What Ink Does the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 uses Epson 522 ink bottles — T522120-S black, T522220-S cyan, T522320-S magenta and T522420-S yellow. Not Epson 502. We sell a compatible 522 four-bottle set. U.S. shipping is free on orders over $50, and orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day.
The ET-2803 is a compact cartridge-free all-in-one — print, scan and copy, with refillable tanks instead of cartridges. It shares the ET-2800's user guide and uses exactly the same ink, so advice written for the ET-2800 applies here too.
CastleScore · October 2026
85/100 — Highly Recommended
Epson EcoTank ET-2803
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 83 | 4.26★ average across 10,696 ratings at Walmart (4.3), Amazon (4.2) |
| 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%) | 88 | Most-reported problems: printer has trouble finding devices on the network during setup; waste ink pads fill and stop printing and they are not user-replaceable |
| Features (12%) | 56 | Print, copy, scan, Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 91 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $179 |
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 on Epson.com ($179.99 on sale), though Epson now offers the ET-2903 as its successor. Both use Epson 522 bottles.
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.
Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Ink Bottles at a Glance
| Ink Bottle | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Epson 522 (T522120-S) | Black | ~4,500 pages |
| Epson 522 (T522220-S) | Cyan | ~7,500 pages |
| Epson 522 (T522320-S) | Magenta | ~7,500 pages |
| Epson 522 (T522420-S) | Yellow | ~7,500 pages |
522 and 502 Are Not Interchangeable
This is the mistake worth avoiding. Epson uses uniquely keyed "EcoFit" bottle necks, so a 502 bottle will physically not fit a 522 tank. The two series look almost identical in listings and are frequently confused. Check the number before you order.
There is also no XL or XXL tier for EcoTank bottles — they come in one size. The yields above are what you get.
Your First Fill Will Not Reach These Numbers
Part of the ink that ships with the printer is consumed charging the print head during first-time setup. Epson says so explicitly. So the in-box ink prints noticeably fewer pages than a replacement bottle will — don't judge the running cost by the first tank.
The Waste Ink Pad: The Thing Nobody Mentions
The ET-2803 uses internal waste-ink pads that are not user-replaceable. When a pad is full, the printer shows E-11 and stops printing, though scanning still works. Under warranty Epson covers the repair. After that, any Epson authorized service provider can replace the pads. We don't recommend third-party counter-reset kits.
None of that undoes the math: at roughly 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages per bottle, an EcoTank is still dramatically cheaper to run than any cartridge printer in its class.
What ET-2803 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.
Is the ET-2803 the same printer as the ET-2800?
For ink and how it works, yes. They share Epson 522 bottles and the same Epson user guide. Epson lists them under separate model numbers (C11CJ66203 for the ET-2803).
The printer shows E-11 and won't print. What does that mean?
A waste ink pad is full. Printing stops but scanning still works. The pads are not user-replaceable: Epson covers replacement under warranty, and after that any Epson authorized service provider can do it.
Can it connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No. Epson lists 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz only, and 802.11n works only on 20 MHz channels. On a dual-band router, make sure the 2.4 GHz band is on. It also connects by USB.
Can I print on legal-size paper?
One sheet at a time. Epson says paper 8.5 x 13 in or larger loads one sheet at a time; letter and A4 load up to the arrow mark in the tray.
Is there a newer version?
Yes. The ET-2903 also uses 522 bottles. Epson rates it a little faster (11 black / 6 color ISO pages per minute) and rates its black bottle slightly higher, at 4,700 pages.
ET-2803 quirks worth knowing
- Epson warns you before the pad fills: W-11 is the early warning for the main waste pad, and E-11 means it is full. A separate pad handles borderless printing (W-14 warning, E-12 full).
- If a firmware update fails, the printer goes into "Recovery Mode." Epson's fix is to retry the update over a USB cable, and Epson says USB 3.0 cables are not supported.
- Epson rates the ink in the box at up to two years of printing at about 125 pages a month.
- Paper loads from the rear, which owners of the ET-2800 twin often call awkward, and there is no automatic two-sided printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 use?
Epson 522 bottles: T522120-S black, T522220-S cyan, T522320-S magenta, T522420-S yellow.
Can I use Epson 502 bottles instead?
No. Epson keys the bottle necks so 502 will not physically fit a 522 tank. They are not interchangeable.
Is there an XL version of Epson 522?
No. EcoTank bottles come in a single size — about 65 mL each.
How many pages does a bottle print?
Epson rates each replacement bottle at about 4,500 pages for black and 7,500 for each color.
Why did my first fill run out early?
Some of the in-box ink is used to charge the print head during setup, so the first fill prints fewer pages than a replacement bottle.
Can I use compatible ink bottles?
Yes. EcoTanks have no cartridge chip to authenticate, which is part of why they are so much cheaper to run.
Other printers that use Epson 522 bottles
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 · Epson EcoTank ET-2400 · Epson EcoTank ET-2903 · Epson EcoTank ET-2720 · Epson EcoTank ET-2800
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.