Epson Ecotank ET-2850 Vs 3850 | Main Difference, Specs, Sublimation
Epson ET-2850 and 3850 both are robust printers that can also be used for sublimation and iron-on transfers. However, ET-2850 is a beginner level and ET-3850 is a little bit upgraded with the difference of having an auto document feeder and fast printing. Both are Ecotank printers but provide different printing experiences with mediocre differences. Not so far different from each other but still, some features make them distinct. So read the guide Epson 2850 vs 3850.
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Main Difference Between Epson ET-2850 vs ET-3850
The main difference between Epson 2850 and 3850 is that Epson 3850 is equipped with an auto document feeder whereas ET-2850 doesn’t. Another significant difference is the printing speed, ET-3850 is more upgraded and provides a significantly faster speed up to printing 15.5 ppm black and white documents and 8.5 ppm color.
On the other hand, ET-2850 is slow providing 10.5 ppm monochrome and 5 ppm color only. Other than that, ET-3850’s standout feature is it can handle 250 sheets maximizing the workflow by preventing the refilling of the paper drawer. Whereas, ET-2850 can only handle 100 sheets which is ideal for a beginner.
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Epson Ecotank ET 2850 vs Epson Ecotank ET-3850 Specs
| Specs | Epson ET-3850 | Epson ET-2850 |
| Functionalities | All-in-one | All-in-one |
| Ink Tank Number | 4 | 4 |
| Ink Colors | 1 x Cyan1 x Magenta1 x Yellow1 x Black | 1 x Cyan1 x Magenta1 x Yellow1 x Black |
| Printing Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Scanning Resolution | 2400 DPI | 2400 dpi |
| Copy Resolution | 600 x 600 dpi | 600 x 600 dpi |
| Borderless Printing | Yes | Yes |
| Borderless Print Size | 8.5” x 11” | 8.5” x 11” |
| Maximum Print Size | 8.5″ x 14″ | 8.5″ x 14″ |
| Print Speed | 15.5 ppm Mono8.5 ppm | 10.5 ppm Mono5 ppm color |
| Copy Speed | 11 cpm mono5 cpm color | 7.7 cpm mono3.8 cpm color |
| Paper Handling | 250 sheets10 envelopes | 100 sheets10 envelopes |
| Special Media Support | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | Wifi, USB, Windows, Mac | Wifi, USB, Windows, Mac |
| Cost Per Page | 0.3 cents mono 0.9 color | 0.3 cents mono 0.9 color |
| Item Weight | 19.10 lbs | 11.9 lb |
| Dimension | 14.8 x 19.8 x 7.4 inches | 22.3 x 14.8 x 10.2″ |
| Direct SD Card Printing | No | No |
| Display Size & Type | 2.4 inch LCD display | 1.44 inch LCD display |
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What’s In The Box
When we unboxed the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers, we found everything that was needed to get started right away. The package included the printer unit itself, a power cord for easy connectivity, a user manual, and setup instructions to guide you through the installation process. Additionally, we got 4 CMYK ink bottles with each package specifically designed for these printers.
The First Sight
At the first sight when I lay my eyes on these printers, I noticed they are sleek, compact and durable with decent design. They are designed to fit seamlessly into small spaces either at home or office.
With a user-friendly control panel that is intuitive and easy to navigate. The buttons and icons were well-placed, ensuring effortless operation. However, ET-3850’s control panel is more upgraded and provided 2.4 inches LCD whereas ET-2850 only had like a stamp LCD of 1.44 inches.
In terms of build quality, these printers are solidly constructed with durable plastic, giving them a sturdy feel that instills confidence in their longevity. But ET-3850 is more bulkier providing a more robust experience.
Setup & Ink Refilling
Setting up the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers was straightforward, even though if you’re not a tech-savvy crafter, you’ll end up setting and filling the ink within half an hour. As the provided ink bottles are effortless, they can be attached to the ink tanks and filled without your interference.
Read: Epson 502 vs. 522 ink type
Say goodbye to frequent cartridge replacements and enjoy the freedom of easily refilling the tanks with the provided ink bottles.
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When it comes to determining the ink levels, both are designed equally to provide visible ink tanks. So you can refill them again before they create a mess with ink running out.
Paper Handling (Number Of Trays & Capacity)
Both the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers feature a single paper tray but with different capacities that can accommodate various paper sizes. Whether you need to print standard letter-sized documents, legal-sized papers, or even photos, these printers can handle it all.
Both have the same maximum print size which is the legal size (8.5×14 inches) using the rear paper tray. Both are distinct when it comes to paper handling, ET-3850 can handle 250 sheets which is one step ahead, whereas ET-2850 can only handle 100 sheets. Other than that, ET-3850 features an auto document feeder having a capacity of 30 sheets which the basic printer ET-2850 lacks.
Read: Epson 3850 vs 4850
This can be a significant factor to consider if you frequently handle large print jobs or if you prefer to load a substantial amount of paper at once to minimize interruptions.
Media Types Support
Whether an individual wants to print envelopes or a mediocre thick cardstock, the printers can handle the job with ease, printing the envelopes, glossy photo paper, and labels.
Moreover, if you’re a creative enthusiast, the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers provide the flexibility to print on specialty media, such as iron-on transfers for custom apparel or adhesive sheets for crafting projects. This unleashes up a world of possibilities for personalization and DIY ventures.
Other than Iron-on transfer paper, printing on sublimation paper with sublimation ink is also possible with these versatile printers.
Borderless Printing
If you’re passionate about photography or enjoy printing vibrant visuals, you’ll appreciate the borderless printing capabilities of the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers. Both can handle the various sizes of borderless prints so you can create prints that extend all the way to the edges.
Print Quality
Both printers passed our printing quality methodology which is used to test the printers with the 360 angles by printing a variety of documents including powerpoints, glossy photo papers, and small and large texts. Although ET-3850 has a slightly more edge when it comes to photo printing.
However. Both printers provided exceptional printing results, creating vivid gradients with precise ink droplets. Your prints will exhibit accurate color reproduction, capturing even the subtlest nuances of your images..
Resolution
Both printers have a decent resolution, but ET-2850 has a significantly more precise resolution that is 5760×1440 dpi. On the other hand, ET-3850 has 4800 x 1200 dpi. Both are sharp resulted printers in printing. Whereas, copy and scanning resolution is the same in both printers.
Print Speed
In terms of print speed, both printers offer impressive results. The Epson 2850 can print up to 10.5 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white documents and up to 5 ppm for color documents. On the other hand, the Epson 3850 can print at a slightly faster pace, with speeds of up to 15.5 ppm for black and white prints and up to 8 ppm for color prints.
Page Yield
The Ecotank system features large, refillable ink tanks that hold a significant amount of ink compared to traditional ink cartridges. Due to having the Ecotank cartridge-free system, the cost per print was significantly low providing a high page yield. The Epson 2850 and 3850 printers excel in this aspect, thanks to their innovative Ecotank system.
Duplex Printing
If you want to boost your office work then duplex printing is a valuable feature. Both printers can handle the duplex prints, although if you want to do sublimation or iron-on transfers then you won’t need this feature. But still, it is worth considering.
Scanner
The Epson 2850 and 3850 printers are equipped with high-quality scanners. The built-in flatbed scanners allow you to digitize documents, photos, and other materials quickly and easily.
With the scanners’ optical resolution of up to 1200 x 2400 dpi, you can capture sharp and detailed scans. The downside of the ET-2850 is it doesn’t support any Auto document feeder so you won’t be able to digitize documents quickly. You can get the quick benefit of ADF from 3850 because it does support scanning, printing, and copying via ADF.
Connectivity
For wired connectivity, the printers feature a USB port that enables direct connection to your computer or laptop. In addition to USB connectivity, the printers offer wireless connectivity options, including Wi-Fi to connect laptops, smartphones, and tablets. With wireless connectivity, you can print from anywhere within the range of your Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for direct cable connections.
The Epson 2850 and 3850 printers also support mobile printing capabilities. Using the Epson iPrint app or other compatible mobile printing apps, you can print the photos from your phone effortlessly and can perform other maintenance tasks too.
Which One Is Best
Now that we’ve explored the features and capabilities of both the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers. If you want a slightly upgraded model then ET-3850 is your close companion. With efficient performance and down-to-earth expenses, ET-2850 is a great option to get started on the printing journey.
With higher paper capacity, faster print speeds, and an auto document feeder, the Epson ET-3850 is better suited for those with higher printing demands or who require more advanced features. The 3850 printer is an optimal choice for all-in-one business owners and photo enthusiasts.
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Epson Ecotank ET-3850
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Before getting your choice printer, consider your needs whether you want a beginner-level product or with a little advancement. Both are the Ecotank all-in-one and offer versatile features.
Converting Them For Sublimation
If you’re into sublimation printing, you’ll be delighted to know that both the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers can be converted for sublimation use. I was a regular user of 2750 as a sublimation printer but with the upgrade in the series, my regular sublimation printer is ET-2850 with the Hiipoo sublimation inks.
On the other hand, ET-3850 is also a versatile printer that is perfect to use for sublimation providing advanced features. You won’t need to convert both of them into sublimation as they are Ecotank printers. So you’ll only need to fill the sublimation ink when they’re brand new before filling the regular ink.
Do not consider filling the ink that comes with the printers because those ink bottles aren’t sublimation inks. You need to buy an additional set of sublimation inks along with the printer. You can read the best sublimation inks.
Final Takeaways:
Whether you’re a home user, student, small business owner, or creative enthusiast, the Epson 2850 and 3850 printers provide reliable performance, excellent print quality, and cost-saving benefits with the Ecotank system. So, take your printing experience to the next level with the Epson Ecotank 2850 or 3850 printer and enjoy hassle-free, professional-grade printing.
