The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is a wide-format inkjet printer designed for high-quality photo printing, capable of producing borderless prints up to 13 by 19 inches. PCMag praised its six ink tanks and wide range of connectivity features, while another reviewer noted its ability to handle photo printing up to A3+ size. The printer is positioned as a professional-grade option rather than a compact office model, with a higher price point reflecting its advanced capabilities. It's best suited for users who need large-format photo printing but may not be ideal for small office environments.
Full review
Compact Design for Large Prints
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 stands out for its surprisingly compact footprint despite its capability to produce borderless photo prints up to 13 x 19 inches. Digital Camera World's Matthew Richards noted that the printer 'looks barely larger than some A4/letter printers but can output borderless photos of up to A3+/13x19 inches in size.' This makes it an ideal choice for home users with limited space who still want to create large-format prints. The printer measures approximately 479 x 370 x 159mm and weighs 8.5kg, which is notably smaller than previous models in Epson's A3+ line. Northlight Images' Keith Cooper emphasized that 'its distinctive ink set and capabilities make it an interesting option for people wanting a smaller office style printer which can do the occasional large photo print.' The XP-15000's retracting input tray and internal paper cassette contribute to its space-saving profile, making it suitable for both home and small business environments where real estate is at a premium.
Six-Ink Color Gamut Performance
The XP-15000's six-ink system, which includes standard CMYK plus grey and red inks, delivers a wide color gamut that Photo Review Australia's team found particularly impressive. According to the review, 'the XP-15000 could suit enthusiast photographers who make big prints of their best colour pictures every now and then, regardless of what type of paper they prefer.' The printer's ability to produce excellent color results on Epson's Premium glossy media was highlighted, with Digital Camera World's reviewer noting 'Lovely glossy photo quality.' However, the review also pointed out that 'For B&W you need to print with the plain paper, greyscale settings, and use high quality to reproduce image details and obtain genuinely neutral blacks.' PCMag's William Harrel noted that the printer's six-ink system provides 'a wide range of connectivity features' and 'outputs gorgeous borderless photo prints up to supertabloid size (13 by 19 inches).' The inclusion of grey and red inks allows for more nuanced color reproduction, particularly in skin tones and subtle gradients, which is a significant advantage over standard four-ink systems.
Print Speed and Efficiency
In terms of performance, the XP-15000 offers reasonable print speeds for a photo printer of its class. Digital Camera World's Matthew Richards reported that the printer is 'pretty quick' and 'delivers impressive photo quality on glossy and luster photo paper.' The printer's maximum resolution is 5760 x 1440 dpi, which is sufficient for high-quality photo output. However, the speed of printing is not the primary focus of this model, as it's designed more for quality than quantity. Photo Review Australia's review noted that while the printer 'uses long-lasting Claria Photo High Definition ink and is designed for consumer and small business use,' the cost of operation remains a significant consideration. The printer's power consumption is approximately 21W during printing and 1.3W in sleep mode, which is relatively efficient for its size and capabilities. The XP-15000's performance is consistent with its target market of occasional large-format photo printing rather than high-volume commercial use.
Connectivity and Software Features
Connectivity options for the XP-15000 include Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi Certified 802.11 (b/g/n) 2, PictBridge, and Ethernet, as detailed in the Photo Review Australia review. The printer supports wireless printing through Wi-Fi Direct, which is convenient for mobile users. However, the lack of a built-in scanner and memory card slot, as noted by Digital Camera World, represents a limitation for users who need multifunctional capabilities. The Epson software suite is designed to support the printer's features, but the absence of a memory card slot means users must connect to a computer or mobile device to transfer images. The XP-15000's software interface is straightforward, though it lacks some of the advanced features found in higher-end models. According to PCMag's William Harrel, the printer's 'wide range of connectivity features' is a strength, but the lack of a scanner and memory card slot is a notable shortcoming for those seeking a multifunction device.
Running Costs and Ink Economics
One of the most significant drawbacks of the XP-15000 is its high running costs, primarily due to its cartridge-based ink system. Digital Camera World's review highlighted that 'cartridges are fairly pricey' and that 'ink works out to around $2.25 / £2.23 / AU$4.07 per milliliter.' This is nearly 10 times more expensive than the bottled ink used in Epson's EcoTank models, which cost about $0.23 / £0.29 / AU$0.50 per milliliter. The setup cartridges provided with the printer don't last long, and a full set of replacement XL cartridges costs around $135 / £134 / AU$244. Photo Review Australia's review emphasized that 'the XP-15000 could suit enthusiast photographers who make big prints of their best colour pictures every now and then,' but the cost implications make it less attractive for frequent users. The printer's ink economy is particularly problematic for those who regularly produce large-format prints, as the cost per print can quickly add up. This pricing structure makes the XP-15000 less appealing compared to the EcoTank ET-8550, which comes with sufficient ink for printing up to 2,300 6x4-inch photos.
Quality and Paper Handling
The XP-15000 excels in paper handling capabilities, supporting a wide range of media types including plain paper, matte paper, ultra glossy, premium glossy, premium semigloss, photo paper glossy, photo quality inkjet, photo stickers, and envelopes. Northlight Images' Keith Cooper noted that the printer 'adds a grey and red ink to the normal CMYK mix' which contributes to its superior color reproduction. The printer can handle custom paper sizes up to 13 x 44 inches, which is a significant advantage for users who need to print on non-standard sizes. However, the printer's performance on different paper types varies, with the best results achieved on Epson's Premium glossy media. Digital Camera World's review confirmed that 'delivers impressive photo quality on glossy and luster photo paper,' but also noted that 'For B&W you need to print with the plain paper, greyscale settings, and use high quality to reproduce image details and obtain genuinely neutral blacks.' The printer's ability to handle A3+ paper (13 x 19 inches) borderlessly is a key selling point, though the cost of ink and paper can make this feature less economical for frequent use.
Where It Falls Short
The XP-15000 has several notable shortcomings that limit its appeal for certain users. The most significant issue is the high cost of ownership, particularly due to its cartridge-based ink system. Digital Camera World's review explicitly stated that 'there's a bit of a sting in the tail when it comes to running costs' and that 'cartridges are fairly pricey.' The printer lacks a built-in scanner and memory card slot, which are features that many consumers expect from a modern photo printer. Photo Review Australia's review noted that while the printer 'uses long-lasting Claria Photo High Definition ink and is designed for consumer and small business use,' it 'could suit enthusiast photographers who make big prints of their best colour pictures every now and then,' implying that it's not ideal for heavy users. Additionally, the printer's ink economy makes it less attractive for those who print frequently, as the cost per print can quickly accumulate. The lack of a scanner also means users must rely on computers or mobile devices for image transfer, which can be inconvenient for some users.
Who It's Best For
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is best suited for enthusiasts and occasional users who need to produce large-format photo prints but don't require the full functionality of a multifunction device. According to Photo Review Australia's review, 'the XP-15000 could suit enthusiast photographers who make big prints of their best colour pictures every now and then, regardless of what type of paper they prefer.' The printer's compact design and ability to handle A3+ paper sizes make it ideal for home users with limited space who occasionally need to create large prints. Digital Camera World's reviewer noted that 'I like that the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 takes up comparatively little real estate for a 13x19-inch printer,' which is a significant advantage for space-constrained environments. However, the printer is not recommended for professional photographers or those who require frequent, high-volume printing, as the ink costs and lack of a scanner make it less economical and convenient for such use cases. The XP-15000 is also not ideal for users who frequently print on non-standard paper sizes, as the printer's custom paper handling capabilities are limited compared to more advanced models.
Strengths
- +Produces gorgeous borderless photo prints up to 13 by 19 inches
- +Features six ink tanks for extended printing capacity
- +Offers a wide range of connectivity options
- +Capable of printing photo quality up to A3+ size
- +Includes dedicated software for photo printing
Watch-outs
- −Not a compact printer for small office use
- −Higher price point compared to basic models
How it compares
The XP-15000 outperforms the ET-8550 in terms of print quality and borderless capabilities, offering larger print sizes up to A3+ compared to the ET-8550's 13 x 19 inches. Unlike the SureColor P900, it lacks the professional pigment inks and archival longevity, but provides a more affordable alternative for users seeking high-quality photo printing without the premium price tag.
Who this is for
At a glance: high-quality photo printing enthusiasts.
Why you’d buy the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
- Produces gorgeous borderless photo prints up to 13 by 19 inches.
- Features six ink tanks for extended printing capacity.
- Offers a wide range of connectivity options.
Why you’d skip it
- Not a compact printer for small office use.
- Higher price point compared to basic models.
Rating sources
Our 4.6 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
