Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer Review: The Home Photo Lab You’ve Been Waiting For?

For years, my home office has been a graveyard of “all-in-one” printers. Each one promised the world: lightning-fast document printing, high-resolution scanning, and, of course, “lab-quality” photos. And each one, without fail, delivered disappointment when it came to that final, most personal task. My hard drives are filled with thousands of cherished memories—vibrant landscapes from a family holiday, the subtle tones of a newborn’s first portrait, the joyful chaos of a birthday party. Yet, when I’d try to bring these moments to life, the results were always a pale, washed-out imitation. Colours were off, details were muddy, and the paper always felt flimsy. It’s a common frustration that leaves our most precious images trapped behind a screen, in a digital shoebox that we rarely open. The search for a single, home-friendly device that could handle a school report one minute and produce a frame-worthy 8×10 the next felt like a fool’s errand. This quest led us to investigate printers that put photography first, which is how we began our intensive testing of the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer.

What to Consider Before Buying a Photo Printer

A Photo Printer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming digital memories into tangible keepsakes. Unlike standard office printers that prioritize speed and text sharpness, a dedicated photo printer focuses on colour accuracy, tonal range, and the ability to handle specialized glossy and matte media. The main benefit is empowerment: you gain complete creative control over your images, from editing to the final print, without relying on costly and time-consuming third-party services. It allows photographers, hobbyists, and families to create archival-quality prints that, as Epson claims for this model, can last for generations.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the “digital shoebox dilemma”—the photography enthusiast who wants to see their work in physical form, the creative crafter involved in scrapbooking or card making, or the family that wants to decorate their home with high-quality personal art. It’s for the person who values nuance and colour fidelity over raw printing speed. Conversely, this might not be suitable for those who primarily need to print high volumes of text documents, as the cost-per-page with specialized photo inks can be higher than a laser printer or an office-focused inkjet. It’s also not for someone who needs a portable, on-the-go solution; for that, compact instant printers are a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Photo printers, especially multifunction models, can have a surprisingly large footprint. The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer is commendably compact for its capabilities, measuring just 13.4 cm x 13.7 cm x 5.6 cm. However, you must also account for the space needed for the paper trays to extend and the rear media feed to be accessible. Always measure your intended space to ensure a comfortable fit.
• Capacity/Performance: This is where photo printers shine. Look beyond simple pages-per-minute (PPM). Key metrics include the ink system (the XP-8700 uses a 6-colour system for a wider colour gamut), maximum print resolution (its 5760 x 1440 DPI is excellent for fine detail), and paper handling. Multiple trays, like the dual front-loading trays and rear specialty feed on this model, add immense versatility.
• Materials & Durability: A printer should feel solid and well-constructed. The XP-8700 has a dense, sturdy feel, and its components, like the motorized output tray, feel engineered to last. Cheaper models often use flimsy plastics that can lead to misfeeds and frustration over time. Pay attention to the construction of paper trays and access doors.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A complicated setup can ruin the entire experience. Modern printers should offer app-guided installation, intuitive touchscreen controls, and reliable wireless connectivity. The XP-8700 excels here with its large 10.9 cm screen and the Epson Smart Panel app. Also consider long-term maintenance, such as how easy it is to replace individual ink cartridges, which is far more economical than replacing a single multi-colour block.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer 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:

Unboxing the XP-8700: First Impressions of a Compact Creative Hub

Pulling the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer from its box, the first thing we noticed was its stylish and compact design. In a world of bulky, beige office equipment, its sleek grey finish and modest dimensions are a welcome change, designed to blend into a modern home rather than dominate it. One user noted it “fits comfortably on top of my small metal filing cabinet,” and we can confirm its desk-friendly nature. The build quality feels substantial; it’s lightweight at 5.5 kg but doesn’t feel cheap. The centerpiece of the user experience is the large, vibrant 10.9 cm touchscreen, which tilts up for easy viewing. A particularly impressive touch is the motorized control panel and output tray, which extend and retract automatically. This adds a premium feel and keeps the unit’s profile tidy when not in use. Inside the box, you find the printer, a power cord, and a set of six starter Claria Photo HD Ink cartridges. As is common, and as one user pointed out, these initial cartridges are intended to prime the printer and won’t last as long as full retail replacements, so it’s wise to order a spare set.

Putting the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Through Its Paces

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a printer’s worth, you have to live with it. We put the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer through a battery of real-world tests, from initial setup and everyday document printing to its main event: producing high-resolution, gallery-worthy photo prints on various media. We wanted to see if it could finally solve the home printing dilemma and become the creative hub it claims to be.

Setup and Usability: A Refreshingly Simple Experience

Our past experiences with printer setups have often devolved into hours of frustration, battling cryptic network errors and installing bloated, unnecessary software. We were therefore bracing for a fight, but the XP-8700 offered a pleasant surprise. The entire process is guided by the Epson Smart Panel app, which you download to your smartphone. As one happy user, who switched after a “nightmare with a HP printer,” exclaimed, “SO easy to set up following the app and so easy to use!!” We wholeheartedly agree. The app provides clear, step-by-step video instructions for everything from unpacking the printer to installing the six individual ink cartridges and connecting to our Wi-Fi network. This hand-holding approach demystifies the process and had us ready to print in under 20 minutes.

Once operational, the large touchscreen becomes the primary command centre. The interface is clean, responsive, and logically laid out. Navigating menus for copying, scanning, or maintenance tasks is intuitive. For those who prefer a more stable, wired connection, a USB port is available (though a cable is not included), a choice made by one user who wanted to bypass Wi-Fi entirely. This flexibility is appreciated. The automated, motorized output tray is another standout feature that elevates the user experience. It smoothly extends when you send a print job and retracts when you power down, contributing to the printer’s clean, unobtrusive presence in the home. It’s a far cry from the manual, flimsy trays on many competitors.

The Main Event: Uncompromising Photo Print Quality

This is where the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer truly justifies its existence. The magic lies in its 6-colour Claria Photo HD Ink system. Unlike standard four-colour (CMYK) printers, this setup adds Light Cyan and Light Magenta inks. This expanded palette allows for incredibly smooth tonal gradations, especially in skin tones and light skies, and significantly reduces the graininess that can plague photo prints from lesser machines. The results, frankly, are stunning. We tested it with a variety of images: a high-contrast black and white architectural shot, a vibrant sunset landscape, and a detailed close-up portrait. In every case, the printer delivered. The 5760 x 1440 DPI resolution ensures that fine details are rendered with incredible sharpness. Colours were rich and accurate to our calibrated monitor, a sentiment echoed by an iMac user who praised it for getting a tricky locomotive colour “spot on” where a previous, more expensive printer had failed.

We printed a series of 4×6 and A4 photos on Epson’s own Premium Glossy Photo Paper. The output was dry to the touch, smudge-resistant, and possessed a deep, professional lustre that easily rivals what you’d get from a commercial photo lab. One user, who was hesitant after a poor experience with an Epson EcoTank model for photos, was won over, stating, “This xp-8700 is much slower but worth the wait.” This is a crucial point: the XP-8700 is not a speed demon, especially at its highest quality settings. But for photo printing, speed is secondary to quality. The care it takes with each pass is visible in the final product. Epson’s claim that these prints can last up to 300 years in a photo album speaks to the archival quality of the inks, ensuring that the memories you print today will still be vibrant for future generations to enjoy. The photo performance alone makes the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer an exceptional value for photo enthusiasts.

Versatility Beyond the Photo: Paper Handling and Creative Features

While photo printing is its specialty, the XP-8700 is a true multifunction device. Its paper handling is remarkably flexible. The two front-loading, cassette-style paper trays are a massive convenience, allowing you to keep A4 plain paper in one and a stack of 5×7 or 4×6 photo paper in the other, eliminating the need to constantly swap media. The printer automatically selects the correct tray based on your print settings. For more ambitious projects, the rear specialty media feed is a game-changer. This single-sheet, straight-through paper path is designed for thicker media, such as card stock, fine art papers, and matte presentation paper up to A4 size. While some users (often of different Epson models) have noted the rear feed can be finicky, our tests with 260gsm matte card stock were successful, feeding smoothly and producing excellent results.

The creativity doesn’t stop there. A feature that is becoming increasingly rare but is a boon for archivists and creatives is the included tray for printing directly onto compatible CDs and DVDs. One user reported buying the printer specifically for this purpose and was delighted with the results, printing 50 CD surfaces and accompanying booklets with surprising ink efficiency. The built-in scanner offers a respectable 1200 DPI resolution, more than sufficient for high-quality digital archiving of old photos or scanning documents. Combined with A4 automatic duplex (two-sided) printing for documents, the XP-8700 proves itself to be a competent all-rounder that supports both your creative passions and your day-to-day home office needs.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer is largely positive, particularly from users who prioritize photo quality and ease of use. One customer, after a “masochistic” relationship with another brand’s impossible Wi-Fi setup, celebrated the Epson’s straightforward, app-guided process. Another reviewer praised it as the “perfect choice” to replace a mono laser printer, highlighting its compact size and excellent photo output.

However, no product is perfect, and some users have encountered significant issues. The most alarming report came from a user who experienced “horrendous noises” and constant paper jam messages just four days into ownership, deeming it “absolutely garbage.” This appears to be an outlier but is a stark reminder that manufacturing defects can occur. More common complaints revolve around the software and connectivity. One user noted that the printer sometimes loses its Wi-Fi connection and that cancelling a print job can be difficult, occasionally requiring a full power cycle. Others have pointed out quirks with the paper feed, especially the rear tray, which can require some trial and error to get right. These critiques provide a balanced view, suggesting that while the core print engine is superb, the surrounding software and mechanics can occasionally be frustrating.

How Does the XP-8700 Compare to Portable Alternatives?

The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer is a dedicated home unit, but the market also offers a range of ultra-portable printers for different needs. It’s crucial to understand the trade-offs. The alternatives provided are not direct competitors but represent a different philosophy of photo printing: instant gratification on the go versus archival quality at home.

1. HP Sprocket Select Portable Photo Printer

The HP Sprocket Select is designed for a completely different user. It’s a pocket-sized printer that uses ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, where colours are embedded in the special paper and activated by heat. This means no ink cartridges to worry about. It prints 2.3×3.4-inch photos that are often sticky-backed, making them perfect for journals, scrapbooks, and instant sharing at events. While incredibly convenient and fun, the print quality and colour accuracy cannot compare to the 6-colour inkjet system of the Epson XP-8700. You trade quality and size for portability. Choose the Sprocket Select if your priority is instant, shareable, small-format prints away from home.

2. HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer

This is the smaller sibling to the Sprocket Select, producing even smaller 2×3-inch sticky-backed photos. It’s even more portable and geared towards a younger, social media-savvy audience. The accompanying app includes filters and digital stickers to customize photos before printing. This device is purely a fun gadget, a way to bring digital snaps into the physical world in a playful manner. It lacks the resolution, colour depth, print size, and media versatility of the Epson XP-8700. It is not a tool for serious photography, but rather a toy for creating fun mementos on the spot.

3. Phomemo M02 Mini Sticker Printer

The Phomemo M02 is in another category altogether. This is a thermal printer, meaning it uses heat to create an image on special thermal paper, similar to a receipt printer. Crucially, most models are monochrome (black and white). It is not designed for printing colour photographs. Its purpose is to create stickers, labels, journal entries, and QR codes quickly and cheaply from a smartphone. While it’s an excellent tool for organization and crafting, anyone looking to print photos would be deeply disappointed. This comparison highlights the Epson XP-8700’s core strength: producing high-fidelity, full-colour photographic prints.

The Final Frame: Is the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 a Winner?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is clear: the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer is an outstanding choice for its target audience. It is tailor-made for the hobbyist photographer, the creative family, and anyone who has been let down by the mediocre photo performance of standard all-in-one printers. Its 6-colour Claria Photo HD ink system delivers truly beautiful, vibrant, and detailed prints that you would be proud to frame and display. The combination of excellent photo quality, versatile media handling, and a genuinely user-friendly interface in a compact, stylish package is a winning formula.

While it’s not without its flaws—the starter inks are small, and some users have flagged issues with software and paper feeding—these are outweighed by its core strength. It successfully bridges the gap between a basic home office printer and a costly professional photo printer. If your primary goal is to liberate your best photos from the digital realm and turn them into lasting physical art, the XP-8700 is one of the best tools for the job. It’s a versatile and powerful creative hub that finally delivers on the promise of lab-quality printing at home.

If you’ve decided the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless Inkjet Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.