Epson 232 vs 232XL: Which One Is Right for You?
For Epson printers, the Epson 232 and Epson 232XL ink cartridges offer two different options, each with its advantages and disadvantages. In this blog, we will compare the Epson 232 vs 232XL to help you make an informed choice.
Quick View
Epson 232 Black | Epson 232 Color (C/M/Y) | Epson 232 4-Pack | Epson 232XL Black | Epson 232XL Color (C/M/Y) | Epson 232XL 4-Pack | |
Page Yield | 150 Pages | 140 Pages | 570 Pages | 380 Pages | Not Released | 800 Pages (232XL BK+232 C/M/Y) |
Price | $19.99 | $7.99 | $43.95 | $31.99 | Not Released | $55.95 |
Cost per Page | 13.33 Cents | 5.71 Cents | 7.71 Cents | 8.42 Cents | Not Released | 6.99 Cents |
Epson 232: Standard-Capacity/Standard-Yield Ink Cartridges.
The Epson 232 ink cartridges have a lower ink capacity than the Epson 232XL. Also, Epson 232 is cheaper than 232XL, making it a more affordable option if you don’t print often or want to minimize upfront costs.
Best for: Casual users, home offices, or small businesses that don’t need frequent, large-volume printing.
Epson 232XL: High-Capacity/High-Yield Ink Cartridges.
The Epson 232XL ink cartridges offer greater ink capacity for users who print more frequently or need higher print volumes. Although 232XL ink costs more upfront than 232 ink, the cost per page is lower due to the increased number of pages printed. In the long run, this is more valuable.
Best for: Businesses, students, or anyone who needs to print large volumes regularly and wants to avoid frequent cartridge replacements.

Compatible Epson 232/232XL Ink Cartridge 4-Pack: 1 Black XL, 1 Standard Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.
- Much Lower Price than OEM Ink Cartridges.
- Same Performance and Compatibility as OEM.
- Fast Delivery within 1-3 Business Days.
- Sale Price: $39.95 (Cost Per Page: 4.99 cents)
What Are the Differences Between Epson 232 vs 232XL?
Epson ink cartridges 232 and 232XL have these things in common: the same appearance, the same print quality, and the same compatible printers. They both produce high-quality prints and consistently bring you excellent images and sharp text. Plus, they both work well with the Epson Expression Home XP-4200, Epson Expression Home XP-4205, Epson WorkForce WF-2930, and Epson WorkForce WF-2950 printers.
So, in what ways do they differ? There are several key factors for these Epson printer ink 232 232XL, including print volume, price, cost per page, and replacement frequency.

Different Page Yields
The most notable difference between the Epson ink 232(Standard yield cartridge) and 232XL(high yield cartridge) is their respective page yields.
The Epson 232 black ink cartridge can print about 150 pages, and the Epson 232 cyan/magenta/yellow ink cartridge can print about 140 pages. For the high yield version Epson 232XL black ink cartridge, it can print about 380 pages. By the way, Epson did not release the Epson 232XL color ink cartridges.
As you can see, the Epson 232 XL black ink cartridge produces more than twice the page yield of the Epson 232 black ink cartridge.
When printing the same document, using the high capacity ink cartridges means fewer cartridge replacements and more page output.
Different Ink Cartridge Prices
The higher the ink volume, the higher the price. Price is another important difference between Epson ink 232 and Epson ink 232XL. It is a decisive factor in purchasing ink cartridges, especially for users who are trying to balance cost and performance.
Price | Epson 232 | Epson 232 XL |
Black | $19.99 | $31.99 |
Color(Cyan/Magenta /Yellow) | $7.99 | Not Released |
4-Pack | $43.95(232 BK+232 CMY) | $55.95(232XL BK+232 CMY) |
The Epson 232 ink XL prints more pages, so its four-pack and black ink cartridges cost more than the Epson 232. Standard yield cartridges are a good choice for those who don’t plan to spend too much money.
Varying Cost Per Page
The less you spend per page with Epson 232 or 232XL ink cartridges, the more cost-effective they are. This is calculated by dividing the price of the cartridge by the total number of pages it can print.
Cost Per Page | Epson 232 | Epson 232 XL |
Black | 13.33 cents | 8.42 cents |
Color(Cyan/Magenta /Yellow) | 5.71 cents | Not Released |
4-Pack | 7.71 cents | 6.99 cents |
As can be seen, although the 232 XL Epson ink cartridge has a higher price, it has a lower cost per page than the Epson 232.
In the long term, these high-capacity products provide better value. They are beneficial for users who print a lot and want to reduce long-term printing costs.
Different Replacement Frequency
Another major difference between Epson 232 and 232XL ink cartridges is replacement frequency. High-capacity Epson 232XL black and color ink cartridges contain more ink and require fewer replacements.
For users who print frequently, frequent replacement of ink cartridges is costly. The high capacity Epson 232 XL ink cartridges are more convenient: less hassle to replace and fewer purchases of new ink cartridges.
What’s more, less frequent replacement also means less environmental waste, making the XL version a more sustainable choice for high-volume users.
Epson 232 vs 232XL, Which One to Choose?
After comparing the Epson ink cartridges 232 and 232XL, the next question is: which one should you choose? The answer depends largely on your specific printing needs and habits.

For Light Printing Needs, Choose the Epson 232
If you print occasionally or in low volumes (perhaps just a few documents per week), the 232 Epson ink is a more economical choice. The lower cost and adequate page yield make it a great option for users who don’t need to print frequently or in large quantities.
Additionally, for a home or small to medium office with moderate printing requirements, the standard-capacity 232 provides high-quality printing at an affordable price.
For High-Volume Printing, Choose the Epson 232XL
On the other hand, if you print frequently or in high volumes, the Epson printer ink 232XL is a better long-term investment.
Despite the higher upfront cost, the higher ink capacity means you spend less money on replacement cartridges over time and significantly reduces your cost per page. This is especially true for those who print large black-and-white documents, as the black 232XL ink cartridges are the most cost-effective.
For businesses, students, or anyone who prints frequently, high-capacity Epson 232XL ink cartridges are less disruptive to your workflow and provide cost savings.
Color Printing Considerations
If you frequently print in color, please note that Epson does not offer Epson 232XL color ink cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow).
So whether you buy a standard capacity cartridge set or a high capacity cartridge set, you get the same color ink cartridges in standard capacity. In order to get more color prints, you’d better buy more color cartridges to replace them.
YB Toner offers you more Epson 232 compatible ink combo packs, such as Epson 232 10-Pack and Epson 232/232XL 10-Pack. These multi-packs contain more color cartridges, cost less on average than a 4-pack, and provide greater ink volumes, giving you greater cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion
Choosing between the Epson 232 and 232XL depends on your priorities. The Epson 232 and Epson 232 XL are each suited to different printing needs. By considering your printing habits, frequency, and budget, you can confidently decide which ink cartridge will best meet your needs.