The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 and ET-2850 are both cartridge-free, tank-style all-in-one printers offering print, scan, and copy functions. The ET-2850 adds some nice upgrades like auto 2-sided (duplex) printing. Still, for most home users, the ET-2800 offers nearly all the essentials, often at lower cost and with fewer compromises. That’s why the ET-2800 is my pick for the better overall value.
Let’s make long story short: If you want duplex printing plus a few extra features, the ET-2850 is tempting. But if your printing needs are mostly one-sided documents, photos, or occasional scanning/copying, the ET-2800 delivers most of what you need at a better price and with similarly low running costs.
Why Do I Recommend the Epson ET-2800?
- Lower entry cost with very similar running costs — the ET-2800’s ink yield (with the bottles supplied) is high (≈ 4,500 pages in black, 7,500 colour) using the 522 bottles.
- Same print quality and speed for most everyday tasks — both models offer ≈ 10.5 ppm monochrome, 5 ppm colour, and high resolution printing (up to 5760×1440 dpi) for documents and photos.
- Lower weight / smaller footprint — ET-2800 is lighter and less bulky than the ET-2850, making it easier to fit in smaller home office spaces.
- Fewer features to worry about, simpler usage — without auto duplexing, there are fewer moving parts, which can mean fewer jams or maintenance issues. For many home users, auto 2-sided printing isn’t essential.
Detailed Comparison & Recommendation
| Feature / Spec | Epson ET-2800 | Epson ET-2850 | Which Is Best & Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplex Printing | Manual one-sided only | Auto 2-sided (duplex) printing built in | 2850 — useful if you print a lot of double-sided documents |
| Ink Yield / Running Cost | Black 4,500 pages, Colour 7,500 pages with 522 bottles | Black 7,500 pages; colour ~6,000 pages with 502 bottles | ET-2850 slightly better ink volume; but difference matters less per page |
| Print Speed | Up to ~10 ppm B&W, ~5 ppm color | Same in practice | Tie — no meaningful speed difference for everyday tasks |
| Paper Handling / Capacity | Single tray, standard settings | Similar tray, but duplex and somewhat larger size in depth | ET-2800 is more compact; 2850 more versatile with duplex |
| Scanning / Copy Quality | Flatbed scanner, 1200 dpi optical | Same flatbed scanner, same resolution | Tie — both deliver adequate scan/copy performance |
| Check Best Seller | Check Epson ET-2800 Best Price | Check Epson ET-2850 Best Price | ET-2800 gives better value for most users |
What Are The Major Differences
- ET-2850 supports auto 2-sided (duplex) printing; ET-2800 does not.
- 2850 uses larger 502 ink bottles (higher black ink capacity, ~127ml) vs 2800’s 522 bottles (~65ml) for black.
- 2850 is heavier and larger in depth due to duplex hardware.
- Print speeds, scanner resolution, and core print quality are very close if you don’t use duplex often.
- ET-2800 gives lower upfront cost and simpler install / less mechanical complexity.
Check Epson ET-2800 Limited Time Deal Here
What Users Are Saying
| Feature / Feedback | Epson ET-2800 | Epson ET-2850 |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday printing / Documents | “Prints good quality text, photos okay; reliable for home work tasks.” | “Great model for families who need to print reports and want duplex to save paper.” |
| Cost of Ink / Running | “Super low running cost — refill bottles last a long time, less hassle.” | “Better ink volume in 2850 helps reduce refills; but leaves more to pay up front.” |
| Size, Footprint, Setup | “Fits nicely in my small workspace; simpler setup.” | “Slightly larger; auto duplex adds thickness; setup more steps.” |
| Recommended Best Seller | Check Epson ET-2800 Best Price | Check Epson ET-2850 Best Price |
Fair Advice to Consider
- Get ET-2850 if you frequently print double-sided documents (for school, business) or want to save paper.
- Choose ET-2800 if duplex isn’t a priority, you want a lower price, less bulk, and want all the essential features with very low running cost.
Quick Comparison – Epson ET-2800 vs ET-2850
| Feature / Spec | Epson ET-2800 | Epson ET-2850 |
|---|---|---|
| Print Technology | EcoTank, cartridge-free ink tanks | EcoTank, cartridge-free ink tanks |
| Print Resolution | Up to 5760 × 1440 dpi | Up to 5760 × 1440 dpi |
| Print Speed | ~10 ppm (black), ~5 ppm (color) | ~10 ppm (black), ~5 ppm (color) |
| Duplex Printing | ❌ Manual only (no auto duplex) | ✅ Automatic two-sided (duplex) printing |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed, 1200 dpi optical | Flatbed, 1200 dpi optical |
| Ink Bottles | Uses 522 bottles (65 ml black, 65 ml color) | Uses 502 bottles (127 ml black, 70 ml color) |
| Page Yield | ~4,500 pages black / ~7,500 color | ~7,500 pages black / ~6,000 color |
| Paper Capacity | 100-sheet input tray | 100-sheet input tray |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, Epson Smart App support | USB, Wi-Fi, Epson Smart App support |
| Size / Weight | Compact, lighter (~11.2 lbs) | Larger and heavier (~12.6 lbs) |
| Price | Check Epson ET-2800 Best Price | Check Epson ET-2850 Best Price |
FAQs
What is the main difference between the Epson ET-2800 and ET-2850?
The biggest difference is that the ET-2850 supports automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, while the ET-2800 only prints single-sided unless you manually flip the paper.
Do both printers use the same ink bottles?
Both have very low cost per page, but the 2850’s bottles hold more ink.
Which printer has better print quality?
Both have nearly identical print quality, with resolutions up to 5760 × 1440 dpi. You won’t notice much difference unless you print a lot of double-sided documents, where the 2850’s duplex saves paper.
Is the Epson ET-2850 faster than the ET-2800?
Not really. Both average around 10 ppm (black) and 5 ppm (color). Print speeds are effectively the same.
Do both printers scan and copy?
Yes. Both include a flatbed scanner (1200 dpi optical) for scanning and copying. Neither has an automatic document feeder.
Which model is more compact?
The ET-2800 is lighter and slimmer, making it easier to fit in small spaces. The ET-2850 is bulkier because of its duplex hardware.
Final Verdict
For the majority of home users, the Epson ET-2800 is the smarter, more cost-efficient choice. It delivers almost everything most users need—good print quality, scanning, colour work, low ink costs—without paying extra for duplex unless you really need it. The ET-2850 has a place if auto-duplex is vital, but for everyday printing, the ET-2800 is the better value.