What Ink Does the Epson Expression Premium XP-820 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Epson 273 Ink Cartridges – 273XL Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Correction: an earlier version of this article said the XP-820 uses six-color Epson 277 cartridges. It uses five-color Epson 273/273XL.
CastleScore · October 2026
79/100 — Recommended
Epson Expression Premium XP-820
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 70 | 3.60★ average across 523 ratings at Amazon (3.6) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 89 | About 3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 273XL (500 black / 650 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 86 | Most-reported problems: frequent head cleanings that use a lot of ink, and grey or missing-line output within weeks of new cartridges; paper stopped feeding from the cassette after an internal plastic wheel broke |
| Features (12%) | 87 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 80 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Epson lists the Expression Premium XP-7100 as the replacement, but it takes Epson 410, not 273.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
273XL BlackT273XL020 · ~500 pages
273XL Photo BlackT273XL120
273XL CyanT273XL220 · ~650 pages
273XL MagentaT273XL320 · ~650 pages
273XL Black
273XL Photo Black
273XL Cyan
273XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Epson Expression Premium XP-820 use?
The Epson Expression Premium XP-820 uses 5 Epson 273 Claria Premium cartridges: black, photo black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. High-capacity 273XL cartridges fit the same slots. 273XL roughly doubles the black and color yields (Epson publishes no yield for photo black), so it's the better buy unless you print rarely. Photo black is used for glossy photos; the regular black handles text and documents.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part numbers | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Epson 273 black | T273020 | ~250 pages |
| Epson 273XL black | T273XL020 | ~500 pages |
| Epson 273 / 273XL photo black | T273120 / T273XL120 | No published yield |
| Epson 273 / 273XL cyan, magenta, yellow | T273220–420 / T273XL220–420 | ~300 / ~650 pages each |
*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Epson Expression Premium XP-820 ink
Should I buy Epson 273 or 273XL for the XP-820?
273XL for most people. It roughly doubles the black and color yields (500 vs. 250 pages black, 650 vs. 300 per color), so it's the better buy unless you print rarely. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
Can I mix standard and XL cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of 273 and 273XL works.
What other printers use Epson 273 ink?
Epson 273/273XL also fits the Expression Premium XP-520, XP-600, XP-605, XP-610, XP-620, XP-700, XP-800, and XP-810. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Epson cartridges fit the XP-820?
No. Epson 277 is a six-color set for the XP-850, XP-860 and XP-950 series, and Epson 410 fits the XP-530/630/640/830/7100. Neither fits a 273 printer. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Can I use non-Epson 273XL cartridges in the XP-820?
Using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. Epson says its firmware is meant to keep printers working with genuine Epson cartridges and that third-party ink may not work. We found no firmware block reported on the XP-820 itself, but Epson updates have rejected third-party chips on related models, so consider turning off automatic firmware updates. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the XP-820?
Turn the printer on and lift the scanner unit. When the carriage stops, squeeze the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it out. Shake the new cartridge gently, remove only the yellow tape, and press it into its slot until it clicks. Close the scanner unit and let the printer charge the ink. Step-by-step: How to install an ink cartridge in an Epson printer.
Why won't the XP-820 recognize a cartridge?
Reseat it firmly until it clicks, make sure the yellow tape is fully removed, and wipe the chip with a dry lint-free cloth. Turn the printer off for a minute. If a compatible cartridge stops working right after a firmware update, contact the seller for a replacement. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my XP-820 faded, streaky, or blurry?
Run a nozzle check from the Maintenance menu first. Gaps mean a clog: run a head cleaning (up to two or three cycles). If the check is complete but lines look jagged or doubled, align the print head instead; see our print head alignment guide. More fixes: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Why did the first set of cartridges run out so fast?
New Epson printers use part of the first set to charge the ink system. It's a one-time cost. See why the first cartridges run out fast.
Why does the XP-820 have two black cartridges?
Photo black is for glossy photos; the regular black is for text and documents. Both must be installed.
Is Epson 273 the same as 277?
No. Epson 277 is a six-color set (with light cyan and light magenta) for the XP-850, XP-860 and XP-950 series. The XP-820 takes the five-color 273 set.
XP-820 key facts
- Type: all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax) with a 30-sheet two-sided document feeder, Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- Status: discontinued; Epson names the XP-7100 (Epson 410 ink) as its replacement
- Ink: 5 individual Epson 273/273XL Claria Premium cartridges
- Colors: black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow
- Same ink as: XP-520, XP-600, XP-605, XP-610, XP-620, XP-700, XP-800, XP-810
What Expression Premium XP-820 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.
Can it scan both sides of a page automatically?
Yes. The 30-sheet document feeder handles automatic two-sided scanning, copying and faxing.
Will it print if one cartridge is missing?
No. Epson says all the cartridges have to be installed before the printer will print.
Can I print directly onto CDs and DVDs?
Yes. Epson lists printing on inkjet-printable CDs and DVDs.
Can I connect it with a network cable?
Yes. It has 10/100 Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and USB 2.0.
What replaced the XP-820, and does it use the same ink?
Epson lists the Expression Premium XP-7100 as the replacement. It does not use the same ink: the XP-7100 takes Epson 410, not 273.
Expression Premium XP-820 quirks worth knowing
- It has a separate 20-sheet photo tray above the 100-sheet main tray, so glossy paper can stay loaded next to plain paper.
- Epson publishes page yields for the 273 black and colors but none for photo black, standard or XL. Any page figure you see for 273 photo black is not Epson's.
- When Tom's Guide tested it with 273XL cartridges, it worked out to about 5 cents per black page and about 10 cents per color page.
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 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Epson 273 Ink Cartridges – 273XL Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow? Shop Epson 273 Ink Cartridges – 273XL Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.