Is Epson 502 and 522 ink the same? Someone asked. Many people need clarification on Epson 502 ink and Epson 522 ink. Since the models are similar, people mistakenly believe that capacity is the only difference between them. Actually, no, they are entirely different Epson inks. This blog will take you through the differences between Epson 502 vs 522.
 Compatible Epson 502 Ink Cartridge - T502 Sale price: $25.95
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Compatible Epson 522 Ink Cartridge - T522 Sale price: $23.75
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I. Quick Preview
Epson 502 and 522 are not these inks: different capacities but for the same printer. They are completely different.
The main differences between Epson 502 and Epson 522 ink cartridges are page yield and compatibility. The Epson 502 series offers higher ink volumes for printing more pages, more suitable for users who need to print a lot. On the other hand, the Epson 522 series has less ink and is cheaper for people with light to moderate printing needs. Epson 502 ink cartridges also work with more printer models than the Epson 522 series. Different formulas make them, but they all maintain excellent printing results.
In addition to differences in ink capacity and compatibility, Epson 502 and Epson 522 also differ in price. Epson 502 cartridges will likely be more cost-effective in the long run, while Epson 522 cartridges are more affordable for the initial investment.
II. Exploring Epson 502 Ink Cartridges
502 ink Epson cartridges meet the needs of specific Epson printer models. They come in different specifications to meet various printing needs:
1. Specifications
- Ultra high capacity ink bottles.
- Epson 502 Black Ink: 7,500 pages;127 ml.
- 502 Epson Cyan/Magenta/Yellow Inks: 6,000 pages each, 70 ml each.
- Epson 502 ink cartridges work well with a range of Epson printers, including:
- Epson EcoTank Series: EcoTank ET-15000, ET-2751, ET-2760, ET-2850, ET-2851, ET-2856, ET-3710, ET-3760, ET-3830, ET-3843, ET-3850, ET-4752, ET-4760, ET-4850, ET-4856.
- Epson Expression Series: Expression ET-2700, Expression ET-2750, Expression ET-3700.
- Epson WorkForce Series: WorkForce ET-3750, ET-4750; WorkForce ST-2000, ST-3000, ST-4000, ST-C2100.
2. Print Performance
The 502 Epson ink cartridges deliver consistent performance, displaying sharp, clear prints and vivid colors. They focus on daily tasks such as document printing and occasional photo printing. Quick-drying ink minimizes smudging, ensuring professional-quality output.
3. Price and Cost
Pricing for 502 Epson ink cartridges varies:
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Epson 502 Ink 4 Pack |
Black Ink |
Cyan/Magenta/Yellow Ink |
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Price |
$58.95 |
$19.99 |
$12.99 each |
The price is sourced from the Epson website and may fluctuate over time.
III. Exploring Epson 522 Ink Cartridges
In contrast, 522 Epson ink cartridges come in different specifications to meet specific printing requirements:
1. Specifications
- Ultra high capacity ink bottles.
- Epson 522 Black Ink: 4,500 pages; 65 ml.
- 522 Epson Cyan/Magenta/Yellow Inks: 7,500 pages each, 65ml each.
- Compatible with some Epson printers, including:
- Epson EcoTank Series: EcoTank ET-2400, ET-2720, ET-2800, ET-2803, ET-2840, ET-4700, ET-4800, ET-4810.
2. Print Performance
Similar to the Epson 502 series, the 522 ink Epson cartridges also have high print quality, delivering crisp text and vibrant colors for printing documents and photos.
3. Price and Cost
Epson EcoTank 522 ink bottles’ prices are as follows:
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Epson 522 Ink 4 Pack |
Black Ink |
Cyan/Magenta/Yellow Ink |
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Price |
$55.94 |
$13.99 |
$13.99 each |
The price comes from the official website and may vary over time.
IV. Epson 502 vs 522, What's the Difference
Let's take a closer look at the differences between Epson ink 502 and Epson ink 522 cartridges to help you learn more.
1. Capacity Differences
The Epson 502 ink and Epson 522 ink cartridges are ultra high capacity ink bottles. The Epson 502 black ink cartridge prints approximately 7,500 pages. And the Epson 502 cyan/magenta/yellow cartridge has a page yield of 6,000 pages.
The Epson EcoTank ink 522 series, on the other hand, also maintains significant print page numbers, but the details differ. Its cyan/magenta/yellow ink cartridge produces about 7,500 pages, while the Epson 522 black ink cartridge yields 4,500 pages.
The above data are measured under specific industry standards and may contain errors. It is more accurate to focus on its ink capacity.
When printing the same thing, more ink capacity means more durability when printing: Epson 502 Black: 127 ml, C/M/Y: 70 ml each; Epson 522 Black: 65 ml, C/M/Y: 65 ml each. So, from this standpoint, both the Epson ink 502 and 522 inks offer excellent page yields, but 502 prints more pages than 522.
2. Print Quality Variations
The Epson 502 and 522 inks contain different ink formulas optimized for their respective printer series, resulting in slight differences in printing performance. However, these customized ink compositions ensure optimal print quality for their Epson printers. Every print maintains the sharpness, clarity, and vividness you expect from the first page to the last. Whether it's text or complex visuals, they produce clear, easy-to-read documents and vibrant, life-like images - for a variety of printing needs.
3. Price Comparison
For the 4-pack and black single pack, 502 Epson ink is more expensive than 522 Epson ink. For other color single packs, it's the opposite. The Epson 502 ink 4 pack is $58.95, with black ink cartridge priced at $19.99 and cyan/magenta/yellow inks priced at $12.99 each. Meanwhile, the Epson 522 ink 4 pack is $55.94, with black/cyan/magenta/yellow ink available for $13.99 each.
When comparing their prices and ink volumes, Epson 502 ink offers greater cost-effectiveness than Epson 522 ink, alongside longer-term benefits. As you can see from the table below, Epson 502 cartridges cost less than Epson 522 cartridges, at under $0.2 per ml in color sets and single packs.
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|
4-Pack |
Black |
Cyan/Magenta/Yellow |
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Epson ink 502($/ml) |
0.17 |
0.16 |
0.19 |
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Epson ink 522($/ml) |
0.22 |
0.22 |
0.22 |
Cost Per Milliliter of Ink = Price / Ink Volume. Prices are from Epson's official website and may change.
4. Compatibility and Availability
Both series are compatible with specific Epson printer models. Epson 502 ink cartridges match many printers, including models such as the Epson EcoTank ET-15000, Epson ET-2760; Expression ET-2750; and WorkForce ET-3750. However, Epson EcoTank 522 ink bottles only work with printers like Epson EcoTank ET-2720, Epson EcoTank ET-2803, and Epson ET-4810.
In comparison, Epson 502 is more widely used than Epson 522. It is suitable for some printers in the Epson EcoTank, Epson Expression, and Epson WorkForce series. Meanwhile, the Epson 522 is limited to certain printers in the Epson EcoTank series.
5. Ink Usage and Refill Convenience
The Epson 502 ink series has larger ink bottles with longer refill intervals. It is beneficial for users with high-volume printing needs, reducing the frequency of ink replacement and minimizing operational disruption. In addition, the 522 ink Epson series, although more minor in capacity, may be more suitable for users with light to moderate printing needs, reducing ink waste due to expiration.
6. Summary
To sum up, Epson 502 and Epson 522 are entirely different regarding page yield, ink composition, price, compatible models, and replacement frequency.
V. Frequently Asked Questions about Epson 522 vs 502
1. Can I use Epson 502 ink cartridges instead of Epson 522 ink cartridges?
No. Epson 502 ink cartridges can only be used with Epson 502 ink compatible printers. Please note that Epson 502 and 522 are not inks with different capacities for use in the same printers. They perform with different printer models, and their ink formulations are also different. We recommend using the cartridge specified for your printer model to avoid compatibility issues and ensure optimal performance.
2. Are there any risks of using the wrong cartridge?
Using incompatible ink cartridges can cause print quality issues, even damage the printer, and sometimes void your warranty. You can check which inks your printer is compatible with on the official website.
3. What is the shelf life of an Epson 522 ink cartridge?
The Epson 522 cartridge typically has a shelf life of approximately 24 to 36 months. To maintain the vitality of your ink, it's best to keep it in its original packaging and store it in a cool, dry environment.
True Image has affordable Epson ink cartridge replacements available that are no less than genuine Epson quality. A variety of combo packs that are easy to fill and meet your printing requirements.
