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The Epson EcoTank ET-4850 is a capable home-office all-in-one with print, scan, copy, and fax functions, automatic two-sided printing, a 250-sheet paper tray, and refillable ink tanks. Its low ongoing ink expense can make the high upfront cost worthwhile for frequent document printing. But it does not scan both sides automatically, independent reviews report slow color output and wake-up, and Epson’s US site now lists it as discontinued with the ET-4950 as its replacement.
What the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 offers
The ET-4850 is a four-function multifunction printer (MFP): it prints, scans, copies, and faxes. Epson’s US product listing also specifies Ethernet and wireless networking, automatic two-sided printing, and a 250-sheet paper tray. IT Pro reports a 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF).
- Printing: automatic two-sided printing is available.
- Scanning and copying: the ADF can feed multi-page documents, but it does not automatically scan both sides.
- Connectivity: Ethernet and wireless networking are listed by Epson for the US model.
- Paper handling: Epson lists a 250-sheet tray; IT Pro reports a 35-sheet ADF.
Those features make it more versatile than a basic home printer, particularly for an office that handles multi-page paperwork. Its headline trade-off is the familiar tank-printer one: pay more for the machine upfront to reduce the frequency and cost of replacing ink.
Is the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 worth it?
It can be worth considering if you print often, mostly documents, and expect to keep the printer long enough for lower ink costs to offset its higher initial price. If you print only occasionally, the savings may not compensate for paying more at purchase. The right answer depends on your print volume, the local price of the printer and ink, and how long you plan to use it.
#1 Best Overall
- Set this Epson Supertank printer on your counter or desk area to help ensure you're ready for the workday. The cartridge-free printer offers high printing speeds and high-capacity ink tanks to let you get things done with ease. The Epson all-in-one wireless printer offers plenty of helpful printing solutions, including mobile options like the Epson Smart Panel app, Epson Scan to Cloud and more.
- Prints up to 15.5 pages per minute (ppm) in black and 8.5 ppm in color.
- Prints at a 4800 x 1200 resolution for beautiful text and images.
- Auto 2-sided printing helps save time and money.
- Offers mobile printing options, including the Epson Smart Panel App, Epson Email Print, Epson Remote Print, Epson Scan to Cloud, Apple AirPrint, Android Printing, Fire OS Printing and Mopria Print Service.
RTINGS describes the ET-4850 as producing high-quality documents with crisp text and fine detail, and detailed scans. It also reports limitations: slow color-document printing, a slow wake from idle, and photos that can look oversaturated or grainy. IT Pro’s 2023 review similarly viewed it as an above-average MFP with useful features and low ink costs, while noting the high initial price and that plain-paper output may not look authoritative enough for some office uses. These are reviewers’ assessments, not a guarantee of results for every document or setup.
For a workload dominated by everyday text documents, scanning, and copying, its feature set and refillable tanks are appealing. If you need fast color output, polished photo prints, or automatic two-sided scanning, those shortcomings matter more than the ink savings.
Rank #2
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
- Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
- Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
How much does the ET-4850 ink cost?
Epson’s US product information lists replacement yields of 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages for its 502 ink bottles. These are estimates under Epson’s test methodology, not guaranteed page counts: actual yield varies with what and how much you print, and some ink is used for printer maintenance. Epson says included bottle yield is lower than replacement-bottle yield because ink is used during initial setup.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Epson advertises replacement-bottle savings of up to 90% compared with cartridges. That is Epson’s estimate, not an independently measured or universal saving; Epson bases it on cartridge and bottle MSRP and yields as of March 2024, and says results vary considerably with print tasks, volume, and usage. Check current local bottle prices and your own printing habits before estimating payback.
Rank #3
- Epson EcoTank Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer – Cartridge-Free System, High-Capacity Ink Bottles, Mobile Printing, Auto Duplex
- WORRY-FREE PRINTING — Epson EcoTank comes with enough ink to print up to 6,600 pages black/5,500 color⁹ for fewer out-of-ink frustrations. Each replacement ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 cartridges¹⁰
- SIMPLE INK REFILLING — Supersized ink tanks and uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles make refilling ink simple—no mess, no stress and no ink bottle mix-ups
- THE WORLD’S #1 SELLING SUPERTANK PRINTER² — Epson invented EcoTank to revolutionize the way people print; we’ve sold 100 million EcoTanks worldwide⁷ and this is our 7th generation of cartridge-free printers
- ADVANCED PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES — Fast 18 black/9 color ISO ppm print speeds with zero warmup time, an Auto Document Feeder, fax, a high-capacity 250-sheet paper tray, auto duplex printing, copying and scanning, and a 2.4" color display for easy navigation
As a separate historical example, IT Pro’s Simon Handby reported in a UK review dated 27 March 2023 that replacement ink worked out to less than 0.5 pence per full-color page using the review’s UK pricing. That figure is specific to that review’s place and time; it is not a current US cost or a location-neutral rate.
The Epson specification sheet names the T04D100 maintenance box. Epson warns that damage caused by non-genuine ink may not be covered under its limited warranty; that is Epson’s stated warranty position, not a universal legal rule for third-party supplies.
Rank #4
- Sold as 1 Each.
- All-in-one printer gives you printing, copying, and scanning capability
- Printer has a resolution quality that goes up to 4800 x 1200 dpi for excellent readability
- 15.5 ppm in black/white and 8.5 ppm in color, automatic duplex printing with a monthly duty cycle of 5000 pages
- 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN, and Wi-Fi connectivity helps enhance productivity
Does the Epson ET-4850 scan both sides?
No. The ET-4850 can automatically print on both sides, but its ADF does not duplex-scan. If you regularly digitize double-sided originals, you must handle the reverse sides separately rather than relying on a one-pass automatic duplex scan. RTINGS also identifies the lack of duplex scanning as a limitation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What ink does the ET-4850 use?
The ET-4850 uses Epson 502 EcoFit ink bottles. Epson’s US product information lists replacement-bottle yields of 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages under its methodology; actual yield varies, and the included bottles may yield fewer pages because some ink is used during setup. Check the bottle compatibility and current availability for your region before ordering.
Best Value
- Epson EcoTank Wireless All-in-One Ink Tank Printer – Cartridge-Free System, High-Capacity Ink Bottles, Mobile Printing, Auto Duplex
- WORRY-FREE PRINTING — Epson EcoTank comes with enough ink to print up to 6,600 pages black/5,500 color⁹ for fewer out-of-ink frustrations. Each replacement ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 cartridges¹⁰
- SIMPLE INK REFILLING — Supersized ink tanks and uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles make refilling ink simple—no mess, no stress and no ink bottle mix-ups
- THE WORLD’S #1 SELLING SUPERTANK PRINTER² — Epson invented EcoTank to revolutionize the way people print; we’ve sold 100 million EcoTanks worldwide⁷ and this is our 7th generation of cartridge-free printers
- ADVANCED PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES — Fast 18 black/9 color ISO ppm print speeds with zero warmup time, an Auto Document Feeder, fax, a high-capacity 250-sheet paper tray, auto duplex printing, copying and scanning, and a 2.4" color display for easy navigation
Is the ET-4850 discontinued?
Epson’s US product page currently marks the ET-4850 discontinued and names the EcoTank ET-4950 as its replacement. Availability, pricing, included ink, warranty, and product status can vary by region and change over time, so check local listings before buying. RTINGS describes the ET-4950 as similar overall, with duplex scanning and improved color accuracy; verify the successor’s current local specifications and price if those features matter to you.
Quick Recap
Who should choose the ET-4850?
- Consider it if you print enough documents for refillable tanks to offset a higher purchase price, and value fax, an ADF, networking, and automatic two-sided printing.
- Look elsewhere if two-sided scanning, quick color output, or stronger photo color accuracy is central to your work.
- Compare the total cost across the printer’s purchase price, expected ink use, and how long you expect to keep it. For a discontinued model, also weigh local availability and support against the ET-4950’s verified current specifications and price.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
