Which ink does the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 use?
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 (inkjet, 2017) uses Epson 312XL, Epson 312.
Third-party cartridge risk: Low no firmware lockout is on record for this printer, so compatible and remanufactured cartridges should work.
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 uses Epson 312XL and standard ink cartridges in black cyan magenta and yellow. When choosing between standard and XL cartridges consider that the XL versions have a higher page yield but also note that all the standard cartridges have lower yields than their XL counterparts. If you're looking to save money third-party compatible cartridges are available for this printer with no firmware DRM restrictions on record.
Compatible cartridges
| Cartridge | Color | Yield | Pages | OEM price | Cost/page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson 312XL | black | XL | 500 | $32.00 | 6.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312XL | cyan | XL | 830 | $28.00 | 3.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312XL | magenta | XL | 830 | $28.00 | 3.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312XL | yellow | XL | 830 | $28.00 | 3.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312 | black | standard | 240 | $16.00 | 6.7¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312 | cyan | standard | 360 | $14.00 | 3.9¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312 | magenta | standard | 360 | $14.00 | 3.9¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| Epson 312 | yellow | standard | 360 | $14.00 | 3.9¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
XL (high-yield) cartridges cost more upfront but lower the cost per page, which is better if you print a lot.
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 is not on our firmware-lockout list, so third-party ink should work. By list price its high-yield Epson 312XL works out to about 3.4 cents per page, roughly 13% less than the 3.9 cents of the standard Epson 312. If you print often the high-yield cartridge is the better value, and a well-reviewed compatible version lowers the cost further.
Frequently asked questions
Which ink does the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 use?
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 uses Epson 312 and Epson 312XL.
Does the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 take XL cartridges?
Yes. Besides the standard cartridges it accepts Epson 312XL. A high-yield XL holds more ink and costs less per page, which is worth it if you print often.
Will third-party ink work in the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500, or will firmware block it?
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 is not on our firmware-lockout list, so compatible and remanufactured cartridges should work. Firmware can change with an update, so it is worth checking before buying a large supply.
How many pages do the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 cartridges print?
Rated yields run from about 240 pages (Epson 312) to about 830 pages (Epson 312XL), depending on the cartridge. Real-world yield depends on how much you print and how much ink each page uses.
What is the cheapest ink for the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500?
By list price the lowest cost per page here is the Epson 312XL at about 3.4 cents per page. A reliable compatible or remanufactured cartridge can lower that further.
Related Epson Expression Photo printers
Last reviewed . Compiled by MyCartridgeFinder from manufacturer cartridge finders and retailer cross reference tables, then checked against this printer's database record. Cartridge numbers and yields come from that record, never from guesswork. See our methodology and data sources.