For years, our small creative agency felt like it was in a constant, losing battle with our office printer. The cycle was maddeningly predictable: a critical client proposal is due, the printer sputters, and the dreaded “Low Ink” warning flashes. This would trigger a frantic search for the correct, astronomically expensive ink cartridge, a purchase that always felt like a small ransom payment. The cost per page was crippling, the waste generated by plastic cartridges felt irresponsible, and the downtime was simply unacceptable for a growing business. We needed a professional-grade solution that could handle high-volume document printing, produce vibrant wide-format proofs for our design team, and scan multi-page contracts without breaking the bank or our spirits. The search for a true “all-in-one” workhorse that prioritized long-term value over a low initial price led us directly to the world of Supertank printers, and specifically, to this machine.
- Model Number : ET-16600
- Package Weight : 52.92 pounds
What to Consider Before Buying a Professional All-in-One Inkjet Printer
An All-in-One Inkjet Printer is more than just a device that puts ink on paper; it’s the central hub for a modern office’s document workflow. For a small business, creative professional, or busy home office, it’s a key solution for digitizing records, producing marketing materials, printing invoices, and communicating with clients. The primary benefit lies in consolidating the functions of a printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine into a single, networked device, saving space and streamlining operations. A high-quality model can dramatically reduce operational costs, boost productivity, and improve the professionalism of your printed output, from crisp black-and-white text to rich, detailed color graphics.
The ideal customer for a robust machine like the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer is someone facing the high recurring costs and limitations of cartridge-based printers. This includes small businesses printing hundreds of pages a week, architects needing 11″ x 17″ proofs, marketing teams producing in-house flyers, or anyone who values long-term savings and high capacity. However, it might not be suitable for those who print very infrequently (where the initial investment may not pay off as quickly) or for users with extremely limited desk space. For casual home users, a smaller, less expensive model might suffice. For professional photographers demanding archival-quality photo prints, a dedicated photo printer with more ink colors would be a better, albeit more specialized, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A “pro” level printer is not a compact device. The ET-16600 is substantial, weighing 40 pounds and requiring a significant footprint (roughly 20.5″ H x 20.3″ W x 17.9″ D). Before purchasing, measure your intended space carefully, ensuring there’s enough room for ventilation and for accessing the paper trays, scanner lid, and rear feed. As one user noted, “It’s a bit too big for a house but I’ll make it work,” highlighting the need to plan for its considerable size.
- Capacity & Performance: Look beyond just print speed. Consider paper capacity; the ET-16600’s 500-sheet capacity is a massive time-saver, minimizing refill frequency. Evaluate the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capacity and whether it supports duplex (two-sided) scanning, a feature we and other users found indispensable. Finally, understand the ink yield—the ET-16600’s bottles are rated for thousands of pages, a stark contrast to the couple hundred you might get from a standard cartridge.
- Print Quality & Ink Type: Not all ink is created equal. The ET-16600 uses Epson’s DURABrite pigment-based ink for all colors. Pigment ink is known for its sharpness on plain paper and its water and smudge resistance, making it ideal for business documents. While excellent for graphics, some users noted that for pure photo printing, dye-based inks found in dedicated photo printers can produce slightly more vibrant results. This is a critical distinction based on your primary use case.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A complicated printer is a productivity killer. We looked for a large, intuitive touchscreen interface, straightforward wireless setup, and a simple ink refill system. The EcoTank’s key-locked bottles are foolproof. Also, consider long-term maintenance. Look for a printer with a user-replaceable maintenance box, which collects waste ink and is a simple part to swap out when full, preventing costly service calls.
Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a machine that not only meets your immediate needs but also serves as a reliable and cost-effective partner for years to come.
While the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One 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: Unboxing a True Office Workhorse
The arrival of the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer was an event. The box is massive, and at nearly 53 pounds, it’s definitely a two-person lift. Inside, the printer is securely encased in foam, with all moving parts taped down to prevent damage during transit. The initial impression is one of sheer substance; this is a solidly built machine designed for serious work, not a flimsy consumer-grade peripheral. The plastics are thick and the overall construction feels robust and ready for a high-volume environment.
Setting it up was surprisingly straightforward. After removing all the blue tape, the main event is filling the ink tanks. This is the moment the EcoTank concept truly shines. Each ink bottle has a unique key-nozzle that only fits its corresponding color tank, making it impossible to misfill. You simply uncap a bottle, invert it onto the port, and it automatically fills the tank and stops when full—no squeezing, no spills, no mess. It’s a genius design that immediately validates the move away from cartridges. After the initial ink charging, which takes about 10 minutes, the software setup via the 4.3″ color touchscreen was a breeze, guiding us through connecting to our Wi-Fi network and running initial calibrations. From box to first print, we were up and running in under 30 minutes, a testament to a well-thought-out user experience you can see in its full feature set and user reviews.
Key Benefits
- Massive ink savings with ultra-low cost per page
- Excellent print quality for documents and graphics (pigment ink)
- Versatile wide-format printing (13″x19″) and scanning (11″x17″)
- High paper capacity (500 sheets) and robust duplex ADF
- Extremely easy, mess-free ink refilling system
Potential Drawbacks
- Very large and heavy, requires significant desk space
- Some users report difficulty with initial network setup
- Higher initial purchase price than cartridge-based printers
Performance Deep Dive: Putting the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 to the Test
A printer’s spec sheet only tells part of the story. To truly understand its value, you have to live with it, push its limits, and see how it performs under the pressure of a real-world office environment. We spent weeks integrating the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer into our daily workflow, using it for everything from multi-page legal documents and large spreadsheets to full-bleed marketing mock-ups. Our findings confirm that this isn’t just a printer; it’s a comprehensive document management system that fundamentally changes your relationship with printing.
The EcoTank Revolution: Setup, Ink, and Long-Term Value
The single most compelling reason to invest in this machine is the EcoTank system itself. The psychological relief of seeing massive ink tanks, still nearly full after weeks of heavy printing, cannot be overstated. The initial setup consumes a noticeable amount of ink to charge the system, as one user pointed out, but even after printing numerous documents and photos, we barely saw the levels drop. This is the core value proposition: freedom from “ink anxiety.”
Let’s break down the economics. Epson claims a cost of about 2 cents per color ISO page. Comparing this to the 14 cents or more we were paying for color laser toner, the savings are staggering. A single set of replacement ink bottles (Epson 542 series) yields up to 6,000 color pages. For our business, which can easily print 1,000 pages a month, that’s half a year of printing for a cost that is often less than a single set of high-yield toner cartridges for a comparable laser printer. The initial investment in the hardware is higher, but the total cost of ownership plummets over time. This printer pays for itself. The setup process, as mentioned, was fantastic. The touchscreen is responsive and the on-screen instructions are crystal clear. As one satisfied user put it, the process is the “easiest ever,” and the interface “just makes sense.” For any business owner watching the bottom line, the combination of high yield and low-cost ink is a feature that truly sets it apart and justifies the Pro moniker.
Performance & Speed: The PrecisionCore Powerhouse
Powered by Epson’s PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer is built for speed and quality. In our tests, it consistently hit its advertised speeds of 25 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white documents. This was confirmed by a user who described it as “fast as a bat out of hell with black and white.” Text was razor-sharp and clear, even at small font sizes, making it perfect for professional reports and contracts. Color printing is slower, at around 12 ppm, but the quality is excellent. The DURABrite pigment inks produce vibrant, accurate colors and, critically for office use, dry instantly and are smudge and water-resistant.
However, the real productivity booster is the scanner. The automatic document feeder (ADF) handles up to 50 sheets and, most importantly, supports single-pass duplex scanning. This means it scans both sides of a page in a single pass. As one user raved, “One of my favorite things is the scanning both sides feature. That alone saves me a ton of time.” We couldn’t agree more. Digitizing a 20-page, double-sided contract went from a tedious, multi-step process to a simple “set it and forget it” task. The 500-sheet main paper tray also means we’re not constantly reloading paper, a small but significant boost to office efficiency. This machine is engineered to minimize manual intervention and maximize output.
Wide-Format Versatility: Printing and Scanning Beyond A4/Letter
The ability to handle media larger than the standard 8.5″ x 11″ is what elevates the ET-16600 from a great office printer to an indispensable creative tool. We tested its wide-format capabilities extensively. It flawlessly prints on paper up to 13″ x 19″ (A3+), which is perfect for creating client-facing design proofs, posters, and full-bleed marketing brochures without having to send them to a print shop. The rear specialty media feed handled heavy cardstock and glossy photo paper with ease, providing a straight paper path to prevent curling.
The scanner’s ability to handle documents up to 11″ x 17″ (A3) is equally valuable. For our team, this meant we could easily digitize architectural drawings, large spreadsheets, and other oversized documents without having to stitch multiple scans together. The clarity and color fidelity of the scans, at up to 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution, were impeccable. Whether you’re an architect, a designer, or an accountant working with large ledger sheets, this wide-format capability is a game-changer. The automatic output tray, which extends and retracts on its own, is another premium touch that we, and other users, found surprisingly delightful. It’s these thoughtful design elements that reinforce the “Pro” designation and make it a pleasure to use day-to-day. For anyone who needs to think outside the standard page size, you can explore its full specifications online.
Connectivity and Usability: Getting It on the Network
A modern printer must be easy to connect to and print from any device. The ET-16600 offers a full suite of connectivity options: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet. We opted for a wired Ethernet connection for maximum stability in our busy office network, and the printer was recognized by all our PCs and Macs within moments. Printing from mobile devices using the Epson Smart Panel app was also seamless, allowing us to print documents directly from our phones and cloud storage services.
However, it’s important to address the mixed experiences with wireless setup. While our process was smooth, we noted one user review from a 76-year-old who, despite being tech-savvy, struggled for months to get the printer to work over their network. This highlights a crucial point: network configurations can be complex, and issues can arise from routers, firewalls, or driver conflicts. While our experience was positive and reflects what most users report, potential buyers who are less comfortable with network troubleshooting should be aware that they may need to consult Epson’s support resources. The large 4.3″ color touchscreen is the primary method of control and it is excellent—bright, responsive, and logically laid out. It makes standalone copying, scanning to email, or changing settings incredibly simple without ever needing to touch a computer.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from a range of users confirms our own positive assessment, while also highlighting its key trade-offs. The overwhelming sentiment is one of satisfaction, particularly regarding the ink savings and performance. One user summed it up perfectly: “Sometimes it is just worth it to spend the extra. This is one of those times.” This echoes our feeling that the high initial price is a worthwhile investment for the long-term savings. The easy, mess-free ink filling and the sheer speed for black-and-white jobs are consistently praised.
On the constructive side, the printer’s size is a recurring theme. As one person noted, “You’ll need a good 24″ square for it to be comfortable.” This is not a printer for a tiny apartment desk. Another nuanced point was about photo quality; while one user called the prints “gorgeous,” another compared them to a dedicated five-color photo printer (the Epson XP-520) and found the photo-specific model superior. This is a fair assessment; the ET-16600’s four-color pigment ink system is optimized for business documents and graphics, and while it produces very good photos, a dedicated photo printer will have the edge. Finally, the negative review concerning network connectivity serves as a valuable reminder that while the setup is easy for most, it isn’t foolproof for every single network environment.
How Does the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Compare to the Alternatives?
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer is a formidable machine, but it exists in a competitive market. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.
1. Brother MFC-J4335DW INKvestment-Tank All-in-One Printer with Duplex and Wireless
- More uninterrupted printing. Up to 1 year of printing with the INKvestment Tank’s high-capacity in-box ink cartridges (approximately 150 pages/month) and 2-year limited warranty.
- More speed. Print speeds up to 20 ppm black/19 ppm colour—perfect for personal, home office use and hybrid work environments.
The Brother MFC-J4335DW operates on a similar principle of high-yield ink supplies, but with a twist. It uses “INKvestment-Tank” technology, which combines internal ink tanks with more traditional-looking cartridges that hold a significant amount of ink. It’s a great choice for users who want better-than-average ink yield (up to a year’s supply in the box) but at a much lower initial purchase price than the Epson. However, it makes significant compromises: it does not offer wide-format printing or scanning, its paper capacity is much smaller, and its overall build is less robust. This Brother model is an excellent value proposition for a standard home office or small business that doesn’t need the A3/wide-format capabilities of the ET-16600.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Printer
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (4)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 colour (3)
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is essentially the smaller sibling to the ET-16600. It offers many of the same core benefits, including the EcoTank system and wide-format printing up to 13″ x 19″. However, it has a smaller paper capacity (270 sheets vs. 500), a smaller touchscreen, and critically, its scanner is limited to 8.5″ x 14″ (Legal size), not the full 11″ x 17″ of the ET-16600. This makes it a compelling alternative for creative professionals or businesses who need to print in wide format but do not need to scan oversized documents. It delivers much of the Pro model’s functionality in a slightly smaller and more affordable package.
3. HP OfficeJet 250 Portable Printer
- Main functions of this HP all-in-one portable printer: scan, copy, easy portable printing wherever you need it, wireless print from your laptop or mobile devices, 2.65" color touchscreen, auto...
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, Android users can easily detect and connect to a nearby OfficeJet 250 and print using Wi-Fi Direct
This HP OfficeJet 250 is in a completely different class and serves a different purpose entirely. It’s an ultra-portable, battery-powered all-in-one printer designed for professionals on the go. You can print, scan, and copy from a device that fits in a backpack. The trade-off is significant: it uses standard (and more expensive) ink cartridges, has much slower print speeds, and a tiny paper capacity. This is not a competitor for an office workhorse. You would choose the HP OfficeJet 250 if your primary need is mobility—for printing invoices in your car, scanning contracts at a client’s site, or working from a hotel room. It’s a specialized tool for mobile work, not a central office hub.
Our Final Verdict on the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer
After extensive hands-on testing, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16600 Wireless Wide-Format All-in-One Printer has earned our highest recommendation for its target audience: small businesses, work-from-home professionals, and creative teams who need a reliable, high-volume, and versatile machine. Its primary strength is its phenomenal long-term value. The upfront cost is significant, but the ridiculously low cost-per-page quickly recoups that investment and frees you from the expensive and wasteful cycle of ink cartridges forever. The combination of fast document printing, excellent quality, robust paper handling, and game-changing wide-format capabilities make it a true productivity multiplier.
While you must be prepared for its large physical footprint and acknowledge that dedicated photo printers may offer superior photographic output, these are minor trade-offs for its immense utility. It successfully consolidates the functions of multiple devices into one efficient, cost-effective hub. If you’re tired of your printer being a source of frustration and expense, and you’re ready to invest in a professional tool that just works, this is the printer you’ve been searching for. For any serious office environment, this isn’t just a purchase; it’s a smart business decision. Ready to put an end to your printing woes? We highly recommend you check the latest price and availability today.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API