Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Printer: In-Depth Review

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer is designed to meet the needs of a busy home office or small business by providing high-quality printing, scanning, and copying, all while offering significant savings on ink costs. In this review, we will explore the features, performance, ease of use, and overall value of this printer to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Introduction: What is the Epson EcoTank ET-3850?

Epson’s EcoTank printers are known for their innovative use of refillable ink tanks instead of traditional ink cartridges. The EcoTank ET-3850, which is part of this product line, offers a range of features tailored for productivity and cost efficiency. It is a wireless color all-in-one printer that includes functions for printing, scanning, and copying, and also supports auto-duplex printing and an auto document feeder (ADF).

This model is marketed as a solution for small office and home office environments that require high print volumes while minimizing the need for frequent ink replacements. With its large ink tank system, it claims to offer a significant reduction in ink costs compared to traditional cartridge-based printers.

Key Features and Specifications

Let’s break down the key features and specifications that make the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 stand out:

Feature	Details
Printing Technology	Inkjet
Connectivity Technology	Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
Print Speed	15.5 ppm (Monochrome), 8.5 ppm (Color)
Auto-Duplex Printing	Yes
Ink Tank Type	Refillable, high-capacity SuperTank
Print Resolution	4800 x 1200 dpi
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)	Yes (up to 30 sheets)
Scanner	Flatbed with high resolution
Display	2.4-inch color display
Energy Star	Yes
Weight	14.8 lbs
Dimensions	19.6 x 17.8 x 12.9 inches
Color	White

Cartridge-Free Printing System

The standout feature of the EcoTank ET-3850 is its cartridge-free ink system. Instead of replacing costly ink cartridges, this printer uses high-capacity ink tanks that can be easily refilled with ink bottles. The system is designed to reduce the frequency of ink replacements and lower overall ink costs, making it a more economical option for users with high printing demands. Epson claims that the cost per page for this printer is significantly lower compared to traditional inkjet printers.

Setup and Ease of Use

Installation Process

Setting up the Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is relatively simple. Users can connect the printer to their network via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB, and the setup process is guided through the printer’s display or Epson’s easy-to-use software. The initial ink tank filling process is straightforward, with each tank labeled clearly to ensure you don’t make any mistakes during setup.

While the printer supports both wireless and wired connections, most users will likely prefer the wireless option for the convenience it offers. The printer supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, which helps improve its compatibility with various network setups.

User-Friendly Interface

The printer features a 2.4-inch color display that provides a clear and intuitive interface for users to interact with. The screen allows users to navigate through settings, check ink levels, and manage print jobs with ease. The buttons on the front panel are responsive and well-spaced, which contributes to the overall ease of use.

Performance and Print Quality

Print Speed

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 offers decent print speeds, with a maximum of 15.5 ppm (pages per minute) for monochrome prints and 8.5 ppm for color prints. While these speeds are not the fastest in the market, they are adequate for small office environments or home offices where printing volumes are moderate. The print speeds may be slower when printing high-quality images or detailed color graphics, but for standard office documents, it performs well.

Print Quality

Print quality on the EcoTank ET-3850 is impressive, especially for text documents. Text prints come out sharp and clear, even with smaller font sizes. For color prints, the printer produces vibrant and accurate colors, making it suitable for printing high-quality images and photos. The maximum print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi ensures that image details are well-represented, with minimal smudging or bleeding.

When it comes to photo prints, the printer handles photo paper well, producing images with rich colors and good contrast. However, like most inkjet printers, it is not immune to occasional color inconsistencies, but these issues are relatively minor.

Auto-Duplex Printing

The EcoTank ET-3850 supports automatic duplex printing, which is a great feature for users who need to print on both sides of the page. This can be particularly useful for creating professional reports, brochures, or other documents that require duplex printing. The duplex feature works seamlessly, and the print quality remains consistent on both sides of the page.

Scanner and Copier Performance

Flatbed Scanner

The flatbed scanner on the EcoTank ET-3850 offers a high resolution, making it suitable for scanning documents and photos. The scan quality is sharp, with good color reproduction and detail retention. The scanner supports a maximum resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi, which is more than adequate for most users’ needs.

Auto Document Feeder (ADF)

The inclusion of an automatic document feeder (ADF) makes scanning and copying multiple pages a breeze. The ADF can hold up to 30 sheets at a time, and it works well for standard-sized documents. While the ADF is useful for bulk scanning and copying, it may struggle with thicker or damaged paper. Overall, the ADF adds significant convenience, especially for users who need to handle multi-page documents frequently.

Connectivity and Smart Features

Wireless Connectivity

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is designed for seamless wireless printing, and it delivers on this promise. With support for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, users can easily print from their laptops, desktops, and mobile devices without the hassle of cables. The printer is compatible with Epson’s mobile printing solutions, including Epson iPrint, which allows users to print directly from their smartphones or tablets.

Additionally, the printer supports Google Cloud Print, Apple AirPrint, and Amazon Alexa, giving users the flexibility to print from a wide range of devices and platforms.

Ethernet Connectivity

For those who prefer wired connections, the EcoTank ET-3850 offers Ethernet support, which is ideal for small offices or businesses that rely on stable network connections. This feature ensures that print jobs are processed reliably, without the risk of wireless interference.

Cost of Ownership

Ink Savings

One of the primary selling points of the EcoTank series is the cost savings on ink. The refillable ink tanks significantly reduce the cost per page compared to traditional ink cartridges, and Epson claims that users can save up to 90% on ink costs. This is particularly beneficial for users who print frequently, as it lowers the total cost of ownership over time.

The ink bottles used for refilling the tanks are affordable, and the process is much cleaner and easier than replacing cartridges. Epson also offers a variety of replacement ink bottles that are color-coded to ensure compatibility.

Energy Efficiency

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is Energy Star certified, meaning it meets stringent energy efficiency standards. The printer operates efficiently, with automatic power-off features and low power consumption, which is ideal for users who want to reduce their environmental footprint.

Customer Feedback

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 has received generally positive feedback from customers. Many users appreciate the printer’s ink savings and ease of setup. The quality of prints, both monochrome and color, is often praised for its vibrancy and sharpness. The inclusion of features like the ADF and duplex printing adds significant value to the printer.

However, some users have reported mixed experiences with the printer’s connectivity. While many have had no issues with Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections, others have reported difficulty connecting the printer to their network, or slow print speeds when working over Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Wireless Color All-in-One Printer offers great value for home office users or small businesses who print frequently and want to save on ink costs. With its easy setup, reliable performance, and impressive print quality, it is a solid choice for those who need a versatile printer for a variety of tasks. The refillable ink tank system is a standout feature that provides long-term savings and reduces waste, making it an environmentally friendly option as well.

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