What Ink Does the Epson WorkForce WF-2960 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Epson WorkForce WF-2960 uses four Epson 222 cartridges — Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. A high-capacity Epson 222XL is made for the black only, and it prints more than twice as many pages as standard black. It does not use Epson 232, the cartridge for the WF-2930 and WF-2950.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Epson WorkForce WF-2960
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 73 | 3.73★ average across 1,160 ratings at Amazon (3.7), Walmart (3.8) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | — | Not scored: we don't sell Epson 222 and couldn't confirm Epson's current price for every cartridge, so we can't calculate an honest cost per page. |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 87 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 78 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $99 |
Hard to find new. Epson showed it out of stock, Best Buy no longer sells it new and Staples flags it "Discontinued soon".
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.
Why there is no Castle Ink cartridge for this printer
We don't sell Epson 222 cartridges. It is a newer cartridge used in only two printers, the WF-2960 and the Expression Home XP-5200, and Epson says the WF-2960 is designed for Epson cartridges only and that other brands are not compatible. We would rather tell you that than sell you a cartridge that might not work.
Buy genuine Epson 222. If you print mostly text, the 222XL black (T222XL120-S, about 550 pages against 210 for the standard black) is the one to get. Cyan, magenta and yellow come only in the standard size, about 185 pages each.
Epson WorkForce WF-2960 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson 222 Black | T222120-S | Black | ~210 pages |
| Epson 222XL Black | T222XL120-S | Black (high capacity) | ~550 pages |
| Epson 222 Cyan | T222220-S | Cyan | ~185 pages |
| Epson 222 Magenta | T222320-S | Magenta | ~185 pages |
| Epson 222 Yellow | T222420-S | Yellow | ~185 pages |
| Epson 222 4-pack | T222120-BCS | Black + 3 colors | — |
The WF-2960 is a compact home-office all-in-one: print, scan, copy and fax, an automatic document feeder, automatic two-sided printing, a 150-sheet paper tray, a 2.4-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet. Epson rates it at about 14 ISO pages per minute in black and 7.5 in color. It uses individual cartridges, so you replace only the color that runs out. Epson 222 is shared with only one other printer — the Expression Home XP-5200 — so it is a newer, less common cartridge than Epson's older numbers.
The mistake to avoid: The WF-2930 and WF-2950 sound like siblings, but they take Epson 232. The WF-2960 takes Epson 222. The cartridges are not interchangeable — check the number on the cartridge you are replacing. Our Epson WF-2930 ink guide covers the 232 models.
How to Replace Ink in the Epson WorkForce WF-2960
- Turn the printer on. When a cartridge is expended, follow the on-screen prompt, or select Maintenance > Ink Cartridge Replacement.
- Lift the scanner unit. The cartridge holder moves to the replacement position.
- Squeeze the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it straight out.
- Gently shake the new cartridge four or five times, unpack it, and remove only the yellow tape. Do not touch the green chip.
- Insert the cartridge into its slot and press down until it clicks.
- Close the scanner unit. The printer charges the ink — wait until it finishes before printing.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cartridge cannot be recognized": Press down firmly on the cartridge until it clicks. Make sure the yellow tape is off and the number is 222, not 232.
Streaks or gaps in text: Run a nozzle check from Maintenance, then one head cleaning. Epson print heads are a permanent part of the printer, so let it rest for a few hours before repeating rather than running cleanings back to back.
A color is empty but black is full: Epson's WF-2960 user guide includes a "Continue Printing Temporarily without Replacing Ink Cartridges" procedure, so you may be able to keep printing for a short time. Replace the empty cartridge as soon as you can.
What WorkForce WF-2960 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 connect with a network cable?
Yes. Retailers list wired Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and USB.
Can I keep printing when a color runs out?
Possibly, for a short time. Epson's WF-2960 user guide has a "Continue Printing Temporarily without Replacing Ink Cartridges" procedure. Replace the empty cartridge as soon as you can.
Is the black ink different from the colors?
Yes. Epson 222 black is pigment ink, while the 222 cyan, magenta and yellow are dye-based.
Does it work with voice assistants?
Epson lists Alexa voice printing. Printing and scanning from a phone go through the Epson Smart Panel app.
It's hard to find new. What should I buy instead?
Staples flags the WF-2960 as "Discontinued soon" and suggests the WorkForce WF-2990 as its replacement. Epson has not confirmed a successor.
WorkForce WF-2960 quirks worth knowing
- Epson's own product page says the WF-2960 is designed for Epson cartridges only, that other brands are "not compatible", and that damage caused by non-Epson ink may not be covered by the warranty.
- It takes custom paper lengths up to 47.2 inches (8.5 x 47.2 in).
- Epson launched it on September 13, 2022 at $159, on the same day as the WF-2930. The two sound like siblings but take different ink: Epson 222 here, Epson 232 in the WF-2930.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WF-2960 use Epson 232?
No. Epson 232 fits the WF-2930 and WF-2950. The WF-2960 uses Epson 222.
Is there a 222XL in color?
No. Epson makes the 222XL in black only. Cyan, magenta and yellow come in standard capacity.
What other printers use Epson 222?
The Epson Expression Home XP-5200.
Does using compatible or remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. Damage proven to be caused by a specific cartridge would not be covered, but the rest of the warranty still applies.
How are these page yields measured?
They are approximate figures based on ISO/IEC 24711 testing. Real results depend on what you print, how often, and how much color is on the 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 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.