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The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a home photo printer that stands out for its innovative cartridge-free printing. With high-capacity ink tanks, you can avoid the hassle of frequently replacing tiny, expensive cartridges, achieving significant savings on replacement ink. It promises up to 2 years of ink with each bottle set, reducing the frustration of running out of ink unexpectedly.
The printer offers impressive print quality thanks to its Micro Piezo Heat-Free technology, delivering sharp text and high-quality color photos on various paper types. This makes it suitable for basic home photo printing needs. However, the print speed is relatively slow, with a maximum of 10 pages per minute for monochrome and 5 pages per minute for color prints, which might be a drawback if you're looking for quick prints.
Connectivity options are modern and convenient, including Wi-Fi, USB, and mobile printing capabilities with support for hands-free, voice-activated printing. You can easily print from your smart devices using AirPrint or the Epson Smart Panel app, enhancing ease of use. The built-in scanner and copier add versatility, although the copy resolution and speed are modest. Paper handling is reasonable with a 100-sheet capacity but lacks dual-sided printing. The EcoTank ET-2800 is lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit into home spaces. It is essential to use genuine Epson ink to ensure optimal performance and avoid potential damage not covered by the warranty. This printer is best suited for users who prioritize cost savings on ink and high-quality prints over speed.
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is a versatile all-in-one printer designed for home office and small office use, offering printing, scanning, copying, and faxing in one device. It delivers excellent print quality thanks to its high resolution of 4800 x 2400 dpi and pigment-based inks, which provide sharp, vibrant photos and documents with good color accuracy. The printer is reasonably fast, printing up to 25 pages per minute for both color and black-and-white, which is efficient for moderate photo and document tasks.
One of its standout features is the refillable EcoTank system, which means you can use large ink bottles instead of cartridges, reducing the cost per page and the hassle of frequent replacements. Connectivity options are robust, including USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, making it easy to print from multiple devices wirelessly or through a network. For handling photo printing, it supports various media types such as glossy and matte photo papers, cardstock, and envelopes, and it can print on sizes up to 8.5 x 14 inches, covering most home photo printing needs. The 4.3-inch touchscreen is user-friendly, helping you manage print jobs smoothly, and automatic two-sided printing adds convenience.
This printer is quite bulky and heavy, which might be a consideration if space is limited at home. While it’s built for productivity and quality, it may be more printer than needed if you primarily want casual photo prints occasionally. Its high monthly duty cycle and fax features indicate a business-focused design rather than a purely photo-centric home printer. The Epson ET-5850 is well-suited for users seeking a reliable, cost-effective printer with excellent photo quality and multiple functions, especially if you want to print regularly and value low running costs, but it may be less ideal for those who want a compact, simple photo printer for occasional use.