1. Price and Customer Feedback

The Epson ET-2800 is priced at $199, making it the more budget-friendly option between the two. It has received over 12,000 customer reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.2 stars, reflecting strong user satisfaction for basic home use.

On the other hand, the Epson ET-2850 comes in at $234, which is slightly more expensive. Despite fewer reviews (around 5,200+), it also holds a 4.2-star rating, showing that buyers are equally happy with its performance and features.

If budget is your primary concern, the ET-2800 gives you more value upfront. However, the ET-2850 justifies its higher price with added functionality.

2. Ink System and Cost Efficiency

Both printers use Epson’s innovative EcoTank system, which completely removes the need for traditional cartridges. Instead, they come with high-capacity ink tanks that can be refilled using Epson’s EcoFit ink bottles.

The ET-2800 can print up to 4,500 black and 7,500 color pages on a full ink set. The ET-2850, in comparison, can print up to 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages. While the color yield is slightly lower on the ET-2850, its black-and-white print capacity is ideal for homes that need to print a lot of documents.

With either printer, you’re saving up to 90% on ink costs compared to using traditional cartridges. Plus, both come with up to 2 years’ worth of ink in the box, making them extremely economical in the long run.

3. Print Quality and Speed

The print quality on both models is quite impressive for home use. The ET-2800 offers a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, while the ET-2850 delivers up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Despite the ET-2800 having a higher resolution, the ET-2850 uses pigment black ink, which produces sharper text, especially useful for professional-looking documents.

In terms of speed, the ET-2800 prints at 10 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 5 ppm for color. The ET-2850 is slightly faster with 10.5 ppm for black and the same 5 ppm for color.

Both printers use Epson’s Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology, which ensures consistent, high-quality prints without excessive heat or energy use.

4. Features and Convenience

This is where the ET-2850 clearly pulls ahead. While both printers offer wireless connectivity, a flatbed scanner, and mobile printing capability, the ET-2850 includes auto 2-sided printing, which helps save paper and time.

Additionally, the ET-2850 supports voice-activated printing and integrates seamlessly with the Epson Smart Panel app, allowing users to manage printing tasks directly from their smartphones. These modern features make the ET-2850 a more user-friendly and efficient option for busy households or home offices.

The ET-2800, by contrast, lacks duplex printing and voice control, making it more of a basic printer best suited for light, occasional use.

5. Size and Design

In terms of design, both models look similar with a compact, clean layout that fits easily on a desk or shelf. The ET-2800 weighs 8.8 pounds, while the ET-2850 is a bit heavier at 11.9 pounds due to the added duplex printing mechanism.

Both printers come with a simple color display that aids in navigation, copying, and scanning. Neither model has a touchscreen, but the interface is user-friendly enough for daily tasks.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly printer for basic home use—like school assignments, photo prints, and occasional scanning—the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a great choice. It delivers excellent print quality, extremely low ink costs, and a compact design that fits small spaces.

However, if you need more functionality and convenience, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is worth the extra investment. With features like auto-duplex printing, voice activation, and smartphone control, it’s better suited for families or home offices that print frequently and want to save both ink and paper.

In short, the ET-2800 is ideal for casual users, while the ET-2850 is perfect for power users who want more from their printer.