Epson EcoTank Printers: Review and Performance Insights

20th Jan 2025
Simon Cross

Printers aren’t exactly the most exciting piece of technology, but when you find one that saves you time, money, and hassle, it’s worth getting a little excited about. That’s where the Epson EcoTank series comes in.

Whether you’re printing family photos, school assignments, or business documents, this printer line has redefined what it means to have a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality printer. With refillable Epson ink tanks, amazing print quality, and a design that keeps modern life in mind, EcoTank printers are a standout choice for home and office users alike.

But as with any piece of tech, it’s not all smooth sailing. In this blog, we’ll dive into the key features, pros, and cons of the EcoTank series so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your printing needs. 

Spoiler alert: It’s pretty great, but it does have a few quirks you should know about before making the leap.

Key Features and Benefits

What Makes Epson EcoTank Printers Unique?

Refillable ink tanks

For some people, traditional cartridge printers can be a hassle. You’re printing along, and suddenly, one of your colour cartridges runs out. Now you have to replace the whole cartridge to continue printing.

Epson EcoTank printers flip the script with their refillable ink tank system. Say goodbye to constant cartridge replacements and hello to a smarter, more sustainable way to print. Instead of relying on disposable cartridges, these printers use large, ink tanks that you refill with bottled ink.

And don’t worry about making a mess. Filling the tanks is so simple, even a first-timer can do it without stress. Each ink bottle has a special key-shaped lid, so you literally can’t overfill or put the wrong colour in the wrong tank. Fool proof.

The EcoTank system is not only easier on your wallet but also the planet. By reducing the need for endless plastic cartridges, these printers  help reduce plastic wastage because the capacity of the ink bottles are much higher than the ink cartridges. So, you’re saving money and doing your bit for the environment—a win-win, right?

High-capacity ink tanks for cost-effective printing

One of the standout features of EcoTank printers is their incredible ink capacity. These tanks are no joke - they hold a lot of ink, which means fewer refills and way more pages between top-ups.

EcoTank printers hold enough ink to print thousands of pages before needing a refill. When I used the Epson EcoTank, I actually printed almost 2,000 pages in a year and still had plenty of ink left in the tank. In my experience, not having to worry about managing ink levels is a huge benefit of this printer.

Incredible Print Quality

During my tests for this series I was blown away by the print quality. The colours are accurate, sharp and uniform, so they will handle creative projects and even photos really well.

I also tested the quality on a variety of printing paper types, and it did an awesome job even on glossy cardstock - no smudges in sight! The only thing I’ll note here is that you have to make sure to adjust the printer setting for the correct paper type.

If you’re a photographer or someone who values exceptional photo quality, certain models, like the EcoTank Photo ET-8500, are specially designed with six-colour photographic inks to take your prints to the next level. These printers are perfect for anyone who wants gallery-worthy results from the comfort of their own home.

But if you’re just printing off a few family photos among other document types, you’ll still get amazing results with one of the lower cost EcoTank models.

Modern Connectivity

We live in a wireless world, and EcoTank printers keep up with the times. With built-in Wi-Fi, these printers let you print from virtually any device without needing to plug in cables. Got a quick file on your phone? You can send it to the printer with a tap.

In my opinion, wireless printer connectivity is an absolute must these days. It means you’re not tied to one spot or one device for printing, and flexibility makes everyone's life easier!

For those who prefer traditional connections, you can still plug in with a cable, but the option to go wireless makes these printers a great fit for modern households and offices.

Compact and User-Friendly Design

Despite their impressive capacity and features, EcoTank printers are surprisingly compact. You won’t need to clear half your desk to make room for one. Their sleek, space-saving design means they fit neatly into your home office or workspace without being intrusive.

Plus, the intuitive controls and straightforward interface make them a breeze to operate. Even if you’re not the most tech-savvy person, you’ll find the setup and daily use easy to manage.

Pros of the Epson EcoTank Series

Cost effective printing

Okay, so like I said before, the cost-effectiveness of these printers is a game-changer. One bottle of black Epson ink can yield up to 3200 pages, while a bottle of colour Epson ink can yield up to 7200! Even extra-large printer cartridges rarely yield above 500 pages, so the Epson EcoTank yield is seriously no joke.

High-yield ink bottles translate to much lower per-page printing costs, which is a huge relief if you print frequently. Over a couple hundred prints, the cost to print using a traditional cartridge printer could be up to 10 times more expensive than an Epson EcoTank.

You can save even more if you buy Epson ink from a third-party seller like us. The quality is exactly the same, but we are able to offer it at a better price because we specialise in ink. 

Learn more about should you buy genuine printer ink in this blog post.

Of course, the EcoTank low cost printing doesn’t come without a catch. The upfront cost of the EcoTank is much higher than other ink cartridge printers and the printheads are more prone to drying out, which I’ll explain more a bit later.

The prints are high quality

Another standout feature is the print quality. These printers deliver vibrant, sharp colours that pop off the page. Whether you’re working with standard paper or specialty materials like glossy cardstock, you can expect smudge-free, professional-looking results.

This makes Epson EcoTank printers ideal for a huge variety of printing jobs, which is why I recommend this series to home users, small businesses and photographers all the time. There’s a lot that this little printer is capable of!

Single tank functionality

The convenience of single tank functionality is also worth highlighting. Unlike cartridge printers that demand all cartridges be full to operate, EcoTank printers can keep going as long as one tank is full.

Basically, even though it has four tanks, if you want to print just black and white documents, the EcoTank will still print with only the black tank full and the others empty.

I like this feature because sometimes you just need to print something quickly, like a boarding pass or a recipe, and you’re not fussed if it’s not in colour. In my experience, it’s pretty annoying when your printer is completely non-functional just because it’s out of one colour.

The EcoTank has great customer reviews

Lastly, the series has earned glowing reviews from users. I always take customer reviews into account when reviewing a printer because it gives you a good idea of the printer’s reliability, ease of use and general user experience in the long run.

Many customers rave about the balance of performance, durability, and affordability that the EcoTank series provides. It’s clear that Epson has hit a sweet spot with these printers, offering something that’s reliable and easy to use while delivering top-notch results.

Cons of the Epson EcoTank Series

High Maintenance Requirements

While the Epson EcoTank series has plenty of strengths, it’s not without its quirks. For starters, these printers can be a bit high-maintenance. If you’re the type who only prints occasionally, you might run into issues.

I’ve heard a lot of customer feedback that the printheads on these models start to clog fast. Sometimes, not printing for just a week can cause the print quality to drop slightly, with small lines appearing.

Minor clogging like this can usually be fixed by running the printhead maintenance function, but keep in mind this will essentially waste a fair bit of ink each time you run it, so regular printing is a much better solution.

The other issue is that with a lot of traditional cartridge printers, the printhead is actually part of the cartridge so every time you swap a cartridge, you also replace the printhead. On the other hand, the Epson EcoTanks require you to use specialised cleaning kits and take half the printer apart.

In my opinion, this clogging issue is one of the biggest downsides of this printer.

High initial cost

Another thing that might make some buyers hesitate is the question of cost. Yes, these printers save you money in the long run, but the upfront price can be a little steep. Starting at almost £200 and ranging up to £1500 for enterprise models, it’s more of an investment than, say, the HP inkjet printers.

It’s an investment, and while you’re getting great value for your money over time, the initial price might mean that this series isn’t accessible to buyers with a tight cash flow.

Variety of models with little differentiation

The last con I’d say about these printers is that the EcoTank series has a huge variety of models which can be a bit overwhelming. Standard EcoTank models are often so similar that it’s hard to tell what you’re actually paying extra for.

Sometimes there’s only a £30-40 price difference between two models, but no clear technical differences to justify it. That kind of confusion can make shopping for one a little frustrating, especially if you’re not a tech expert.

Who is the Espon EcoTank Series for?

Honestly, this series has so many models that there really is something for everyone. I have recommended this series to a wide range of users, from home users to photographers to large offices.

There’s plenty of options available in terms of different printing volume and printing quality needs, so the model you choose will make all the difference. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices, just get in touch with me and I’ll give you a specific recommendation based on your use case.

Key Takeaways

The Epson EcoTank printers offer a smarter, more economical way to print. The combination of refillable ink tanks, sharp print quality, and modern connectivity makes these printers a favourite for many. Whether you’re someone who prints daily or just needs a reliable printer for occasional use, the EcoTank series delivers a lot of value.

That said, they’re not perfect. The initial cost can feel like a big commitment, and the maintenance requirements might be a deal breaker for those who don’t print often. But if you’re willing to print regularly and care for it properly, this printer will repay you in spades with its cost savings and consistent quality.

At the end of the day, the EcoTank is a smart investment for anyone looking to simplify their printing experience while saving money and reducing waste. If you’re tired of frequent cartridge replacements and high printing costs, the EcoTank series might just be what you’ve been waiting for.

If you’re interested in learning more about making the most of your printer, make sure to read my latest blog about what collate means in printing.

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.