Consumer Reports' 4 favorite Epson tank printers

Published: Friday, July 17, 2026 at 9:10 am

Consumer Reports has identified four Epson EcoTank printer models as top choices for consumers seeking to significantly reduce printing expenses. These printers utilize refillable ink reservoirs instead of traditional cartridges, a system that can slash annual ink costs to as little as a few dollars. The evaluation focused on key performance metrics including text clarity, printing speed, and the quality of graphics and photo output, ensuring that cost savings do not compromise essential printing functions.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2980, priced at $230, offers an estimated annual ink cost of just $4. Consumer Reports lauded its impressive text quality, though noted its print speed was on the slower side. The model performed well in handling color graphics and photos. It features a built-in flatbed scanner with reliable scan quality, a copy function, and automatic two-sided printing. However, it lacks two-sided scanning and an automatic document feeder. Owner satisfaction for Epson tank printers generally scored high in surveys, with predicted reliability receiving middling marks.

The Epson EcoTank ET-4950, costing $500, also boasts an annual ink cost of $4 and is designed in a compact frame suitable for home offices. Consumer Reports described its text quality as quite good for an inkjet, with print speeds rated as so-so. The printer received high marks for its photo, scan, and graphics quality. It includes automatic two-sided printing and an automatic document feeder, and was found to be particularly user-friendly.

For those requiring larger print capabilities, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 at $500 is a wide-format option capable of printing on paper up to 13 inches wide. This model supports automatic two-sided copying and scanning, features an automatic document feeder, dual paper trays, and fax capabilities, all while maintaining an estimated annual ink cost of $4. Its graphics and text quality were rated as so-so compared to other tested Epson tank printers, but it achieved near top scores for photo and scan quality.

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500, priced at $550, is positioned as a premium photo printer, utilizing six ink reservoirs. Consumer Reports awarded it a photo-printing score above the category average and rated its text and graphics output as strong. With an estimated annual ink cost of $7, this model is recommended for households that frequently print photos, offering significant value due to its strong performance and low running costs under heavy use. For users primarily focused on sharp text documents, less expensive alternatives may suffice.

BNN's Perspective: The shift towards ink tank printers represents a significant evolution in home and small office printing, directly addressing the long-standing issue of high ink cartridge expenses. Consumer Reports' detailed analysis highlights that consumers no longer need to choose between affordability and quality. While speed and specific features like automatic document feeders vary across models, the core benefit of drastically reduced running costs appears to be a consistent advantage across Epson's tested lineup. This trend suggests a future where printing is more accessible and less of a recurring financial burden for many households.

Tags: Epson, tank printer, EcoTank, ink cost, Consumer Reports, ET-2980, ET-4950, ET-15000, ET-8500, text quality, graphics, photo printing, scanner, auto-duplexing, automatic document feeder, owner satisfaction, predicted reliability, wide-format printing

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