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The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5880 is a four-function office printer whose refillable ink system is designed to reduce ongoing ink expense. Epson’s published comparison puts color printing at about 2 cents per ISO page, but that is a manufacturer estimate based on comparison data from July 2019—not a current, independently measured cost. Whether the printer saves money for your office depends on how much you print, how much color coverage your pages use, and whether its business features justify the upfront price.

What the ET-5880 offers

The ET-5880 combines printing, copying, scanning, and faxing with refillable ink tanks. It is aimed at office use rather than being a basic home printer. The details vary by regional version, so check the specification page for the model sold where you live.

Specification US version European A4 version
Print speed 25 ISO pages per minute in black and color, per Epson’s US product page Not stated in the cited European product-page details
Paper handling 500-sheet front-tray capacity plus a rear specialty-paper feed, per Epson’s US product page Two 250-sheet trays and a 50-sheet rear feed, per Epson’s European product page
Automatic document feeder Not stated in the cited US product-page details 50-sheet ADF, per Epson’s European product page
Connectivity and driver support PCL and PostScript support, per Epson’s US product page Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, and mobile-app printing, per Epson’s European product page

Sources: Epson US product page and Epson European product page.

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Does the EcoTank actually save money?

Epson advertises about 2 cents per color ISO page for the ET-5880, compared with 14 cents for standard-capacity color laser toner cartridges, and says savings can reach 80 percent. Those figures come from Epson’s comparison, not an independent cost test. Its footnote says the comparison used replacement-bottle cost and the amount of standard-capacity color laser toner needed to match bottle yields, using manufacturers’ online prices and yields for selected best-selling, similarly featured printers available at retail and priced at $999 or less as of July 2019. Epson also says actual costs and savings vary with print tasks, volume, and usage. Epson US product page and comparison notes.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
  • 2 Years of Unlimited Ink promo valid for ET-5150, ET-5170, ET-5180, ET-5800, ET-5850, ET-5880, ET-16600 or ET-16650 printers purchased from 10/1/2021 to 3/31/2025. Product must be registered within 30 days of purchase. Limit four 542 ink bottles per claim. Each claim cannot contain multiple bottles of the same color. Retain your empty 542 ink bottle for submission along with rebate form. Promotion applies to ink only. Printer covered by Epson 2-year ltd wnty with registration. For promo participation, you must register your product. See manufacturer's website for details.
  • Warning – Printer Designed For Use With Pigment Inks Only Use of Dye Inks May Cause Damage not covered by the Epson Limited Wnty
  • You can save up to 80 percent with low-cost replacement ink bottles vs standard-capacity color laser toner cartridges (1) — very low cost per page with about 2 cents per color ISO page vs 14 cents with cartridges (1)
  • Epson EcoTank is the #1 Best Selling Supertank Printer*
  • Fast print speed — powered by PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology up to 25 ISO ppm black (ƚ) no warmup time for fast first page out

That makes the headline figure a useful illustration of the ink-tank model, not a current quote for your office. To estimate your own costs, compare the current local price of compatible replacement ink with toner or ink for alternatives you would actually buy. Factor in your monthly page count and color coverage: a mostly black-text workload is different from one with color charts, photos, or large filled areas. Also consider the purchase price and whether the ET-5880’s paper handling and office functions would replace equipment you otherwise need.

Epson’s bottle yields are estimates, not guaranteed page counts

For the US model, Epson lists a 542 ink set: one 127 mL black bottle with a stated 7,500-page yield, and three 70 mL color bottles with a stated 6,000-page yield. Epson bases those yields on its methodology using the ISO/IEC 24712 pattern. It cautions that actual results vary with images, settings, temperature, humidity, and other factors; infrequent printing or heavy use of one color can also reduce yield. Some ink from the supplied bottles is used during initial setup. Epson US product page and Epson 542 ink information.

Rank #2
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier, Fax and Ethernet, White
  • Sold as 1 Each.
  • All-in-one printer gives you printing, copying, and scanning capability. Four-color, all-pigment four-in-one TFP2 printing technology with up to 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution. 25 ppm for color and black/white images with a monthly duty cycle of 66000 pages. 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN, 1 x USB host, and Wi-Fi connectivity help enhance productivity.
  • Dimensions: 13.8"H x 16.73"W x 19.7"D. Types of media supported include cardstock, matte paper, glossy photo paper, plain paper, photo paper, and envelopes. Fax memory accommodates up to 550 pages for snag-free operation. Automatic two-sided duplexing enables hands-free two-sided copying; features an auto feeder with a 50-sheet capacity.
  • Easily manage tasks with the 4.3" touch screen. 1200 dpi optical resolution, 9600 dpi interpolated resolution, 24-bit color depth for good-quality printed text and images. Meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR, UL 60950-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1, FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B, and RoHS standards.
  • 2-year manufacturer limited warranty.

So the printed yield should not be read as the number of pages every buyer will get. If your documents use more color than the standardized pattern, or one color is consumed disproportionately, your replacement timing and cost will differ. Check bottle compatibility for your specific regional model before ordering.

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What does it cost upfront?

Epson’s US product page lists the ET-5880 at $899.99. That is a manufacturer-page price, not a verified current street price; local retailer prices and availability may differ. Epson US product page.

Rank #3
Sale
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
  • 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

The practical decision is whether expected ink savings and the printer’s office features offset the amount you pay to acquire it. Estimate your monthly printing, account for color coverage, and use current local prices for both the printer and replacement consumables. A high-volume office has more opportunity to benefit from lower refill costs than an occasional printer, but Epson’s figures alone cannot establish your break-even point.

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Ink compatibility and warranty considerations

Epson describes the ET-5880 as designed for pigment inks and states: “Warning – Printer Designed For Use With Pigment Inks Only. Use of Dye Inks May Cause Damage not covered under the Epson Limited Warranty.” Epson also recommends genuine ink and says non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered by its limited warranty. This is Epson’s stated warranty position; check the warranty terms that apply in your region. Epson US product page and Epson 542 ink information.

Rank #4
Sale
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
  • Sold as 1 Each.
  • All-in-one printer gives you printing, faxing, copying, and scanning capability
  • Inkjet printer has a resolution that goes up to 4800 x 2400 dpi for excellent readability
  • 17 ppm in black/white and 9 ppm in color with a monthly duty cycle of 33000 pages
  • 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN, and Wi-Fi connectivity help enhance productivity

Who should consider the ET-5880?

  • It may suit a busy small office that prints regularly and can use its print, copy, scan, and fax functions, along with the relevant regional model’s paper handling and connectivity.
  • It is harder to justify for occasional printing if the purchase price is high relative to your expected ink use. Low replacement-ink costs matter less when you print very few pages.
  • Check the workflow fit before buying: confirm the local model’s tray and ADF configuration, driver support, network options, and compatible ink supply against your actual requirements.
  • Compare total cost, not a single advertised rate: use current local printer and consumable prices, realistic page volume, and your own text-versus-color mix.

Verdict

The ET-5880’s central appeal is straightforward: refillable tanks can make ongoing ink costs attractive for offices that print enough to use them, while its four-in-one design and business-oriented features can reduce the need for separate devices. But Epson’s 2-cent color-page comparison is a July 2019 manufacturer benchmark with usage caveats, not proof of what your office will pay today. Treat the listed yield as a standardized estimate, check your regional configuration and ink compatibility, and decide using current local prices and your real printing pattern.

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Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
Epson EcoTank is the #1 Best Selling Supertank Printer*; 500-sheet paper capacity — two front trays plus a rear feed for specialty paper
$599.99
SaleBestseller No. 4
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Supertank Printer
Sold as 1 Each.; All-in-one printer gives you printing, faxing, copying, and scanning capability
$449.00

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.