Epson EcoTank ET-3850 Review — Home Office Ink Tank
In-depth review of the Epson EcoTank ET-3850: cartridge-free ink savings, ADF, duplex, and reliable performance for home offices.
Introduction
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 arrives as a practical, cartridge-free solution aimed squarely at busy home offices and small businesses. By replacing disposable cartridges with large refillable ink tanks, Epson addresses two of the most persistent pain points in everyday printing: recurring ink costs and inconvenient mid-job ‘out of ink’ interruptions. The ET-3850 promises up to 2 years of ink in the box and replacement yields equivalent to thousands of pages, making it a strong candidate for anyone who prints regularly and wants predictable running costs.
Beyond savings, the ET-3850 is built to increase productivity with a 250-sheet tray, automatic two-sided printing, a usable ADF for multi-page scanning and copying, and a crisp 2.4″ color display. Whether you create color marketing flyers, print invoices, or scan multi-page documents, this all-in-one inkjet balances image quality and document handling in a compact footprint. For users who need both color capability and low long-term cost, the ET-3850 targets a valuable middle ground between photo-centric machines and high-volume laser models.
Overview
The ET-3850 is an inkjet-based multifunction (print/scan/copy) designed around Epson’s EcoTank cartridge-free system. The unit ships in white and measures roughly 14.8″ deep by 19.8″ wide—small enough for many home offices while still accommodating a 250-sheet tray and a flatbed scanner. Build quality feels consumer-focused yet sturdy; control surfaces are straightforward and the 2.4″ color display makes on-device tasks clear and accessible.
Core printing technology uses Epson’s PrecisionCore heat-free printhead combined with pigment black and dye color inks, delivering a maximum resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi. Connectivity covers wired Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi for easy network sharing, plus mobile printing via Epson apps and voice control integrations. The integrated ADF, automatic duplexing, and refillable EcoFit ink bottles position this model for users who want multifunction convenience with much-lower ink costs than cartridge printers.
Features
Cartridge-Free EcoTank Ink System: Large refillable ink tanks and included high-yield bottles (one 127 mL black and three 70 mL color bottles). Advantage: Dramatically reduced cost per page compared with cartridge-based printers and far fewer interruptions to replace consumables. Benefit: Print thousands of pages before needing replacement bottles—ideal for steady monthly print volumes and predictable budgeting.
Auto Duplex Printing and 250-Sheet Tray: Built-in automatic two-sided printing and a 250-sheet input capacity. Advantage: Less manual paper handling, fewer trips to the printer, and lower paper consumption. Benefit: Streamline print runs for reports and multi-page documents; reduce paper costs and speed up batch jobs for home offices and small teams.
Auto Document Feeder and High-Resolution Flatbed Scanner: ADF for multi-page scanning/copying plus a flatbed scanner with up to 1200 x 2400 dpi resolution. Advantage: Faster digitization of multi-page documents and high-quality scans for both text and photos. Benefit: Scan invoices, receipts, and multi-page contracts with minimal fuss—improving document workflow and record-keeping.
Flexible Connectivity and Mobile Printing: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi and support for Epson’s Smart Panel plus voice features and cloud printing via Epson Connect. Advantage: Multiple ways to connect and print from laptops, smartphones, and cloud services. Benefit: Easy setup for shared home office or small business environments; print and scan from mobile devices without needing a PC.
Benefits
Lower Long-Term Printing Costs
EcoTank bottles provide replacement yields equivalent to thousands of individual cartridges—Epson quotes up to 7,500 pages black and 6,000 color—so the cost-per-page drops significantly for medium-to-heavy users.
Reliable Daily Productivity
A 250-sheet tray, automatic duplex, and ADF reduce interruptions and manual handling, keeping small offices productive during peak printing periods.
Quality for Documents and Occasional Photos
PrecisionCore printhead and 1200 x 2400 dpi output deliver very sharp text and vivid color graphics, suitable for professional documents, client handouts, and decent snapshot prints.
Eco-Friendly Footprint
By eliminating disposable cartridges, the ET-3850 reduces plastic cartridge waste, making it a greener option for offices looking to cut landfill contribution.
Simple Maintenance and Fewer Downtimes
With large ink reservoirs and intuitive bottle refills, you spend less time changing consumables and more time getting work done. Included ink in the box helps users start printing right away.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices
Handles mixed workloads—reports, invoices, color flyers—while providing affordability and a compact footprint for a desk or credenza.
Small Business Document Workflows
ADF and duplex printing streamline multi-page scanning and copying for HR, accounting, and client paperwork without the recurring expense of cartridges.
Classroom or Freelance Designers Doing Occasional Photos
While not a dedicated photo lab, the ET-3850 produces attractive color graphics and photos on glossy paper for class handouts, portfolios, or social media prints.
Eco-Conscious Workplaces
Organizations looking to reduce plastic waste and long-term consumable costs will benefit from the refillable ink architecture.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very low long-term ink cost thanks to high-capacity EcoTank bottles
- Automatic duplexing and 250-sheet tray boost productivity
- Built-in ADF and high-resolution flatbed scanner for multi-page workflows
- Strong text quality and good color output for documents and graphics
- Multiple connectivity options including Ethernet and mobile printing
Cons
- Mixed reports on Wi‑Fi stability—some users experience intermittent connectivity
- Paper jams reported by a portion of users, requiring careful loading
- Color photo speed and saturation may lag behind dedicated photo printers
- Initial cost is higher than basic cartridge printers despite faster ROI
- Limited onboard memory (64 MB) could slow larger print jobs
FAQs
How much will I really save on ink with the EcoTank ET-3850?
Epson estimates up to 90% savings versus standard cartridges based on included and replacement bottle yields. Actual savings depend on print volume, color usage, and settings—but users who print regularly will see meaningful cost reductions.
Does the ET-3850 support automatic duplex and an ADF?
Yes. The printer supports automatic two-sided printing and includes a built-in Auto Document Feeder for scanning and copying multi-page documents.
What connectivity options are available?
The ET-3850 supports USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile printing through Epson Smart Panel and Epson Connect services. It also offers voice-activated features when linked with compatible voice assistants.
Are the print speeds fast enough for an office environment?
Rated at up to 15.5 ppm monochrome and 8.5 ppm color, the ET-3850 is well-suited for low-to-moderate office volumes. Heavy, high-speed printing environments may find laser alternatives faster, but for everyday office tasks the speeds are adequate.
How reliable is the paper handling? I’ve seen mixed reports of jams.
While many users experience smooth paper handling, some report paper jams, particularly with thicker or specialty media or if trays are overloaded. Proper loading and occasional cleaning of paper paths reduce jam frequency.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Inkjet All-in-One (Print/Scan/Copy) – Cartridge-Free EcoTank |
| Print Speed (PPM) | Monochrome up to 15.5 ppm; Color up to 8.5 ppm |
| Resolution (DPI) | Maximum 1200 x 2400 dpi |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0, Mobile printing via Epson Smart Panel and Epson Connect |
| Duplex | Automatic two-sided printing |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 8.5 x 14 inches (Legal); supports 4 x 6, 5 x 7, A4, A6, envelopes and custom sizes |
| Ink/Toner Type | Refillable EcoFit ink bottles (CMYK); included: 1x 502 Black (127 mL) and 3x 502 Cyan/Magenta/Yellow (70 mL each) |
| Dimensions | 14.8″ D x 19.8″ W x 7.4″ H |
| Weight | 19.1 pounds |
| ADF | Yes, built-in Auto Document Feeder |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed scanner (max 1200 x 2400 dpi) |
| Paper Tray Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Control Method | 2.4″ color display, voice control compatible |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 64 MB |
| Warranty | Limited warranty (manufacturer) |
Ratings
| Print-Scan-Copy Performance | 4.3 |
| Document Feeder Reliability | 3.6 |
| Connectivity & Smart Features | 3.8 |
| Print Speed & Output Quality | 4.0 |
| Ink / Toner Efficiency | 4.8 |
| Value for Money | 4.5 |
Recommendation
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is recommended for home office users and small businesses that print regularly and want to minimize long-term consumable costs. If you value low cost-per-page, automatic duplexing, and an ADF while keeping the physical footprint modest, the ET-3850 is a compelling choice.
If your environment requires extremely fast monochrome throughput or a zero-tolerance policy for any paper jams, consider a high-speed laser alternative. For most small teams and heavy home users, the ET-3850 delivers the best balance of cost savings, image quality, and multifunction convenience.
Conclusion
Epson’s EcoTank ET-3850 combines sensible design, cartridge-free economics, and essential office features into a package that addresses the daily needs of a small office or busy home user. Its large ink reservoirs meaningfully reduce the total cost of ownership, and the inclusion of an ADF, duplexing, and Ethernet connectivity covers a broad range of document workflows.
There are trade-offs: mixed user reports around Wi‑Fi consistency and occasional paper jams mean you should take care during setup and media handling. Still, for those who print frequently and want predictable ink costs and solid document performance, the ET-3850 represents significant long-term value and a greener alternative to disposable cartridge printers.
