Pros

  • Significant ink cost savings with higapacity refillable ink tanks, making it economical for frequent color printing.
  • Easy setup and straightforward to use, including a mobile app for convenience.
  • Great print quality for both color and black & white documents, with bright and clear printing results.
  • Excellent scanner image quality for documents and photos.
  • Features doublided printing, helping to save on paper usage.
  • Seamless connectivity with Apple devices, beneficial for users within such ecosystems.
  • Ideal for homeschooling and small household office tasks due to its efficient performance.
  • Visible ink tanks provide assurance about remaining ink levels.
  • Durable for bulk printing, particularly good for colorful, dense photographs.

Cons

  • Automatic document feeder often malfunctions, impacting usability for scanning and copying tasks.
  • WiFi connections are unreliable, with frequent connectivity issues despite proximity to routers.
  • Lacks a touch screen, making navigation with buttons less convenient.
  • Scanner quality and speed are subpar, particularly for those who rely heavily on scanning functions.
  • Poor build quality compared to past printer models, with flimsiness noted.
  • Firmware updates can be cumbersome and often necessitate wired connections to perform.
  • Printer speed is slower than some competitors, which might not suffice for higolume business use.
  • Manual duplexing requires configuration and can be challenging.
  • Support experiences have been frustrating, with slow troubleshooting processes from Epson.
  • Connectivity issues and feeding problems are recurrent complaints, indicating quality control issues.

Bottom Line

The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 provides substantial cost savings on ink and offers solid print quality, making it suitable for those with high-volume, color-printing needs. However, it suffers from significant drawbacks, including unreliable WiFi connectivity, a temperamental automatic document feeder, and a less intuitive interface due to the absence of a touch screen. Its limitations might outweigh its benefits for users who prioritize reliable connectivity and ease of use. Considering an alternative printer with more consistent performance and better connectivity options could be worthwhile.

Get ShopSavvy
ShopSavvy is totally free and works on all popular phones and browsers
Download ShopSavvy App

Compare prices for anything in real-time, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more

Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension

Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.

© 2025 Monolith Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved..