{"id":1018,"date":"2016-03-01T01:07:01","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T01:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/?p=1018"},"modified":"2023-07-12T20:10:23","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T20:10:23","slug":"is-the-epson-ecotank-really-worth-the-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/is-the-epson-ecotank-really-worth-the-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Epson\u00ae EcoTank\u00ae Printers Worth the Money?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>High printer ink prices have always been a source of frustration for consumers.\u00a0 Ink tank printers were introduced a few years ago to address this pain point and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.epson.com\/cgi-bin\/Store\/jsp\/Landing\/ecotank-super-tank-printers.do\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Epson<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> EcoTank<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0printer line is one of the most popular ink tank options around.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve seen any of the EcoTank ads you know their big tagline is \u201ccartridge free printing\u201d.\u00a0 Instead of using ink cartridges to print, EcoTanks rely on ink bottles and a refillable ink tank system to power your printer.\u00a0 Similar to filling up your car with gas, when a specific color is low in the tank, all you need to do is fill it up and you can continue printing.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the top 3 advantages of printing with an EcoTank printer:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Printing costs are <em>much<\/em> cheaper than printing with a regular Epson printer.\u00a0 If you print often, you can save a ton money with an EcoTank.<\/li>\n<li>EcoTank ink bottles include a lot of ink, which lets you print thousands of pages at an extremely low cost per page.<\/li>\n<li>You rarely have to worry about replacing your ink. Ecotanks are advertised as coming with up to &#8220;2 years of ink&#8221; in the box.\u00a0 That number is based on an average monthly print volume and can change depending on how often you print. Regardless, with so much ink in each bottle, replacements are few and far between.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now that you know the basics of what an EcoTank printer and how they work, we\u2019ll help you figure out if owning an EcoTank is actually worth it.\u00a0 <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most consumers replace their printers after a couple of years, and according to recent consumer questions and reviews, full confidence on the actual longevity of the EcoTank series remains to be seen.\u00a0 <\/span>What we&#8217;ve found is that it <strong>all depends on your printing habits<\/strong>. If you print frequently, an EcoTank is worth considering.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t print often, the high upfront costs and upkeep of owning an EcoTank may not make sense for you.<\/p>\n<p>To help you decide, we\u2019ll review our favorite EcoTank printer models (there are a lot to choose from) and compare the EcoTank against a few popular ink tank competitors too.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Which Epson EcoTank Printer should you buy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Epson releases new variations of the Ecotank almost every year.\u00a0 With so many different models, features and price options to consider, it can be hard to decide which printer to buy.\u00a0 No matter which printer you go with, you are getting thousands of prints in each ink bottle.\u00a0 So in terms of ink efficiency, you really can\u2019t go wrong with any of the Ecotank models.\u00a0 However, there are other factors to consider before you purchase.\u00a0 For example, some ink bottles are pigment based while others are dye based and some ink bottle series print more pages than others (see our stats below).\u00a0 Things get more complicated when you begin looking at the features and wildly different pricing from printer to printer.\u00a0 On the low end, you\u2019ve got a handful of basic EcoTanks in the $300 range all the way up to the business class Ecotanks going for $1,000 +, which is a major investment.\u00a0 To simplify it for you, we\u2019ve chosen our six favorite Epson EcoTank printers that cover a range of uses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#section1\">Best Ecotank Printers for Homes and Home Offices<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section2\">Best EcoTank Printers for Small-Medium Businesses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section3\">Best EcoTank Printers for Monochrome Printing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#section4\">Best EcoTank Printers for Photo Printing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Before we jump into our favorites, lets dive a little deeper into who EcoTank printers are actually for and answer some of the common questions that new EcoTank owners often have so you can decide whether they are worth your investment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who should own an EcoTank printer<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inkjet printer owners that are tired of constantly replacing cartridges<\/li>\n<li>High volume printer users that need the flexibility of printing in black and color and photos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Who shouldn\u2019t own an EcoTank printer<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low volume printer users that print occasionally. Yes, having the ability to print thousands of pages of ink is great whether you print 5 pages a month or 500, but if you don\u2019t print regularly, the maintenance of an EcoTank may be more trouble than it\u2019s worth.\u00a0 Just like a regular inkjet printer, if an EcoTank doesn\u2019t print for a couple of weeks, it can dry out.\u00a0 A laser printer is a better option if you print occasionally since they use toner cartridges that can go months in between print jobs without drying out.<\/li>\n<li>Printer users that need to print fast. If you need your prints in a hurry, you are better off going with a laser printer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/best-home-office-laser-printer?xid=tmd:blog:banner&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=7863:laser-blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9114 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ld_bnr_blog_homeoffice_728x90_v1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/h4>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions about the EcoTank<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"Question_01\">Is the Epson EcoTank worth it?<\/h3>\n<p>The answer is&#8211;it depends. If you print a lot often, then yes, the EcoTank could be a good fit for you. Otherwise, if you don&#8217;t print often and you get the EcoTank, you might end up with a lot of dried ink in nozzles and tubs that you&#8217;d have to clean up often.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Question_02\">Does Epson EcoTank dry out?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, it still dries up when left unused. The EcoTank is still an inkjet printer so it&#8217;s still susceptible to ink drying up leading to clogged tubes or cartridge nozzles.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Question_03\">How long does Epson EcoTank ink last?<\/h3>\n<p>An Epson EcoTank has a much higher page yield compared to other regular ink cartridges but laser toner cartridges still have higher page yields. How long it actually lasts depends on what you print and how often you print. To illustrate, if you print lots of full color images daily, you can expect to run out much sooner compared to someone who only prints 4 pages of text documents in a day..<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"section1\">Best EcoTank Printers for Homes and Home Offices<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Epson EcoTank ET-2800 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3DYqusU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon*<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Epson-EcoTank-ET-2720.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-9748 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Epson-EcoTank-ET-2720.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"437\" height=\"246\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The EcoTank ET-2800 is Epson\u2019s entry level model.\u00a0 If you are looking for the least expensive EcoTank printer, this is the one to get.\u00a0 Like we mentioned earlier, all of these EcoTank printers use cost effective ink bottles with similar yields, so even if you go with the cheapest EcoTank option, you are still saving a ton of money on ink in the long run.<br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts07-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B096N8CNBZ\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"17f6ee5949c3ed897038f099a5d28f81\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Includes everything you need basic home printing, including print \/ copy \/ scan features<\/li>\n<li>1.44 inch color touchscreen is easy to navigate and wireless printing lets you print from anywhere, including your smartphone<\/li>\n<li>All four ink bottles include dye-based ink, which are great for range of basic black and color print jobs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Does not support faxing &#8211; faxing is available on more expensive models though!<\/li>\n<li>Does not support automatic duplexing \u2013 so you manually have to flip the page when double-sided printing, which can be annoying with large print queues.<\/li>\n<li>Print speeds are slow.\u00a0 With speeds of 10 ppm for black and 5 ppm for color, you are going to have to be patient if you are printing a lot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The ink bottles:<\/strong> The ET-2800 printer uses Epson 522 dye-based ink bottles.\u00a0 The black ink bottle prints up 4,500 pages and each color ink bottle prints up to 7,000 pages.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Want a home Ecotank with fax options?\u00a0 <\/strong><em>The Ecotank ET-4850 is your answer<\/em>.\u00a0 With fax, ethernet connectivity a 30 sheet automatic document feeder and faster print speeds (15 ppm black \/ 10 ppm color) this printer gives you the extra features and power you need at a slightly higher price point.<br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B096N9JMXF\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"480399a78217d48e252cf3d2505a97ed\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"section2\">Best EcoTank Printers for Small-Medium Businesses<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Epson EcoTank ET-15000<\/strong> &#8211; <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/32lfeqB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Epson-EcoTank-ET-15000-InkJet-All.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-9749 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Epson-EcoTank-ET-15000-InkJet-All.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"264\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Small businesses that have color printing needs should consider the Epson EcoTank ET-15000.\u00a0 This printer is loaded with a ton of great business-ready features that you won\u2019t find in other less expensive Ecotanks, like a 35 sheet automatic document feeder and 13\u201dx19\u201d rear paper tray.\u00a0 The price of the printer is a little pricey but it\u2019s worth it if you print frequently <em>and<\/em> take advantage of all it has to offer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Print \/ copy \/ scan \/ fax features<\/li>\n<li>Wi-Fi lets you print from anywhere<\/li>\n<li>Fast print speeds (17 ppm black \/ 9 ppm color)<\/li>\n<li>35 sheet automatic document feeder lets you easily copy, scan and fax stacks of pages\u00a0without lifting a finger<\/li>\n<li>Includes a front paper tray that can hold up to 250 sheets and a rear tray for specialty prints up to 13\u201dx19\u201d<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B084TV6NTZ\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"a32b1ee656e7696659a516ccbc57eb79\";\n<\/script><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><br \/>\n<strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The upfront cost of the printer is expensive.\u00a0 Yes, you\u2019re getting a lot of great printing features but paying a premium for them.\u00a0 Consider going with a cheaper model if you don\u2019t need all the extra bells and whistles.<\/li>\n<li>This printer is big.\u00a0 With dimensions of 19.6&#8243; x 29.6&#8243; x 14.3&#8243;, you\u2019ll need to carve out a pretty large space on your desk to store this machine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The ink bottles: <\/strong>The ET-15000 uses Epson 502 ink bottles.\u00a0 The black ink bottle is pigment-based and prints 7,500 pages and the color bottles are dye-based and print 6,000 pages each.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Need even more printing power?<\/strong> Consider <strong><em>the<\/em> <\/strong><em><strong>Epson ET-5800, <\/strong>o<\/em>ne of Epson\u2019s newest EcoTank models, it might just replace your office color laser printer.\u00a0 With print speeds of up to 25 ppm and four pigment-based ink bottles for long lasting durability, this printer is ready to tackle any heavy duty print job.<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B084TV6BVM\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"2bdb1c0b2ab952f809b136e25007fd5b\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/?xid=tmd:blog:&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=11024:lowprices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9287 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ld_banr_txt_customers_2020_728x90-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"section3\">Best EcoTank Printers for Monochrome Printing<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Epson ST-M1000 Supertank &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/33kz4l9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Epson-ST-M1000-Supertank.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-9747 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Epson-ST-M1000-Supertank.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"452\" height=\"254\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you are looking for a basic ink tank printer that just prints in black, the Epson ST-M1000 Supertank is a great option. \u00a0With an ink bottle that prints up to 6,000 pages and print speeds of up to 20 ppm, this single-function ST-M1000 can go toe to toe with just about any basic home laser monochrome printer on the market.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Single function printing \u2013 this printer just prints and sometimes that\u2019s all you need.<\/li>\n<li>Automatic two-sided printing lets you print on both sides of the pages with the push of a button<\/li>\n<li>250-sheet paper tray holds up to half a ream a paper<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B086XN9428\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"6d2a0c9f6fa25abef6551d046c36bba8\";\n<\/script><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><br \/>\n<strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you need to copy, scan or fax you need to find a different printer.\u00a0 The higher priced Epson ST-M3000 Supertank is the next tier up and offers copy \/ fax \/ scan functionality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The ink bottles:<\/strong> The ST-M1000 uses a single Epson 532 black pigment-based ink bottle that prints up to 6,000 pages.<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B086XN44SK\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"61f4eabbca2f955003ed7052030f9c23\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"section4\">Best EcoTank Printers for Photo Printing<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Epson Photo ET-8500 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3fKLPx2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>EcoTank owners have been requesting an ink tank photo printer for years and in 2021, Epson finally delivered.\u00a0 The Epson Photo ET-8500 is the first Ecotank printer designed for high volume photo prints and it&#8217;s a dream for any creative professional that prints often.\u00a0 Along with the expected print \/ scan \/ copy features,\u00a0 it supports a wide range of media, including photo paper, presentation paper, fine art papers, card stock and CD \/ DVDs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Includes print \/ copy \/ scan options<\/li>\n<li>Able to print a 4&#215;6-inch photo for about 4 cents and 8.5 x 11 borderless photos<\/li>\n<li>Includes 3 paper trays: 100-sheet front tray \/ 50-sheet rear tray \/ 20-sheet photo tray<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you need wide-format printing (13&#215;19 borderless photos) you will need to pay a bit more for the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The ink bottles:<\/strong> The EcoTank Photo ET-8500 uses 6 Epson 552 ink bottles. The pigment black 552 series ink bottle prints up to 6,700 pages, a dye-based photo black prints up to 7,300 pages, a gray bottle prints up to 46,000 pages and cyan, magenta and yellow bottles average 6,200 pages each.<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B08R57JK88\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"e4eb16cebc8633ef64e049e228ec62a3\";\n<\/script> <script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Epson EcoTank vs. The Competition<\/h2>\n<p>Epson may have been the first major printer brand to introduce an ink tank printer, but over the last few years, Canon<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, Brother<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> and HP<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> quickly followed suit.\u00a0 Despite the heavy competition, we believe the Epson EcoTank is still the best option for most ink tank printer users.\u00a0 Every brand has their own unique strengths but because Epson has been making their ink tank printers the longest, they&#8217;ve had the most time to make improvements on design and functionality.\u00a0 With new models coming out regularly, they are constantly working to improve on previous versions, which has made them a leader in the space.\u00a0 Here, we&#8217;ll compare some of the pros and cons of Epson&#8217;s competition so you can decide for yourself.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Epson EcoTank vs. Canon MegaTank<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Canon MegaTank series has a lot of the same features as an EcoTank, like equally generous ink bottles and flexible all-in-one printing options that improve as the printer price goes up. The printers are also slightly cheaper than most EcoTanks but with only a handful of MegaTanks on the market, choices are limited and reviews so far have been mixed. \u00a0Many MegaTank owners are not happy with the display screen.\u00a0 Instead of including a color LCD display, the MegaTank\u2019s display is small and not backlit, which makes it difficult to read.\u00a0 This likely saved Canon some money on the production side of this printer, but it certainly isn\u2019t very user friendly. \u00a0If you are able to overlook that, the Megatank line still offers the crisp, clear print quality that Canon is known for at a super low price.\u00a0 The <strong>Canon G6020 MegaTank<\/strong> is our favorite of the group, offering print, copy and scan functions and decent print speeds.\u00a0 Canon also recently came out with their a photo ink tank printer, the <strong>Canon PIXMA G620<\/strong>.\u00a0 Like the Epson ET-8500, it also uses 6 ink bottles.\u00a0 They all include dye-based ink and it can print about 3,800 4&#215;6 photos! <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts07-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B07SQZNSQY\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"c5530943a80ae938709690c1f821d000\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B08XZQVWZW\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"ed01759dcba8a85504f85236a3705eb3\";\n<\/script><script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Epson EcoTank vs. Brother Inkvestment<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Ink tank printing is a new technology and some printer owners just aren\u2019t comfortable with the idea of filling a printer with ink.\u00a0 Brother designed their Inkvestment line, a hybrid ink tank printer series, with these customers in mind.\u00a0 By combining the cost-saving features of an ink tank with the functionality and cartridge handling of an everyday inkjet printer, you get a hybrid ink tank printer that\u2019s both forward thinking and familiar.\u00a0 Rather than fill the tank with an ink bottle, Brother uses cartridges to transfer ink to the tank.\u00a0 Once the ink is inside, the printer functions like a regular ink tank printer, printing thousands of page at an extremely low cost per page.\u00a0 If you are on the fence about ink tank printers, the Inkvestment line is a great in-between option.\u00a0 Like the MegaTank, there aren\u2019t nearly as many choices as the EcoTank, but they have a lot of the same perks.\u00a0 Our top pick is the <strong>Brother Inkvestment MFC-J4335DW<\/strong>, which offers print, copy, fax and scan options and automatic two-sided printing.<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B092YN1JK5\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"0f65284f566e4b43529be29072319847\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts0a-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B092YN1JK5\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"0f65284f566e4b43529be29072319847\";\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Epson EcoTank vs. HP SmartTank<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While Epson, Canon and Brother have all had ink tank printers out for four or five years, HP\u2019s SmartTank series was only just released last year. \u00a0Given the newness of the series, there aren\u2019t as many models to choose from, but despite that, HP has produced a sleek EcoTank contender that delivers on function and value.\u00a0 SmartTanks use similar high volume ink bottles and just like the EcoTank, are advertised as coming with up to \u201c2 years of ink\u201d in the box.\u00a0 The <strong>HP Smart Tank Plus 551<\/strong> is one of their least expensive options and yet it is still a bit pricey for an ink tank printer. If you have a preference for HP, you\u2019d be fine going with a SmartTank, but you may want to wait until they have been on the market a little longer and can bring down the price point.<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"ldproducts07-20\";\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"manual\";\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";\namzn_assoc_design = \"enhanced_links\";\namzn_assoc_asins = \"B07XMJTWXZ\";\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit\";\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"0d93e9c93a07c3564e69b1fb4cc7caf0\";\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>How to Save Even More on Ink<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you are looking to lower your printing costs even more, LD-brand compatible ink bottles from LD Products are a great way to save.\u00a0 LD has compatible alternative Epson ink bottles for almost every Epson Ecotank printer model, plus thousands of other affordable printing supplies, including ink for\u00a0 Canon MegaTank and HP SuperTank printers too! Check out our complete line up of low cost printing supplies on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/?xid=tmd:blog:&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=1018:homepage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LDProducts.com<\/a> and see how much you can save!<\/p>\n<p><sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com?xid=tmd:blog:banner&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=ldblog&amp;utm_campaign=1018:greatink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9286 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/ld_bnr_blog_GreatInk_2020_728x90-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, new technology like the EcoTank series is promising.\u00a0 All of the major printer brands are slowly moving away from the usual razor-and-blades model that\u2019s dominated the printer market for decades, and ink tank system printers could be the new normal in a few short years. \u00a0For now, Ecotanks aren&#8217;t for everyone but they do provide a great cost savings for users with frequent high volume printing needs.\u00a0 No matter what printer you choose to go with, always scrutinize the cost in the long term. \u00a0Print manufacturers are quick to sell you their latest and greatest machine but \u00a0if you peel back that new coat of paint, the innovation and overall cost may be underwhelming .\u00a0 Choose wisely!\u00a0 There are a lot of options out there but if you find a printer that makes senses for your needs and your budget, you can&#8217;t go wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/best-epson-printers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The 4 Best Epson Printers of 2022<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/best-ink-tank-printers-of-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Best Ink Tank Printers of 2022<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-epson-ink-cartridges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Ultimate Guide to Epson Ink Cartridges<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/pros-cons-of-inkjet-and-laser-printers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Inkjet vs. Laser: Which Printer Should You Get?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><sup>*Savings based on price comparison between remanufactured\/compatible cartridge prices on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/\">www.LDProducts.com<\/a> and OEM cartridge and printer prices from the listed retailers: Amazon and Staples. All products are reviewed independently. As an Amazon associate, LD Products earns from qualifying purchases through links on this page.\u00a0 All prices effective as of July 12, 2023.\u00a0 OEM names are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with, and do not endorse LD Products.<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High printer ink prices have always been a source of frustration for consumers.\u00a0 Ink tank printers were introduced a few years ago to address this pain point and the Epson\u00ae&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9748,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[28,10,18],"tags":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1018"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1018"}],"version-history":[{"count":82,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13430,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1018\/revisions\/13430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}