Epson EcoTank ET-2810: Pros, Cons, and Comparison to ET-2850

Few printer decisions spark as much head-scratching as choosing between an ink-saving EcoTank and a traditional cartridge model. The Epson EcoTank ET-2810 promises to slash ink costs by up to 90% while including enough ink bottles for up to three years of printing, according to Epson UK official product page.

Ink included: Up to 3 years of ink bottles ·
Ink savings: Up to 90% vs. cartridge printers ·
Functions: Print, scan, copy ·
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB ·
Nozzle configuration: 180 black, 59 per color

Six key specifications, one standout: the ET-2810’s ink-tank system eliminates cartridges entirely, but the lack of a display and automatic document feeder signals its budget positioning.

The pattern: Epson stripped the ET-2810 to essentials — no screen, no duplex, no ADF — to hit a lower price point. For home users who print occasionally, that might be fine. For anyone scanning multi-page documents, it’s a hard pass.

“Save up to 90% on ink costs” — Epson marketing, from Epson UK official page

What are the downsides of Epson EcoTank?

Ink drying issues

Users report that EcoTank printers can develop clogs if left idle for weeks. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) notes that while the ET-2850 performed well with regular use, the risk of nozzle drying is a known concern across the EcoTank line. Epson includes a print head cleaning utility, but heavy cleaning cycles waste ink.

“Not a speed demon” — HighTechDad (tech reviewer) on the ET-2850, from his review

The implication: if you print less than once a week, the ink savings vanish into cleaning cycles and wasted ink.

Initial cost

The ET-2810’s upfront price is higher than comparable cartridge-based models. While Epson claims Epson UK (manufacturer’s product page) “save up to 90% on ink costs,” the initial investment can be $50-$100 more than a basic inkjet. That math only works if you print enough to use the included ink before the printer fails.

Customer support complaints

Epson has faced legal scrutiny over its ink policies. The Recycler (industry trade publication covering printer disputes) reported on an ongoing legal battle involving Epson’s ink refill restrictions. Some users report frustration with Epson’s support for print head issues, though official warranty terms vary by region.

Why this matters: if your ET-2810 develops a clog outside the warranty window, repair costs can approach the printer’s purchase price.

What is the difference between Epson EcoTank ET-2810 and ET 2850?

Print speed differences

A YouTube comparison (home-tech creator with hands-on testing) claims the ET-2850 is slightly faster for color printing than the ET-2800 (which is the US name for the ET-2810 family). Neither model is a speed demon — HighTechDad (tech reviewer) describes the ET-2850 as “not a speed demon.” Expect draft documents, not office-grade throughput.

Feature differences

The ET-2850 includes automatic double-sided printing (duplex), while the ET-2810 lacks this feature entirely, per the same YouTube comparison (home-tech creator). The ET-2850 also has a small display panel, whereas the ET-2810 uses only LED indicators. Neither model has an automatic document feeder. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) lists no Ethernet port and no ADF as cons for the ET-2850.

Price difference

The ET-2850 typically costs $20-$40 more than the ET-2810. That premium buys duplex printing and a basic display. For home users who never print double-sided, the ET-2810 offers identical core ink-tank technology at a lower entry point.

The pattern: the ET-2850 is a modest step up, not a generational leap. If you don’t need duplex, the ET-2810 delivers the same ink savings for less.

Four differences, one takeaway: the ET-2850’s duplex and display are convenience features, not performance upgrades. The ink system is identical.

The implication: for the extra cost, the ET-2850 buyers get duplex printing and a capacity bump. If neither matters, the ET-2810 is the smarter buy.

Is the Epson ET2800 a good printer?

The ET2800 is the US-market name for the same printer as the ET-2810, according to TechRadar (tech publication with multi-model comparisons). It is the budget EcoTank offering, trading features for a lower price.

Pros

The ET2800 includes the full EcoTank ink system — up to Epson UK (manufacturer’s spec page) claims 3 years of ink in the box. Setup is straightforward, and mobile printing via Epson iPrint is included. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) rated the ET-2850 easy to set up, a trait shared across the 28xx platform.

Cons

No automatic duplex, no display, no ADF, and no Ethernet port. The print speed is modest. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) noted the ET-2850 has a small screen and no touchscreen, meaning the ET-2810 is even more stripped down.

Comparison

The ET-2810/ET2800 and ET-2850 share the same print engine and ink system. The only differences are duplex printing, a screen, and paper capacity. For basic home printing — school assignments, recipes, forms — the ET-2810 is perfectly adequate. For anyone who prints double-sided documents or scans multi-page files, spend extra.

The trade-off: the ET-2810 is a good printer for its price segment, but “good” means accepting its limitations. If you need office-grade features, look at the ET-2850 or a higher-tier EcoTank.

Do EcoTank printers dry out if not used?

Why ink dries

EcoTank printers use water-based pigment ink. When the printer sits idle, solvent evaporates from the nozzle openings, leaving dried pigment that blocks ink flow. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) used the ET-2850 for a long period without issues, but that was with consistent use. For intermittent users, the risk is real.

How to prevent drying

Print at least once a week to keep ink flowing through the nozzles. Epson’s software includes a nozzle check and cleaning cycle, but HighTechDad (tech reviewer) notes that excessive cleaning wastes ink. Turning the printer off between uses may help, as the print head parks in a sealed position.

Cleaning process

The ET-2810 includes a built-in print head cleaning utility accessible through its software. If nozzles clog, run the cleaning cycle 1-2 times. If clogs persist after three cycles, Epson recommends manual cleaning or service. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) warns that heavy cleaning cycles consume significant ink.

The catch: the cleaning cycle uses ink to clear clogs. If the printer dries out after two weeks of non-use, the “ink savings” get consumed by maintenance.

Does the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 come with ink?

Ink bottles included

Yes. The ET-2810 ships with a full set of ink bottles — one each of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Epson UK (manufacturer’s official page) states the set provides up to 3 years of ink based on average household usage of 200 pages per month.

How many pages can you print

HighTechDad (tech reviewer) reports ET-2850 ink yields of 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages. The ET-2810 uses the same ink bottles. That works out to about 32 black pages per dollar at typical ink costs, compared to adhesive about 3-5 pages per dollar for cartridge printers.

Refilling process

The ET-2810 uses keyed ink bottles that only fit their matching color tank. To refill, open the tank cap, insert the bottle, and let it drain. No need to squeeze — gravity does the work. HighTechDad (tech reviewer) notes the ET-2850 uses refillable ink tanks that reduce plastic waste compared to cartridges.

The implication: for heavy home or small-office users, the included ink alone can offset the printer’s purchase price within a year. Light users should calculate whether they’ll print enough to benefit.

Real-world verdict

For New Zealand home users who print at least 100 pages a month, the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 offers genuine ink savings — up to 90% versus cartridges, with three years of ink in the box. The catch is upfront cost and the need for regular use to prevent clogs. For occasional printers who go weeks without turning the machine on, the drying risk makes a cheap cartridge printer a safer choice. The choice is clear: print regularly, save with the ET-2810. Print rarely, buy a cartridge model and avoid the maintenance headache.

The verdict: the ET-2810 is a strong choice for regular printers but a poor fit for occasional users.

A comparison with the Epson EcoTank ET-2820 reveals key differences in duplex printing and included ink.

Frequently asked questions