What Ink Does the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide described a separate ink cartridge cover and did not give yields for standard 822 cartridges. You lift the scanner unit to reach the cartridges, and Epson rates standard 822 at about 350 pages black and 240 pages per color.
CastleScore · October 2026
76/100 — Recommended
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 76 | 3.90★ average across 1,769 ratings at Amazon (3.9) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 71 | About 6.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 822XL (1,100 pages each). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 78 | Most-reported problems: wi-Fi drops / can't connect; false 'paper cassette not inserted correctly' errors and paper-feed problems; units failing within months |
| Features (12%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 74 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $129 |
Still sold new. Epson.com listed the WF-4820 at $129.99 (down from $249.99) when we checked in October 2026.
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 11, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
822XL BlackT822XL120 · ~1,100 pages
822XL CyanT822XL220 · ~1,100 pages
822XL MagentaT822XL320 · ~1,100 pages
822XL YellowT822XL420 · ~1,100 pages
822XL Black
822XL Cyan
822XL Magenta
822XL YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820 use?
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820 uses 4 Epson 822 DURABrite Ultra cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. High-capacity 822XL cartridges fit the same slots. 822XL is rated for about 1,100 pages per cartridge, several times the standard size, so it's the better value for regular office printing. The pigment ink dries fast and resists smudging, which suits office documents.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part numbers | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Epson 822 black | T822120 | ~350 pages |
| Epson 822 color (C/M/Y) | T822220 / T822320 / T822420 | ~240 pages each |
| Epson 822XL black | T822XL120 | ~1,100 pages |
| Epson 822XL color (C/M/Y) | T822XL220 / T822XL320 / T822XL420 | ~1,100 pages each |
*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820 ink
Should I buy Epson 822 or 822XL for the WF-4820?
822XL for most people. 822XL is rated for about 1,100 pages per cartridge, several times the standard size, so it's the better value for regular office printing. 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 822 and 822XL works.
What other printers use Epson 822 ink?
Epson 822/822XL also fits the WorkForce Pro WF-3820, WF-3823, WF-4830, WF-4833, and WF-4834. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Epson cartridges fit the WF-4820?
No. Epson 802 (WF-4720/4730/4740) and Epson 902 (WF-C5xxx) look similar but aren't interchangeable. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Can I use remanufactured 822XL cartridges in the WF-4820?
Yes, with one caution. Epson says the WF-4820 is designed for Epson cartridges only, and its FAQ says a firmware update can make non-Epson cartridges unrecognized; Epson's only fix is genuine cartridges. If you use remanufactured cartridges, consider turning off automatic firmware updates. Using third-party ink doesn't void the warranty, but Epson won't cover damage it attributes to that ink. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the WF-4820?
With the printer on, select Maintenance > Ink Cartridge(s) Replacement > Start, then lift the scanner unit until it clicks. There is no separate ink cover. Squeeze the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it straight up. Shake the new cartridge 4 or 5 times before opening it, remove only the yellow tape, and push it in until it clicks. Lower the scanner unit and let the printer charge the ink, which takes about 90 seconds. Step-by-step: How to install an ink cartridge in an Epson printer.
Why won't the WF-4820 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 non-Epson cartridge stops working right after a firmware update, contact the seller; Epson's own answer is to fit genuine cartridges. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my WF-4820 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.
Does the WF-4820 print double-sided and fax?
Yes. The WF-4820 is a business all-in-one that prints, scans, copies, and faxes, with automatic 2-sided printing and an automatic document feeder. The WF-4830 and WF-4834 use the same 822 ink.
How much does the WF-4820 cost to run?
With XL cartridges, the ink cost per page is far lower than with standard cartridges. Compare the numbers for your usage with the Printer ink cost calculator.
WF-4820 key facts
- Type: business all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 4 individual Epson 822/822XL pigment cartridges
- Duplex: automatic
- Same ink as: WF-3820, WF-3823, WF-4830, WF-4833, WF-4834
What WF-4820 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.
Why is my color ink running out when I only print black?
Epson says the print head must stay charged with all four inks, so every color is used for maintenance. Once a color is used up, the printer asks for it before it will continue.
Can it scan two-sided originals from the feeder?
No. The 35-sheet document feeder scans one side only. Two-sided printing is automatic, but for two-sided originals you scan or copy each side yourself.
Does it have a maintenance box I need to replace?
Yes. Waste ink goes into Epson ink maintenance box T6715, the same part the 802-series WF-47xx printers use.
How long does a cartridge keep once I open it?
Epson advises using cartridges within 6 months of opening the package.
The Windows 11 driver installer freezes. Is it my PC?
Probably not. Epson's WF-4820 support page flags a known Windows 11 issue where the installer stalls and stops responding (article wa00981). Check that page for Epson's current fix.
WF-4820 quirks worth knowing
- The WF-4820 is the simpler sibling of the WF-4830: one 250-sheet tray and a 35-sheet single-sided feeder, where the WF-4830 has two trays and a 50-sheet two-sided feeder. Both take 822 ink.
- Standard 822 cartridges are small (about 350 pages black, 240 per color) while 822XL is rated for about 1,100 pages in every color. For color, XL gives you about 4.6 times the pages.
- The cartridges sit under the scanner unit. After a change the print head charges for about 90 seconds, and Epson warns not to switch the printer off while the power light is flashing.
- Epson rates it for up to 33,000 pages a month and recommends up to 1,600.
Other printers that use Epson 822
Epson WorkForce WF-3820 · Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4834
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 11, 2026 and will change over time.
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.