# TLDR Review: Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Printer

*Published: 2026-03-10 | Updated: 2026-03-10 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/epson-ecotank-et-8500-printer*

---

## Product: Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Printer
**Brand:** Epson

## Pros
- Produces outstanding lab-quality photo prints with vibrant, accurate colors, fine detail, and sharp text thanks to its six-color Claria ET Premium Ink system, including Photo Black and Gray inks.
- Extremely low running costs with refillable EcoTank ink bottles, making cost per color page as low as 0.9 cents and about 4 cents for borderless 4x6 photos.
- Large ink tanks provide enough ink for up to two years of typical use, significantly reducing replacement frequency.
- Versatile media handling: supports multiple paper sizes, borderless printing, cardstock up to 1.3 mm thick, and even direct CD/DVD printing.
- Multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi Direct, and printing via smartphone apps and voice assistants.
- User-friendly 4.3-inch color touchscreen enables easy navigation, on-device control, and customizable workflows.
- Compact footprint with three paper trays, suitable for home offices or small creative setups.
- Fast print speeds for everyday documents and photos—up to 16 pages per minute for monochrome, and under a minute for high-quality 4x6 photo prints.
- Scanner delivers up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution, suitable for detailed document and photo scans.
- EcoTank system is easy to refill with keyed bottles designed to avoid spills and incorrect filling.

## Cons
- Paper feed and tray alignment issues cause frequent paper jams and phantom errors, requiring restarts or manual intervention.
- Setup can be confusing and difficult, involving multiple alignment and calibration steps, sometimes frustrating for less tech-savvy users.
- Paper trays are somewhat fiddly and confusing to manage, with tray capacity limited (max 50 sheets) and requiring careful handling.
- Touchscreen can be hard to read in certain lighting conditions due to glare or low brightness.
- Scanning duplexing is not available, and the lack of an automatic document feeder limits scanning and copying to single pages.
- Printing software is considered outdated and cumbersome by some users, lacking advanced color management features like built-in ICC profiles.
- Build quality of paper trays and doors feels somewhat flimsy, impacting long-term durability and reliability.
- Printer occasionally produces smeared prints on glossy photo paper despite adjustments.
- USB port placement may be awkward, making direct USB thumb drive printing less convenient.
- Overall reliability concerns, with some users reporting random error codes and frustrating maintenance requiring multiple restarts.

## Bottom Line

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is a versatile, cost-effective all-in-one for those who want professional-quality photo prints at an affordable running cost, thanks to its six-color EcoTank system and wide media support. However, it comes with notable quirks: paper handling can be frustrating due to jams and tray confusion, and setup can be a hassle, especially if you want consistent, flawless prints. If your top priority is hassle-free reliability with photo printing, you might also consider models that offer an automatic document feeder and more robust paper handling options, but few match the ET-8500 on cost efficiency and photo quality at this price. This printer is a solid choice for photographers and small offices willing to invest time into setup and maintenance for superb photos and document versatility.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Produces outstanding lab-quality photo prints with vibrant, accurate colors, fine detail, and sharp text thanks to its six-color Claria ET Premium Ink system, including Photo Black and Gray inks. | Paper feed and tray alignment issues cause frequent paper jams and phantom errors, requiring restarts or manual intervention. |
| Extremely low running costs with refillable EcoTank ink bottles, making cost per color page as low as 0.9 cents and about 4 cents for borderless 4x6 photos. | Setup can be confusing and difficult, involving multiple alignment and calibration steps, sometimes frustrating for less tech-savvy users. |
| Large ink tanks provide enough ink for up to two years of typical use, significantly reducing replacement frequency. | Paper trays are somewhat fiddly and confusing to manage, with tray capacity limited (max 50 sheets) and requiring careful handling. |
| Versatile media handling: supports multiple paper sizes, borderless printing, cardstock up to 1.3 mm thick, and even direct CD/DVD printing. | Touchscreen can be hard to read in certain lighting conditions due to glare or low brightness. |
| Multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi Direct, and printing via smartphone apps and voice assistants. | Scanning duplexing is not available, and the lack of an automatic document feeder limits scanning and copying to single pages. |
| User-friendly 4.3-inch color touchscreen enables easy navigation, on-device control, and customizable workflows. | Printing software is considered outdated and cumbersome by some users, lacking advanced color management features like built-in ICC profiles. |
| Compact footprint with three paper trays, suitable for home offices or small creative setups. | Build quality of paper trays and doors feels somewhat flimsy, impacting long-term durability and reliability. |
| Fast print speeds for everyday documents and photos—up to 16 pages per minute for monochrome, and under a minute for high-quality 4x6 photo prints. | Printer occasionally produces smeared prints on glossy photo paper despite adjustments. |
| Scanner delivers up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution, suitable for detailed document and photo scans. | USB port placement may be awkward, making direct USB thumb drive printing less convenient. |
| EcoTank system is easy to refill with keyed bottles designed to avoid spills and incorrect filling. | Overall reliability concerns, with some users reporting random error codes and frustrating maintenance requiring multiple restarts. |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| My Store | $210.00  | Check |
| Blidz | $544.98  | Check |
| Newegg.com | $549.99  | Check |
| Adorama | $579.99  | Check |
| B&H Photo-Video-Audio | $579.99  | Check |
| Dell | $579.99  | Check |
| Epson.com | $579.99  | Check |
| Micro Center | $579.99  | Check |
| NFM | $579.99  | Check |
| Office Depot | $579.99  | Check |
| Quill | $579.99  | Check |
| Staples | $579.99  | Check |
| Target | $579.99  | Check |
| Walmart | $579.99  | Check |
| dealcenterllc.com | $599.92  | Check |
| Guncelkal.net | $599.99  | Check |
| InVastor.com | $599.99  | Check |
| Beach Audio | $607.12  | Check |
| iPC Store | $613.00  | Check |
| Eco home office | $625.90  | Check |

---

*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*