Epson EcoTank ET-16600 Review: The A3+ Workhorse for a Cartridge-Free Office

I remember the moment clearly. It was 10 PM on a Tuesday, and I was staring down the barrel of a major project deadline. A set of architectural proofs needed to be printed in A3 format, and they had to be perfect. Halfway through the second page, the dreaded message flashed across my old printer’s screen: “Cyan Ink Cartridge Empty.” A frantic search through my office drawers revealed nothing. The local stores were closed. The project was stalled, my stress levels were through the roof, and all I could think about was the exorbitant cost of yet another set of tiny, plastic cartridges that seemed to run dry if you just looked at them the wrong way. This cycle of high costs, constant replacements, and unexpected interruptions is a familiar nightmare for anyone running a small business, a creative studio, or even a busy household. It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a drain on time, productivity, and finances, forcing you to compromise on your work’s quality and scope.

What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer

An inkjet printer is more than just an item on a desk; it’s a key solution for bringing digital creations to life, archiving important documents, and powering a business’s daily operations. The primary benefit of a modern inkjet, especially a model like the Epson EcoTank ET-16600, is its incredible versatility. It can produce razor-sharp text documents one minute and vibrant, gallery-worthy photo prints the next. The core problem this product category solves is the need for high-quality colour output without the massive upfront cost and physical footprint of a commercial colour laser printer. For businesses, it means professional-looking marketing materials in-house. For photographers and designers, it means accurate proofs and stunning portfolio pieces. For families, it means everything from school projects to cherished photo albums.

The ideal customer for a high-capacity, multifunction printer is someone facing the constant demand for varied, high-volume printing. This includes small business owners, graphic designers, architects, photographers, real estate agents, and busy home offices that have moved beyond occasional printing. If your monthly print volume is high and you’re tired of the cost-per-page of traditional cartridges, a tank-based system is a revelation. However, it might not be suitable for those who print only a handful of pages a month. For such light users, the significant initial investment in a top-tier EcoTank model might not be justifiable, and a more basic, budget-friendly cartridge printer could suffice. Likewise, if you only ever print black-and-white text documents, a monochrome laser printer might be a more economical choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A workhorse printer, especially one that handles A3+ media, is not a small device. The Epson EcoTank ET-16600 measures 59 x 55 x 43 cm and weighs a hefty 20.7 kg. Before you buy, measure your intended space carefully, ensuring there’s enough room not just for the printer itself, but also for opening scanner lids, extending paper trays, and accessing ink tanks.
• Capacity & Performance: Look beyond the initial purchase price to the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). A key metric is cost-per-page. The EcoTank system excels here, offering thousands of pages from a single set of ink bottles. Also, consider paper capacity; the ET-16600’s impressive 550-sheet capacity across three trays means less time spent refilling and more time working. Print speed (PPM) is important for productivity, but don’t forget to check the maximum print resolution (DPI) for quality.
• Media Handling & Versatility: What do you need to print on? If your needs go beyond standard A4 paper, a printer’s media flexibility is paramount. The ability to handle up to A3+ size, as the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 does, opens up possibilities for posters, large spreadsheets, and full-bleed photos. Check for compatibility with different paper weights, finishes, and speciality media like envelopes or cardstock.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer should simplify your workflow, not complicate it. Features like an intuitive touchscreen interface, automatic duplex (two-sided) printing, and reliable wireless/wired connectivity are essential. For tank printers, consider the refill process. Epson’s EcoTank system uses keyed bottles to prevent misfuelling and spills, a thoughtful design touch that makes maintenance clean and simple.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 stands out in several areas, particularly for those demanding volume, versatility, and long-term value. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 is an excellent choice, 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:

First Impressions: A Substantial and Purpose-Built Machine

Unboxing the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 is an event in itself. This is not a lightweight, flimsy piece of plastic. The box is large, and the printer inside, at nearly 21 kg, feels incredibly robust and well-constructed. It immediately gives the impression of a serious piece of office equipment designed for longevity. The black finish is professional and understated, fitting well into a modern office environment. Setting it up involves removing a considerable amount of protective blue tape, but the process is straightforward. The true “wow” moment, however, comes when you unbox the ink bottles. Instead of tiny, palm-sized cartridges, you get substantial bottles of ink. Filling the tanks for the first time is a uniquely satisfying experience. The nozzles are keyed, so you can’t put the wrong colour in the wrong tank, and the auto-stop feature prevents any messy overflows. It’s a clean, simple, and ingenious system that sets the tone for the entire EcoTank philosophy: high volume, low fuss. The large LCD touchscreen is bright, responsive, and makes the initial network setup and calibration process a breeze.

A Deep Dive into the Epson EcoTank ET-16600’s Performance

A printer’s true worth is only revealed through rigorous, real-world testing. We put the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 through its paces over several weeks, using it as the primary printer for a busy office environment. We printed everything from multi-page text documents and complex spreadsheets to high-resolution A3+ photographs and marketing brochures. Our deep-dive analysis focuses on the three pillars that make this machine a standout performer: its revolutionary ink system, its large-format prowess, and its real-world speed and quality.

The EcoTank Revolution: Kissing Cartridges Goodbye for Good

The single most compelling reason to consider the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 is the EcoTank system itself. It fundamentally changes your relationship with printing costs. The initial sticker shock is real, but it’s an investment, not just an expense. The printer arrives with a full set of ink bottles, which Epson claims is enough to print thousands of pages. In our testing, this claim holds up. After printing hundreds of mixed-use pages, including several ink-heavy A3 photo prints, the ink levels barely seemed to move. This creates a profound sense of freedom. You no longer hesitate to print in colour or second-guess whether a document is “important enough” to print. The psychological barrier of costly, rapidly depleting cartridges is completely removed.

The refilling process, which you’ll only do very infrequently, is brilliantly engineered. Each bottle has a unique key-nozzle that fits only its corresponding colour tank on the printer, making it impossible to misfuel. You simply uncap the bottle, invert it onto the port, and it fills automatically, stopping when the tank is full. There’s no squeezing, no mess, and no guesswork. The front-facing tanks have clear windows, so you can see the exact ink levels at a glance, a vast improvement over software-based estimations that are often unreliable. For any business that has spent a small fortune on ink cartridges year after year, the TCO of the ET-16600 is a game-changer. The savings on consumables over the life of the printer will far outweigh the higher initial purchase price.

Beyond A4: Unleashing Creativity and Productivity with A3+ Printing

The ability to print, scan, and copy up to A3+ size (329 x 483 mm or 13″ x 19″) elevates the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 from a standard office multifunction device to a powerful creative and business tool. For our tests, we printed a series of high-resolution landscape photographs on A3+ glossy photo paper. The results were nothing short of breathtaking. The 4800 x 2400 dpi resolution delivered stunning detail, vibrant colours, and smooth gradations. The ability to produce borderless prints at this size is a huge advantage for photographers and designers looking to create portfolio-ready work directly from their desk. It allows for accurate proofing without having to send files out to a commercial print shop, saving both time and money.

Beyond creative applications, the A3 capability is a massive productivity booster in a business context. We printed large, complex financial spreadsheets that would be unreadable on A4. The text was crisp and clear, allowing for an easy overview of the entire dataset. We also tested it on architectural plans and marketing posters. The printer handled heavy cardstock through its rear feed with ease, demonstrating its media flexibility. The 550-sheet total capacity, split between two 250-sheet front cassettes and a 50-sheet rear tray, is a huge convenience. You can load A4 in one tray and A3 in another, switching between jobs seamlessly without having to constantly swap paper. The inclusion of an A3-capable flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for duplex copying and scanning completes the package, making it a true all-in-one large-format workhorse.

Performance in Practice: Speed, Quality, and User Experience

Epson quotes impressive print speeds of up to 32 ppm for black and 22 ppm for colour. In our real-world testing on default quality settings, the speeds for standard text documents were certainly fast, with the first page appearing in just under six seconds thanks to its PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology. Complex documents with mixed text and graphics were closer to 15-20 ppm, which is still highly respectable. Where the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 truly shines is in its output quality. Text documents, even at small font sizes, were laser-sharp and smudge-resistant. Colour graphics on plain paper were vibrant and punchy, perfect for presentations and reports.

Navigating the printer’s functions is done via a large, clear colour touchscreen. The menu is logically laid out for common tasks like copying and scanning. However, as noted by some users, diving into the more advanced settings can present a slight learning curve. We found that to get the absolute best results for photo printing, you need to correctly set the paper type, print quality, and colour management profiles in the driver software. As one user mentioned, “If all the quite extensive parameters are set correctly, you get very good results.” We can confirm this. While the default settings are great for everyday jobs, taking a few moments to fine-tune the parameters for speciality prints yields truly professional-grade output. Initial setup of the software and drivers was smooth for us, but we acknowledge that, as with any sophisticated piece of hardware, keeping firmware and drivers updated is key to resolving any potential quirks and ensuring optimal performance. For those who demand the best possible output, the granular control offered is a significant advantage, and the exceptional quality you can achieve makes it well worth exploring these settings. You can see the stunning results for yourself when you get this printer.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience is largely mirrored by the broader user base, though it’s clear the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 is a machine for users who are serious about their printing needs. A common theme in feedback is the initial setup experience. One detailed user review noted having “considerable problems with the software and drivers at the beginning,” but found that subsequent updates significantly improved functionality, even adding useful features like multi-page printing. This echoes our sentiment that keeping the device’s software current is crucial for the best experience. The same user also highlighted that the menu navigation and connection to external software could be improved, pointing to the learning curve for accessing the printer’s full potential. This is fair criticism; it’s a powerful tool with many options, not a simple plug-and-play device for absolute beginners. Ultimately, the consensus is clear: once you overcome any initial setup hurdles and learn the system, the results are “very good,” and the long-term value of the EcoTank system is undeniable.

How the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 Compares to the Alternatives

The Epson EcoTank ET-16600 operates in a high-performance niche, but it’s helpful to see how it compares to other options on the market, especially for those with different budgets and needs.

1. HP DeskJet 2720e All-in-One Printer

The HP DeskJet 2720e is a budget-friendly all-in-one printer aimed squarely at the casual home user. Its primary advantages are its low upfront cost and compact size. It relies on a traditional cartridge system, often paired with HP’s Instant Ink subscription service. Compared to the ET-16600, it’s a world apart. The DeskJet is limited to A4 printing, has a much smaller paper capacity, and significantly slower print speeds. While it’s a perfectly adequate choice for someone who prints a few documents or photos a month and prioritizes a low initial price, anyone with high-volume or large-format needs would find it restrictive and costly to run in the long term.

2. Canon PIXMA TS205 Inkjet Printer

The Canon PIXMA TS205 represents the most basic end of the printer market. It is a print-only device, lacking the scan and copy functions of the Epson. It is extremely compact and has a very low purchase price, making it suitable for users with minimal space and the most basic printing needs—perhaps for printing occasional tickets or a short essay. Its running costs, based on standard ink cartridges, will be very high on a per-page basis. This printer is not a competitor to the ET-16600 in any functional sense; rather, it highlights the vast difference in target audience. The PIXMA is for the infrequent user, whereas the Epson is for the power user.

3. Epson EcoTank ET-2750 Printer

This is a more direct, albeit junior, comparison. The Epson EcoTank ET-2750 shares the same core DNA as the ET-16600: the revolutionary cartridge-free EcoTank system. It offers fantastic running costs and great print quality. However, it’s a much smaller, A4-only machine. It lacks the A3+ capability, the large touchscreen, the massive 550-sheet paper capacity, and the sheer speed and robustness of its larger sibling. The ET-2750 is an excellent choice for a busy home or small office that prints a high volume of A4 documents and wants to save on ink. For those who need the large-format capabilities and higher productivity features, the ET-16600 is the clear and necessary step up.

Our Final Verdict on the Epson EcoTank ET-16600

After extensive testing, we can say with confidence that the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 is a phenomenal piece of engineering for the right user. It is a powerful, versatile, and ultimately economical solution for any small business, creative professional, or prosumer who has high-volume and large-format printing needs. The initial investment is significant, and its large size demands a dedicated space. However, the trade-off is freedom from the tyranny of expensive ink cartridges, the flexibility to produce stunning A3+ prints in-house, and the productivity of a true office workhorse. The print quality is superb, the paper handling is robust, and the long-term savings are undeniable. If you are tired of the ink replacement cycle and your work demands more than a standard A4 printer can deliver, the ET-16600 is not just a great choice; it’s a transformative investment in your workflow.

If you’ve decided the Epson EcoTank ET-16600 is the right fit for your home or office, you can check its current price and purchase it here.