Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 Printer All Features and Specifications

Why Choose an Epson EcoTank Printer?

Epson’s EcoTank series is designed to eliminate the frustration of frequent ink refills and high replacement costs. Instead of traditional cartridges, these printers use large refillable ink tanks, offering thousands of pages of printing before needing a refill.

💡 Key Benefits of EcoTank Printers:
✔ Lower Cost Per Page: Print more without spending extra on ink.
✔ Refillable Ink System: No more cartridge replacements. Just refill the tanks when needed.
✔ Outstanding Print Quality: High-resolution, borderless printing for professional-grade photos.
✔ Multiple Paper Handling Options: Supports glossy paper, cardstock, and even CDs/DVDs.
✔ Wireless & Smart Printing: Print directly from smartphones, tablets, or voice assistants.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the ET-8500 and ET-8550 models, including hands-on performance, expert comparisons, and real-world use cases.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500: Features & Hands-On Review

1️⃣ Unmatched Photo Print Quality

The Epson ET-8500 is a photo-centric printer designed for creatives and photographers who demand ultra-sharp details and vibrant colors.

📌 Key Specs:

• Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi (Ultra HD quality)

• Six-Color Ink System: CMYK, Photo Black, Photo Gray for true-to-life colors

• Borderless Printing: Up to 13” x 19” (A3)

🔍 Real-World Performance:
We tested the ET-8500 by printing high-resolution landscape photos on glossy paper. The colors were rich and detailed, with no visible graininess. Whether you’re printing portraits, art prints, or professional portfolios, this printer delivers gallery-quality prints every time.

2️⃣ Cost-Efficient Ink System

The EcoTank system in the ET-8500 eliminates expensive cartridges, replacing them with refillable tanks.

🖨 Ink Yield Per Refill:
✔ 4,500 pages (black-and-white)
✔ 2,300 color photos (4” x 6”)

📌 Expert Insight: Compared to traditional inkjet printers, the ET-8500 saves up to 90% on ink costs—making it a perfect investment for frequent users, small businesses, and photographers.

3️⃣ Versatile Media Support

The ET-8500 can handle multiple paper types and sizes, making it great for art prints, invitations, and marketing materials.

✔ Supports A4, A3, cardstock, envelopes, and glossy photo paper
✔ Can print on CDs/DVDs for custom labeling
✔ Dual Paper Trays for handling multiple print jobs effortlessly

4️⃣ Smart & Wireless Printing

Seamlessly print from any device with Wi-Fi, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print support.

🖥 Compatible With:
✔ Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops
✔ Voice-activated printing (Alexa, Google Assistant)
✔ Epson iPrint App for mobile control

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Features & Hands-On Review

1️⃣ Bigger Print Sizes for Professionals

The ET-8550 builds on the ET-8500, offering an expanded print size of up to 13” x 19” (A3+), making it ideal for professional photographers, designers, and businesses that need large-format prints.

📌 Best For:
✔ Photographers printing large-format portfolio images
✔ Graphic designers creating detailed poster prints
✔ Artists reproducing high-resolution art on canvas or fine art paper

2️⃣ Ultra-Wide Color Gamut for True-to-Life Prints

The ET-8550 features an enhanced six-color ink system with Photo Gray ink, improving black-and-white photo printing.

🔍 Comparison to ET-8500:
✔ Both printers have excellent color accuracy, but the ET-8550 produces better grayscale images, making it ideal for professional monochrome prints.

3️⃣ High-Speed, Precision Printing with Epson PrecisionCore

The ET-8550 features Epson’s PrecisionCore technology, enabling faster and more precise prints.

✔ Print Speed: 4” x 6” photos in 11 seconds
✔ Text & Document Printing: 16 ppm (black), 12 ppm (color)

🔍 Real-World Use Case:
We printed multiple A3 posters with high contrast. The sharpness and detail were outstanding, making it a great choice for marketing materials and professional photography portfolios.

4️⃣ Premium Paper & Media Handling

The ET-8550 expands on the media support of the ET-8500, handling thicker papers and even fine art materials.

✔ Supports fine art paper, canvas, and thick cardstock
✔ Advanced paper handling system for borderless printing

ET-8500 vs. ET-8550: Which One Should You Buy?

FeatureEpson ET-8500Epson ET-8550Max Print Size13” x 19” (A3)13” x 19” (A3+)Color System6-Color (Photo Black, Photo Gray)6-Color (Better Grayscale)Media SupportGlossy, Cardstock, CDs/DVDsFine Art, Canvas, Heavy CardstockSpeed4x6” in 11 secFaster (PrecisionCore)Ideal ForHome users, photographersProfessionals, large prints

💡 Final Recommendation:

• Choose the ET-8500 if you want stunning prints at a more affordable price.

• Go for the ET-8550 if you need bigger print sizes, better grayscale, and more media options.

Final Verdict: Why These Printers Stand Out

Both Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 offer unbeatable print quality, massive ink savings, and long-term reliability.

✔ Best for Photographers & Artists: Vibrant colors, ultra-sharp details
✔ Saves Money: No more costly ink cartridges
✔ Eco-Friendly Printing: Refillable tanks reduce waste
✔ Professional-Grade Features: Supports a variety of paper types & sizes

💡 Buy Now from Amazon: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550

Choosing the right printer can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to balancing print quality, affordability, and ease of use. If you're looking for a high-quality photo printer that eliminates the hassle of replacing ink cartridges frequently, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 are among the best choices available.

Unlike traditional cartridge-based printers, these EcoTank models use refillable ink tanks, significantly reducing printing costs while delivering stunning borderless photo prints and vibrant color accuracy. But how do these two models compare, and which one is best for photographers, home users, or creative professionals?

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the first-hand experience, expert insights, user testimonials, and in-depth comparisons to help you make an informed choice.