Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Review

Welcome to my comprehensive review of the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer!

If you’ve been on the hunt for a versatile and cost-effective printer that delivers stunning prints, especially for photos, then this review is just what you need.

The ET-8500 boasts an impressive six-color print engine that enhances color accuracy and detail, making it perfect for home offices or families who value both document and photo printing.

In this review, I’ll delve into its specifications, features, and benefits, giving you all the information you need to determine if this printer is the right fit for your needs.

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What is Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is a wireless color all-in-one supertank printer that takes best photo printing to a whole new level.

With its six-color print engine, it offers lab-quality color photos and graphics, making it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts and those who need high-quality document printing as well.

The printer’s compact design, measuring 6.4 by 15.9 by 14.5 inches and weighing 18.5 pounds, fits well into any home office setup.

Its unique ink configuration includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) inks, as well as photo black and gray, expanding the color gamut and providing impeccable grayscale images.

The printer features a 4.3-inch color touch screen control panel for easy navigation and also supports voice-activation commands via Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Epson Connect, and Google Assistant, making it a breeze to operate.

Specifications

• Type: Hybrid Dye/Pigment-based all-in-one inkjet (print, scan, copy)
• Price: $549.99
• Ink set: 6 Claria ET Premium inks (5 printing)
• Ink colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Photo Black, Gray (all dyes); Black (pigment)
• Maximum Paper Width (ET-8500): 11 inches
• Maximum Paper Width (ET-8550): 13 inches
• Paper handling: 100-sheet plain paper drawer, 20-sheet snapshot-size (4-by-6 inch or 5-by-7-inch) photo paper insert
• Connectivity: Wireless, USB

Features of Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 comes packed with features that make it stand out as a top-notch photo printer.

• Its six-color ink configuration, including photo black and gray, ensures exceptional color accuracy and detail for both photographs and documents.
• The easy-to-use 4.3-inch color touch screen control panel allows for seamless operation, and the option to control the printer through Epson’s software or onboard web portal adds convenience.
• One of the standout benefits of this printer is its cost-effectiveness.
• With large, refillable ink reservoirs, it significantly reduces the running costs, making it an economical choice, especially for photo printing.
• Compared to cartridge-based printers, the ET-8500 offers impressive savings, making it an excellent long-term investment for photography enthusiasts.

Why Do You Need Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is a game-changer for anyone seeking a reliable, cost-effective, and versatile printing solution. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a home office worker, or a family looking for a printer that can handle both stunning photo prints and everyday document printing, the ET-8500 is the answer to your printing needs.

With its six-color print engine, including additional Photo Black and Gray inks, this printer delivers lab-quality color photos and graphics at an incredibly low running cost, making it a smart investment for long-term use.

The printer’s unique ink configuration expands the color gamut, enhances color accuracy, and provides impeccable grayscale images, perfect for photography enthusiasts who want their prints to truly shine. Moreover, its wireless connectivity, voice-activation commands, and user-friendly 4.3-inch color touch screen control panel make operating the ET-8500 a breeze.

Who Should Buy Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is an ideal choice for a diverse range of users. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate its ability to produce stunning photo prints with exceptional color accuracy and detail, making it perfect for framing and displaying cherished memories.

Small businesses and home offices will find the ET-8500 equally valuable due to its cost-effective ink system, making it a budget-friendly solution for everyday document printing needs. Families will benefit from this printer’s versatility, as it can handle both photo printing for special occasions and day-to-day tasks like school assignments and documents.

Even those with limited technical expertise will find it easy to operate, thanks to its user-friendly control panel and the ability to operate and configure the printer through a computer or mobile device.

Why Choose Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 stands out as a top-notch printer for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, its six-color print engine ensures breathtaking photo prints with lab-quality color and precise grayscale reproduction.

The inclusion of Photo Black and Gray inks enhances the color gamut and provides exceptional detail in both color and black-and-white prints.

With large, refillable ink reservoirs and cost-effective ink bottles, the ET-8500 significantly reduces running costs, making it an economical choice for both occasional and frequent printing needs.

The printer’s wireless connectivity and support for voice-activation commands offer seamless integration with various devices and digital assistants, streamlining the printing process.

The user-friendly 4.3-inch color touch screen control panel and workflow profiles add to the convenience, allowing for quick and easy access to common tasks. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a home office worker, or a family looking for an efficient and cost-effective printer, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is a reliable choice that delivers exceptional results with every print.

How to Use Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

Using the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is a straightforward process.

• To begin, set up the printer and connect it to your Wi-Fi network by following the instructions on the 4.3-inch color touch screen control panel.
• Next, fill the six reservoirs with ink using the supplied ink bottles, ensuring you don’t squeeze the bottle to prevent spills.
• Once the setup is complete, you can print directly from your computer or mobile device using Epson’s software or the onboard web portal.
• For photo printing, you can choose images from an SD card or USB port, and the printer’s touchscreen interface allows for easy browsing and selection.
• You can adjust print settings, such as paper size and quality, to achieve the desired results. For optimal photo prints, ensure to use the appropriate photo paper, and set the print quality to HIGH for the best output.

The printer’s voice-activation commands also offer added convenience for walk-up tasks.

Considerations and Precautions

While the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is an excellent choice for many users, it’s essential to consider its limitations. Although it delivers impressive photo prints, it may not match the quality of specialized photo printers with a broader color gamut. As such, professional photographers and photo enthusiasts seeking gallery-ready prints may find it lacking.

Additionally, the ET-8500’s paper handling capacity is limited, with a 100-sheet plain paper drawer and a 20-sheet snapshot-size photo paper insert. For users with high-volume printing needs, this printer may not be the most suitable option.

When refilling the ink reservoirs, take care not to spill the ink, as it can be messy and challenging to clean up. Follow the instructions provided for filling the reservoirs to avoid any mishaps. Moreover, make sure to use the appropriate ink bottles for each reservoir to prevent mixing colors.

Overall, while the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 offers outstanding value and performance, users should be mindful of their specific printing requirements and ensure it aligns with their intended use before making a purchase.

Pros & Cons of the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

Pros:

1. Stunning Photo Prints: The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 excels at producing stunning photo prints, particularly with its additional inks for Photo Black and Gray. These extra inks enhance the color gamut, accuracy, and detail, resulting in impeccable grayscale images and vibrant color photos.
2. Cost-Effective Printing: One of the standout features of the ET-8500 is its low running costs. The printer uses an EcoTank system with large ink bottles that you pour into reservoirs, eliminating the need for expensive ink cartridges. This makes it an excellent choice for home offices or families that print frequently, as it significantly reduces the cost per page.

Cons:

1. Limited ADF Functionality: The ET-8500 lacks an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), limiting its scanning and copying capabilities to one page at a time. For those requiring high-volume document scanning, this may be a drawback.
2. Limited Profiling Support: While the ET-8500 can produce acceptable photo prints for non-specialists, it falls short when compared to dedicated photo printers with more comprehensive ink sets and profiling support. This can be a concern for photographers and photo enthusiasts seeking top-tier color and tonal reproduction in their prints.

Customer Reviews & Testimonials

1. Positive Review from PCMag: PCMag’s review lauds the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 for its stunning prints, especially photos, and its low running costs, making it a top choice for consumers in need of a photo printer. The review highlights its Editors’ Choice award, showcasing the printer’s recognition and quality.
2. Positive Review from Amazon Customer: An Amazon customer praised the crisp and clean prints of the ET-8500 but expressed concern over color inaccuracies and dark image prints. The customer also mentioned that the Epson Photo+ software lacks the functionality to correct these issues, leading to extra steps and difficulties in obtaining satisfactory prints.

Alternatives for Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500

1. Canon PIXMA PRO-200: For photo enthusiasts seeking top-tier color and tonal reproduction, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 is an excellent alternative. It features an 8-color dye ink set, including gray and light gray inks, allowing for exceptional photo prints with accurate color representation and smooth gradients.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-8550: For those who require a wide-format photo printer, the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is a suitable alternative. With a larger format capability, it offers the same EcoTank cost-effective printing and additional inks for stunning photo prints like the ET-8500.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is an excellent choice for home offices and families seeking a cost-effective and high-quality photo printer. With its stunning photo prints, low running costs, and wireless capabilities, it meets the needs of most users looking to print exceptional photos.

However, for photo enthusiasts and professionals seeking top-tier color and tonal reproduction, alternative options like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 may be more suitable. Despite its limitations, the ET-8500 remains a solid choice for those looking for a reliable and economical photo printer.