2033PKS retained vibrancy long after printing. Staples customers agreed, describing the ink as “lasting… like original equipment,” which is crucial for archival documents.
Ease of use is another universal win. Multiple reviewers said installation is “easy to install… no mess… no inked fingers.” This benefits casual home users and busy offices alike, where downtime for maintenance must be minimal. For long-term owners, reliability was key—one Trustpilot reviewer explained, “Many years of service out of these cartridges. Very happy.”
Common Complaints
The most frequent complaint is page yield falling short. While officially rated at 550 pages, heavy color usage or automatic printer cleaning cycles seem to consume ink faster. Staples customer Francois criticized early empty warnings: “You indicate the ink reservoir to be low or empty when it’s not… engineered the software to not allow continuation of printing.”
Price was another sore point. A Trustpilot reviewer bluntly stated: “Print cartridges cost more than printers. Someone explain that to me.” This is compounded by reports of defective cartridges—such as a magenta unit “not working” straight out of the box or a cyan cartridge “immediately leaking” in the printer.
Divisive Features
Authenticity is a dividing line. Many buyers insist on genuine Brother ink to avoid compatibility issues—one Best Buy customer said they “trust Best Buy to sell authentic Brother inks” rather than risk “knock offs that look so much like Brother ink boxes.” Others questioned whether the premium price justified the brand name, with some switching to third-party alternatives despite occasional recognition problems.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Staples reviews reveal a pattern: genuine Brother cartridges are generally reliable, but defects do occur. The good news is that exchanges are straightforward—one Trustpilot user recounted ordering a replacement after receiving half-empty cartridges: “The new cartridges came… completely full… printer is working beautifully.”
Long-term durability stories are positive. Reddit user kitty noted that colors “last through 2 to 3 black ink cartridges,” implying balanced consumption for mixed printing tasks. Yet there’s persistent suspicion about “empty early” alerts, leading some to believe the firmware is calibrated to encourage quicker replacements.
Alternatives
Quora discussions point to several third-party options, such as E-Z Ink and Tek Mall compatibles, often at a fraction of the cost. While these can deliver “crisp text and vibrant prints,” they risk recognition issues, premature drying, or leaks. For budget-sensitive users printing non-critical documents, these may suffice. However, for professional work or long-term printer health, genuine LC2033PKS remains favored despite the premium.
Price & Value
Prices vary widely—Brother’s official site lists $33.49 per pack, while some retailers offer discounts for buying multiples (as low as $33.27 each). eBay and auction sites list them under MSRP, but authenticity checks are essential. Community buying tips include waiting for office supply store promotions, using rewards programs, and ordering from trusted sources to avoid counterfeit cartridges.
FAQ
Q: How many pages can I really expect from LC2033PKS cartridges?
A: While rated for 550 pages, many users report fewer—especially with heavy color printing or frequent cleaning cycles. Expect closer to 300-400 pages in mixed-use scenarios.
Q: Are these cartridges easy to install?
A: Yes. Buyers consistently praise their “easy snap-in installation” and “no mess” process, making them ideal for non-technical users.
Q: Do genuine Brother cartridges last longer than third-party ones?
A: Many users believe so, citing fewer recognition errors and better color stability over time. However, yield issues affect both categories.
Q: Can I recycle these cartridges?
A: Yes. Brother offers a free recycling program via their website, though few reviewers mention using it.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a home or office user who values authentic Brother color quality and reliability over maximum yield. Avoid if you need the lowest cost per page and are willing to troubleshoot third-party cartridges. Pro tip from the community: Purchase from trusted retailers during sales to offset the higher price, and store spares properly to maximize shelf life.
