The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is one of the standout models in Epson’s popular EcoTank series. Known for its cost-effective and eco-friendly ink system, the ET-3850 is designed for home offices and small businesses looking to save on ink without sacrificing performance. In this review, we’ll break down the features, performance, and overall value of the Epson ET-3850, and help you determine if it’s the right printer for your needs.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Key Features of the Epson ET-3850
- Performance Overview
- Ink Efficiency and Cost Savings
- Print Quality and Speed
- Connectivity and Ease of Use
- Pros and Cons
- Conclusion
- Epson ET-3850 Driver Download
1. Introduction
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is a high-efficiency inkjet printer designed with productivity in mind. Unlike traditional cartridge-based printers, the ET-3850 uses large refillable ink tanks, significantly reducing the cost of ink over time. With a focus on wireless connectivity, automated features, and high-quality output, it’s positioned as a solid option for both home and small office environments.
This article will provide an in-depth analysis of its key features, performance in various settings, and whether it offers the best value for money.
2. Key Features of the Epson ET-3850
The Epson ET-3850 comes packed with features designed to enhance the user experience and optimize workflow. Some of its key highlights include:
- EcoTank System: Refillable ink tanks replace traditional cartridges, providing up to 90% cost savings on ink.
- Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): A 30-sheet ADF makes it easier to handle multi-page scanning and copying jobs.
- Print, Scan, Copy Functions: All-in-one functionality for complete document management.
- High-Yield Ink Bottles: Each set of ink bottles can print up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 in color.
- Wireless and Mobile Printing: Supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile printing via apps like Epson Connect, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print.
- Duplex Printing: Automatically prints on both sides of the page to reduce paper usage.
3. Performance Overview
Print Speed and Efficiency
For a compact printer, the Epson ET-3850 impresses with its print speed. It delivers:
- Print Speed: 15.5 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white, and 8.5 ppm for color prints.
- Monthly Duty Cycle: Designed for up to 5,000 pages per month, making it a strong contender for small to medium work environments.
Print Quality
Epson’s PrecisionCore technology ensures crisp text and vibrant images, making the ET-3850 ideal for both professional documents and high-quality photos.
- Resolution: Prints at 4800 x 1200 dpi, delivering sharp and detailed results.
- Color Accuracy: The color reproduction is well-balanced, making it suitable for printing presentations, marketing materials, or even photos.
4. Ink Efficiency and Cost Savings
The EcoTank series is known for its refillable ink tank system, which cuts down the need for frequent ink cartridge replacements. The ET-3850 stands out in this regard, offering one of the lowest per-page print costs in its class.
- Cost Per Page: Black and white prints cost about $0.01 per page, while color prints average around $0.05 per page.
- Eco-Friendliness: Not only does the refillable tank reduce the cost, but it also helps in reducing plastic waste from cartridges, making it an environmentally-friendly choice.
5. Print Quality and Speed
Print quality is one of the strongest selling points of the Epson ET-3850. Whether you’re printing text documents, colorful charts, or photos, the results are consistently impressive.
- Black-and-White Printing: Text comes out sharp, ideal for professional documents.
- Color Printing: The printer handles gradients, shadows, and details well, making it a good choice for presentations and marketing materials.
- Photo Printing: While not a dedicated photo printer, the ET-3850 can produce decent-quality photo prints on glossy paper.
Print speed, as mentioned earlier, is efficient for both text and mixed media documents. However, like most inkjets, photo printing takes slightly longer.
6. Connectivity and Ease of Use
Setting up the Epson ET-3850 is a straightforward process. It supports a variety of connection options, making it adaptable to different work environments.
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet Connectivity: Wireless printing from multiple devices is a breeze with stable Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
- Mobile Printing: The ET-3850 supports mobile printing via Epson iPrint, AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print, allowing you to print directly from your smartphone or tablet.
- User-Friendly Interface: The 2.4-inch color display makes navigating through options easy, while the ADF and duplex printing add convenience to everyday tasks.
7. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely low cost per page
- Refillable ink tanks offer long-term savings
- Crisp and vibrant print quality
- Automatic duplex printing
- Multiple connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB)
Cons:
- Slower photo printing speeds compared to dedicated photo printers
- Lack of a touchscreen display
- No fax functionality (may be important for some office setups)
8. Conclusion: Is the Epson ET-3850 Worth It?
The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 is a top-tier all-in-one printer, especially for users who prioritize long-term cost savings and eco-friendliness. Its refillable ink system provides exceptional value over time, and its versatile connectivity options make it a flexible choice for both home and office environments.
While it might not have the fastest photo printing speeds or advanced features like faxing, it excels in delivering excellent text and color quality at a low running cost. If you’re looking for a reliable, cost-efficient printer that’s easy to use, the ET-3850 is a solid choice.
9. Epson ET-3850 Driver Download
A printer driver is essential for any printer, including the Epson ET-3850. It ensures that your computer can understand and send print jobs correctly to the printer. Without the proper driver, you might experience printing errors, lagging performance, or the inability to use certain features like duplex printing or scanning.
For the ET-3850, drivers are available for multiple operating systems, including Windows Operating System. For those of you who need driver software for Epson ET-3850 and use the Windows operating system, you can download the driver via the following link.
File Size: 34.6MB & 63.6MB
File Type: .Exe
OS Support: Windows 7/8/10/11 or higher
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