CN
“Most cost-effective all-in-one for home use — the included ink effectively makes this a $99 printer in total cost terms”
Is the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 worth it?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is recommended with a 8.6/10 consensus score across 2 expert reviews. Experts highlight $0.005/page black — cheapest per-page cost of any inkjet in this guide and included ink worth ~$200 at standard cartridge prices. Wirecutter says: "Best choice for frequent printers who want to stop thinking about cartridge cost..." Best for: High-volume users (150+ pages/month), Users wanting zero subscription commitment, Lowest long-term ink cost priority.
Recommended2 Expert Reviews
Price Range
$279–$319
$279-$319 list$0.005/page black2 expert sources
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Epson EcoTank ET-2850
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Smart Printers
Expert consensus
How we score08.6/1010
2 expert sources · 2 quoted
2 quoted sources with published scores
- CNET 8.5/10
- Wirecutter 8.6/10
Expert Consensus across 2 sources
Updated:Editorial consensus score: SmartHomeExplorer's synthesis of the 2 published expert reviews listed on this page. Not a user rating.
“Best choice for frequent printers who want to stop thinking about cartridge costs — the economics are compelling and print quality is solid”
Key Features
- ✓ $0.005/page black
- ✓ Refillable tanks
- ✓ 4,500-page black fill
- ✓ No cartridges
- ✓ Touchscreen panel
Best For
High-volume users (150+ pages/month)Users wanting zero subscription commitmentLowest long-term ink cost priority
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 vs. the alternatives
How the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 stacks up against other Office options on price, expert consensus, and ecosystem support.
| Product | Price | Consensus | Works With | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850This page | $279-$319 | 8.6/10 | None | Recommended |
| HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e | $279-$319 | 8.8/10 | — | Must Buy |
| Brother MFC-J4535DW | $259-$299 | 8.4/10 | None | Recommended |
| Canon PIXMA TR7020a | $75-$90 | 7.8/10 | None | Good Value |
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 ($279-$319 list) earns a 8.6/10 expert consensus across 2 sources, versus the HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e at $279-$319 list (8.8/10 consensus).
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ $0.005/page black — cheapest per-page cost of any inkjet in this guide
- ✓ Included ink worth ~$200 at standard cartridge prices
- ✓ No cartridges — refillable tanks with no proprietary lock-in
- ✓ 4,500 black pages from one tank fill — months between refills
- ✓ Best 2-year TCO: $339 vs $580 for HP OfficeJet Pro at same page volume
Common Criticisms
- ✗ 15 ppm black — slowest printer in this guide
- ✗ No ADF — flatbed scanner only; each page placed manually
- ✗ Ink bottle refilling adds 10 minutes to first setup
- ✗ Wi-Fi only — no Ethernet port
What The Experts Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 worth it?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 earns a 8.6/10 consensus score across 2 expert sources and is rated "Recommended". At $279-$319, it is best for High-volume users (150+ pages/month). Wirecutter is among the named sources behind that consensus.
How much does the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 cost?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is priced at $279-$319. With a 8.6/10 score from 2 expert reviews and a "Recommended" rating, that price represents strong value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Office products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.
Who is the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 best for?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is best for High-volume users (150+ pages/month), Users wanting zero subscription commitment, Lowest long-term ink cost priority. Experts rate it "Recommended" with a 8.6/10 consensus across 2 sources.
How does the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 compare to other Office options?
Among the Office products we have aggregated, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 ranks above average with a 8.6/10 score. CNET adds: "Most cost-effective all-in-one for home use — the included ink effectively makes this a $99 printer in total cost terms"
What smart home systems does the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 work with?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 does not connect to the main smart home platforms — no Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings, Home Assistant or Matter support.
What are the best alternatives to the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
If the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 ($279-$319, 8.6/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Office are HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e, Brother MFC-J4535DW, HP LaserJet Pro MFP 3101fdw. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
The main strengths of the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 are $0.005/page black — cheapest per-page cost of any inkjet in this guide and included ink worth ~$200 at standard cartridge prices. The most-cited downside is 15 ppm black — slowest printer in this guide. Overall, 2 expert sources rate it "Recommended" with a 8.6/10 consensus score.
Decided on the Epson EcoTank ET-2850?
$279-$319 list$0.005/page black2 expert sources
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Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 2 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores.
Expert review sources cited on this page:
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.This consensus review is based on 2 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.
Independence notice: Smart Home Explorer is an independent publication. Epson and other product names, logos, and brands referenced on this page are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This review is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Epson or any other manufacturer named in this article.