What Ink Does the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 uses four Epson 542 pigment ink bottles: Black (T542120-S) and Cyan (T542220-S), Magenta (T542320-S) and Yellow (T542420-S). Castle Ink sells compatible 542 Black (130 ml), Cyan, Magenta and Yellow bottles at $10.99 each, or all four in a 542 4-pack for $42.99.
The ET-5850 is the step-up model in Epson's EcoTank Pro office line. Every EcoTank Pro takes the same 542 bottles: the ET-5800, ET-5880, ET-5170, ET-5150 and ET-5180, and the wide-format ET-16600 and ET-16650. It does not take the Epson 502 or 522 bottles used by home EcoTanks.
CastleScore · November 2026
89/100 — Highly Recommended
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No U.S. retailer rating with enough reviews we could verify. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5; Tom's Guide Editor's Choice |
| 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 | Few recurring hardware complaints; owners and reviewers mainly cite its size and weight (almost 40 lb), the high purchase price and setup quirks on some Macs |
| Features (12%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, fax; 50-sheet duplexing document feeder; auto two-sided printing; two 250-sheet trays plus a 50-sheet rear feed; Wi-Fi, Ethernet; 4.3-inch touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find enough verifiable owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new. Adorama and Amazon list it at about $849.99.
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-5850 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 for its own bottles. Epson's 3-pack T542520-S holds just the three colors. All four 542 inks are pigment-based, and Epson says EcoTank Pro printers are designed for pigment ink only, so don't fill them with dye or sublimation ink made for home EcoTanks.
What Does ET-5850 Ink Cost per Page?
A fraction of a cent. Our 542 black is $10.99 for Epson's rated 7,500 pages, about 0.15¢ a page, and each color $10.99 for about 6,000 pages, about 0.18¢. Blended across the 4-pack it's roughly 0.17¢ a page. Epson charges far more per bottle; reviewers point out the ET-5850 ships with two full sets of ink, so most owners won't buy any for a year or more.
How Do I Refill the Epson ET-5850?
- Check the ink levels in the tank windows on the front of the printer.
- 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 the bottle and recap the tank.
- Close the cover and, if the printer asks, confirm on the touchscreen which colors you refilled.
Which Other Printers Use Epson 542?
The EcoTank Pro ET-5800, ET-5880, ET-5150, ET-5170 and ET-5180; the wide-format EcoTank Pro ET-16600 and ET-16650; and Epson's WorkForce ST-C5000, ST-C5500, ST-C8000 and ST-C8090. See all Epson 542 ink bottles.
What ET-5850 owners ask
These come from retailer Q&A, Epson's support pages and reviews from PCMag, Tom's Guide and Digital Trends, answered in our words.
How is the ET-5850 different from the ET-5800?
Same ink, same engine family. The ET-5850 is the higher-end model with faster two-sided document handling; both have two 250-sheet trays, a 50-sheet rear feed, a 50-sheet document feeder and fax.
Can it scan and copy two-sided originals?
Yes. The automatic document feeder handles two-sided originals for copying, scanning and faxing.
Can I use Epson 502 or 522 bottles in it?
No. Those are dye-based inks for home EcoTanks with differently keyed bottle tips. The ET-5850 takes only 542.
Does a new ET-5850 come with ink?
Yes. Reviewers report two full sets of 542 bottles in the box, which is why many owners don't need to buy ink for a long time.
ET-5850 quirks worth knowing
- It weighs almost 40 pounds, so plan a sturdy spot for it.
- It has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet.
- Digital Trends measured duplex color copies from the document feeder at about 20 pages a minute.
- Like every EcoTank, it has a maintenance box that collects waste ink and must be replaced when the printer asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Epson ET-5850 use?
Epson 542 pigment ink bottles: Black (T542120-S), Cyan (T542220-S), Magenta (T542320-S) and Yellow (T542420-S).
Does the ET-5850 use the same ink as the ET-5800?
Yes. Every EcoTank Pro model, including the ET-5800, ET-5880, ET-5170, ET-16600 and ET-16650, uses Epson 542.
How many pages does a 542 bottle print?
Epson rates the black at about 7,500 pages and each color at about 6,000 pages.
Other printers that use Epson 542
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 · Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 · Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 · Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600
More Epson ink guides: Epson EcoTank ET-2980 · Epson EcoTank ET-4850 · Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 · 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.