Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank, as continuous ink supply printer series launched by Epson and HP, respectively, have attracted much attention in the market. Both printers feature a refillable ink tank design to help users significantly reduce printing costs and minimize frequent ink cartridge replacements. So, what is the difference between Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank? Choosing between them is a challenging task, as each printer has its highlights and scenarios. This article will compare the features of the Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank from multiple perspectives to help you make a wise purchasing decision.
Quick View of Epson EcoTank vs. HP Smart Tank
First, let's take a quick look at the differences between the Epson EcoTank and the HP Smart Tank through the table below.
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Contrast Dimension |
Epson EcoTank |
HP Smart Tank |
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Image |
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|
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Initial Purchase Cost |
Higher |
Lower |
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Subsequent Ink Cost |
Lower |
Higher |
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Cost Effectiveness |
Lower |
Higher |
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Ink System |
Refillable ink tank |
Replaceable ink bottles |
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Print Speed |
Slower (especially for color printing) |
Faster (especially for text printing) |
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Print Quality |
High-quality photos and color prints excel |
Good black & white printing, average color quality |
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Dots Per Inch (DPI) |
5760 x 1440 dpi |
4800 x 1200 dpi |
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Automatic Duplex Printing (ADP) |
Supported |
Supported |
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Network Functions |
Supports wireless/wired network printing |
Supports wireless/wired network/mobile printing, WIFI(IEEE802.11b/g/n) |
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Smart Features |
Basic wireless/mobile printing, Epson iPrint app |
Rich intelligent features, remote printing, USB 2.0 Interface, HP Smart app |
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Touchscreens |
Available on some models |
Touchscreens available |
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Occupied Space |
Ink tank is external and large |
Ink tank integrated into the printer body |
Comparison of Epson EcoTank & HP Smart Tank
What Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank have in common is that they are both high-capacity ink systems designed to reduce long-term printing costs. Of course, there are also obvious differences between them. When you are choosing between Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank, there are several important factors worth careful comparison and consideration.
1. Price
- Epson EcoTank: Epson EcoTank printers generally have a higher initial purchase cost. This is because they come with high-capacity ink tanks and offer enough ink to print thousands of pages the first time around. The starting price of this series of printers generally ranges from $299 to $799. Entry-level models, such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2750, cost roughly $399-$499. Mid-range and high-end models such as the EcoTank ET-4750 or ET-7750 can cost around $599-$799 or even more.
- HP Smart Tank: The initial price of the HP Smart Tank is typically lower than Epson's counterparts, especially in entry-level and mid-range printer models. This series of printers has a lower entry price, ranging from about $149 to $499. Base models such as the HP Smart Tank 500 and 600 are usually priced in the $200-$300 range. Premium Plus series with more features, such as the Smart Tank Plus 651 or 801, can cost $399-$599.
2. Cost Efficiency
- Epson EcoTank: Despite the high initial investment cost of Epson EcoTank, long-term operating costs are very low due to its high-capacity ink tank. Each ink refill can support the printing of a large number of pages, and the low replacement frequency can significantly reduce the cost per page. Besides, Epson EcoTank also offers an "ultra-high capacity" option, further reducing the long-term cost of use.
- HP Smart Tank: In contrast, while the HP Smart Tank also offers high-capacity ink bottles, the cost per page may be slightly higher than Epson EcoTank. Its ink bottles are replaced more frequently than the Epson's, so long-term use costs will be higher. However, the HP Smart Tank still has a significant cost advantage over traditional ink cartridge printers.
3. Print Quality
- Epson EcoTank: Epson uses its signature PrecisionCore printing technology to ensure high-quality color and photo prints. In particular, Epson excels at printing high-resolution images and complex colors. Therefore, the Epson EcoTank is perfect for users who need to print high-quality color images, posters, or photos.
- HP Smart Tank: HP Smart Tank's print quality is excellent in text and graphics. Especially when it comes to black-and-white documents, the clarity of the text is very high. While the HP Smart Tank's color print quality is also good, the colors are less vibrant and detailed than the Epson.
4. Print Speed
- Epson EcoTank: The Epson EcoTank series is more balanced in print speed, but the overall speed is slightly slower, especially when printing high-quality images. Epson EcoTank can print up to 13ppm (pages per minute) in black and white and 15ppm in color. While not the fastest option, it is enough to meet the needs of most homes and small offices.
- HP Smart Tank: The HP Smart Tank is generally faster at printing speed, especially when printing text and ordinary documents. For users who need to output large amounts of black-and-white documents quickly, the HP Smart Tank's high efficiency is commendable. HP Smart Tank's black-and-white and color printing speeds reached 22ppm and 18ppm, respectively, showing the faster speed advantage.
5. Smart Features
- Epson EcoTank: Epson printers typically feature Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print to support printing from mobile phone or tablet devices. Meanwhile, the Epson iPrint app offers a good mobile printing experience. However, some models are not as well-equipped with smart features as HP.
- HP Smart Tank: HP Smart Tank series printers perform well in smart features. In particular, through the HP Smart app, users can easily manage print jobs, print remotely, and scan documents. Moreover, some models also support dual-band Wi-Fi for a more stable connection for modern homes and small offices.
6. Occupied Space:
- Epson EcoTank: The Epson EcoTank has a more traditional design, with the ink tank usually external to the side of the printer, taking up some space. While this increases ink capacity, the overall design is bulky.
- HP Smart Tank: The HP Smart Tank series has a more compact design, with the ink tank integrated into the body, saving space and providing a more modern and stylish look. For those with limited space, HP's design is more practical.
7. Environmental Impact
The Epson EcoTank series has an environmental advantage due to its design to reduce ink cartridge waste. In addition, Epson's energy efficiency performance is also excellent, helping to reduce energy consumption. The HP Smart Tank series also uses a refillable ink tank system. This reduces the amount of ink cartridges used and also helps reduce waste. Besides, HP emphasizes its concept of eco-friendly printing and is committed to providing sustainable printing solutions. Both have a good performance in environmental protection, but Epson EcoTank has stronger publicity and influence in environmental protection.
Epson EcoTank & HP Smart Tank Printer Models
Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank are available in multiple models to meet the printing needs of different users. Here are some common printer models for your reference.
1. Epson EcoTank Series Common Models
Home and small office user models:
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Basic color wireless multifunction printer for home use with print, copy and scan functions. |
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Wireless all-in-one printer with duplex printing for home and small offices. |
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Adds an automatic document feeder and duplex printing with a large-capacity paper cassette for small businesses. |
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Wireless color multifunction printer with larger ink capacity and high-speed document printing. |
High-end and professional user models:
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For high-demand office users with touchscreen, automatic duplex printing, and automatic document feeder. |
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Color inkjet all-in-one with fax capability, offering higher print speeds and larger print volumes. |
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Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 |
Professional-grade all-in-one with faster print speeds for small and medium-sized businesses. |
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Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 |
High-end all-in-one that supports A3 format printing for large office environments. |
2. HP Smart Tank Series Common Models
Home and small office user models:
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HP Smart Tank 510 |
Entry-level multifunction printer with wireless printing for home and small offices. |
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HP Smart Tank 518 |
Color inkjet all-in-one, supports printing, copying, scanning, and automatic document feeder. |
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HP Smart Tank 530 |
Adds an automatic document feeder with touchscreen control for more document processing needs. |
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HP Smart Tank 580 |
Supports remote printing and has faster print speeds for small offices that need more efficiency. |
High-end and professional user models:
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HP Smart Tank 670 |
Designed for office environments with increased ink capacity and advanced document handling features. |
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HP Smart Tank 720 |
With automatic document feeder and high-speed printing for small to medium-sized offices. |
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HP Smart Tank 750 |
A more efficient all-in-one printer for office environments with high-volume document printing. |
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HP Smart Tank 790 |
Premium model with automatic duplex printing and scanning for users who need efficient processing of documents. |
Conclusion: HP Smart Tank vs. Epson EcoTank, Which One is Better?
There is no absolute answer to choosing between the Epson EcoTank and the HP Smart Tank, depending on your actual needs and priorities. The following are several key considerations and final selection recommendations.
Reasons to choose Epson EcoTank:
- You need high-quality color prints (e.g. photo prints, design works).
- You want to reduce printing costs over the long term, especially if you print a lot.
- You are concerned about the environment and want to reduce cartridge waste.
- You do not require high print speeds, but you do require high print quality.
Reasons to choose HP Smart Tank:
- Your printing needs are focused on black-and-white documents and general color printing.
- You have a relatively limited budget and want a low initial cost.
- You need fast print speeds, especially for intelligent document processing.
- You print a moderate amount each month, mainly for day-to-day office or home use.
Final Verdict:
If your printing needs are focused on document printing, fast processing, and your initial budget is limited, HP Smart Tank is a better choice. If you need high-quality color output, high-volume printing, and lower long-term use costs, then Epson EcoTank is more worth buying. In addition to the above main considerations, you can also make a comprehensive assessment based on specific features, smart operation, ease of use, space limitations, environmental impact, etc. At the same time, considering the rapid market updates and price fluctuations of printers. It is recommended to check the latest product information and user reviews before purchasing to make the best investment for you.
This guide aims to help users better understand the differences between Epson EcoTank and HP Smart Tank and provide a valuable reference for finding an ideal printer. Finally, if you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment to discuss.
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