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: Medium a firmware update can start blocking non-OEM cartridges, so check before buying a large supply, or hold off on firmware updates.
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 on our firmware-lockout list, so a compatible or remanufactured cartridge can stop working after a printer update. The safe choice is genuine Epson ink. If you want to try a compatible to save money, buy only from a seller that guarantees it works with this printer's current firmware, and keep the receipt.
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 use toner?
No. The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 is an inkjet, so it prints with liquid ink from a cartridge, not toner powder, and no toner cartridge fits it. If you were searching for Expression Photo XP-8500 toner, the part you want is 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?
Epson can stop third-party ink working here with a firmware update, and it is the update rather than the cartridge that does it. Epson's guide for the Expression Photo XP-8500 puts it more mildly than the newer guides do, saying only that some updates may affect the functionality of third-party ink. The milder wording is a template difference rather than a promise about this machine, so treat it the same way: hold automatic updates while you are buying compatibles.
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
Guides for Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 owners
- Printer will not print black because a colour cartridge is empty: what to do
- Why did my printer stop accepting compatible ink after a firmware update?
- Is the XL cartridge actually cheaper? 31 pairs priced off the makers' own stores
- What the chip on your ink cartridge actually does, and where it becomes a lock
- Setup cartridges: why a new printer runs out of ink so fast, and what the first refill costs
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.