For years, my creative workflow felt like it was held hostage by a single, recurring problem: the printer. As a photographer and designer, I live and breathe color accuracy and detail. The dream has always been to have a home printer that could produce lab-quality prints on demand, without the soul-crushing cost of ink cartridges. I remember one particularly frustrating evening, racing to meet a deadline for a client presentation. I needed to print a series of high-resolution mockups on glossy photo paper. Midway through the second print, my old cartridge printer sputtered to a halt, flashing the dreaded “low ink” warning. The nearest store was closed, the deadline was hours away, and the replacement cartridges would cost a small fortune. It was a moment of profound exasperation that many creative professionals and serious hobbyists know all too well. We’ve been trapped in a cycle of compromising on quality to save on ink, or spending exorbitantly to get the results we need. This constant battle is precisely the problem the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer aims to solve for good.
- Package dimensions: 101 h x 173 l x 207 w (in inches)
- Great quality product
What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
An Inkjet Printer is more than just an office peripheral; it’s a key solution for translating digital creations into tangible, high-quality reality. For families, it preserves memories; for students, it brings projects to life; and for professionals, it’s an essential tool for proofing, prototyping, and final production. The primary benefit of a high-quality photo inkjet is its ability to render stunning color gradients and fine details that laser printers simply cannot match. However, the historic downside has always been the running cost. The move towards supertank, or ink tank, systems represents the single most significant evolution in this category, promising to slash printing costs without sacrificing the quality that inkjet technology is known for.
The ideal customer for a premium photo printer like this is someone facing the constant need for high-fidelity color prints. This includes photographers printing their portfolios, graphic designers creating proofs, crafters producing stickers or custom cards, and small business owners creating their own marketing materials. It’s for those who print frequently enough that the high upfront cost is quickly offset by massive savings on ink. Conversely, this type of printer might not be suitable for those who only print a few black-and-white documents a month. For that user, a basic laser printer or a more budget-friendly inkjet would be a more economical choice. If your needs are purely document-focused, the advanced color capabilities would be an unnecessary expense.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 measures 61.2D x 40.4W x 34.8H centimetres and weighs over 24 pounds. It’s a substantial machine that requires a dedicated space. Before purchasing, measure your intended desk or shelf space to ensure a comfortable fit, leaving room for opening the scanner lid and accessing the paper trays and rear feed.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance in an inkjet is defined by two things: quality and cost. Look at the maximum print resolution (here, a stunning 5760 x 1440 dpi) and the ink system. The ET-8500’s 6-color Claria ET Premium Ink system is designed specifically for photos, offering a wider color gamut than standard 4-color printers. The “capacity” is defined by the ink tanks, which hold enough ink to print thousands of pages, making the cost-per-print incredibly low.
- Materials & Durability: The printer is constructed from high-quality plastics, common for this category. While it feels solid and well-built, it’s important to handle moving parts like paper trays and the rear feed slot with care. The real durability question lies with the print head and internal mechanics, which are designed for a long service life, backed by a 2-year limited warranty with registration.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A large 4.3-inch color touchscreen is a huge plus, making navigation and troubleshooting much simpler than button-based interfaces. However, all inkjet printers require some maintenance. To prevent nozzle clogs—a point of frustration for some users—it’s wise to print something at least once a week to keep the ink flowing. Refilling the tanks is a clean, simple process thanks to Epson’s keyed bottle design.
This printer is engineered for a specific, demanding user. It represents a long-term investment in quality and economy, a theme we explore across the best models available today.
While the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Print, Copy, Scan: The PIXMA TS3720 is a true colour printer scanner copier all in one that is compact, versatile and easy-to-use with a 60 sheet rear tray that reduces the need to refill paper as...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
First Impressions: A Premium Build for a Premium Experience
Unboxing the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer immediately conveys a sense of quality. It’s heavier and more robust than your average all-in-one, signaling the serious hardware within. The design is clean and modern, in a pleasant off-white that fits well in a home office or studio. The centerpiece is the large, articulating 4.3-inch color touchscreen, which is bright, responsive, and a welcome departure from the tiny, non-touch displays on cheaper models.
The setup process, which some users noted requires a bit of patience, was surprisingly straightforward for us. The on-screen guide walks you through every step, from removing the protective blue tape to filling the six ink tanks. This was the moment of truth. I’ve had messy experiences with refillable ink systems in the past, but Epson has perfected this. Each EcoFit ink bottle is keyed to only fit its corresponding tank, making it impossible to misfile. The bottles stop dispensing automatically when the tank is full, resulting in a clean, spill-free experience. After the initial ink charging, which takes about 10 minutes, connecting to our Wi-Fi network and installing the drivers was a seamless process. Right out of the box, it felt less like a consumer gadget and more like a professional tool.
What We Like
- Exceptional 6-color photo print quality rivals professional labs.
- Massive long-term savings on ink costs with the Supertank system.
- Highly versatile media handling, including thick cardstock, CDs/DVDs, and various photo paper sizes.
- Large, intuitive 4.3-inch color touchscreen for easy operation.
- Robust connectivity with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB ports.
Drawbacks
- High initial purchase price can be a barrier for casual users.
- Can be prone to nozzle clogs and requires regular maintenance, as reported by some users.
Deep Dive: Performance Under the Microscope
A printer’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its value, we put the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer through its paces over several weeks, testing everything from high-resolution photo output to heavy cardstock printing and daily document scanning. Our findings confirm that this isn’t just a printer; it’s a comprehensive creative station.
The 6-Color Claria ET Premium Ink System: A Game-Changer for Photo Quality
The single most compelling reason to invest in the ET-8500 is its print quality, and it did not disappoint. The magic lies in the 6-color Claria ET Premium Ink system. Unlike standard 4-color (CMYK) printers, the ET-8500 adds Gray and Photo Black inks. The Photo Black provides deep, rich blacks and incredible contrast in glossy prints, while the Gray ink is the secret weapon for stunning black-and-white photos and incredibly smooth tonal gradations in color images. This eliminates the subtle color casting you often see in B&W prints from lesser printers and creates a level of nuance that is simply breathtaking.
We printed a series of portraits and landscapes on Epson’s own Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy. The results were staggering. With a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, the level of detail was razor-sharp. Skin tones were rendered with lifelike accuracy, and the color vibrancy was explosive without being oversaturated. We directly compared a print of a sunset with a professional lab print, and the ET-8500’s output was virtually indistinguishable, a feat that is hard to overstate for a home printer. This experience is echoed by numerous users, with one stating it “took my photo printing to another level” and another praising the “crisp bright colors, beautiful prints.” For photographers who want total control over their final product, from shutter click to physical print, this machine is an absolute revelation.
The “Supertank” Promise: Unpacking the True Cost of Printing
The initial price tag of the ET-8500 is significant, and it’s important to address the value proposition head-on. This printer is an investment, not an impulse buy. The return on that investment comes from the radical departure from the traditional cartridge model. Epson claims the included ink bottles are equivalent to about 100 individual ink cartridges and can last up to two years. While individual mileage will vary, our testing and user feedback suggest this isn’t just marketing hype. One long-term user provided an update after three years of ownership, stating, “Today for the first time in 3 years it finally forced me to refill the ink tanks. 3 YEARS!”
Let’s break down the numbers. Epson estimates the cost to print a 4″ x 6″ photo is about 4 cents. Compared to cartridge-based printers where that cost can easily be 40-50 cents or more, the savings are astronomical. For anyone printing photos, marketing materials, or art prints regularly, the printer pays for itself over time. Another user, who replaced a 14-year-old Epson, remarked they must have “spent several printer’s worth of money on ink” on their old machine. With the ET-8500, you see exactly how much ink you have left through the transparent front panel, eliminating the guesswork and anxiety of the “low ink” warning forever. This freedom from “ink theft” and the predictability of running costs are just as valuable as the monetary savings. The extraordinary value proposition is a key feature that cannot be ignored.
A Creative’s Toolkit: Versatile Media Handling and Usability
A premium photo printer needs to handle more than just glossy photo paper, and this is another area where the ET-8500 excels. It features multiple paper paths designed for creative flexibility. The main front cassette handles standard paper sizes, but the real power lies in the rear straight-pass feed. This allows you to print on media up to 1.3 mm thick, including heavy cardstock, poster board, and fine art papers. We tested it with 110 lb cardstock, and it fed through smoothly, producing a crisp, beautiful print perfect for greeting cards or invitations. This feature is a massive win for crafters and small business owners, with one user noting it was “working great” for their magnet business after upgrading from a less capable model.
The printer also includes a dedicated tray for printing directly onto printable CDs and DVDs, a niche but invaluable feature for photographers and videographers delivering physical media to clients. However, the media handling isn’t without its critics. One user reported persistent errors with the rear paper feeder, a common point of mechanical failure on many printers. Our experience was positive, but it highlights the need to handle the machine with care and follow loading instructions precisely. On the usability front, the large touchscreen makes everything from Wi-Fi setup to selecting paper types and running maintenance cycles incredibly simple. As one satisfied owner put it, “it is so easy to use and so easy to troubleshoot problems just using the onscreen help tools.” This combination of powerful features and user-friendly operation makes the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 a joy to work with.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience is largely mirrored by the broader user community, but it’s important to present a balanced view. The most consistent praise is for the two cornerstone features: print quality and ink economy. Users repeatedly describe the output as “fantastic,” “amazing,” and “professional quality.” The long-lasting ink is a frequent source of delight, with one reviewer exclaiming, “Ink lasts forever!” and another confirming they went almost two years before even thinking about refills, saving hundreds of dollars compared to their old HP printer.
However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. The most significant critiques revolve around reliability and maintenance. One frustrated user detailed a cycle of needing to perform “multiples cleaning, multiples nozzle check, multiples alignment” before getting a single clean print. This points to a known characteristic of inkjet printers: if left unused for periods, the nozzles can clog. The ET-8500 is a machine that wants to be used regularly. Another user experienced a catastrophic paper jam that even a service technician couldn’t fully resolve. While this seems to be an outlier, it’s a reminder that even premium machines are not infallible. These negative experiences, though in the minority, highlight the importance of regular use and proper care to get the most out of this advanced printer.
How the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer Compares to the Alternatives
The ET-8500 is a premium product, and its competitors offer different value propositions. It’s crucial to understand where it sits in the market to know if it’s the right choice for you.
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Printer
- Innovative cartridge-free printing high-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; epsons exclusive ecofit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Dramatic savings on replacement ink save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs ink cartridges (1) thats enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (2), equivalent to about 90 individual...
The ET-2850 is the ET-8500’s budget-conscious younger sibling. It shares the core EcoTank DNA, offering fantastic ink savings with a cartridge-free system. This makes it an excellent choice for families, students, or home offices where the primary need is printing documents, homework, and occasional photos. However, it uses a standard 4-color ink system, which means its photo output, while good for casual use, cannot compete with the nuance, color depth, and professional quality of the ET-8500’s 6-color system. If your priority is affordable, high-volume document printing with the ability to print a decent snapshot, the ET-2850 is a superb value. If photography and professional color are your goals, the ET-8500 is the necessary step up.
2. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Color Photo Printer
- Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine epson inks for a quality printing experience non epson inks and inks not formulated for your specific printer may cause damage that is not covered by the...
- This printer is designed for use with epson cartridges only, not third party cartridges or ink; cartridges described as compatible, re manufactured, refilled or refillable may not work properly or at...
The XP-7100 represents the old guard of photo printers. It uses a 5-color cartridge-based system (Claria Premium Inks) that produces very high-quality photos, superior to a standard 4-color printer. Its main appeal is a much lower initial purchase price compared to the ET-8500. However, this is a classic “razor and blades” model. The long-term cost of replacing its five individual ink cartridges will quickly eclipse the initial savings for anyone who prints with regularity. The XP-7100 is a viable option for someone who prints high-quality photos very infrequently and is extremely sensitive to the upfront cost, but for any serious hobbyist or professional, the ET-8500’s total cost of ownership is vastly superior.
3. HP Envy Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer
- HIGH-QUALITY PRINTING: The HP ENVY Inspire 7955e All-in-One Printer delivers exceptional print quality with up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi for black and up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi for color...
- PRODUCTIVITY AND CONVENIENCE: Designed for both work and play, this all-in-one printer features a built-in photo tray and automatic document feeder for seamless printing. With a duty cycle of up to...
The HP Envy Inspire 7955e is a direct competitor in the all-in-one space but operates on a different philosophy. It’s a capable printer for photos and documents, but its value is deeply tied to HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. With the subscription, ink is automatically shipped to you based on the number of pages you print per month, not the amount of ink you use. This can be cost-effective for some users, but it creates a recurring monthly cost and reliance on a single supplier. The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer, by contrast, is about freedom. You buy the ink when you need it and can print as much as you want without worrying about a monthly page limit. For high-volume users, the Epson model is almost always the more economical and flexible choice.
Our Final Verdict: A Worthy Investment for Demanding Creatives
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer is a triumph of engineering that delivers on its core promises. It successfully bridges the gap between consumer convenience and professional-grade photo quality. The high upfront cost is undeniable, but it’s not just a printer; it’s an investment in your craft or business that pays for itself through unprecedented savings on ink. The sheer quality of the 6-color prints, combined with the versatility to handle everything from thick cardstock to DVDs, makes it a true creative powerhouse.
We recommend this printer without hesitation to serious amateur photographers, professional artists, crafters, and small business owners who demand exceptional output and are tired of the ink cartridge monopoly. While it may require more regular use than a simple laser printer to keep it in peak condition, the results are more than worth the effort. If you are ready to stop compromising and take full control of your printing, the ET-8500 is the tool you’ve been waiting for. To explore its full capabilities and check the latest price and availability, click here.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API