The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 continues to be a popular choice for home and small office users looking for cost-effective printing solutions. This all-in-one wireless printer features high-capacity refillable ink tanks that can dramatically reduce printing costs compared to traditional cartridge printers. The ET-2850 comes with up to two years of ink included in the box, allowing users to print thousands of pages without worrying about replacement supplies.
The printer offers impressive functionality beyond just ink savings. With wireless connectivity, auto-duplex printing for paper conservation, and a built-in high-resolution flatbed scanner, it handles multiple office tasks efficiently. The convenient color display makes navigation simple, while the white design fits seamlessly into most home or office environments.
Users appreciate the ET-2850’s print quality and versatility, though its 3.4 out of 5 stars average rating suggests there may be some areas for improvement. The combination of eco-friendly design and practical features makes it worth considering for those who print regularly and want to reduce both their environmental impact and ongoing costs.
Epson EcoTank ET‑2850 Specifications, Review & Latest Info
The Epson EcoTank ET‑2850 is a wireless all‑in‑one inkjet printer designed for home and small office use. It’s part of Epson’s EcoTank series, known for refillable ink tanks that drastically reduce printing costs compared to traditional cartridge printers.
⚙️ Specifications (Official)
Model: Epson EcoTank ET‑2850
Category: All‑in‑One Supertank Printer (Print / Copy / Scan)
Release Year: 2021
Country of Origin: Philippines
(source: Epson Specification Sheet, CPD‑60631R2)
🧾 Core Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Printing Technology | Epson MicroPiezo® inkjet with 4-color (CMYK) pigment-based inks |
| Print Resolution | Up to 4800 × 1200 dpi |
| Print Speed | 10.5 ppm (black), 5.0 ppm (color) |
| Duplex Printing | Automatic 2-sided printing |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed color scanner |
| Optical Resolution | 1200 × 2400 dpi |
| Paper Capacity | 100-sheet rear tray |
| Supported Paper Sizes | Up to 8.5″ × 47.2″ (custom), Letter, Legal, 4″×6″, 5″×7″, 8″×10″ |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct |
| Display | 1.44″ color LCD screen |
| Mobile Printing | Epson Smart Panel app, Apple AirPrint, Android, Chromebook compatible |
| Ink Type | Epson 502 bottles (Black: 127 mL; CMY: 70 mL each) |
| Power Consumption | Approx. 12 W (printing), 0.7 W (sleep mode) |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 14.8″ × 13.7″ × 7.0″ |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) |
| Warranty | 2 years (with registration) |
💬 Review Summary
⭐ Overall Rating (from multiple sources)
- Tom’s Guide: 4/5 – “A bargain-priced ink tank printer offering a modest set of features and very low ink costs.”
(source: Tom’s Guide Review) - RTINGS.com: 7.7/10 – “Excellent cost-per-print and great print quality for documents and photos.”
(source: RTINGS Review) - TechRadar: 4/5 – “Affordable, efficient, and ideal for home use, though printing speeds are average.”
(source: TechRadar Review)
✅ Pros
- Ultra-low running costs – One set of ink bottles can last thousands of pages.
- Excellent print quality for text and photos.
- Automatic duplex printing saves paper.
- Compact and quiet for home offices.
- Wireless setup is easy via Epson Smart Panel app.
⚠️ Cons
- No automatic document feeder (ADF) – scanning multiple pages manually.
- No SD card slot (removed from the ET‑2760 predecessor).
- Average print speed compared to midrange office printers.
- Small display can be tricky for navigation.
💰 Cost & Ink Efficiency (as of 2025)
- Retail Price: Around $229–$249 USD (varies by retailer).
- Ink Bottle Replacements (Epson 502 series):
- Black: ~$19.99 (up to 7,500 pages)
- Cyan/Magenta/Yellow: ~$13.99 each (up to 6,000 pages)
- Estimated Cost per Page:
- Black: ≈ 0.3¢ per page
- Color: ≈ 0.9¢ per page
This makes it one of the most economical home printers available for long-term use.
🆕 Latest Info (October 2025)
- Firmware Updates: Epson has released minor firmware updates in 2024–2025 improving Wi‑Fi stability and Smart Panel app compatibility.
- Replacement Model: As of late 2025, the Epson EcoTank ET‑2860 is being introduced in some regions, offering slightly faster speeds and a larger display — but the ET‑2850 remains widely available and supported.
- Support & Drivers: Still fully supported on Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, and ChromeOS.
(source: Epson Official Page)
🧠 Expert Verdict
The Epson EcoTank ET‑2850 remains one of the best-value printers for home users in 2025. It’s ideal for families, students, and small offices that print frequently but want to avoid expensive cartridge replacements. While not built for heavy-duty office use, its low operating cost, reliability, and eco-friendly design make it a top pick in the sub‑$250 range.
🏁 Final Summary
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Print Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Crisp text, vibrant color |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Average |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Simple setup, app support |
| Cost Efficiency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Extremely low ink cost |
| Overall Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Excellent for home use |
Key Takeaways
- The EcoTank ET-2850 includes up to two years of ink in the box, significantly reducing the need for frequent ink purchases.
- Auto-duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and an integrated scanner make this a versatile all-in-one solution for home or small office use.
- The refillable ink tank system offers substantial long-term cost savings compared to traditional cartridge printers.
In-Depth Analysis of Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Features
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 combines practical functionality with cost-effective operation, making it suitable for both home and small office environments. This all-in-one device offers significant advantages through its ink tank system while providing essential printing, scanning, and copying capabilities.
Cutting-Edge Printing Capabilities
The ET-2850 utilizes advanced inkjet technology that delivers high-quality prints for both documents and photos. Its most notable feature is the cartridge-free supertank system that drastically reduces printing costs compared to traditional cartridge printers.
Print resolution is sufficient for detailed documents and vibrant photos, with the printer handling a wide color range according to RTINGS.com reviews. This makes it versatile for various printing needs.
Auto 2-sided printing comes standard, helping users save paper while maintaining efficiency. This feature is particularly valuable for longer documents or regular printing tasks.
The printer produces approximately 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages with its included ink bottles, significantly reducing the frequency of ink replacements. This translates to substantial long-term savings.
Print speeds are moderate but adequate for most home and small office requirements. The ET-2850 balances quality with reasonable productivity for its price point.
Advanced Scanning Features
The ET-2850 includes a reliable flatbed scanner that handles both documents and photos effectively. The scanning resolution is sufficient for most everyday needs, capturing details accurately.
Scan-to options provide flexibility, allowing users to send scanned documents directly to email or save them in various file formats. This streamlines document management workflows.
Copy functionality offers practical options including resizing, which supports efficient document reproduction. The interface makes these features accessible even for new users.
While the ET-2850 lacks an automatic document feeder (ADF), its flatbed scanner delivers quality results for single-page scanning tasks. This design choice helps maintain the printer’s compact footprint.
The scanner’s glass surface accommodates standard document sizes, making it practical for most home and small office scanning needs.
Enhanced Connectivity and Compatibility
The ET-2850 offers modern wireless connectivity options that eliminate the need for restrictive cable connections. Setting up Wi-Fi connectivity is straightforward for most users.
Compatible with Epson’s mobile app, the printer allows direct printing from smartphones and tablets. This provides convenient printing options when users are away from their computers.
AirPrint compatibility enables seamless printing from Apple devices without additional software installation. This feature particularly benefits households with multiple Apple products.
Standard USB connectivity remains available for users preferring direct computer connections. This provides a reliable backup when wireless networks experience issues.
The printer works with Windows and Mac operating systems, making it versatile for different computing environments. Software drivers install easily and receive regular updates from Epson.
Evaluating the Eco-Friendly Aspects of EcoTank ET-2850
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 stands out in today’s printer market for its environmentally conscious design. Instead of traditional cartridges, this printer uses refillable ink tanks that significantly reduce plastic waste.
One of the most notable eco-friendly features is the high-capacity ink system. Users can print thousands of pages before needing to refill the tanks, which means fewer packaging materials and less frequent replacements.
The ET-2850 also offers automatic two-sided printing. This feature cuts paper usage by up to 50%, helping users reduce their environmental footprint while saving money on supplies.
Environmental Impact Comparison:
| Feature | EcoTank ET-2850 | Traditional Cartridge Printers |
|---|---|---|
| Waste produced | Minimal (just ink bottles) | Multiple plastic cartridges |
| Replacement frequency | Rarely (thousands of pages) | Frequently (hundreds of pages) |
| Energy efficiency | Energy Star certified | Varies by model |
The printer’s wireless capabilities further contribute to its eco-friendliness. Users can print directly from mobile devices, reducing the need for a computer to be powered on during printing tasks.
Epson designed the ET-2850 with longevity in mind. The durable build quality means fewer printers end up in landfills due to premature failure.
When considering environmental impact, the EcoTank ET-2850 demonstrates how printing technology can evolve to become more sustainable while maintaining quality and convenience for home and office use.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 offers several features that make it a popular choice for home and small office use. Users have questions about everything from basic features to cost comparisons and technical support.
What are the key features of the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is an all-in-one supertank inkjet printer that combines printing, scanning, and copying capabilities. It features a revolutionary cartridge-free system with easily refillable ink tanks.
The printer comes in both black and white color options to match different home or office environments. It includes wireless connectivity and is compatible with the Epson Smart Panel app for iOS devices.
Users appreciate the device’s auto-duplex printing feature, which allows for automatic two-sided printing to save paper. The ET-2850 also offers borderless photo printing capabilities.
How does the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 compare to the ET-2800 and ET-3850 models?
The ET-2850 sits between the ET-2800 and ET-3850 in Epson’s lineup, offering a balance of features and value. Compared to the ET-2800, the ET-2850 adds auto-duplex printing capability, which is a significant upgrade for regular users.
The ET-3850 includes additional features not found in the ET-2850, such as an automatic document feeder and Ethernet connectivity. The ET-3850 also typically has a larger paper capacity and slightly faster print speeds.
All three models use the same EcoTank technology and similar ink sets, providing comparable print quality and cost per page. The choice between models often comes down to specific feature needs and budget.
What are the latest reviews saying about the performance of the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
Recent reviews highlight the ET-2850’s excellent print quality for both documents and photos. Users particularly praise the color accuracy and detail in photo prints.
Many reviewers note the initial setup process is straightforward, though it takes time to prime the ink system. The wireless connectivity receives positive feedback for being reliable and easy to configure.
Some users report that print speeds are adequate but not impressive compared to laser printers. Overall satisfaction remains high due to the long-term cost savings from the supertank ink system.
What is the cost of the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 and where can it be purchased?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 typically retails for $250-$300, though prices may vary based on promotions and retailers. The printer comes with up to two years of ink in the box, which adds significant value to the initial purchase.
The printer is widely available through major electronics retailers including Best Buy, which has hundreds of customer questions and answers about the product. It can also be purchased directly from Epson’s website and online marketplaces.
Seasonal sales and educational discounts may offer opportunities to purchase the ET-2850 at reduced prices. The long-term value comes from the reduced cost of ink refills compared to traditional cartridge systems.
How do users rate the ink efficiency and refill process for the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
Users consistently rate the ink efficiency of the ET-2850 very highly. The included ink bottles typically provide thousands of pages before requiring replacement, significantly reducing the frequency of refills.
The refill process receives positive feedback for being clean and simple. The bottles are designed to fit only into their matching color tanks, preventing accidental mixing. Each bottle has a unique nozzle that stops flowing automatically when the tank is full.
Cost comparisons show that ET-2850 users may save hundreds of dollars on ink over several years compared to traditional cartridge printers. This makes the higher initial purchase price worthwhile for regular printer users.
Where can I find the manual and drivers for the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
The manual and drivers for the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 are available on the official Epson support website. Users can find these resources by searching for the model number C11CJ63202 or ET-2850.
Epson’s support site includes FAQs, how-to instructions, and troubleshooting guides specific to the ET-2850. These resources cover common setup issues and maintenance procedures.
The Epson Smart Panel app also provides access to guides and support materials. For those who prefer printed materials, the basic setup guide comes in the box with the printer.
