What is an Epson EcoTank and is an Epson EcoTank a worth it?
This is my Epson EcoTank 4750 Review. Epson has made a couple generations of EcoTanks now, and there’s one question most of my customers have: Is the Epson EcoTank worth it?
For the previous generation of EcoTank printers, the answer would have been a quick no. They were cheap, sixty-dollar printers, which Epson stuck an ink tank and a five-hundred-dollar price tag on.
Seriously, people paid real money for this.
But, to their credit, Epson has listened to the critics and produced a new and improved line of EcoTanks, including the Epson Workforce EcoTank 4750. Let’s get into it.
The PROS:
Upon first glance, the Epson EcoTank 4750 is an obvious improvement over the previous generation of EcoTank printers. The ET-4750 boasts a color touch screen, with a simple layout and touch functions. The inkwells have easier access on the front of the machine, instead of being clumsily stuck on the side like the previous models. (Note: I spilled a lot of ink with the old design, and I have yet to lose a drop with this new style.)
The Epson EcoTank 4750 features a bottom paper tray and a top-document-feeder for copies and faxing. At fifteen pages per minute of black printing and about nine for color, the printer is by no means a speed demon but is sufficiently quick for moderate users’ purposes.
Ok, so it’s good for office purposes. But what about image quality. Well, this is an Epson, after all. The Epson EcoTank 4750 has a max print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, meaning sharp picture quality. The cost of prints on this printer will be second perhaps only to HP’s instant ink program.
Also, being an Epson, the ET-4750 has a fantastic 9600 dpi scanning bed, meaning it has professional quality photo scanning and printing, with features like auto-duplex and wireless printing that office customers have come to expect.
The Epson EcoTank 4750 is primarily aimed at a home office or small business customer who is looking to save some money on their ink costs. This is where the printer truly shines. The printer includes two years of ink in the box, assuming the customer prints 300 pages or less per month. That’s 7200 pages of printing included upon purchase, which would cost at least $150 dollars on most other printers.
The CONS:
I don’t know if this is considered a con, but it is worth mentioning. The Epson EcoTank 4750 has a PrecisionCore® printhead. What Epson tells you is that this means smaller drops of ink for a more precise image. What it means to most of my customers is that EcoTank printers still have a traditional printhead.
An
It seems silly to criticize an inkjet printer, but it’s an important point to make. If you are looking at an Epson EcoTank 4750 because you print two pages per week, and you never want to buy ink again in your life, give up on that idea. Your printhead will clog, and you’ll be buying a new printer. If that is you, look at a cheap laser printer instead.
Another drawback to the ET-4750 is the paper tray. While a paper tray is a nice feature, this one is small, holding only about 150 pages. If you are hitting the monthly recommended volume of 300 pages, you’re going to be refilling paper often. Lord help you if you hit the maximum monthly volume of 5,000 pages.
Ultimately, while the Epson EcoTank 4750 is a major improvement over the previous generation of EcoTank printers, I am still waiting for an office-oriented EcoTank. I’m looking for two paper trays, a rear paper feed, and physical buttons on the panel. A larger screen wouldn’t hurt anyone either.
The VERDICT:
So, is the Epson Ecotank worth it?
Absolutely!
If your primary concern when printing is your ink costs, then the Epson EcoTank 4750 may be the answer to your printer-based prayers.
When compared to HP’s 8700 series, using HP 952XL cartridges, there is no competition.
When printing the suggested 300 pages per month, the Epson Ecotank 4750 will print for two years, just with the ink that comes in the box! Even with the higher price tag, if you never buy another bottle of ink, you are saving money with Epson over their competitors. Complete with some much-needed features, the Epson Ecotank 4750 is much more of a true office printer than the previous generation, and a great buy for home offices and small businesses.
If you’d like to purchase the Epson EcoTank 4750, you can find it here.
