Head-to-head · Best Photo Printers

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 vs Epson SureColor P900

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Epson SureColor P900 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about archival print quality professionals — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Photo Printers

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

4.1

$674.99as of Jul 7

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a cost-effective photo printer designed for amateur photographers who want quality prints without breaking the bank. Imaging Resource's Jeremy Gray praised its efficiency and ink savings, noting up to 80% cost reduction compared to professional printers. PCMag's William Harrel highlighted its wireless capabilities and user-friendly touchscreen interface. However, reviewers noted it lacks the professional-grade quality of Epson's SureColor pro-level printers. This printer is ideal for home users who do frequent printing but not for those seeking studio-quality results.

Strengths

— Uses 6-color refillable ink tanks including Claria ET photographic dye inks for high-quality photo printing
— Prints up to 13 x 19 borderless with resolution up to 5,760 x 1,440 dpi
— Supports mobile and wireless printing including Apple AirPrint, Android printing and Amazon Alexa

Watch-outs

— Not suitable for professional-level photo printing quality
— Requires 10-minute initialization process after refilling ink tanks

$674.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Photo Printers

Epson SureColor P900

4.6

$1,145as of Jul 7

The Epson SureColor P900 is a professional-grade inkjet photo printer that delivers exceptional print quality and versatility for photographers and content creators. PCMag's William Harrel praised its ease of setup and high-quality output, while Imaging-Resource's Terry Sullivan highlighted its ability to produce stunning prints that bring digital images to life with precision. The printer features a 4.3-inch touchscreen, supports wireless connectivity, and includes 10 Epson UltraChrome PRO10 ink cartridges. However, reviewers noted its high price point and bulky size, making it less suitable for home users seeking a compact solution.

Strengths

— Produces excellent quality prints with pigment-based inks that are archival and long-lasting
— Easy to set up and start printing with a large, easy-to-use touchscreen display
— Versatile black-and-white advanced-setting mode available

Watch-outs

— Pricey at $1,149
— Large, bulky, and heavy at 35.3 lbs with dimensions of 24.2 x 35.6 x 20.5 inches in printing configuration

$1,145 · Buy at bhphotovideo.com Full review →

How they stack up

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Unlike the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000, which offers higher print quality and more connectivity options, the ET-8550 focuses on affordability and ease of use with its 6-color refillable tanks. Compared to the SureColor P900, it lacks the professional-grade pigment inks and archival longevity, but provides a more budget-friendly entry point for home users. The ET-8550's 4.3-inch touchscreen sets it apart from the basic ET-2980, which only offers a 3-inch LCD display.

Epson SureColor P900

The SureColor P900 provides superior archival quality and pigment-based inks compared to the EcoTank ET-8550 and XP-15000, making it ideal for professional photographers seeking long-lasting prints. However, unlike the Canon imagePrograf PRO-1100, it lacks panoramic print capabilities and roll paper support, and unlike the Canon Pixma PRO-200S, it doesn't offer the same dye-based color gamut but instead delivers archival longevity with pigment inks.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550	Epson SureColor P900
Printer Type	InkJet (Ink Tank)	Single-function color printer
Max Print Size	13 x 19	17" x 22"
Ink System	6-color refillable	UltraChrome PRO10 10-color
Connectivity	USB, WiFi Direct, Ethernet	USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
Print Speed	15 seconds for 4" x 6" photo in Draft Mode	13" x 19" print in 2 min, 23 sec
Print Resolution	5,760 x 1,440 dpi	5760 x 1440 dpi
Weight	24.5 lb	35.3 lb

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