Epson EcoTank ET-2800 — Cartridge-Free Home Printer
Cartridge-free EcoTank printing with low running costs, flatbed scan, and mobile printing — ideal for home offices and families.
Introduction
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a cartridge-free all-in-one inkjet designed for families and home offices that want to lower running costs without sacrificing everyday print quality. By replacing tiny disposable cartridges with high-capacity refillable ink tanks, Epson promises dramatic savings and fewer interruptions — a compelling proposition for anyone tired of constant cartridge swaps and surprise low-ink warnings.
Beyond cost savings, the ET-2800 solves practical problems: it delivers respectable black-and-white speed for document-heavy tasks, a high-resolution scanner for archiving and homework, and mobile printing options that simplify printing from phones and tablets. If your priorities are low cost-per-page, straightforward setup, and reliable document printing with the occasional color photo or flyer, this model is built to enhance productivity and reduce printing headaches.
Overview
Physically the ET-2800 is compact and purpose-driven: a matte-black chassis that fits neatly on a home office desk, with a small color display for basic controls and a visible front ink tank system for easy monitoring. It uses Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat-Free inkjet technology — a long-standing approach known for precise droplet placement and photo-capable resolutions. What sets the EcoTank line apart is the refillable ink-bottle system; the included bottles promise up to two years of ink in the box under typical low-volume household use.
Connectivity covers USB and Wi-Fi, plus support for Epson’s mobile printing ecosystem via the Epson Smart Panel app and Epson Connect services. The ET-2800 is ideal for budget-conscious households, students, and small home offices that need dependable document printing, occasional color pages, and a scanner for receipts or schoolwork. It’s not a high-volume office powerhouse or a pro photo printer, but it balances cost-efficiency and everyday versatility very well.
Features
Cartridge-Free EcoTank System: The standout feature is the refillable ink tanks and included high-yield ink bottles that replace dozens of disposable cartridges. This approach drastically reduces the frequency and cost of replacements while making ink status easy to check at a glance.
High-Resolution Print and Scan: With a maximum color print resolution up to 5760 x 1440 dpi and a flatbed scanner built into the unit, the ET-2800 can handle crisp text and surprisingly detailed photos on photo paper, plus scans suitable for archiving documents and school projects.
Fast Black Document Printing: The unit achieves up to 10 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome prints, making it a practical option for printing reports, letters, and school handouts quickly. Color documents print at up to 5 ppm, appropriate for light color workloads.
Simple Wireless & Mobile Printing: Wi-Fi connectivity and support for Epson’s Smart Panel and Epson Connect services enable printing from smartphones, tablets, and cloud services. Basic app-driven controls let users manage setup, diagnostics, and mobile printing without a PC.
Energy-Efficient, Compact Design: At roughly 11.4 pounds and with a low power draw (12 watts), the ET-2800 is both portable within the home and energy-conscious. The compact footprint allows placement on narrow shelves or small desks without crowding workspace.
Benefits
Lower Running Costs
Refillable ink bottles dramatically reduce cost per page compared with cartridge-based printers, offering savings up to an estimated 90% on replacement ink. This is a real budget advantage for families and students printing frequently.
Fewer Interruptions
High-capacity ink bottles mean fewer trips to the store or online orders. The included starter ink provides months of usage for many households and reduces the common frustration of suddenly running out of ink mid-job.
Better Home Office Productivity
10 ppm black printing and a flatbed scanner streamline common home office tasks like printing invoices, scanning receipts, and copying homework. The paper handling and speed suit moderate daily workloads.
User-Friendly Mobile Workflow
Support for mobile printing and a simple app-driven interface makes it easy to print from phones and tablets. This saves time for users who rely on cloud docs, mobile photos, or emailed attachments.
Lower Environmental Impact
Zero cartridge waste and fewer shipped replacements reduce landfill-bound plastic. For eco-minded buyers, the EcoTank system is a tangible step toward more sustainable printing habits.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices
Print invoices, reports, meeting notes and scan client receipts. The ET-2800 tackles the typical paperwork load at a lower ongoing cost than cartridge printers.
Great for Students and Families
Homework, school projects, newsletters, and family photos on 4×6 and 5×7 paper sizes are all handled comfortably. The low-cost per page is ideal for households with intermittent but recurring printing needs.
Casual Photo and Flyer Printing
While not a pro photo lab device, the ET-2800’s high dpi and photo paper support produce vivid small photos and attractive flyers for school events or home projects.
Everyday Scanning and Copying
The flatbed scanner performs routine document archiving, ID copying, and sending scanned documents by email through the companion app — useful for remote work and household management.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very low cost per page with refillable EcoTank bottles
- Compact, lightweight design that fits small workspaces
- High maximum resolution suitable for small photos and detailed documents
- Fast black-and-white printing (up to 10 ppm) for home office tasks
- Energy efficient with low power consumption
Cons
- No automatic duplex (double-sided) printing
- Mixed user reports on color print consistency and wireless connectivity
- Not intended for high-volume commercial environments
- Some initial setup uses part of included ink, reducing first-run yield
- Limited memory (64 MB) and modest paper capacity compared with larger MFPs
FAQs
Do I need special ink bottles?
Epson recommends using genuine Epson 522 ink bottles to ensure optimal print quality and to protect the limited warranty. Non-genuine inks can affect performance and may not be covered.
Does it support automatic duplex (double-sided) printing?
No. The ET-2800 is a simplex printer and does not have automatic duplexing. Double-sided prints must be done manually by reinserting pages.
How long will the included ink last?
Epson states the included ink can last up to two years under average household usage (about 125 pages per month). Actual longevity depends on print tasks and settings — photos use more ink than text.
Can I print from my smartphone?
Yes. The ET-2800 supports Wi-Fi printing through Epson Connect and the Epson Smart Panel app, enabling printing from iOS, Android, and cloud services once the printer is on the same network.
Is this printer good for high-volume office use?
This model is built for home and small office workloads. While its ink tanks reduce running costs, the ET-2800’s paper handling and simplex printing make it less suitable for heavy, continuous commercial printing environments.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Inkjet All-in-One (Print/Scan/Copy) |
| Print Speed (Monochrome, PPM) | Up to 10 ppm |
| Print Speed (Color, PPM) | Up to 5 ppm |
| Maximum Print Resolution (DPI) | 5760 x 1440 dpi (color), 5760 dpi (black) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet (hardware interface listed) |
| Duplex | Simplex (manual duplex only) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 8.5 x 14 inches; supports 4×6 and 5×7 photo paper and envelopes |
| Ink/Toner Type | Pigment-based inks, refillable EcoTank bottles (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed scanner |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 100 sheets |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 14.8″D x 22.8″W x 10″H |
| Weight | 11.4 pounds |
| Power Consumption | 12 Watts |
| Memory | 64 MB |
| Warranty | Limited warranty |
Ratings
| Print Quality (Color & Sharpness) | 4.1 |
| Ink Efficiency / Yield | 4.8 |
| Connectivity & App Integration | 4.0 |
| Print Speed (Pages per Minute) | 3.8 |
| Build Quality & Design | 4.2 |
| Value for Money | 4.5 |
Recommendation
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is recommended for families, students, and home-office users who prioritize low running costs and straightforward document workflows over advanced office features. Choose this model if you want dramatic savings on ink, a compact footprint, and decent scan/print capabilities for everyday tasks.
If your needs include heavy daily duplex printing, enterprise-grade paper handling, or professional photo production, consider a higher-tier MFP or a dedicated photo printer. For most households and small offices the ET-2800 hits the sweet spot between affordability and functional performance.
Conclusion
The EcoTank ET-2800 brings the most compelling benefits of Epson’s cartridge-free approach into a compact, user-friendly package. Its refillable ink tanks reduce the long-term cost of printing and cut down on cartridge waste, while the robust resolution and flatbed scanner give it flexibility for both document and casual photo tasks. For home users who print regularly, the combination of low running costs and acceptable print speeds makes it a practical long-term investment.
There are trade-offs: no automatic duplexing, some variability in wireless and color print reports from users, and a modest paper capacity. Yet for buyers who value predictable operating costs and simple maintenance, the ET-2800 delivers meaningful advantages. It’s an economical, eco-conscious choice that simplifies home printing and keeps recurring expenses low without sacrificing essential features.
