Epson EcoTank ET-4850 Wireless All-in-One Printer - Cartridge-Free

Our review of the Epson EcoTank ET-4850 finds it best suited for small offices or home users who want to stop buying cartridges and dramatically cut ink costs. The single biggest reason to buy is the cartridge-free design with high-capacity EcoFit ink bottles that deliver up to 2 years of ink in the box and replacement sets that print thousands of pages, making running costs extremely low. Setup is straightforward and users who value low maintenance and large ink reserves will appreciate the ET-4850 right away.

Key Features

• Cartridge-free printing: High-capacity ink tanks eliminate frequent cartridge changes and make refills simple with EcoFit bottles for worry-free operation.
• Major ink savings: Replacement ink bottles can lower ink expenses by up to 90% and print the equivalent of many individual cartridges before needing replacement.
• Long-lasting supply: The box includes up to 2 years of ink depending on use, reducing interruptions and trips to reorder supplies.
• Document scanning speed: When paired with the Workforce ES-400 II scanner, users can scan at up to 35 ppm or 70 ipm with single-pass duplex capture for efficient document digitization.
• Productivity feeder: A 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder lets you batch-scan mixed paper sizes and types without constant attention.
• Software integration: Epson ScanSmart and a TWAIN driver make it straightforward to preview, name, email, and upload scans to common document workflows.

Who It's For

This printer is a practical choice for small teams, home offices, and anyone who prints moderate to high volumes and wants to cut consumable costs while reducing plastic cartridge waste. The filling process is designed for nontechnical users, and reviewers repeatedly praise the ink capacity and ease of setup.

It is less appropriate for users who need the absolute fastest print or scan throughput for heavy production environments, or for photo enthusiasts seeking top-tier photo quality in glossy prints; customer feedback on print and photo output is mixed, so those with exacting image demands may want to compare photo-focused models.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very low running costs thanks to large refillable ink tanks and included ink for up to 2 years.
• Convenient refilling with EcoFit bottles and reduced cartridge waste compared with cartridge-based designs.
• Integrated scanning workflow with a robust ADF and software that streamlines capture and file naming.
• Easy initial setup and reliable basic printing and scanning for months of use according to owners.

Cons

• Some users report mixed results for print quality, especially for photos, so imaging may not meet every expectation.
• While scanning is fast for duplex capture, a few customers note scan speed expectations versus real-world throughput.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The ET-4850 is a smart buy for users who prioritize low ongoing costs, environmental benefits from reduced cartridge waste, and a turnkey scanning workflow. It delivers excellent value where print economy and convenience matter most, though buyers seeking top-notch photo output or the absolute fastest speeds may want to compare focus-specific models first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this printer truly remove cartridges?
Yes, the EcoTank design uses refillable ink tanks and EcoFit bottles instead of traditional cartridges, which cuts waste and lowers running costs.

How much can you print on replacement ink?
Replacement ink bottles are designed to print thousands of pages; marketing indicates up to 7,500 black and 6,000 color pages in typical use.

Is the included scanner good for batch scanning?
Yes, the paired Workforce ES-400 II scanner offers single-pass duplex capture up to 35 ppm/70 ipm and a 50-sheet ADF for efficient batch scanning.