Epson ET 2850 Inkjet Printer Review

The epson et 2850 is an all-in-one inkjet printer that delivers great printing quality, a massive page yield and low running costs. While it's not the fastest model we tested, it can print all of your everyday documents, photos and even some heat transfer paper. Compared to similarly priced printers in its class, the epson et 2850 offers exceptional value for home users and students thanks to its long-lasting ink bottles and super-low cost per print.

Unlike many other inkjets, the epson et2850 uses clear ink tanks so you can see their level at a glance. The cyan, magenta, yellow and black reservoirs sit on the front of the printer, with translucent panels that show remaining ink levels. You can also check ink levels from the control panel or via the Epson iPrint app on your mobile device. The epson et 2850 looks attractive with a neutral white body that can blend into your home or office, though it is available in black as well.

This all-in-one has a flatbed scanner with an automatic document feeder and supports wireless printing with Apple AirPrint, Mopria and other standards. It's also compatible with Wi-Fi Direct, letting you connect directly to the printer from your PC without needing to join a network. You can use a USB cable to print from a computer as well.

On our tests, the epson et2850 printed a five-page text document in 34.4 seconds, which is close to the average speed for this category. It produced color graphics with natural-looking, well-saturated colors and fine details. However, the epson et2850's print quality could be improved. The text looked a little lighter and a bit less sharp around the edges on duplex prints, though you would likely only notice this if you closely examined each print. The epson et2850's color accuracy was also somewhat lacking, with most shades looking darker than their originals, especially browns and greens. The epson et2850 has a 1.4-inch color display that tilts up for easy viewing. It guides you through basic functions, and its buttons are large enough to be easily readable, although a touchscreen would have been better. The epson et2850 also has two front-loading paper trays that hold up to 100 sheets each, one for plain and the other for photo paper.

kms namhocit et 2850 competes with the similarly priced Epson EcoTank ET-4850, which we consider to be a better choice for most uses than this model. kmspico 11 portable -4850 has a sturdier build, a better display and an Ethernet port. It also has an auto-document feeder and prints faster than the epson et2850, as well as producing higher-quality black and color scans. Lastly, it can print double-sided pages automatically and support thicker papers like light cardstock, which is useful for crafts. It has a much higher black-and-white print yield, as well, so you'll have to refill the tank less frequently. Its high-yield ink is a big plus for anyone who prints a lot of black and color documents.