Epson printers are renowned for their versatility and innovative features, making them excellent printers for both home and business environments. Their EcoTank line stands out for its high-yield, cost-effective printing, ideal for users who need to print large volumes without frequent ink changes. Additionally, Epson’s WorkForce and Expression lines offer excellent options for those needing reliable, high-quality printing for documents and photos alike. However, it’s worth noting that Epson’s general-purpose photo printing quality is modest compared to specialized photo printers, which might be a consideration depending on your specific needs.
In our comprehensive analysis, four Epson printers emerged as top performers, earning spots in our buying guide. Out of over 26 printers analyzed, these models excelled due to their reliability and performance. We sifted through 148,935 reviews and found that 67% of experts produced unreliable reviews. Our unique methodology combines certifying products as tested and filtering out fake and low-quality reviews using our proprietary Trust Rating. The winning printers demonstrated exceptional quality, making them reliable choices for any printing needs.
How Did We Rank the Best Epson Printers?
By analyzing testing methods, expert reviews, and customer feedback from over 200 sites, Gadget Review has developed a robust guide to the best Epson printers. We focused on identifying 2 key test results, 2 additional features, and 1 crucial specification. Our True Score system ensures our recommendations are accurate, reliable, and perfectly tailored to help you make the best choice.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Made by Epson.
? Test Criteria
- Print Speed: Black & white printing speed exceeds 10 pages per minute (ppm).
- Printing Costs: Printing costs are less than 7 cents per page.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Color Accuracy: Color accuracy is maintained with a deviation (dE) of less than 6.
- Print Speed: Color printing speed surpasses 12 pages per minute (ppm).
Latest Updates
- 06/12/2024: Republished the list to include the Best Epson Printers based on our True Score system.
Top Epson Printers For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Epson Ecotank ET-5850
Best For Small Business
The Epson Ecotank ET-5850 is an outstanding choice for small business owners and home office workers, offering an excellent balance between cost and performance. It features rapid print speeds and exceptionally low operational costs.
True Score
89903Experts
88801Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $100$849.99$749.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- High-quality, reliable printing
- Great scanning features
- Low running costs
- Blazing print speeds
Reasons to Avoid
- Mediocre color accuracy
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder Yes Automatic Two-Sided Printing Yes Copier Resolution (B&W) – Copier Resolution (Color) – Depth 32.4″ Duplex Scan Function Yes Energy Star Certified Yes Height 13.8″ Integrated Fax Yes Max Number of Copies 999 Max Paper Width 8.5″ Mobile Printing Yes Number of Ink Cartridges Required 4 Paper Feeder Cassette tray Print Speed (B&W) 25 ppm Print Speed (Color) – Printer Resolution (B&W) – Printer Resolution (Color) – Printer Type – Scanner Resolution – Scanner Type – Tray Capacity – Width – Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 23 Color Print Speed (ppm) 18 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 1 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 2 Color Accuracy (dE) 7 All Retailers
- $749.99$850Save $100
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $749.99$850Save $100
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $749.99$850Save $100
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Availability
Free Shipping
Our Verdict
If you’re a small business owner or a home office worker looking for a printer that balances cost and performance efficiently, the Epson Ecotank ET-5850 is a premium option that offers outstanding value. It has both a best-in-class black and white print speed of 23 ppm and an unmatched color print speed of 18.1 ppm, plus a low printing cost of just 0.5 cents per page. These features make it an ideal fit for users who need to keep operational costs down without sacrificing speed.
If you don’t need precise colors in your prints, the ET-5850’s Delta E (dE) color accuracy of 7.02 delivers great colors for most office and home use cases. You can use this printer for standard document printing and marketing materials, reports, and photos with good color fidelity.
Its duplex printing and scanning capabilities, robust connectivity options, including wireless and mobile printing, and high tray capacity emphasize its suitability for a busy yet cost-conscious environment.
Comparing the Epson Ecotank ET-5850 to the ET-8550, both are the premium-priced Epson printers on this list, but the 5850 is faster than the 8550 while still maintaining a low printing cost, so it’s ideal for fast-paced work or school environments. The 8550 has better color accuracy, making it a better fit for professional photographers who prioritize high-quality prints.
The 5850’s strengths in print speed and cost make it well-suited for users looking for reliability and economy in their daily tasks. While its color accuracy might not be suitable for high-end professional photography, it will perform well with other printing tasks, making it a top choice for those prioritizing efficiency and versatility.
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Category Snapshot
Printers
- Total Brands/Products Tested
5 Brands, 26 Products
- Top 2 Brands
Epson, Canon
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$30-$1,000
- Average True Score
80.95
- Important Test Criteria
Mono & Color Print Speed (in/s, cm/s)
Color Accuracy (dE)
- Most Trusted Testers
- Top Printer Experts
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – AKKO
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Epson Ecotank ET-8550
The Epson Ecotank ET-8550 is a premium Epson printer perfect for small business owners, creatives, and photography enthusiasts seeking quality printing. It offers impressive cost-effectiveness over time and balances fast print speeds with fairly accurate color reproduction.
True Score
86853Experts
883kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $117$799.99$683.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Superior-quality printing
- Great scanning quality
- Low running costs
- Sufficient print speeds
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited scanning features
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder Yes Automatic Two-Sided Printing Yes Copier Resolution (B&W) – Copier Resolution (Color) – Depth 29.8″ Duplex Scan Function – Energy Star Certified Yes Height 16.9″ Integrated Fax – Max Number of Copies – Max Paper Width – Mobile Printing Yes Number of Ink Cartridges Required 6 Paper Feeder – Print Speed (B&W) 16 ppm Print Speed (Color) 12 ppm Printer Resolution (B&W) – Printer Resolution (Color) Up to 5760 x 1440 Printer Type All In One, Copier, Printer, Scanner Scanner Resolution na Scanner Type na Tray Capacity 100 Width 20.6″ Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 15 Color Print Speed (ppm) 9 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 0 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 3 Color Accuracy (dE) 6 All Retailers
- $683.00$800Save $117
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No - $685.00$800Save $115
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In StockFree Shipping
No - $699.99$800Save $100
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $699.99$800Save $100
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Our Verdict
For small business owners, freelance creatives, or photo enthusiasts looking for top-notch printing quality, the Epson Ecotank ET-8550 stands out as an excellent choice for Epson printers. It’s one of the premium options on the list, with a high upfront cost, but that’s offset by its impressive cost per print, just 0.4 cents, which offers significant long-term savings.
It has fast print speeds of 15.45 ppm for black & white and 8.95 ppm for color, alongside exceptional color accuracy with a 6.48 dE. That means that there’s some discrepancy from the original image, so while it’s not ideal for tasks requiring perfect color matching, like high-end photo printing or color-critical graphic design, it is acceptable for most everyday printing tasks, office work and casual photography.
The ET-8550 is built for convenience and durability. It features duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and an all-in-one design that includes scanning and copying capabilities. Its automatic document feeder and Energy Star certification highlight its commitment to efficiency and eco-friendliness.
Compared to the Epson Ecotank ET-5850, the ET-8550 is the cheaper and more color-accurate option. This makes it especially appealing to professionals who need high-quality prints, though it prints more slowly than the ET-5850.
If you need high-quality prints for a creative hobby, business, or class, the ET-8550 offers a blend of cost-effectiveness and performance. Despite the upfront cost, the ongoing savings on printing, alongside its fast speeds and precise color reproduction, make it an outstanding Epson printer if you prioritize quality and efficiency.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Epson Ecotank ET-3850
The Epson Ecotank ET-3850 is ideal for home offices or small businesses seeking a cost-effective, reliable printer. It balances efficient print speeds with low operating costs, making it great for budget-conscious users.
True Score
84837Experts
854kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $83$399.99$317.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- High print quality
- Great scan quality
- Minimal running costs
- Adequate monochrome printing speeds
Reasons to Avoid
- Average color printing speeds
- Poor color accuracy
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder Yes Automatic Two-Sided Printing Yes Copier Resolution (B&W) – Copier Resolution (Color) – Depth 19.8″ Duplex Scan Function Yes Energy Star Certified Yes Height 9.1″ Integrated Fax Yes Max Number of Copies – Max Paper Width – Mobile Printing Yes Number of Ink Cartridges Required 4 Paper Feeder Top loader Print Speed (B&W) 15.5 ppm Print Speed (Color) 8.5 ppm Printer Resolution (B&W) – Printer Resolution (Color) Up to 4800 x 1200 Printer Type All In One, Copier, Printer Scanner Resolution – Scanner Type – Tray Capacity 250 Width 14.8″ Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 15 Color Print Speed (ppm) 6 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 1 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 3 Color Accuracy (dE) 10 All Retailers
- $317.00$400Save $83
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No - $319.99$400Save $80
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $319.99$400Save $80
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you have a home office or small business and are looking for a reliable, cost-effective printing solution, the Epson Ecotank ET-3850 offers excellent value for its mid-range price. Its best-in-class operating cost is impressively low, at 0.3 cents per page, making it ideal for users who print frequently but are on a budget.
Balancing performance with operating cost, it features a black-and-white print speed of 15.45 ppm and a color print speed of 5.5 ppm, ensuring that you can keep up with your printing needs without breaking the bank. Although its color accuracy of 10.4 dE suggests that it might not be the first choice for professions requiring precise color matching, it’s more than capable of most office and home printing tasks.
Its all-in-one functionality, including scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities, coupled with an automatic document feeder and duplex printing, make it versatile for various tasks. Its wireless connectivity and mobile printing support offer the flexibility needed in today’s dynamic work environments.
The Epson Ecotank ET-3850 and ET-15000 are similar in many ways: their price, color accuracy, and printing costs. The ET-3850 has faster printing speeds, though, making it a better option for busy people. The ET-15000 supports printing larger prints thanks to its max paper width of 12.95”.
If you need to print high-volume prints efficiently and on a budget, the ET-3850 is a fantastic option. Due to its color accuracy, it’s not designed for high-end professional photography or graphic design. However, it still performs well in typical home, office, and classroom settings, offering an excellent blend of features if you value efficiency and eco-friendliness.
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Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840
Best For Wireless
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 is ideal for small businesses and home offices. It offers excellent color accuracy and fast printing speeds. While affordable upfront, its higher cost per print suits low-volume tasks.
True Score
78772Experts
823kCustomers
Mixed Reviews
SAVE $120$349.99$229.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding print quality
- High-quality scanner
- Fast printing speeds
Reasons to Avoid
- High printing costs
Specifications
Automatic Document Feeder Yes Automatic Two-Sided Printing Yes Copier Resolution (B&W) – Copier Resolution (Color) – Depth 38.4″ Duplex Scan Function Yes Energy Star Certified Yes Height 20.5 Integrated Fax Yes Max Paper Width 19″ Mobile Printing Yes Number of Ink Cartridges Required – Paper Feeder Multipurpose tray Print Speed (B&W) 25 ppm Print Speed (Color) 12 ppm Printer Resolution (B&W) Up to 4800 x 2400 Printer Resolution (Color) Up to 4800 x 2400 Printer Type All In One Scanner Resolution Up to 1200 x 2400 Scanner Type Flatbed Tray Capacity 250 Width 20.3″ Wireless Yes All Specs
Test Results
B&W Print Speed (ppm) 23 Color Print Speed (ppm) 10 B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page) 4 Color Printing Costs (¢ per page) 12 Color Accuracy (dE) 6 All Retailers
- $229.99$350Save $120
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $229.99$350Save $120
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $229.99$350Save $120
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Our Verdict
If you’re running a small to medium-sized business or home office with high printing demands, the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7840 is a superb budget option in the Epson lineup. While it’s the cheapest option on the list, it has an amazing best-in-class 6.33 dE color accuracy. It’s better at reproducing colors than any other Epson printer we recommend, but remember that it’s best for uses where high-fidelity color reproduction isn’t crucial, like for business materials, school assignments, or daily printing.
It has impressive printing speeds of up to 22.75 ppm for black & white and 9.5 ppm for color, ensuring quick printing for all your document needs. The cheap initial cost is offset by a 4.4 cent per page cost to print, which will add up quickly, so this printer would be better suited for low-volume printing tasks.
If your work environment requires a versatile machine, the WF-7840 has a great all-in-one design. It provides scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities. Features such as wireless connectivity, mobile printing, automatic two-sided printing, an automatic document feeder, and its Energy Star certification cater to those seeking a productive and eco-friendly printer.
If you’re involved in collaborative workspaces or enjoy creative hobbies, the WF-7840’s quick and dependable printing capabilities make it an excellent choice. Despite the potential for higher running costs, its extensive features, printing speeds, and color reproduction still make it a top Epson printer for users who demand speed, quality, and versatility in their printing.
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Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Epson Printers?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these printers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase an Epson Printer.
CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
---|---|---|---|
B&W Print Speed | > 10 ppm | Yes | How fast a printer can produce purely black and white pages while printing. |
B&W Printing Costs | < 7 cents | Yes | How much a black and white page costs to print. |
Color Print Speed | > 12 ppm | No (Nice to have) | How fast a printer can produce color pages and photos while printing. |
Color Accuracy | < 6 dE | No (Nice to have) | How much the color printed by a printer deviates, on average, from the reference color. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 80+ printers reviewers and found that 23 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for printers.
- Ryan Lim – Rtings, LinkedIn
- Lesley Robinson – TechGearLab, LinkedIn
- Ben Keough – Wirecutter, MuckRack, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every printer review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Printers Test Data & Results
1. Print Speed, Black & White (PPM)
The primary job of a printer is to print out pages, and black & white print speed tests are just measurements of how long it takes a printer to produce pages that are purely black and white. The better a printer is at printing in black and white, the more pages it’s able to produce in a minute.
Print speed is largely a matter of convenience, so while we have a minimum speed we suggest (generally around 20 pages per minute) there’s no real downside to a printer being slower if you’re using it at home – you’ll just end up having to wait longer to finish printing out a document. However, printers in professional settings need to be snappy because they’re going to be used constantly, and the faster a printer is able to produce documents, the better.
Print Speed, B & W
> 10 ppm
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How fast a printer is able to produce black and white pages.
Units of Measurement: ppm (pages per minute)
Tools to Measure: A timer
Why It’s Important:
The point of a printer is to print – the less time you’re waiting for it to finish, the sooner you can get back to whatever you were doing.
Print Speed, Black & White (PPM; higher is better)
2. B&W Printing Costs (Cents per page)
Using your printer uses up ink, which means it costs money. Printing costs are usually measured as cost per print (or page) and are gauged by calculating how much each print costs by comparing the cost of an ink or toner cartridge to the total number of pages printed by the cartridge.
Print costs should ideally be as low as possible, with the greatest number of pages per cartridge being the obvious “goal” to aim for. Black ink, being the cheaper ink, means that black and white printing costs are usually lower on a per page basis. If you’re printing constantly, getting the cost as low as you can means you’ll be spending less on cartridges in the long run.
B&W Printing Costs
< 7 cents per page
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much its costs to print a single page in black and white.
Units of Measurement: cents per page
Tools to Measure: Calculator
Why It’s Important:
Lower costs per page means less money spent on ink in the long run.
B&W Printing Costs (in cents per page; lower is better)
3. Print Speed, Color (PPM)
Print Speed, Color
> 12 ppm
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How fast a printer is able to produce color pages and photos.
Units of Measurement: ppm (pages per minute)
Tools to Measure: A timer
Why It’s Important:
If you’re printing photos or color pages constantly, higher print speeds will reduce the time spent waiting.
Much like black and white print speeds, color printing speed is simply a measure of how long it takes a printer to print out color documents and photos. If you’re purely printing photos, you’ll see an ever further reduced speed (given the size of photographs and the detail they demand.)
Color print speed is less important (generally) than black and white speeds, simply because it’s usually done less. However, if you’re constantly printing photos at home or in the office, higher print speeds are good to keep you from waiting around for a print job to finish.
Print Speed, Color (PPM; higher is better)
4. Color Accuracy (dE)
Color accuracy with printers uses a mix of standardized references (like the Adobe ColorChecker) and a color control sensor to check the accuracy of the colors printed by a printer and then grades the accuracy on a 10-point+ scale. Unlike most scales, where 10 is good, color accuracy scores are reversed, with 0 and 1 being the most desirable score, as it indicates little to no deviation from the reference color.
Generally speaking, color accuracy should be at least a 5 or lower to be considered “good.” At 6 or higher, the colors are noticeably different, which is an issue if you’re printing photos and hoping for accurate colors.
Color Accuracy
< 6
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much deviation exists between the colors printed by the printer itself and the colors shown in the photograph you’re printing on your monitor or phone.
Units of Measurement: N/A
Tools to Measure: Color Control Sensor, Color Reference Document
Why It’s Important:
If you print photos constantly, or need accurate colors for logos, color accuracy matters a great deal.
Color Accuracy (lower is better)
Best Epson Printers: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Printing Needs: Don’t overlook your specific printing requirements. Consider factors such as print volume, document types (text, graphics, photos), and color vs. black and white printing. Choose an Epson printer that meets your needs without unnecessary features that inflate the price.
- Neglecting Print Quality: Epson printers offer a range of print quality options, so ensure the model you choose produces satisfactory results for your printing needs. Check reviews and sample prints to assess print quality for text, graphics, and photos. If your projects involve printing on materials like fabrics or ceramics, consider an Epson model designed as a sublimation printer to achieve vibrant and durable results.
- Underestimating Printing Speed: Printing speeds can vary among Epson printer models. Consider the printer’s ppm (pages per minute) for both black and white and color printing to ensure it meets your speed requirements, especially if you have high-volume printing needs.
- Disregarding Connectivity Options: Ensure the printer offers versatile connectivity options to accommodate your needs. Look for models with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity, as well as support for mobile printing technologies like Epson iPrint or Apple AirPrint for added flexibility.
ADDITIONAL printer TIPS
For those considering a multifunction printer, understand the benefits of setting up an all-in-one printer and the differences between inkjet vs dye-sublimation printers. If you need to handle legal-size documents, check out our tips on how to print legal size paper. Moreover, discover efficient printing practices such as maximizing page yield with toner cartridges and ink cartridges. Lastly, explore how to fax documents without a landline for streamlined communication.
The Best Epson Printers Tests Compared
Product | True Score
|
B&W Print Speed
|
Color Print Speed
|
B&W Printing Cost (per page)
|
Color Printing Cost (per page)
|
Color Accuracy
| |
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| 89 |
|
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| $749.99 $850 $100 |
| 86 |
|
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| $683.00 $800 $117 |
84 |
|
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| $317.00 $400 $83 | |
| 78 |
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| $229.99 $350 $120 |