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Introduction
Are you a photography enthusiast tired of sky-high ink costs eating into your printing budget? Or perhaps a small business owner needing vibrant brochures and flyers without breaking the bank? The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 steps in as a game-changer in the world of wide-format printers. This wireless all-in-one supertank printer combines photo-quality printing, scanning, and copying in a cartridge-free design that promises up to 80% savings on ink over traditional cartridges. Priced at around 9 and boasting a solid 4.2 out of 5 stars from over 2,158 Amazon reviews, it’s drawing praise from serious hobbyists and professionals alike. In this in-depth Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 review, we’ll dive into its features, real-user experiences, pros, cons, and whether it’s the right fit for your printing needs.
Product Overview
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is built for those who demand more than standard letter-size prints. As a wide-format color all-in-one, it handles everything from stunning 13×19-inch photos to everyday worksheets, all while using refillable ink tanks that eliminate the hassle and expense of cartridges. Here’s a breakdown of its key specifications and features:
- Printing Capabilities: Up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white, with dynamic photo printing. Supports borderless prints up to 13×19 inches on photo paper.
- Ink System: Supertank design with six dye-based inks (including photo black) in easy-to-refill bottles. Comes with enough ink for thousands of pages—projected 80% cost savings.
- Connectivity: Wireless (802.11b/g/n/a/ac), Ethernet, USB. Epson Connect for remote printing, Scan to Cloud, and voice-activated printing via Siri, Alexa, or Epson apps.
- Mobile Support: Epson Smart Panel, Print Layout, Creative Print, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Android printing.
- Display and Controls: 4.3-inch color touchscreen for intuitive navigation.
- Scanning and Copying: High-resolution scanner for digitizing photos and documents.
- Paper Handling: Rear feed for thick media, front tray for everyday paper, supports third-party paper with custom profiles.
- Dimensions and Build: Sturdy, heavy construction (about 50 lbs), quiet operation with minimal startup noise.
This printer shines in creative workflows, making it ideal for landscapes, wedding photos, or marketing materials. Its wide-format prowess sets it apart from standard home printers, but it comes at a premium upfront cost.
Pros
With thousands of reviews highlighting its strengths, the ET-8550 earns high marks for value and performance. Here are the top advantages based on product specs and user feedback:
- Incredible Ink Efficiency: Users rave about barely noticeable ink depletion after printing dozens of large 13×19 photos. One reviewer printed 30+ test photos with tanks still above 75%—ink costs shift primarily to paper, saving up to 80% long-term.
- Exceptional Print Quality: Vibrant colors, sharp details, and brightness rival professional setups. Works beautifully with Epson, Canon, or even budget Kodak paper, delivering gallery-worthy results on premium media.
- Easy Setup and Connectivity: Wireless setup on Windows is a one-click wonder via Epson’s utility. Supports a slew of mobile apps and voice assistants, perfect for printing from anywhere.
- Fast for Wide-Format: An 11×17 print with margins takes just five minutes. Handles large batches quickly at up to 16 ppm for text.
- Quiet and Solid Build: Near-silent printing (quieter than many lasers), rock-solid construction that doesn’t wobble, and easy rear access for jams.
- Versatile All-in-One: Scanner performs adequately for photos/docs, and the 4.3-inch touchscreen simplifies operations.
- Cost-Effective for Creatives: Perfect for “artsy” amateurs needing 13-inch wide prints without $1,000+ commercial gear.
These pros make it a standout for photo-heavy users who prioritize quality and savings.
Cons
No printer is perfect, and the ET-8550 has its share of gripes from reviewers. While most issues seem isolated, they’re worth noting for potential buyers:
- Reliability Hiccups with Feeds: Manual rear feed fails frequently (1/10 success rate for some), leading to errors on thick cardstock. Top feed shows lines on higher quality settings, complicating print head alignment.
- Unreliable Auto Tray Selection: Often picks the wrong tray, forcing manual overrides to avoid frustration.
- Borderless Printing Risks: Ink can smudge rollers, prompting users to avoid it or batch/cut prints instead. Maintenance tank fills faster with heavy use.
- Network and Speed Quirks: Wireless delays on congested networks; direct printing can crawl (e.g., one line every 30-45 seconds). USB cable not included.
- High Upfront Cost and Bulk: At $619 (or $800 for some), it’s pricey and heavy, not ideal for small spaces. Scanner is average, not standout.
These drawbacks highlight it’s best for users okay with occasional tweaks, not plug-and-forget simplicity.
Customer Reviews Analysis
With a 4.2-star average from 2,158 reviews, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 polarizes slightly—loved by photographers, frustrating for some pros. Positive feedback dominates (around 70% 4-5 stars), focusing on real-world value.
What Customers Love
A 5-star wedding photographer shared: “I printed 13x19s at a rapid pace, ink levels barely down. Print quality excellent, 11×17 in five minutes. Wireless simple, quieter than my laser.” Another artsy amateur: “Worth every cent for large prints. Printed 30 photos, ink at 75%. Good on cheap paper too. Rock solid build, large LCD.”
Common themes: Low ink costs transform printing economics—paper becomes the main expense. Setup is breezy, quality pro-level for under $1,000, and it’s quiet enough for home offices near bedrooms.
What Customers Hate
Negatives are vocal but fewer (about 15% 1-2 stars). A professional artist vented: “Manual feed 1/10 success, lines on top feed, wireless drops, chugging sounds. Slow printing, paper size errors.” Scanner gets “fine but unremarkable” nods, and tray auto-select draws swear words.
Many attribute issues to “lemons” or user tweaks needed (e.g., manual trays, avoid borderless). Noise is minimal except startup clunks, and network buffering affects high-res sends.
Overall, satisfied owners (especially photo hobbyists) outweigh detractors. Epson support helps with alignments, but third-party paper shines with profiles. If you’re printing volumes, it’s a winner; casual users might find quirks annoying.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does ink cost for the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550?
The supertank system uses affordable bottles, with initial inks yielding thousands of pages. Users report 80% savings vs. cartridges; after ~30 large photos, tanks are still 75% full. Replacements cost ~$15-20 per color, focusing expenses on paper.
2. What paper sizes does it support, and is it good for borderless prints?
Up to 13×19 inches wide-format, including letter, 11×17. Borderless works but risks roller ink smudges—many batch and cut to avoid. Third-party paper excels with color profiles.
3. Is setup easy, and does wireless work reliably?
Yes, Epson utility makes Windows wireless one-click. Mobile apps and Ethernet are seamless, but congested networks cause buffering delays for full-res images. USB fallback (cable extra).
4. How’s the noise level and build quality?
Quiet printing (library-like), minor startup clunks. Heavy, stable build with easy jam access; feels commercial-grade.
5. Can it handle thick cardstock or professional photo paper?
Rear manual feed for thick media, but reliability varies—some report errors. Top feed suits standard photo paper; alignment may need tweaks for best results.
Who Should Buy This Product
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is tailor-made for:
- Serious Photographers: Wedding shooters, landscape artists printing 13x19s affordably.
- Creative Professionals: Artists, designers needing vibrant brochures/flyers on wide paper.
- Home Offices with Volume: Anyone prioritizing ink savings over initial cost.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Willing to manual-select trays or tweak profiles.
Skip if you need flawless thick-paper feeds, ultra-compact size, or letter-size only (consider cheaper ET-8500). Budget under $400? Look elsewhere.
Final Verdict
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 delivers where it counts: pro photo quality, massive ink savings, and wide-format versatility at a reasonable $619. While quirks like feed issues and network hiccups prevent perfection, glowing reviews from high-volume users affirm its value for creatives. It’s not for everyone, but if large, low-cost prints are your goal, it’s a smart investment.
Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended for photographers and designers seeking a supertank powerhouse.
