The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a premium all-in-one wide-format inkjet printer designed for photographers, creative professionals, and home offices that demand exceptional photo quality and ultra-low running costs. With its six-color ink system, borderless printing up to 13” x 19”, and cartridge-free EcoTank design, the ET-8550 stands out as a versatile, cost-effective solution for high-quality photo and document printing.

Key Specifications

Design & Ease of Use

The ET-8550 features a sleek, modern design with a relatively compact footprint for a wide-format printer. Its 4.3-inch color touchscreen makes navigation and setup intuitive, while the front-facing ink tanks allow for easy monitoring and refilling. The printer supports multiple media types and sizes, including thick fine art papers (up to 1.3mm), and offers direct SD card printing for photographers. Setup is straightforward, with guided instructions via the display and Epson’s mobile app, making wireless installation and configuration hassle-free.

Print Quality

Print quality is where the ET-8550 truly excels. The six-color Claria ET dye ink system, including photo black and gray, delivers outstanding color accuracy, smooth gradients, and deep blacks—ideal for both color and black-and-white photography. Text documents are crisp and sharp, while graphics and photos exhibit excellent detail and vibrancy. Borderless printing up to 13” x 19” allows for gallery-quality photo prints at home.

Speed & Performance

The ET-8550 offers competitive print speeds for its class: up to 16 ppm for black and 12 ppm for color documents (ISO standard). A 4” x 6” borderless photo can be produced in as little as 15 seconds. While not the fastest for high-volume office tasks, it handles mixed workloads efficiently and is well-suited for home offices, creative studios, and photo enthusiasts.

Running Costs & Maintenance

Thanks to its EcoTank system, the ET-8550 boasts extremely low running costs. Each set of ink bottles yields thousands of pages (Black: 6,700; Photo Black: 7,300; Color: 6,200), resulting in a cost per page that’s a fraction of traditional cartridge-based printers. Refilling is clean and simple, and there are no expensive cartridges to replace. Maintenance is minimal, with occasional printhead cleaning and straightforward ink refills.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The printer supports a wide range of connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and direct SD card printing. It’s compatible with Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and Epson’s Smart Panel app for seamless mobile and cloud printing. The ET-8550 works with both Windows and macOS systems, making it versatile for various home and office setups.

Noise Level & Energy Use

The ET-8550 operates quietly, making it suitable for home environments. It is ENERGY STAR certified and features energy-saving modes, including automatic sleep and power-off functions to reduce electricity consumption when not in use.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional photo and color print quality
• Ultra-low running costs with high-yield ink bottles
• Wide-format, borderless printing up to 13” x 19”
• Intuitive 4.3” color touchscreen
• Versatile media handling, including thick fine art papers
• Robust wireless and mobile connectivity

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost compared to cartridge printers
• No automatic document feeder (ADF) for scanning/copying multipage documents
• Slower than some office-focused printers for large text jobs
• Large footprint when printing wide-format media
• No fax functionality

Who Is This Printer For?

• Photographers and creative professionals seeking gallery-quality prints at home
• Home offices needing versatile, low-cost color and document printing
• Students and families who print photos, schoolwork, and creative projects
• Small businesses focused on marketing materials, graphics, and presentations

Alternatives Compared

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.5/5

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a top-tier choice for anyone who values stunning photo prints, versatile media handling, and ultra-low running costs. Buy it if you want professional-quality photos at home, print a variety of creative projects, and prefer the convenience of cartridge-free printing.

FAQ

Q: Does the ET-8550 support borderless printing on all sizes?
A: Yes, it supports borderless printing up to 13” x 19”, making it ideal for large photos and posters.

Q: How easy is it to refill the ink tanks?
A: Refilling is simple and mess-free, thanks to the front-facing, keyed EcoTank bottles that prevent spills and errors.

Q: Can I print directly from my phone or tablet?
A: Yes, the ET-8550 supports mobile printing via AirPrint, Mopria, and the Epson Smart Panel app.

Q: Is this printer good for everyday document printing?
A: Absolutely. While it excels at photos, it also produces sharp text and graphics for everyday documents.

Q: Does it have an automatic document feeder (ADF)?
A: No, the ET-8550 does not include an ADF, so scanning or copying multipage documents must be done one page at a time.