A printer with plenty to offer, it’s definitely not a compact or simple solution, nor is it the cheapest. However, the results might just make it the ideal solution as an all-in-one printer for your home or even office with its capabilities. With that, we test and review the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 to see what it’s like to use and what it can do.
Not to be confused with the Epson XP-15000 we previously to a look at, this one instead is more versatile and with more functionality as the XP is more photo-focused. Either way, both Epson printers bring the Ecotank into their build and utilize a more eco-friendly Ink Tank solution. So if you’ve got the need for a robust printer, here’s how it fairs and what it has to offer.
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Duplex Printing: Yes
The Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a greatly capable printer, the AIO solution gives you a handy choice for getting everything you might need for your home or in a small office. With a high-quality print solution, scanning and copying capabilities, and even fax if you need it, make it a handy and feature-rich solution. The Ecotank is a good friendly solution to use, without subscriptions and with high yields should last you quite some time depending on your use cases, but the low running cost might not offset the high initial price tag.
- Can print on large-sized paper sizes
- Low print cost with high yields and lots of tank capacity
- An all-in-one that can handle plenty of needs and connectivity types
- Good quality prints with lots of settings to change
- The high initial cost may put some off considering it
- Doesn’t support duplex scanning even with duplex printing
- Quite heavy and large for a home printer, but due to all its supported features
Box contents and setup
Starting off with what’s in the box, you get quite a good array of things to get you started.
- Printer unit
- Full set of ink (BK 127ml, MYK 70ml)
- Power cable (UK/EU in our case)
- Setup Guide
- Software CD
Now there’s quite an unexpected addition, with a CD being included with drivers. In this day and age, it might be more useful to offer USBs with them instead as not many have got a CD drive to even run these. But they’re likely cheaper and instead you can get the drivers from Epson or use the app to set it up.
Ink can stain your skin or clothes so it’s best to be careful. It can be useful to wear gloves and put down newspapers or scrap to protect the desk and your clothes.
Also when installing the PC driver be patient, I didn’t and canceled the installation as it seemed to have stalled. Then had to restart my PC to get it working again. It’s a vital addition if you want it working as Windows didn’t automatically find one for the printer.
Epson ET-15000 Printer screen and buttons, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer included box inclusions, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer Ink bottles, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer box, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer ink tank ports, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer ribbon and rail, Image by PC Guide
Additionally, the more useful additions feature the power cable, a setup guide, a full set of ink refills, and the printer itself. The refills will give you a whole tank’s worth from the get-go, promising 6,000 pages of color and 7,500 of black. Then the startup guide is an easy walkthrough of how to get going.
Following it is a fairly simple process with features that make it easier to use, such as the stand that props open the lid so you can get to the insides without having to hold it open. In addition to that, the ink tanks are easy to refill as you can just tip the bottles on the appropriate nozzle. But due to the keying of the ports, it does mean you can only use the appropriate bottles limiting your options to which you can buy. Even if there are some knockoff alternatives it’s not the most friendly choice as even using syringe injection is hard with the installed valves. But it does save you from emptying the wrong color into the wrong tank, so it’s a mixed-bag solution.
After that it is quite simple, load up the cassette or back tray with paper and you can boot it up and follow the instructions. As you inform us you’ve filled the tanks it does its setup and you can connect it up to the WiFi, getting you the latest updates and being able to control it from your phone.
Design
The ET-15000 keeps things simple, but quite bulky and heavy. As it is an AIO printer, it has a lot to fit in, making it more of a set down in one place and keeping it there as a potential home printer. With a width of nearly 500mm and a depth of 360mm, it’s quite an impactful device to have to fit in. Plus weighing it nearly 10kg, it’s not like you’re going to be taking it in and out, rather just setting it in one place.
Although it is quite heavy, it folds up nicely into the box shape it comes in, which helps with the packing and folding away of the entire thing. But transforming it is rather simple and easy. Start off with the 6.8cm (2.7 inch) touchscreen display, which is an ok size, enough to interact and set things up. But the whole panel can be tilted up making it much easier to interact with depending on where you want to use it from.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 open top back, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer back, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer front folded, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer front on unfolded, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer back ports, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer open top, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer automatic document feeder, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer power and phone ports, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer label, Image by PC Guide
Epson ET-15000 Printer scanner bed, Image by PC Guide
Then there are the multiple paper feeds you can choose from, with the cassette or tray for printing purposes. You can also unfold the tray where the paper exits to make sure your prints don’t fall down. Plus they extend quite far considering the printer supports slightly large print formats with an A3 capability, all the way down to envelopes or 10 x 15cm. Along with even photo printing on glossy paper as we tried in our testing.
There is also the potential for scanning, copying, and even faxing. Fairly simple to do with the touchscreen display that gives you plenty of guidance and options to do so. Plus even if the printer itself is heavy, the scanner lid not so much as the hinges gives lots of support and ease of moving it.
As for the connectivity available, there are plenty of options for completing any task you need with the printer. Including over ethernet or USB printing and scanning onto your PC with the ScanSmart app or drivers, to the cloud with a sign-in and setup, or web services. You can do so wirelessly with your phone app and WiFi signal, along with the potential for faxing and phone line connection if you require it.
Print results and speed
Just as a caveat, the printer was used for sublimation printing, and although I emptied out the tank refilled it with the normal ink, and then printed several test pages there still might be some remnants that aren’t fully representative. But for the most part should provide a good overview, bear in mind the photos below aren’t an ideal way to show it off, especially with the office lighting on them as well.
In general, it has a strong quality to its points, with no mixing or smudges of the ink. It keeps the straight lines and clear cut, only at the smallest fonts of 5 or so on A4 it becomes slightly harder to read with lines changing thickness and bolding letters. Printing these colored pages took around 26 seconds from cold, with 22 for each subsequent one. Although if you tell it to do black and white only it’s a bit faster in just 17 seconds.
On the other hand, a glossy photo print will take its time, as the A3 we tested took a good time but clearly worth the time. Although the color might be slightly off, it’s clear and passable in its quality with a good representation of the photo. It might be worth giving them time to dry as well though, as pulling the smallest 4×6″ did leave fingerprints on the glossy page but does a good job either way.
As for scanning, there are a few options you can adjust. As you can add or subtract the density of the copy and it’s best to go for somewhere between the max and default as the ± 0 was a bit washed out. But the +5 came out a lot darker with a gray background.
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 glossy photo prints, Image by PC Guide
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 photos standard A4, Image by PC Guide
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 copy quality, Image by PC Guide
Epson EcoTank ET-15000 print tests, Image by PC Guide
Specifications and costs
- Printing Technology: PrecisionCore Print Head, 4 color CMYK
- Maximum Print Resolution: 4,800 x 1,200 DPI
- Ink Type: EcoTank Ink Bottles
- Operating Systems: Mac OS X 10.6.8 or later, Windows 11,Windows 10 (32/64 bit), Windows 7 (32/64 bit), Windows 8 (32/64 bit), Windows 8.1 (32/64 bit), Windows Server 2003 R2 x64, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Vista (32/64 bit), Windows XP SP3 or later (32-bit), Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 SP2 or later, XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 498 x 358 x 245mm
- Weight: 9.7kg
- Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, WiFi, Wi-Fi Direct
- Mobile and Cloud printing: Epson Connect (iPrint, Email Print, Remote Print Driver, Scan-to-Cloud), Apple AirPrint, Epson Smart Panel App
- Paper Sizes: A3+, A3 (29.7×42.0 cm), A4 (21.0×29.7 cm), A5 (14.8×21.0 cm), A6 (10.5×14.8 cm), B4, B5, B6, C4 (Envelope), C6 (Envelope), DL (Envelope), No. 10 (Envelope), Letter, Legal, 10 x 15 cm, 13 x 18 cm, 20 x 25 cm
- Input Paper Capacity: 270 Sheets Standard paper tray, 35 pages Automatic Document Feed
- Display: Color, Touchscreen, 6.8cm (2.7inches)
These are the more in-depth printer specs and provide and deeper look into what you might get from it. It has a lot to offer as an all-in-one solution. But it doesn’t come as the cheapest option, with a cost at the time of writing on Amazon US of $699.99 (you only get the white version), and Amazon UK of £729.99. Although at the time of writing they both have a decent discount to get them.
However, the initial cost of it might be offset by the upkeep of them. With all the features on it, you’re unlikely to need to need any other service, and the refillable tanks make it a lot more cost-effective. As the tank refill costs £15.49 for black £9.49 for color, or £39.49 for a multipack of official. These are expected to yield 7,500 and 6,000 pages respectively. That comes to around £0.002 and £0.005 per page for black and color if bought separately, in the US that is around $0.003 and $0.009. That rises for photos and higher qualities but makes it cheaper in the long run
Final word
- Printer Output: Color
- Printer Type: InkJet
- Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, Ethernet
- Duplex Printing: Yes
If you’re after a printer to last you many years with everything you might need for a small office or home use, the Epson EcoTank ET-15000 is a good option. With an eco-friendly ink solution that is cost-effective, it outweighs the initial high cost you have to pay for it. Especially with the high capacity and yield you get initially from the provided bottles and ink inside. Along with the range of connectivity on board and features available, it is a strong solution for the tasks you need it to do, even if it takes up quite a bit of space.
