What Ink Does the Epson Expression Premium XP-820 Use?
Last Updated:Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.
Correction: an earlier version of this article said the XP-820 uses six-color Epson 277 cartridges. It uses five-color Epson 273/273XL.
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 yield of every color, 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 | ~200 / ~400 pages |
| 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. 273XL roughly doubles the yield of every 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.
Are compatible 273XL cartridges safe for the XP-820?
Yes. Quality compatible and remanufactured cartridges print like OEM, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. Epson firmware updates have been known to reject some third-party chips, 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)
- 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
Shop XP-820 ink at Castle Ink
- Compatible 273XL singles: 273XL black, 273XL photo black, 273XL cyan, 273XL magenta, 273XL yellow
- Browse all Epson ink cartridges
Castle Ink compatibles typically cost 50–70% less than Epson retail and are backed by our compatibility guarantee. Estimate your savings with the Printer ink cost calculator.
Official Epson resources
Epson XP-820 ink and support page
Related guides
- How to install an ink cartridge in an Epson printer
- Epson printer not printing color: the real fix
- Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it
- Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers
- Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink
- Print head alignment guide
Buy genuine Epson 273 on Amazon: Epson 273 on Amazon
About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.
Need replacement Epson ink cartridges? Shop Epson ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.
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