The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is an all-in-one inkjet printer designed for budget-conscious users. Its refillable ink tank system promises long-lasting ink and significant cost savings compared to traditional cartridge-based printers. But does its affordability compromise performance and quality? This review dives into the ET-2800’s design, print quality, features, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right printer for your needs.
Compact Design and Simple Controls
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is one of the narrowest printers IThe Epson EcoTank ET-2800 boasts a compact design.
The ET-2800 is remarkably compact, measuring just 14.75 inches wide, making it one of the smallest all-in-one printers available. Despite its small footprint, it incorporates prominent ink tanks that extend beyond the front panel. The control panel features a small 1.44-inch color display and large, easy-to-use buttons. A 100-sheet rear-loading paper tray accommodates various media sizes, from 4×6 photos to No. 10 envelopes. While the ink tanks appear translucent, the actual ink colors aren’t readily visible.
Print Performance: Quality vs. Speed
EpsonPhoto printing quality on the ET-2800 is impressive.
The ET-2800 excels in photo printing, producing crisp, vibrant images on glossy, semi-gloss, and matte photo paper. While dedicated photo printers might offer a wider dynamic range, the ET-2800 delivers excellent results for its price point.
EpsonPlain paper print quality shows some limitations.
However, plain paper printing reveals lower contrast, with blacks appearing dark gray and whites less bright. This is common for inkjet printers in this price range, but some competitors handle plain paper photos better. Print speeds are also on the slower side, at 10 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white and 5 ppm for color. The ET-2800 lacks duplex (double-sided) printing, a feature often found in more expensive models.
Multifunction Features: Scanning and Copying
Scans and copies are very sharp with the EcoTank ET-2800.Scanning and copying quality is a strong point.
The ET-2800 offers impressive scan quality, supporting up to 1200 dots per inch (dpi) using Epson’s Scan 2 utility on a computer. The Epson Smart Panel mobile app allows scanning at up to 600 dpi. Copying quality is also good, though speeds are relatively slow. While the lack of an automatic document feeder might be a drawback for some, the flatbed scanner produces high-quality results.
Software and Setup
The EcoTank ET-2800 comes with four full bottles of ink.Initial setup includes filling the ink tanks.
Setup is straightforward with the Epson Smart Panel mobile app, guiding users through the process of filling the ink tanks, charging the ink system, and aligning the printhead. The entire process takes approximately 20 minutes.
I disabled the paper mismatch warning to simplify operation of the EcoTank ET-2800.The Epson Smart Panel app provides convenient control.
The Smart Panel app offers comprehensive control over printing, scanning, copying, and maintenance tasks. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The ET-2800 is also compatible with Windows and Mac computers without requiring additional downloads.
Long-Term Cost Savings
Epson didnThe EcoTank system offers significant long-term cost savings.
The ET-2800 offers significant long-term cost savings due to its high-yield ink bottles. Epson estimates that the included ink can print up to 7,500 color pages and 4,500 black-and-white pages, potentially lasting up to two years. This translates to a very low cost per page.
Conclusion: A Budget-Friendly Choice with Trade-offs
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 provides a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious home users. Its low purchase price and incredibly low running costs make it an attractive option. However, its slower print speeds and lack of duplex printing might be drawbacks for some. If you prioritize affordability and photo quality and don’t require high print speeds or duplex printing, the ET-2800 is a solid choice. For business users or those with heavier printing needs, other models might be more suitable.
