EPSON T802 Yellow Ink Review: Quality vs Cost Verdict
Some shoppers praise the EPSON DURABrite Ultra Ink Yellow Cartridge (T802420-S) as “better quality than the lab,” while others accuse it of being a “rip-off.” Across hundreds of verified reviews, its print quality scores near perfect, but ink cost and yield spark heated debate. Final verdict: 7.8/10 for vibrant, reliable printing—if you can swallow the price.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vivid, smudge‑resistant prints | High cost for standard yield |
| Easy installation | Page yield sometimes lower than claimed |
| Compatible with multiple Epson WorkForce Pro models | Ink consumption can be rapid |
| Reliable—no leaks or failures reported | XL versions often out of stock |
| Fast shipping from major retailers | 4‑pack pricing offers no real savings |
| Color accuracy praised for photos | Printer requires all colors to have ink before printing |
Claims vs Reality
One of Epson’s key claims is that DURABrite Ultra ink produces prints “brilliant on both plain and glossy photo paper.” Reddit user feedback and Best Buy reviews reinforce this, with customers saying colors are “very colorful, prints great” and “never had an issue with smearing.” A verified Best Buy buyer stated: “When the printer settings are correctly set … I have never had an issue with smearing of the ink.” This matches marketing, signaling that color vibrancy and durability stand up in real use.
The official yield is listed at 650 pages per cartridge, but several Staples customers challenge that number. One wrote on Trustpilot: “I don’t get the number of pages as the website indicates,” and another complained that cleaning cycles “pretty much burn through an entire standard cartridge.” That gap matters most for heavy-volume office users who plan their supply budgets tightly.
Epson also promotes “worry-free handling—smudge, fade, and water resistant prints.” Here user experiences align strongly, with reports like “very good ink … but we all know ink is overly expensive” showing that while performance is solid, cost overshadows satisfaction for some. No major leaks or mess issues appear in verified reviews, suggesting the cartridge meets its mess-free promise.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Photographers and home office users rave about the 802 yellow’s color quality. A Best Buy buyer noted, “Good quality ink … printing out docs and pics in vibrant yellow,” while another summed it up: “Great color quality. I love auto refill. My documents are top notch.” Those printing marketing materials or vibrant graphics benefit most—consistent color rendition matters, and multiple users confirm both plain and photo stock print beautifully. Ease of installation is also a frequent win; one buyer put it simply: “I put my yellow cartridge in my printer and it worked.”
Speed of delivery stands out across platforms. Staples customers repeatedly mention “arrived the next day” and “delivered very quickly”—critical for small businesses that can’t afford downtime. A verified Staples buyer recounted panic when stock ran out in-store, but praised staff for quick order fulfillment.
Common Complaints
Cost dominates the complaints. A Trustpilot reviewer bluntly stated, “Getting rid of my Epson printer to stop getting ripped off on ink.” Many point out that combo packs don’t save money—“Difference is absolutely zero—0—nada,” wrote one frustrated customer after comparing 4-pack to singles. Others gripe about unexpected consumption levels, saying the printer “consume[s] ink quickly,” especially during maintenance cycles. Those who print large volumes or do regular cleaning are most affected, diminishing the cartridge’s value proposition.
Another recurrent problem is Epson printer behavior—several users note the machine won’t print unless all colors are well-stocked. One Staples user said, “Our printer wants all ink cartridges with plenty of ink or it won’t print.” For monochrome jobs, this policy can force unnecessary purchases of colors, driving up total ownership costs.
Divisive Features
Page yield sparks divergent opinions. Light home printers find longevity acceptable; one Best Buy reviewer said, “I have been using this ink in my printer for over two years … I love the automatic refill,” implying sufficient life per cartridge. Heavy users, however, find official specs optimistic, noting losses from cleaning cycles.
Similarly, while XL cartridges are often preferred for better value, stock issues frustrate buyers. One Staples reviewer confessed, “I prefer XL … but the XL yellow was out of stock.” For those relying on predictable restocking, limited availability complicates purchasing decisions.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term reliability gets high marks—Best Buy and Staples customers consistently report never experiencing leaks or mechanical failures. Statements like “I have never had one of these cartridges leak or fail on me” are common. That reliability builds trust, especially where downtime can cost money.
There’s low evidence of scams or counterfeit issues in this dataset, but cost resentment remains. Several Trustpilot voices call it overpriced but still admit it works well. A recurring sentiment is grudging loyalty—buyers stick with Epson because of quality despite disliking pricing, as in: “Epson has very fine products … Lower your prices!” over multiple years of purchase history.
Alternatives
No clear competitive brands are mentioned within the data, but many users hint at exploring other printers entirely. Staples customer: “Unless Epson improves this situation … I would actually look at other brands.” This suggests alternatives aren’t focused on the specific cartridge, but on escaping brand-locked ink models in general—highlighting the proprietary grip Epson retains through printer design.
Price & Value
Pricing for the standard yellow hovers around $26.99–$39.29 depending on retailer, with occasional online deals dipping near $36.50 with free shipping. eBay listings show wider variance, potentially due to bundle offers. Community consensus frames it as expensive for its yield—Best Buy’s 4.2 score for “value” contrasts with 4.9 for quality.
Buying tips from seasoned users include grabbing XL when possible to stretch replacement cycles, and ordering online from stores like Staples when local stock runs dry. “Cheapest price!!! … Staples will deliver to your house!!!” exclaims one happy Trustpilot reviewer.
FAQ
Q: Does the Epson T802 yellow cartridge really last 650 pages?
A: Officially, yes—but heavy users report lower real-life output due to printer cleaning cycles consuming ink. It’s more likely achieved under ideal, low-maintenance conditions.
Q: Will it work with my WorkForce Pro WF‑4740?
A: Yes, it’s fully compatible with WF‑4740 and other listed WorkForce Pro models, as confirmed by multiple verified buyers and Epson’s own documentation.
Q: Is the print truly smudge‑resistant?
A: Users consistently report smudge‑free results on both plain and glossy paper, even for photos. Best Buy reviews call the quality “excellent” with “no smearing.”
Q: Can I mix XL and standard cartridges?
A: Yes, but availability issues for XL sizes can force use of standard. Several users alternate depending on stock, with no reported compatibility problems.
Q: Do I need all colors installed to print?
A: Yes. Multiple reports confirm Epson printers require all cartridges to have ink, even for monochrome printing, which can lead to forced purchases.
Final Verdict: Buy if you print moderate volumes in color and require consistent, vibrant output—especially for marketing, photography, or polished professional documents. Avoid if you need high volume black-only printing or want ultimate cost efficiency. Pro tip from the community: when XL is available, stock up to sidestep shortages and extend replacement cycles.
