10 Best Ink Tank Printers

The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+ Wi-Fi Ink Tank Photo Printer offers impressive print quality with its 6-colour ink system, which includes new grey ink for enhanced black and white photos. It supports high-resolution photo printing up to A3+ size and produces sharp text with its pigment black ink. This printer is highly economical, allowing you to print up to 2,300 high-quality photos with one set of ink bottles, reducing the need for frequent refills and lowering the cost per page.

The user-friendly design of the bottles and tanks ensures a mess-free refill process. Connectivity options are robust, including full Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, SD card, and USB flash drive support, providing seamless integration with various devices. The 10.9cm colour touchscreen adds to the ease of use, making operation straightforward.

The ET-8550 is versatile, handling different media types, including CDs/DVDs, craft papers, and thick media up to 1.3mm. It also supports borderless printing and auto-duplex for double-sided printing. Additionally, the Epson Smart Panel app allows you to control the printer from your smartphone or tablet, enhancing convenience. The printer's weight at 11.1 kg makes it relatively bulky, which might be a consideration for smaller spaces. The print speeds are moderate, with 16 ppm for monochrome and 12 ppm for colour, which may not be the fastest in its class but are adequate for most home and small office needs. The initial cost might be higher than other models, but the savings on ink in the long term can justify the investment.

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is a solid choice for home or small office users looking for an affordable, low-maintenance ink tank printer. It delivers good print quality, especially with its high colour depth and resolution, making documents and photos look sharp. The print speed is decent, offering up to 33 pages per minute in black and 20 in colour, which should handle everyday printing tasks without much delay. Connectivity is straightforward with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, making it easy to print from smartphones, tablets, or laptops without cables. The standout feature is its ultra-high capacity ink tanks, which come with enough ink to print for up to three years, dramatically lowering the cost per page compared to cartridge printers. This is great for users who want to avoid frequent ink replacements and save money over time.

The printer also supports duplex (double-sided) printing and has a 30-page automatic document feeder, speeding up multi-page tasks like scanning or copying. The 250-sheet paper tray helps reduce the need for constant refills. On the downside, its maximum black print resolution is 600 dpi, which is lower than some rivals and might affect the sharpness of fine text or detailed images. Also, while the printer has a colour LCD screen, it is relatively small, which might make navigation less convenient. The printer is moderately heavy at 6.7 kg, so it’s less ideal if you need something very portable.

For users who prioritize low running costs, good connectivity, and features like duplex printing and an automatic feeder, the EcoTank ET-3850 represents a practical and economical ink tank printer choice.

The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 is a versatile ink-tank printer designed to deliver high-quality print results, particularly for photo enthusiasts. It features a 6-colour ink system, including a new grey ink, which enhances black and white photo printing and ensures vibrant, long-lasting colour prints. This makes it an attractive option for those who prioritize print quality, especially in photography. With its refillable ink tanks, the ET-8500 is economical, offering the ability to print up to 2,300 photos with a single set of ink bottles, which significantly reduces the cost per page compared to traditional cartridges.

In terms of speed, the printer's maximum output is 16 pages per minute for monochrome and 12 pages per minute for colour, which is decent but may not satisfy users with high-volume or rapid printing needs. The ET-8500 excels in connectivity options, supporting Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet, along with direct printing from SD cards and USB flash drives through a user-friendly 10.9cm colour touchscreen. This modern connectivity flexibility makes it easy to integrate into various setups, from home to small office environments.

For creative users, the printer's ability to handle specialty media, including direct printing on CDs/DVDs and thick media up to 1.3 mm, adds to its appeal. It also employs Epson's heat-free technology for efficient, consistent operation with reduced energy consumption. At 11.1 kg, the printer is somewhat bulky and might not fit smaller spaces easily. While it offers excellent features for printing photos and creative projects, its speed might not be ideal for those needing rapid document output. The printer’s upfront cost might also be a consideration, though it balances out with lower long-term ink expenses. The Epson Smart Panel App offers additional convenience for device control and creativity, though users seeking simple, straightforward document printing might find it more than they need. The ET-8500 is ideal for those looking for high-quality prints with a focus on photos and creative projects.