Epson EcoTank ET-2803 vs Epson EcoTank ET-2850

In this article, we will be comparing two popular printers from Epson – the EcoTank ET-2803 and the EcoTank ET-2850. Choosing the right printer is essential for both personal and professional use, as it can impact productivity, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to have a deep understanding of the features and capabilities of different printers before making a purchase decision.

In this comparison, we will explore the design and build quality, printing performance, connectivity and compatibility, cost of ownership, and additional features and capabilities offered by both printers. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850, and be able to make an informed decision on which printer is best suited for your needs.

The design and build quality of a printer are important factors to consider, as they can impact the overall user experience and longevity of the device. Let’s take a closer look at how the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 compare in terms of design and build quality.

Comparison Table – Epson EcoTank ET-2803 vs Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Specification	EcoTank ET-2803	EcoTank ET-2850
Physical Dimensions	375 x 347 x 179 mm (14.8 x 13.7 x 7.0 in)	375 x 347 x 179 mm (14.8 x 13.7 x 7.0 in)
Weight	4.5 kg (9.9 lb)	4.5 kg (9.9 lb)
Display	1.44 inch color LCD	1.44 inch color LCD
Ink Tank Capacity	4 individual ink tanks	4 individual ink tanks
Material Quality	Plastic	Plastic
Printing Technology	Inkjet	Inkjet
Print Color	Color	Color
Print Resolution	Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi	Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi
Print Speed	Up to 10 ppm (black) and 5 ppm (color)	Up to 10 ppm (black) and 5 ppm (color)
Duplex Printing	Manual	Manual and Automatic
Connectivity	USB, Wi-Fi	USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet
Mobile Printing	Epson Connect, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print	Epson Connect, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print
OS Compatibility	Windows, Mac	Windows, Mac

As you can see, the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 are very similar in terms of physical dimensions, weight, and display size. They both feature four individual ink tanks and offer the same printing technology and color capabilities. However, the EcoTank ET-2850 offers automatic duplex printing and a wider range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet. It also has more options for mobile printing, making it more convenient for those who need to print from their smartphones or tablets.

Design and Build Quality

The design and build quality of a printer are important factors to consider, as they can impact the overall user experience and longevity of the device. Let’s take a closer look at how the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 compare in terms of design and build quality.

Physical appearance and dimensions:

• The EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 have a similar physical appearance, with a rectangular shape and a compact size that makes them suitable for small offices and home use.
• The EcoTank ET-2803 measures 375 x 347 x 187 mm (W x D x H), while the EcoTank ET-2850 measures 375 x 347 x 179 mm (W x D x H), making the latter slightly more compact.

Material quality:

• Both printers have a sturdy and robust build quality, with high-quality plastic used in their construction.
• The EcoTank ET-2803 has a matte finish, while the EcoTank ET-2850 has a glossy finish that is more prone to fingerprints and smudges.

Ease of use, accessibility, and durability:

• Both printers have an intuitive control panel and are easy to set up and use, with clear instructions provided in the user manual.
• The EcoTank ET-2803 has a front-facing paper tray that can hold up to 100 sheets of plain paper, while the EcoTank ET-2850 has a rear paper feeder that can hold up to 50 sheets of plain paper.
• The EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 both have a durable and long-lasting design, with a warranty period of up to 2 years.

Overall, both printers have a sturdy build quality and intuitive design, with slight differences in their physical appearance and paper handling capabilities.

Printing Performance

Printing performance is a crucial aspect of any printer, as it directly impacts the quality and efficiency of your printing tasks. Let’s compare the printing performance of the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850.

Printing speed and quality:

The EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 both have a maximum printing speed of up to 33 pages per minute for monochrome and up to 15 pages per minute for color prints, making them suitable for small to medium-sized offices.

Both printers use PrecisionCore printhead technology that delivers high-quality prints with sharp and crisp text, and vibrant and accurate colors.

The EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 can print on a variety of paper sizes, including A4, A5, A6, B5, C6, DL, and envelopes.

Type of cartridges and yields:

The EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 both use individual ink tanks that can be easily refilled with high-capacity bottles, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

The EcoTank ET-2803 uses four-color dye ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) that can print up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 pages in color.

The EcoTank ET-2850 uses four-color pigment ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) that can print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in color.

Print resolution and color accuracy:

The EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850 both have a print resolution of up to 5760 x 1440 dpi, which results in sharp and detailed prints.

Both printers use advanced image processing technologies that deliver accurate and vibrant colors, making them suitable for printing high-quality photos and graphics.

Overall, both printers offer excellent printing performance with fast printing speeds, high-quality prints, and cost-effective ink refills. However, the EcoTank ET-2850 has a slight advantage in terms of color print yields and pigment ink that may offer better resistance to fading and smudging.

Connectivity and Compatibility

Connectivity and compatibility are essential factors to consider when choosing a printer, as they determine the ease and convenience of accessing and printing your documents. Let’s compare the connectivity and compatibility features of the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850.

Wired and wireless connectivity:

• Both printers offer multiple connectivity options, including USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet, making them easy to connect to different devices and networks.
• The EcoTank ET-2850 also offers Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to connect your mobile device directly to the printer without the need for a network.

Mobile printing and compatibility:

• Both printers are compatible with different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, making them suitable for use with a wide range of devices.
• Both printers support mobile printing via the Epson Connect app, which allows you to print directly from your mobile device or tablet.
• The EcoTank ET-2850 also offers support for Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, which allows you to print from your iOS or Android device.

Cloud printing and remote access:

• Both printers offer cloud printing support, allowing you to print from anywhere with an internet connection using services such as Google Drive and Dropbox.
• The EcoTank ET-2850 also offers remote access features, allowing you to print, scan, and copy from anywhere using the Epson Connect app or the remote print driver.

Overall, both printers offer excellent connectivity and compatibility features, with the EcoTank ET-2850 offering a slight advantage in terms of wireless connectivity options and remote access features.

Cost and Cost of Ownership

Cost and cost of ownership are crucial factors to consider when choosing a printer, as they determine the overall value and affordability of the printer. Let’s compare the cost and cost of ownership of the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850.

Initial cost and value for money:

• The EcoTank ET-2803 has an initial cost cheaper, while the EcoTank ET-2850 costs more, making the latter slightly more expensive.
• Both printers offer good value for money, as they come with a large ink tank that can print thousands of pages before needing a refill, making them more cost-effective than traditional inkjet printers in the long run.

Long-term cost of ownership:

• The EcoTank ET-2803 uses four-color dye ink that can print up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 pages in color, while the EcoTank ET-2850 uses four-color pigment ink that can print up to 4,500 pages in black and 7,500 pages in color.
• The cost of replacement ink bottles for both printers ranges from around $10 to $15 per bottle, making them more affordable than traditional inkjet cartridges.
• Both printers come with a warranty period of up to two years, which covers any defects or issues with the printer.

Total cost of ownership:

• The total cost of ownership for both printers depends on your printing volume and frequency. However, both printers offer a cost-effective solution in the long run, as the large ink tanks can last for thousands of pages before needing a refill, making them more cost-effective than traditional inkjet printers.
• Additionally, the low-cost replacement ink bottles and the warranty period offered by both printers further contribute to their overall value and affordability.

Overall, both printers offer good value for money, with the EcoTank ET-2803 being slightly more affordable than the EcoTank ET-2850. However, the cost of ownership may vary depending on your printing volume and frequency, but both printers offer a cost-effective solution in the long run, with their large ink tanks and low-cost replacement bottles.

Features and Additional Capabilities

Features and additional capabilities are important factors to consider when choosing a printer, as they determine the versatility and functionality of the printer. Let’s compare the features and additional capabilities of the EcoTank ET-2803 and EcoTank ET-2850.

Additional features and capabilities:

Both printers offer a range of additional features, such as borderless printing, photo printing, and direct CD/DVD printing.

The EcoTank ET-2850 has a slightly larger LCD screen than the EcoTank ET-2803, which makes it easier to navigate menus and settings.

Both printers offer a range of scanning features, including flatbed scanning and automatic document feeder (ADF) scanning, making them suitable for various scanning tasks.

Duplex printing, scanning, and copying features:

Both printers offer duplex printing, which allows you to print on both sides of the paper, saving paper and reducing printing costs.

However, only the EcoTank ET-2850 offers automatic duplex scanning and copying, which allows you to scan and copy double-sided documents automatically, making it more efficient and convenient for multi-page documents.

Software and tools:

Both printers come with a range of software and tools, including printer drivers, scanning software, and utilities for printer maintenance and troubleshooting.

The EcoTank ET-2850 also includes additional software, such as Easy Photo Print and Creative Print, which allows you to create and print custom photo projects, cards, and calendars.

Overall, both printers offer a range of features and additional capabilities that make them suitable for various printing, scanning, and copying tasks. The EcoTank ET-2850 offers a slight advantage in terms of additional software and automatic duplex scanning and copying features. However, both printers offer excellent functionality and versatility, making them suitable for home or small office use.

Final thoughts and recommendations

Based on our comparison, if you are looking for a reliable, cost-effective printer for home or small office use with moderate printing needs, either the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 or Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is a great choice. However, if you require advanced scanning and copying features or want additional software for creating custom photo projects, cards, and calendars, we highly recommend the Epson EcoTank ET-2850.

The EcoTank ET-2850’s automatic duplex scanning and copying features and larger LCD screen make it more convenient and efficient for multi-page documents, while its additional software adds more value to the printer. Additionally, both printers’ low-cost replacement ink bottles and long-term cost-effectiveness make them a great choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Overall, we highly recommend the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 as a great choice for home or small office use with moderate to advanced printing needs. It offers excellent functionality, cost-effectiveness, and additional features that make it a superior choice over the EcoTank ET-2803.