The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 are two of the most popular photo printers on the market that offer excellent value for money. In this article, we will compare the two printers in detail, so that you can decide which one is right for you. We will look at their features, specifications, performance, and price. We will also provide a buying guide, so that you can choose the best printer for your needs. So, lets compare Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 vs Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550.
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 vs Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Specs
Here is a table comparing the full specifications of each printer:
| Feature | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
|---|---|---|
| Functions | Print, Scan, Copy | Print, Scan, Copy |
| Printing Technology | Inkjet | Inkjet |
| Maximum paper width | 11 inches | 13 inches |
| Print speed | Up to 16 pages per minute (black) and 12ppm color | Up to 16 pages per minute (black) and 12ppm color |
| Printing resolution | 5760 x 1440 dpi | 5760 x 1440 dpi |
| Scanning Resolution | 1200 x 4800 dpi | 1200 x 4800 dpi |
| Copy Resolution | 600 x 600 DPI | 600 x 600 DPI |
| Ink type | Dye-based | Dye-based |
| Ink capacity | Up to 7,500 black pages / 6,500 color pages | Up to 7,500 black pages / 6,500 color pages |
| Ink colors | 1 x Black 1 x Photo Black 1 x Gray 1 x Cyan 1 x Magenta 1 x Yellow | 1 x Black 1 x Photo Black 1 x Gray 1 x Cyan 1 x Magenta 1 x Yellow |
| Included ink bottles | 6 x Built-In Tank | 6 x Built-In Tank |
| Compatible Cartridges | Epson T552 | Epson T552 |
| Print quality | Excellent | Excellent |
| Running costs | Very economical | Very economical |
| Features | Built-in scanner, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth | Built-in scanner, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth, front-loading paper tray, built-in CD/DVD tray |
| Dimensions | 17.1 x 13.9 x 8.5 inches | 17.1 x 15.0 x 8.5 inches |
| Weight | 18.5 pounds | 20.4 pounds |
| Price | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
As you can see, the two printers are very similar in terms of their specs.
Difference between Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550
The main difference between the two printers is the maximum print size. The ET-8550 can print up to 13 inches wide, while the ET-8500 is limited to 11 inches wide. If you need to print large format photos, the ET-8550 is the better choice. Also, the ET-8550 can print borderless photos up to 13 x 19 inches, while the ET-8500 is limited to 11 x 17 inches.
Another difference is the price. The ET-8550 is slightly more expensive than the ET-8500. However, if you plan on printing a lot of large format photos, the extra cost of the ET-8550 may be worth it.
What’s In The Box
Here is what’s in the box when you purchase either the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 or ET-8550 printer:
- Printer: The printer itself, including the ink cartridges, paper tray, and power cord.
- Quick Setup Guide: A quick guide to help you get started with your new printer.
- Power Cable: The power cord that plugs into the printer and the wall outlet.
- CD-ROM: A CD-ROM with the printer software and drivers.
- Ink Bottles: 6 bottles of ink, including 1 bottle each of black, cyan, magenta, gray, yellow, and photo black.
The ink bottles that come with the printer are enough to print up to 7,500 pages in black and white and 6,500 pages in color, so you won’t have to worry about running out of ink for a long time. This is a significant savings over traditional inkjet printers, which typically require you to replace the ink cartridges much more often.
Setup Process
The setup process for both printers is the same. Here are the steps involved:
- Unpack the printer and remove all of the packing materials.
- Connect the printer to your computer or network using the included USB cable or Wi-Fi.
- Fill the ink tanks with the included ink bottles.
- Load paper into the printer.
- Print a test page to make sure the printer is working properly.
Additional tips for setting up your Epson EcoTank Photo printer:
✅ Make sure that you have enough space to place the printer. The ET-8500 measures 17.2 x 14.5 x 8.9 inches, and the ET-8550 measures 18.3 x 15.7 x 9.3 inches.
✅ If you are connecting the printer to your computer using a USB cable, make sure that the cable is plugged into the correct ports on both the printer and the computer.
✅ If you are connecting the printer to your network using Wi-Fi, make sure that your computer is connected to the same network as the printer.
✅ When filling the ink tanks, be careful not to overfill them. The ink tanks have a maximum fill line that you should not exceed.
✅ After filling the ink tanks, wait a few minutes for the ink to settle before printing.
Once you have completed the setup process, you can start using your Epson EcoTank Photo printer to print documents, photos, and other projects.
Print Speed
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 printers have similar print speeds. Both printers can print up to 16 pages per minute in black and white and 12 pages per minute in color.
However, there is one difference in print speed between the two printers. The ET-8550 can print borderless photos up to 13 x 19 inches, while the ET-8500 is limited to 11 x 17 inches. This means that the ET-8550 will take slightly longer to print borderless photos.
Here is a table that summarizes the print speeds of the two printers:
| Feature | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
|---|---|---|
| Black print speed | 16 ppm | 16 ppm |
| Color print speed | 12 ppm | 12 ppm |
| Borderless photo printing | Up to 11 x 17 inches | Up to 13 x 19 inches |
Print resolution
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 have the same print resolution for color: 5760 x 1440 dpi. However, the ET-8550 has a higher print resolution for black: 2400 x 1200 dpi, compared to the ET-8500’s 1200 x 1200 dpi. This means that the ET-8550 can produce sharper text and images when printing in black.
| Printer | Color | Black |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | 5760 x 1440 dpi | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | 5760 x 1440 dpi | 2400 x 1200 dpi |
In general, the higher the print resolution, the sharper the text and images will be. However, there are other factors that can also affect print quality, such as the type of paper you use and the settings you choose in the printer driver.
If you are looking for a printer that can produce sharp text and images, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a good option. However, if you are on a budget, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is still a capable printer that can produce good print quality.
Print Quality
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 are both excellent printers for photo printing. They use the same 6-color Claria ET dye ink set, and they both produce high-quality prints with vibrant colors and fine details.
However, there are some minor differences between the two printers in terms of print quality. The ET-8550 has a slightly larger print head, which allows it to produce slightly sharper prints. Additionally, the ET-8550 can print on larger paper sizes, up to 13×19 inches, while the ET-8500 is limited to 11×17 inches.
Overall, the print quality of the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 is very similar. The ET-8550 has a slight edge in terms of sharpness, but the ET-8500 is more compact and affordable. Ultimately, the best printer for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Here is a summary the print quality differences between the two printers:
| Feature | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
|---|---|---|
| Print head size | 1.5 picoliters | 2 picoliters |
| Maximum print size | 11×17 inches | 13×19 inches |
| Sharpness | Very good | Excellent |
| Color accuracy | Very good | Excellent |
| Fine details | Very good | Excellent |
Scanning Resolution
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 both have a maximum scanning resolution of 1200 x 4800 dpi. However, the ET-8550 has a native scanning resolution of 4800 dpi, while the ET-8500 has a native scanning resolution of 1200 dpi. This means that the ET-8550 will be able to produce sharper scans than the ET-8500, especially when scanning small details.
| Printer | Maximum Scanning Resolution | Native Scanning Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | 1200 x 4800 dpi | 1200 dpi |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | 1200 x 4800 dpi | 4800 dpi |
In addition to the native scanning resolution, the two printers also have different optical zoom capabilities. The ET-8500 has a 120% optical zoom, while the ET-8550 has a 200% optical zoom. This means that the ET-8550 will be able to magnify scanned images more than the ET-8500.
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 has a slightly better scanning resolution than the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500. If you need to scan high-resolution images or need to magnify scanned images, then the ET-8550 is the better choice. However, if you are only scanning documents or low-resolution images, then the ET-8500 will be a good option.
Media Handling
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 are both excellent photo printers, but they differ slightly in their media handling capabilities.
The ET-8500 has a single input tray that can accommodate paper sizes from 4.1 x 5.8″ to 5 x 7″. The ET-8550, on the other hand, has two input trays: one that can accommodate paper sizes from 4.1 x 5.8″ to 5 x 7″ and another that can accommodate paper sizes from 8.5 x 14″ to 13 x 19″. This means that the ET-8550 can print on larger paper sizes, such as A3+.
In terms of media weight, both printers can handle paper weights from 64 to 90 gsm. However, the ET-8550 can also handle thicker paper up to 1.3 mm, while the ET-8500 is limited to 0.8 mm.
Overall, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 has a wider range of media handling capabilities than the ET-8500. If you need to print on larger or thicker paper sizes, the ET-8550 is the better choice. However, if you only need to print on smaller paper sizes, the ET-8500 is a great option and is more affordable.
| Feature | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
|---|---|---|
| Input trays | 1 | 2 |
| Paper sizes | 4.1 x 5.8″ to 5 x 7″ | 4.1 x 5.8″ to 5 x 7″ and 8.5 x 14″ to 13 x 19″ |
| Media weight | 64 to 90 gsm | 64 to 90 gsm and 1.3 mm |
Connectivity
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 and ET-8550 have the same connectivity options, which include:
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi Direct
- USB
- Apple AirPrint
- Mopria
- Epson Connect
The only difference in connectivity is that the ET-8550 can also print using Epson’s ClariaLink Print Service Plug-in for Windows. This plug-in allows you to print directly from a variety of photo editing software programs, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
Here is a table that summarizes the connectivity options for both printers:
| Feature | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes | Yes |
| USB | Yes | Yes |
| Apple AirPrint | Yes | Yes |
| Mopria | Yes | Yes |
| Epson Connect | Yes | Yes |
| ClariaLink Print Service Plug-in for Windows | No | Yes |
Running Costs
In terms of running costs, both printers are very economical. The included ink bottles can produce up to 7,500 black pages or 6,500 color pages, which is much more than you would get with a cartridge-based printer.
So, which printer is more cost-effective? It depends on how much you print. If you print a lot of photos, the ET-8550 is a better choice, as it has a larger ink tank capacity. However, if you only print a few photos, the ET-8500 is a good option.
Which printer is right for you?
If you need to print large format photos, the ET-8550 is the better choice. However, if you only need to print smaller photos, the ET-8500 is a great option.
If you are on a budget, the ET-8500 is a great value. It offers excellent photo printing quality at a fraction of the cost of inkjet printers.
If you are willing to spend a little more, the ET-8550 is a great choice for those who need to print large format photos. It offers the same great photo printing quality as the ET-8500, but with the added ability to print borderless photos up to 13 x 19 inches.
