What Ink Does the Epson EcoTank ET-M1170 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the ET-M2170 adds a document feeder and that "Service Required" on this printer means full internal ink pads. The ET-M2170 has a flatbed scanner only (the ET-M3170 has the feeder), and the ET-M1170 sends waste ink to a maintenance box you can replace yourself.
CastleScore · October 2026
79/100 — Recommended
Epson EcoTank ET-M1170
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 80 | 4.12★ average across 547 ratings at Amazon (4.0), Amazon (4.1), Walmart (4.4) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | — | Not scored: the maker does not publish page yields for these cartridges, so we cannot calculate an honest cost per page. |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 63 | Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 75 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $219 |
Still sold new by Epson in the U.S. ($219.99 on sale, $299.99 list, when we checked), along with Certified ReNew units. Best Buy no longer sells it new.
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 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
Why there is no Castle Ink bottle for this printer
We don't sell Epson 532 ink, so there is nothing of ours to recommend for the ET-M1170. Earlier versions of this page pointed you to our Epson range, which doesn't include it.
Buy genuine Epson 532 (T532120), the pigment black bottle Epson rates at up to 6,000 pages. Genuine bottles also keep you eligible for Epson's second year of warranty, which requires registering the printer and using Epson ink. Match the number: EcoTank bottles are keyed to their ports, so 502, 522 or other bottles won't fit.
Quick answer: what ink does the Epson EcoTank ET-M1170 use?
The Epson EcoTank ET-M1170 uses a single Epson 532 black EcoTank ink bottle (T532120). It's a black-only printer, and Epson rates one 532 bottle at about 6,000 pages. The 532 ink is pigment-based, so text is crisp and resists smudging. 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 532 black (pigment) | T532120 | 120 ml | ~6,000 pages |
*Epson ISO yields per bottle. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Epson EcoTank ET-M1170 ink
How long does a bottle last?
Epson rates a replacement 532 bottle at up to 6,000 pages. Epson Australia says the ink in the box covers up to 5,000 pages, based on 200 pages a month for two 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 532 ink?
Epson 532 bottles also fit the EcoTank ET-M2170, ET-M3170, WorkForce ST-M1000, and ST-M3000.
Can I use Epson 502 or 522 bottles in the ET-M1170?
No. Epson keys each bottle type so it only fits its own printers. 502 or 522 bottles are used by color EcoTanks such as the ET-2800 and ET-2850 and won't fit or fill a 532 printer.
How do I refill the ink tanks?
Open the ink tank cover and the tank cap, remove the bottle cap and seal, and push the bottle straight onto the port. Ink flows in and stops automatically when the tank is full. Remove the bottle, close the tank cap and cover, then confirm the refill with the printer's buttons or in Epson's software so the ink level resets. The ET-M1170 has no screen, so there is no on-screen prompt. 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, confirm the refill with the printer's buttons or in Epson's software 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, but Epson's second year of warranty (24 months instead of 12) requires registering the printer and using genuine Epson bottles. 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 faint or missing lines. 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 streaky after refilling?
Usually it's air or a partial clog. Run a nozzle check, then up to two head cleanings with a rest in between. If lines persist, leave the printer off overnight and try again. More fixes: 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?
On the ET-M1170, waste ink from cleaning cycles goes into a replaceable ink maintenance box (Epson T04D1), not internal pads. When it fills, fit a new box yourself; it isn't an ink problem and doesn't need a service visit. For older EcoTanks with internal pads, see Epson “Service Required”: waste ink pad full.
Can the ET-M1170 print in color?
No. It's a black-only (monochrome) printer designed for high-volume text. For color with bottle ink, look at a 502 or 522 EcoTank.
Does the ET-M1170 scan or copy?
No, it's print-only. The ET-M2170 uses the same 532 ink and adds a flatbed scanner and copying. For a document feeder and fax, you need the ET-M3170, which also takes 532.
ET-M1170 key facts
- Type: wireless monochrome supertank printer (print only)
- Ink: Epson 532 pigment black bottle
- Color: none (black only)
- Same ink as: ET-M2170, ET-M3170, WorkForce ST-M1000, ST-M3000
What EcoTank ET-M1170 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.
Does the bottle that comes in the box print as many pages as a replacement?
No. Epson rates a replacement 532 bottle at up to 6,000 pages, but some of the first bottle goes into priming the ink system at setup, so it prints fewer.
Does it print two-sided, and can I connect it with a cable?
Yes to both. It prints two-sided automatically and connects by Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Hi-Speed USB or Ethernet.
There's no screen. How do I see ink levels and errors?
Through the lights on the printer and Epson's software on your computer or phone. That makes troubleshooting a little harder than on a printer with a display.
EcoTank ET-M1170 quirks worth knowing
- Waste ink from cleaning goes into a user-replaceable ink maintenance box (Epson T04D1), so a full waste-ink warning is fixed by swapping the box, not by a service visit.
- The 250-sheet main tray, plus a single-sheet rear slot for envelopes and special paper, is large for an entry-level supertank and closer to a small mono laser.
- Epson rates it at 20 ISO pages per minute, with the first page out in about 6 seconds.
Other printers that use Epson 532 bottles
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 9, 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.