What Ink Does the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Use?
Last Updated:CastleScore · October 2026
85/100 — Highly Recommended
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 82 | 4.18★ average across 23,601 ratings at Amazon (4.0), Best Buy (4.5) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 99 | About 0.2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible 522 bottles (4,500 black / 7,500 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 89 | Most-reported problems: worry about print-head clogging if the printer sits unused |
| Features (12%) | 56 | Print, copy, scan, Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 90 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $189 |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new. Epson lists it at $189.99 (showing out of stock in October 2026), and Best Buy had it in stock.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The ink bottles, pictured
522 Bottles 4-packOur own compatible ink bottles, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 use?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 uses Epson 522 EcoTank ink bottles in four colors: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Epson rates one 522 black bottle at about 4,500 pages and each color bottle at about 7,500 pages. There are no cartridges or chips; you refill the built-in tanks from bottles.
Ink bottles at a glance
| Bottle | Part number | Volume | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson 522 black | T522120 | 65 ml | ~4,500 pages |
| Epson 522 cyan / magenta / yellow | T522220 / T522320 / T522420 | 65 ml each | ~7,500 pages each |
*Epson ISO yields per bottle. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Epson EcoTank ET-2800 ink
How long does a set of bottles last?
For typical home or small-office use, a full set lasts many months to a couple of years. Compared with cartridge printers, EcoTanks cost more up front but far less per page. See Refillable ink tank vs. cartridge printers and try the Printer ink cost calculator.
What other printers use Epson 522 ink?
Epson 522 bottles also fit the EcoTank ET-2400, ET-2720, ET-2803, ET-4800, and the newer ET-2900 and ET-2903.
Can I use Epson 502 bottles in the ET-2800?
No. Epson keys each bottle type so it only fits its own printers. 502 bottles are used by the ET-2750, ET-2850, ET-3850, ET-4850, and ET-15000 and won't fit or fill a 522 printer.
How do I refill the ink tanks?
Open the ink tank cover, open the cap on the color you're filling, remove the bottle cap and seal, and push the bottle straight onto the matching port. Ink flows in and stops automatically when the tank is full. Remove the bottle, close the tank cap and cover, then follow the on-screen or control-panel prompt to confirm the refill so the ink level resets. See How to install an ink cartridge in an Epson printer.
Do I need to reset the ink level after refilling?
Yes. EcoTanks don't read the ink level with a chip; they estimate it. After filling a tank to the upper line, select the colors you refilled on the LCD and follow the prompts so the estimate starts from full.
Are compatible EcoTank bottles safe?
Yes. EcoTank bottles have no chips, so firmware updates can't lock out compatible ink the way they can with cartridges. Use ink made for your exact bottle number, and don't mix brands in the same tank. Using third-party ink doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
What if I let a tank run below the lower line?
Refill before the ink drops below the lower line. Running a tank dry can pull air into the ink lines and cause missing colors. If that happens, refill, run a nozzle check, and do one or two head cleanings. Epson's Power Cleaning clears air but uses a lot of ink, so save it for last.
Why are my prints faded or missing a color after refilling?
Usually it's air or a partial clog. Run a nozzle check, then a head cleaning. Epson says to run up to three cleanings; if lines persist, leave the printer off for at least 12 hours and try again. More fixes: Epson printer not printing color: the real fix and Why is my printer printing streaks?.
How long does an opened bottle last?
Store bottles upright, capped, at room temperature, and use them within the date printed on the box. Once you open a bottle, fill the tank completely or reseal it tightly and use it soon.
What does “Service Required” mean on an EcoTank?
It usually means the internal waste ink pads are full from cleaning cycles. It isn't an ink problem. See Epson “Service Required”: waste ink pad full.
Can I convert the ET-2800 to a sublimation printer?
Many color EcoTanks can be converted if you fill brand-new tanks with sublimation ink and dedicate the printer to it; you can't switch back and forth. See How to convert an Epson EcoTank to a sublimation printer and our sublimation ink.
Does the ET-2800 print double-sided?
Not automatically. The ET-2800 supports manual two-sided printing only.
Is the ET-2800 the same as the ET-2803?
They're retail variants of the same design and use the same Epson 522 bottles. See the ET-2803 ink guide and our ET-2800 review.
ET-2800 key facts
- Type: wireless supertank all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
- Ink: Epson 522 bottles (black + cyan, magenta, yellow)
- Duplex: manual
- Same ink as: ET-2400, ET-2720, ET-2803, ET-4800
What EcoTank ET-2800 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Epson's support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
How do I run a head cleaning from the printer itself?
Press Home, go to Maintenance > Head Cleaning, press OK and then Start. Epson says to run up to 3 cleanings, then leave the printer off for at least 12 hours before trying again or running a Power Cleaning.
Will it connect to a 5 GHz network or Ethernet?
No. Epson lists Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz only, plus Wi-Fi Direct and USB. There is no Ethernet port.
The Windows 11 installer stalls during setup. Is that me?
No. Epson flags it as a known issue on the ET-2800 support page and links a support article with the fix.
Can it print on legal paper?
Yes, but one sheet at a time. Epson's manual limits paper 8.5 x 13 in and larger to a single sheet per load.
EcoTank ET-2800 quirks worth knowing
- Once ink reaches the upper line, don't pull the bottle out and push it back in to top up. Epson warns this can make ink leak.
- The USB port is Hi-Speed USB, and Epson says USB 3.0 cables aren't supported. Use a standard USB 2.0 cable.
- Manual two-sided printing on plain paper is limited to 30 sheets per load.
- Epson says a full set of bottles is equal to about 80 individual cartridges, and claims up to 2 years of ink in the box at about 125 pages a month.
Other printers that use Epson 522 bottles
Epson EcoTank ET-2803 · Epson EcoTank ET-4800 · Epson EcoTank ET-2400 · Epson EcoTank ET-2903 · Epson EcoTank ET-2720
More Epson ink guides: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 · Epson WorkForce WF-2950 · Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 — CastleScore 90
- Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — CastleScore 86
- Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820 — CastleScore 80
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 8, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Epson ink cartridges? Shop Epson ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.