The economics of printer ownership have always been slightly odd. Manufacturers sell the printer cheaply and make their money on the consumables. Epson challenged this with the EcoTank range, offering printers with refillable ink tanks that cost a fraction of traditional cartridges to run.
For businesses across London and Essex that print a reasonable volume, particularly in colour, the EcoTank is worth taking seriously. Here is our assessment.
The Cost Savings – Real or Marketing?
The cost savings are real, but the size of the saving depends on how much you print. Epson quotes costs as low as 1p per page for monochrome and around 4p for colour, compared to 5 to 15p per page for typical cartridge-based inkjets.
If you print lightly, the breakeven point against a cheaper cartridge-based printer might take years. If you print heavily, you recoup the premium upfront cost quickly and save significantly over time.
Ink Availability
EcoTank ink bottles are widely available from Epson and most major suppliers, including ourselves. Unlike some proprietary cartridge systems, you are not dependent on a single supplier at inflated prices.
Print Quality
Print quality on the EcoTank range varies by model. The ET-5850, which is the business-oriented model, produces excellent results for both text documents and colour printing. The output is sharp, colours are accurate, and the print quality is competitive with similarly priced cartridge-based inkjets.
The Multifunction Models
Most EcoTank models for business are multifunction printers with print, scan, copy and sometimes fax capability. The scan quality is good, and the automatic document feeder on the ET-5850 makes scanning multi-page documents straightforward.
Speed
This is the main area where EcoTank falls behind laser printers. Inkjet is inherently slower than laser for document printing. For print volumes of a few hundred pages a week, it is fine. For thousands of pages, a laser printer is more appropriate.
The Verdict
The Epson EcoTank is an excellent choice for businesses that print a reasonable volume, particularly in colour, and want to reduce ongoing consumable costs. The sustainability angle of using bottled ink rather than disposable cartridges is a genuine benefit for businesses with green commitments.
Browse our full printing range including Epson EcoTank models, or read our printer buying guide. See our deals page for current printer offers.
