What Ink Does the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 uses four Epson 542 pigment ink bottles: Black (T542120-S), Cyan (T542220-S), Magenta (T542320-S) and Yellow (T542420-S). Castle Ink sells compatible 542 Black (130 ml), Cyan, Magenta and Yellow at $10.99 each, or a 542 4-pack for $42.99.
The ET-5170 is the compact model in Epson's EcoTank Pro family, alongside the ET-5150 and ET-5180. Many people expect it to take the Epson 502 bottles used by home EcoTanks like the ET-2850, but it doesn't: like the ET-5800 and ET-5850, it uses pigment-based 542.
CastleScore · November 2026
85/100 — Highly Recommended
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 86 | 4.4★ across 75 ratings on Epson's own site (Australia, same model) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 99 | About 0.17¢ per page blended with our 542 4-pack ($42.99: 7,500 black + 6,000 per color pages at Epson's ratings). |
| Reliability (13%) | 80 | Most-reported problems: scan-to-computer and network scanning setup trouble; occasional connection drops |
| Features (12%) | 84 | Print, copy, scan, fax; document feeder; auto two-sided printing; Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet; color touchscreen; compact for an office printer. |
| Value (5%) | 84 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $550 |
Still sold new. Best Buy lists it at $549.99 and Target at $579.99.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked November 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The ink, pictured
Epson 542 4-packBlack 130 ml + C/M/Y 70 ml
Epson 542 BlackT542120-S · 130 ml
Epson 542 CyanT542220-S · 70 ml
Epson 542 4-pack
Epson 542 Black
Epson 542 CyanOur own compatible 542 bottles, made in the USA.
What Ink Bottles Does the Epson ET-5170 Take?
| Bottle | Epson part no. | Epson size | Approx. yield (Epson) | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 542 Black (pigment) | T542120-S | 127 ml | ~7,500 pages | Compatible, 130 ml, $10.99 |
| 542 Cyan (pigment) | T542220-S | 70 ml | ~6,000 pages | Compatible, 70 ml, $10.99 |
| 542 Magenta (pigment) | T542320-S | 70 ml | ~6,000 pages | Compatible, 70 ml, $10.99 |
| 542 Yellow (pigment) | T542420-S | 70 ml | ~6,000 pages | Compatible, 70 ml, $10.99 |
| All four | — | — | — | 542 4-pack, $42.99 |
Yields are Epson's ratings. The U.S. ET-5170 ships with two 127 ml black bottles and one each of the colors, enough for about 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages. Epson says it's built for genuine pigment ink only and that sublimation ink will damage the print head, so don't use either dye or sublimation ink in it.
What Does ET-5170 Ink Cost per Page?
Our 542 black is $10.99 for about 7,500 pages (about 0.15¢ a page) and each color $10.99 for about 6,000 (about 0.18¢). Blended across the $42.99 4-pack it's roughly 0.17¢ a page. When Consumer Reports tested it, Epson's own bottles cost $36 for black and $28 per color.
How Do I Refill the Epson ET-5170?
- Check the ink levels through the tank windows on the front.
- Open the ink tank cover and unscrew the cap on the color you're filling.
- Hold the 542 bottle upright, remove its cap and seal, and insert the keyed tip into the matching port.
- Let the ink flow until it stops at the upper line, then remove and recap.
- Close the cover and confirm the refill on the touchscreen if asked.
Which Other Printers Use Epson 542?
The EcoTank Pro ET-5150, ET-5180, ET-5800, ET-5850 and ET-5880; the wide-format ET-16600 and ET-16650; and the WorkForce ST-C5000, ST-C5500, ST-C8000 and ST-C8090. See all Epson 542 ink bottles.
What ET-5170 owners ask
These come from Best Buy, Target, Staples and Adorama Q&A and reviews, answered in our words.
Can I use sublimation ink in the ET-5170?
No. Epson says it's designed for its pigment inks and that sublimation ink will damage the print head and void the warranty. For sublimation, see our guide to choosing a transfer printing method.
How is the ET-5170 different from the ET-5150?
Same 542 ink. Australian reviewers note the ET-5170 adds a document feeder, Ethernet and fax over the base ET-5150.
I can't get scan-to-computer working.
It's the most common complaint. Install Epson ScanSmart and the full driver package from Epson's support site, and make sure the printer and computer are on the same network.
ET-5170 quirks worth knowing
- PCMag rated it 3.5 out of 5: it prints well and cheaply but isn't as fast or full-featured as the ET-5800/5850.
- Owners like how quiet and compact it is for an office printer.
- It has a color touchscreen and can be managed from Epson's Smart Panel app.
- The USB cable isn't included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Epson ET-5170 use?
Epson 542 pigment ink bottles: Black (T542120-S), Cyan (T542220-S), Magenta (T542320-S) and Yellow (T542420-S).
Does the ET-5170 use Epson 502 ink?
No. It uses Epson 542. The 502 bottles are dye ink for home EcoTanks and are keyed differently.
How many pages does a set of 542 ink print?
About 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages by Epson's ratings.
Other printers that use Epson 542
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 · Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 · Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 · Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600
More Epson ink guides: Epson EcoTank ET-2980 · Epson EcoTank ET-4850 · Epson EcoTank ET-3850 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on November 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.