Epson WF-4720 Review — Fast All-in-One Inkjet
Expert review: fast WF-4720 all-in-one inkjet delivers laser-class speed, duplex, ADF, and lower running costs for small teams.
Introduction
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4720 is positioned as a business-ready all-in-one inkjet that promises laser-class speed, professional-quality documents, and a lower cost-per-page. For small teams and busy home offices that juggle printing, scanning, copying and occasional faxing, the WF-4720 aims to remove bottlenecks: it offers 20 ISO ppm in both color and black, automatic duplexing, a 35-sheet ADF and a 250-sheet tray so fewer interruptions and faster throughput are the headline benefits.
Beyond raw speed, this model is built on Epson’s PrecisionCore technology and DURABrite Ultra inks, delivering high-resolution output up to 4800 x 1200 dpi for crisp text and surprisingly detailed color prints. It also targets running costs: Epson claims up to 50% lower printing costs versus entry-level color lasers when using high-capacity genuine cartridges. In practice the WF-4720 is designed to boost team productivity while keeping day-to-day operating costs reasonable — especially for offices that print mixed documents rather than heavy photo volumes.
Overview
Design-wise, the WF-4720 is compact for a business-class all-in-one. Its footprint measures roughly 16.7 x 19.4 x 9.8 inches and it weighs about 20.1 pounds, so it fits comfortably on a side table or a crowded desk. The control surface is straightforward, with a clear layout for copying and scanning and voice control compatibility with smart assistants for hands-free operation. A single 250-sheet input tray and a 35-sheet ADF keep daily handling minimal, while automatic duplexing reduces paper use for two-sided jobs.
Under the hood this is an inkjet MFP with PrecisionCore printheads and DURABrite Ultra pigment inks — a combination engineered to give both sharp monochrome text and respectable color graphics. Connectivity covers USB 2.0, Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct, and Epson Connect support for mobile printing and cloud workflows. The included starter inks and support for Amazon Dash Replenishment make supply management easier, although the printer is expressly designed to run genuine Epson cartridges for consistent performance.
Features
PrecisionCore High-speed Printing: PrecisionCore microTFP print chip technology delivers ISO-rated 20 ppm in both black and color. Advantage: consistent burst speed that beats many business inkjets and rivals entry-level lasers for mixed office documents. Benefit: faster job turnaround for teams that need crisp reports, draft documents, and multipage proposals without waiting.
Professional-Grade Resolution (4800 x 1200 dpi): High-resolution output produces sharp text and detailed color graphics using DURABrite Ultra pigment inks. Advantage: excellent edge definition for fonts and better color layering for charts and client-ready documents. Benefit: produce professional proposals, marketing handouts, and prototypes in-house without outsourcing to a print shop.
Large Paper Capacity & Duplex ADF: 250-sheet front tray combined with a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder and automatic two-sided printing. Advantage: fewer paper refills and hands-on time, plus efficient scanning/copying of multipage jobs. Benefit: improved productivity for administrative tasks, multi-page scanning to searchable PDFs, and duplex printing to save paper and postage.
Smart Connectivity & Mobile Printing: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Epson Connect, and USB interfaces plus compatibility with voice assistants and Amazon Dash Replenishment. Advantage: flexible placement and easy printing from laptops, tablets, and mobile phones without a complicated server setup. Benefit: staff can print and scan directly from devices or cloud services, reducing IT overhead and accelerating workflows.
Cost-efficiency and Environmental Design: Epson advertises up to 50% lower printing costs versus comparable color laser multifunctions when using high-capacity genuine cartridges. Advantage: lower per-page ink expenses for mixed color and monochrome printing. Benefit: reduced operating costs over time, especially for offices printing high volumes of documents with occasional color.
Benefits
Faster Office Throughput
Streamlined job completion with 20 ppm performance and an ADF that handles multipage scans and copies, cutting time spent on routine document tasks.
Lower Running Costs Compared to Laser
Up to 50% lower ink costs versus some color lasers reduces total cost of ownership for small businesses that aren’t bound to laser toner economics.
Professional Output Without a Print Shop
High DPI and pigment inks deliver sharp text and durable color graphics so in-house collateral, invoices, and client materials look professionally produced.
Flexible Deployment and Mobile Convenience
Wi-Fi Direct, Epson Connect and cloud printing enable printing from mobile devices or remote users without complicated network changes, making hybrid work simpler.
Reduced Paper Handling and Waste
Automatic duplexing and a 250-sheet capacity mean fewer interruptions and less paper use, helping offices save time and reduce environmental impact.
Usages
Perfect for Home Offices and Small Teams
A compact footprint and a balanced mix of speed, scanning and duplex printing make the WF-4720 well suited for solo professionals, micro-offices and small teams handling daily paperwork and client documents.
Efficient Document Capture and Workflow
The 35-sheet ADF and duplex scanning allow quick digitization of contracts, invoices and multi-page client files into searchable workflows and cloud storage.
On-demand In-house Marketing and Presentations
High-resolution color printing supports one-off flyers, prototypes, and handouts, letting small businesses iterate fast without outsourcing prints.
Classroom or Home-based Creative Projects
Support for a range of paper sizes up to 13 x 19 inches and photo-capable scanning lets educators and hobbyists handle posters, brochures and creative layouts.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Laser-class print speed for an inkjet (20 ISO ppm black/color)
- High maximum print resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi for sharp text and color
- 250-sheet capacity and 35-sheet ADF reduce hands-on time
- Automatic duplex printing and duplex scanning streamline workflows
- Mobile and cloud printing support with Wi-Fi Direct and Epson Connect
- Lower running costs vs. comparable color laser models when using high-capacity cartridges
Cons
- Requires genuine Epson cartridges; third-party inks may not be compatible
- Mixed user feedback on print quality consistency in some batches
- Limited hardware interface options (USB 2.0 only; no Ethernet port listed)
- Occasional connectivity hiccups reported with Wi-Fi Direct and wireless setup
- Not optimized for heavy photo labs despite high DPI (ink type favors documents)
FAQs
Does the WF-4720 support automatic duplex printing?
Yes. The WF-4720 has built-in automatic two-sided printing for both printing and scanning, which helps reduce paper consumption and automates double-sided document workflows.
Can I print from my phone or tablet?
Yes. The printer supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Epson Connect services for mobile printing. It also works with common mobile printing protocols so laptops and smartphones can print without a direct USB connection.
Are third-party inks supported?
No. Epson designed this model to operate with genuine Epson DURABrite cartridges. The printer’s firmware and warranty language indicate third-party inks may not function and could be impacted by updates.
How reliable is the automatic document feeder (ADF)?
The ADF is fast and convenient for routine multi-page scanning, but like all ADFs its reliability depends on paper quality and care from the user. Occasional misfeeds are possible with creased or very thin media.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | All-in-One Inkjet (Multifunction printer) |
| Print Speed (PPM) | 20 ISO ppm (black), 20 ISO ppm (color) |
| Resolution (DPI) | Maximum 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0, Epson Connect (mobile & cloud) |
| Duplex | Automatic two-sided printing and duplex scanning |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 13 x 19 inches; common sizes include Letter, Legal, A4, 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 |
| Ink/Toner Type | Epson DURABrite Ultra pigment ink (genuine Epson cartridges only) |
| Input Capacity | 250-sheet main tray, 35-sheet ADF |
| Dimensions | 16.7 x 19.4 x 9.8 inches |
| Weight | 20.1 pounds |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed + 35-sheet ADF (photo-capable scanner) |
| Memory | 128 MB |
| Power Consumption | Approx. 15 Watts |
| Warranty | Limited Warranty |
| Model Number | C11CF74201 (WorkForce Pro WF-4720) |
Ratings
| Print-Scan-Copy Performance | 4.3 |
| Document Feeder Reliability | 3.6 |
| Connectivity & Smart Features | 3.8 |
| Print Speed & Output Quality | 4.1 |
| Ink / Toner Efficiency | 4.2 |
| Value for Money | 3.9 |
Recommendation
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4720 is an excellent fit for small offices and home-based businesses that need fast, duplex-capable printing and dependable multi-page scanning without the footprint of a larger MFP. Choose this model if mixed-document throughput, mobile printing and lower ink costs versus entry-level color lasers are your priorities.
If maximum photographic fidelity or network port variety (Ethernet) is critical, consider a dedicated photo printer or a higher-end MFP with more connectivity options. For most small teams, the WF-4720 strikes a compelling balance of speed, features and operating cost.
Conclusion
The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4720 delivers a strong value proposition: laser-class printing speed from an inkjet platform, professional-looking documents at high resolution, and practical office features like duplexing, an ADF and a 250-sheet tray. Its PrecisionCore engine and pigment ink deliver sharp text and durable graphics suitable for client documents, proposals and internal workflows.
There are trade-offs — the printer is designed to run genuine Epson cartridges, and user reports indicate occasional variability in print quality and wireless behavior — but these are balanced by its operational strengths. For small businesses and home offices that prioritize speed, duplex workflows, and a modest total cost of ownership compared to color lasers, the WF-4720 is a reliable, productivity-focused choice.
