# TLDR Review: Brother LC103Y Ink Cartridge

*Published: 2025-05-31 | Updated: 2025-07-18 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/brother-lc103y-ink-cartridge*

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## Product: Brother LC103Y Ink Cartridge
**Brand:** Brother

## Pros
- Suitable for home use with satisfactory print quality for personal purposes.
- Ideal for daily printing tasks such as calendars and documents.
- Easy installation, taking only about 30 seconds.
- Steady, precise ink flow, providing high-quality prints.
- The color is vibrant and possibly the liveliest shade of yellow available.
- The cartridge is praised for quality and reliability, encouraging loyalty to the Brother brand.
- Modern, attractive packaging with easy-to-remove protective tapes.
- Works well with Brother printers without issues and has long-lasting performance.

## Cons
- Runs out of ink quickly, less efficient than expected.
- Prints around 400 pages instead of the rated 600, with minimal yellow usage.
- Considerably more expensive compared to generic alternatives.
- Some users experienced recognition issues with their printer, specifically the model MFC-J470DW.
- Two out of three recently purchased cartridges indicated they were almost empty upon installation.
- The unique behavior of using color ink for black prints despite having a black cartridge.

## Bottom Line

The Brother Printer LC103Y High Yield Cartridge Ink in Yellow is a solid choice for daily home printing with vibrant color and reliable performance. However, its relatively short life and higher price compared to generic options may be a drawback for some. If you're seeking better longevity or a budget-friendly choice, you might want to explore alternative brands or generic cartridges. If compatibility with the MFC-J470DW model is crucial to you, consider ensuring all compatibility issues are addressed before purchasing.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Suitable for home use with satisfactory print quality for personal purposes. | Runs out of ink quickly, less efficient than expected. |
| Ideal for daily printing tasks such as calendars and documents. | Prints around 400 pages instead of the rated 600, with minimal yellow usage. |
| Easy installation, taking only about 30 seconds. | Considerably more expensive compared to generic alternatives. |
| Steady, precise ink flow, providing high-quality prints. | Some users experienced recognition issues with their printer, specifically the model MFC-J470DW. |
| The color is vibrant and possibly the liveliest shade of yellow available. | Two out of three recently purchased cartridges indicated they were almost empty upon installation. |
| The cartridge is praised for quality and reliability, encouraging loyalty to the Brother brand. | The unique behavior of using color ink for black prints despite having a black cartridge. |
| Modern, attractive packaging with easy-to-remove protective tapes. |  |
| Works well with Brother printers without issues and has long-lasting performance. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Cove Business Products | $2.59  | In Stock |
| Castle Ink | $8.95  | In Stock |
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| Amazon | $16.79  | In Stock |
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| Newegg | $19.95  | In Stock |
| SupplyLinkUSA.com | $20.95  | In Stock |
| Arceto.com | $38.25  | In Stock |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*