Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer Review: The Cartridge-Free Promise Put to the Test

There’s a familiar dread that sets in for anyone with a home printer. It’s the moment you need to print a crucial document—a concert ticket, a school assignment, a boarding pass—only to be greeted by the blinking “low ink” light. The subsequent trip to the store reveals the shocking truth: a new set of tiny plastic cartridges costs nearly as much as the printer itself. It feels like a trap, a subscription you never knowingly signed up for. For years, this has been the frustrating reality of home printing. We’ve been conditioned to accept high running costs, frequent replacements, and the environmental waste of disposable cartridges as the price of convenience. This constant drain on both the wallet and our patience is precisely the problem that ink tank printers aim to solve, promising a revolutionary approach to printing that could save us hundreds of pounds over the life of the machine.

What to Consider Before Buying an Ink Tank Printer

An Ink Tank Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for breaking free from the high-cost, high-waste cycle of traditional cartridge-based printing. Instead of disposable cartridges, these printers feature large, integrated tanks that you refill from affordable, high-capacity ink bottles. The primary benefit is a drastically lower cost-per-page, often reducing printing expenses by up to 90%. This makes them ideal for families with school-age children, home offices, and anyone who prints frequently, from colourful craft projects to lengthy reports. The visibility of the ink levels through front-facing windows also eliminates the guesswork and sudden “out of ink” emergencies, allowing for planned, mess-free refills.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing consistently high printing costs and frustration with the waste and inconvenience of cartridges. This includes small business owners printing marketing materials, students printing research papers, or hobbyists printing photos. However, it might not be the best fit for those who print very infrequently, as the higher initial purchase price might not be justified. For a user who prints only a dozen pages a year, a cheaper entry-level cartridge printer might suffice, though the ink could dry out. Similarly, users needing professional-grade photographic prints with six or more colours, or those requiring the speed and crisp text of a laser printer for high-volume monochrome documents, should consider those specialist alternatives.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: While many ink tank printers are designed for home use, their dimensions can vary. The Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer has a compact footprint (37.5 x 34.7 x 17.9 cm), but you must also account for clearance for the rear paper feed and for opening the scanner lid. Always measure your intended space to ensure a comfortable fit.
• Capacity/Performance: This is where ink tank printers shine. The ET-2810 includes enough ink for up to 4,500 black and 7,500 colour pages. However, performance isn’t just about ink yield. Consider print speed (measured in pages per minute or ppm), which at 10 ppm for black and 5 ppm for colour is modest, and the paper tray capacity, which is 100 sheets. Also note the lack of an automatic document feeder (ADF) or automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, which are manual processes on this model.
• Materials & Durability: Most home printers, including this one, are constructed from lightweight plastic to keep costs down. While this makes the unit easy to move (at just 3.9 kg), some users report it feels flimsy. The durability of internal components is a greater concern, with some reports of early-life failures. Look for warranty information—the standard is one year—and consider the expected usage level versus the printer’s intended design for “home use.”
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The key-lock, mess-free bottles of the EcoTank system make refilling incredibly simple. Wi-Fi setup is typically guided by a smartphone app (Epson Smart Panel). However, maintenance goes beyond refilling ink. All inkjet printers require periodic use to prevent head clogs, and this model has a maintenance box (which collects waste ink) that is not designed to be user-replaceable, a significant long-term consideration.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer stands out for its exceptional ink economy. You can explore its detailed specifications and see the latest offers here.

While the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer is an excellent choice for cost-conscious users, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Lightweight Start to a Heavyweight Saver

Pulling the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer from its box, the first thing we noticed was its weight—or lack thereof. At under 4kg, it’s remarkably light, making it easy to position on a desk or shelf. The build is entirely plastic, and while it looks neat and modern, it does feel somewhat insubstantial, a sentiment echoed by users who described it as “flimsy.” This is a budget-oriented model, and it feels like it. However, the design is practical. The ink tanks are integrated into the front-right of the chassis, with clear windows showing the ink levels at a glance—a huge improvement over guessing with opaque cartridges.

Inside the box, alongside the main unit and power cable, are the four 65ml ink bottles (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow). The real magic happens during the initial setup. Filling the tanks, a process that used to be fraught with peril and potential spills, is now foolproof thanks to Epson’s key-lock bottle design. Each bottle nozzle is uniquely shaped to fit only its corresponding colour tank, and the ink flows automatically without squeezing, stopping when the tank is full. It’s a clean, satisfying, and confidence-inspiring process. The subsequent ink initialisation takes about 10 minutes, after which the printer is ready for software setup via the Epson Smart Panel app, which guides you through connecting to your Wi-Fi network.

A Deep Dive into the Epson EcoTank ET-2810’s Performance

A printer’s true value is revealed not on the spec sheet, but through day-to-day use. We put the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer through its paces, from initial setup to demanding photo prints, to see if its revolutionary cost savings come with unacceptable compromises.

The EcoTank System: Freedom from the Cartridge Tyranny

This is, without a doubt, the single biggest reason to consider this printer. The experience of filling the tanks for the first time is genuinely transformative. The sheer volume of ink provided—enough for a claimed 4,500 black and white pages and 7,500 colour pages—is staggering compared to the paltry yields of standard cartridges. For a typical family or home user, this really does translate to years of printing without having to think about buying ink. This sentiment was universal among happy users, with one noting they are “very happy with this replacement… The bottled inks last much longer than cartridges and are much cheaper!!”

The cost savings are monumental. A full set of replacement ink bottles for the ET-2810 typically costs less than a single set of high-yield cartridges for a competing printer, yet provides over ten times the page yield. This fundamentally changes how you use the printer. You no longer hesitate to print a colourful recipe, a multi-page document for proofreading, or a full-page photo for the kids. The psychological barrier of “wasting ink” is completely removed. The front-facing ink windows are a simple but brilliant design choice, giving you a constant, clear visual of your remaining ink levels. This is the feature that delivers on the EcoTank promise, and for many, it will be enough to overlook the printer’s other shortcomings.

Setup and Connectivity: A Tale of Two Experiences

Getting the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer up and running can be either incredibly simple or deeply frustrating, depending heavily on your tech ecosystem. For most users, the process is streamlined via the Epson Smart Panel app on a smartphone (Android or iOS). The app holds your hand through every step: unboxing, filling the tanks, ink initialisation, and connecting to your Wi-Fi network. We found this process to be smooth and intuitive, and many users agreed, with one stating it “was easy to setup only took about 10 minutes, it has a very handy app that walks you through the setup and installation process.”

However, a significant number of users, particularly those with Apple computers, reported major connectivity issues. One user detailed their frustration: “it was smooth sailing from my iphone and ipad but I had a hard time figuring out how to connect in my macbook even until now I can’t print directly.” Another user, replacing an older Epson, found the new model wouldn’t print emails or photos from their iPad, discovering that “this printer is not shown by Apple as compatible.” This is a critical flaw. While printing from Windows PCs and mobile devices seems robust, the difficulties with macOS are a serious consideration for Apple households. It seems that while the mobile-first setup is convenient, driver support and desktop integration, especially for Mac, can be a minefield of troubleshooting that less tech-savvy users will struggle with.

Print Quality and Performance: A Mixed Bag of Surprises

For a printer so focused on economy, we were pleasantly surprised by the output quality. With a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, text documents are sharp and clear, perfectly adequate for any home or school task. Where it truly impressed us, however, was in photo printing. As one astute user discovered, “People who report mediocre results probably aren’t using decent paper, or the right settings. Get some quality paper… and prepare to be amazed!” We followed this advice, using high-quality glossy photo paper and managing colour profiles through our editing software, and the results were vibrant, detailed, and far better than we expected from a four-colour, entry-level tank printer.

Unfortunately, performance is marred by two significant issues: speed and noise. The rated speeds of 10 ppm (mono) and 5 ppm (colour) are slow by modern standards. Printing a 20-page document feels like it takes an eternity. Compounding this is the noise. This is not a quiet machine. As one user vividly put it, “if you work in your home office late at night forget about printing, this thing will wake the dead.” The clunks, whirs, and grinding sounds during operation are intrusive and feel distinctly low-budget. Furthermore, another issue surfaced during our photo printing tests, confirming a user’s complaint about “marks left by the rollers and pin wheel on glossy photo paper.” While faint, these ‘pizza wheel’ marks are visible on dark areas of prints, which could be a deal-breaker for serious photo enthusiasts.

Build Quality and Long-Term Reliability: The Elephant in the Room

This is the most concerning aspect of the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer. While the low running costs are fantastic, they are meaningless if the hardware itself doesn’t last. The lightweight, plastic construction feels brittle, but the real problems appear to be internal. Sifting through user feedback reveals a disturbing pattern of premature and catastrophic failures. We saw numerous reports of printers dying well within two years, and sometimes much sooner. “8 weeks….thats all I got out of this printer…the head went then the power pack,” lamented one user. Another had their unit fail after 16 months, only to be quoted a repair cost of £156—almost the price of a new printer. Another reported a torn internal ribbon on a rarely used machine.

Perhaps the most critical design flaw is the maintenance tank, which collects waste ink during cleaning cycles. On many higher-end printers, this is a user-replaceable cartridge. On the ET-2810, it is not. When it fills up, the printer stops working and must be sent to Epson for service. One heavy user reported this happening after just six months of continual use. While Epson replaced it under warranty, the long-term prognosis is poor for anyone who prints a lot. This raises a crucial question: is the printer a long-term investment in saving money, or a disposable chassis for the initial ink supply? The evidence suggests that for too many users, it’s the latter. If you are considering this printer, you must weigh the incredible ink savings against the very real risk of a short hardware lifespan.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user sentiment for the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer is deeply divided, creating a clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, users are almost unanimously thrilled with the ink system. One happy customer simply stated, “Very easy to use, economical,” capturing the core appeal. Another noted how they converted it for sublimation printing and praised its easy setup and connectivity, saying they were “ready to go the day it arrived.” The potential for high-quality photo prints was also highlighted by a user who called it a “photo-printing powerhouse” when paired with the right paper and settings.

However, the negative feedback is consistent and severe. The most critical theme is poor reliability and longevity. A user whose machine failed after 16 months warned, “I would not recommend this printer to anyone” after being quoted a steep repair fee. Another documented a complete failure after just 8 weeks. Beyond reliability, connectivity issues, especially with Apple products, were a major source of frustration. One user spent “about 20 hours to get it printing correctly over the course of a week” due to software issues and print quality problems requiring numerous cleaning cycles. The noisy operation and flimsy-feeling build were also common complaints, painting a picture of a product that excels in one area (ink cost) but makes significant compromises elsewhere.

How Does the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Compare to the Alternatives?

The Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer occupies a competitive space. While its ink economy is its headline feature, it’s crucial to see how its overall package compares to other options on the market.

1. Epson Expression Premium XP-6105 Printer

The XP-6105 represents the traditional cartridge-based approach from Epson. Its key advantage lies in print quality, especially for photos, as it uses a five-ink system (including a dedicated photo black) for superior colour depth and accuracy. It also includes features the ET-2810 lacks, such as automatic two-sided printing and a front paper tray. However, this comes at the cost of ink. The running costs for the XP-6105 will be significantly higher, making it a better choice for users who prioritise premium photo quality over long-term running costs and print less frequently.

2. HP Smart Tank 7605 All-in-One Printer 2-Sided Printing Document Feeder

The HP Smart Tank 7605 is a direct competitor in the ink tank category but is aimed at a more demanding home office user. It addresses many of the ET-2810’s shortcomings by including both automatic two-sided printing and a 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) for easy multi-page scanning and copying. It also includes fax capability and an Ethernet port for wired networking. While it also boasts a huge ink supply, its initial purchase price is generally higher. This is the superior choice for anyone running a small business or needing more advanced document-handling features than the basic ET-2810 can provide.

3. HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer

This alternative serves a completely different purpose. The HP OfficeJet 200 is a portable, battery-powered printer designed for professionals who need to print on the go. Its entire design is focused on being compact and lightweight. It sacrifices the all-in-one functions of scanning and copying for ultimate portability. It uses traditional cartridges and is not an economical choice for stationary home use. This is a niche product for real estate agents, consultants, or anyone working from a vehicle or remote locations, and it’s not a direct competitor to the ET-2810 for a home setup.

Final Verdict: A Cost-Saving Revolution with a Serious Catch

The Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer is a product of brilliant highs and worrying lows. The EcoTank system itself is a triumph, successfully liberating users from the exorbitant cost of ink cartridges. The savings are real, substantial, and fundamentally change your relationship with printing for the better. The setup is generally easy (for non-Mac users), and the print quality can range from perfectly acceptable for documents to surprisingly impressive for photos, provided you invest in good paper.

However, these benefits are built upon a foundation that feels shaky. The slow performance, loud operation, and flimsy construction are notable compromises. But the most significant issue is the cloud of doubt surrounding its long-term reliability. The volume of user reports detailing early hardware failures is too large to ignore and undermines the printer’s value proposition. While you save a fortune on ink, you may find yourself with a dead machine just outside its short warranty period. Therefore, we recommend the ET-2810 with a strong caveat: it is best suited for light-to-moderate home users who are desperate to escape the ink cartridge racket and are willing to accept the risk of a shorter hardware lifespan in exchange for rock-bottom running costs. For anyone needing robust reliability for a home office or more frequent use, we would advise looking at a more sturdily built alternative.

If you’ve decided the unprecedented ink savings of the Epson EcoTank ET-2810 Multifunction Wi-Fi Ink Tank Printer are the right fit for your needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.