TechRadar review: Epson EcoTank ET-2980/ET-2950 cuts page costs but trims features

TechRadar tested the black ET-2950, one of several variants of the white ET-2980. It described the unit as a budget tank printer for small offices or users aiming to cut consumables bills by 95%, and positioned it against the Brother DCP-T580DW and HP Smart Tank 210. The printer has print, copy and scan functions; USB and Wi-Fi connectivity; a maximum print speed of 15ppm; print resolution of 4,800 x 1,200 dpi; support for Letter/A4 paper and Apple AirPrint. It has no data storage slots, and its memory is listed as unknown. Epson bundles four bottles of ink, rated for 6,600 black pages or 5,500 color pages, and the unit measures 375 x 347 x 187 mm and weighs 5.2 kg.

According to TechRadar, the ET-2950 replaces the ET-2850 and uses an improved printhead to print a little faster. The review said the replacement looks better, with ink tanks that protrude less while remaining visible for checking levels; the tanks are slightly larger than those on the Brother DCP-T580DW, and an LED on top illuminates during printing. The review called the device reasonably compact for an all-in-one with an 8.5 x 11-inch flatbed scanner. It noted that the ET-2950 can auto-duplex and includes a flatbed scanner, unlike the HP Smart Tank 210, and that it supports Wi-Fi with AirPrint and Mopria. It can print on media up to Letter or A4 size, including fairly thick cardstock, according to the review. TechRadar also said Epson's included ink is enough to keep users printing for three years, based on Epson's estimate.

The review identified several omissions. The ET-2950 has no touchscreen, no USB Host port, no paper input drawer, no automatic document feeder and no fax. Paper must be loaded in a rear tray that holds up to 100 sheets. The control panel has a 1.4-inch color LCD that TechRadar described as clear and tilts upward, and the review called the motorized output tray the device's only luxury. It said the printer weighs little more than 11 pounds and feels insubstantial. TechRadar listed the lack of a paper input drawer, high upfront cost, small display and missing fax, ADF and USB Host as reasons to avoid the model. It put the US price at $240 and said the slim feature set reflects Epson's decision to drop non-essential items to keep the printer competitive.

TechRadar said setup is straightforward: on-screen prompts help users get the printer online and print a test page, and Epson's free Smart Panel app for iOS and Android can avoid entering a Wi-Fi password through the control panel. Filling ink is stress-free, according to the review, because bottle capacities match the tanks: 65ml for cyan, magenta and yellow, and 127ml for black. Keyed bottle necks prevent pouring the wrong color into a tank. TechRadar described the device as user-friendly in day-to-day use because of the reasonably sized color display and intuitive companion app. In its performance section, the review said the ET-2950 printed every test page on every type of media it tried.

TechRadar said buyers who want a paper input tray and an ADF for copying multiple documents should consider the step-up Epson EcoTank ET-3850, which costs around $70 more. It said users who do not need auto-duplexing or scanning can save money with the HP Smart Tank 210.