Epson EcoTank ET-8500 Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 suits households that print photos and everyday documents, with six-color ink, copying and support for media up to 13 x 19 inches. Its large footprint and photo-focused ink system make it a better fit for regular creative printing than occasional basic documents.
On this page (8 sections)
- What does the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 offer for home photos?
- How does the six-color ink system affect photo printing?
- What paper and media can the ET-8500 handle?
- Is the ET-8500 a good all-in-one for a household?
- How does the ET-8500 compare with other photo printers?
- What about sublimation ink for craft projects?
- What should you check before buying the ET-8500?
- Is the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 right for you?
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 suits households that print photos, creative projects and everyday documents. Its six-color ink system, copy function and support for media up to 13 x 19 inches cover more than basic home printing.
The trade-off is space: the printer measures 24.1 x 15.9 x 13.7 inches. It's most compelling if you'll use its photo and specialty-media features regularly, rather than mainly printing occasional text pages.
What does the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 offer for home photos?
The ET-8500 is a six-color all-in-one built around photo printing at home. It prints and copies, supports auto duplex printing and handles media up to 13 x 19 inches.
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 Wireless Color All-in-One: Best for household photo printing
- Six-color Claria ET Premium ink
- Print, copy and auto duplex
- Media up to 13 x 19 in
- 4.3-inch touchscreen
A photo-focused all-in-one for households that want to print images, invitations and documents at home. The six-color system and broad media support are its main draws.
Pros
- Six-color ink includes photo black and gray
- Supports media up to 13 x 19 in
- Auto duplex printing
- Copies as well as prints
Cons
- Large 24.1 x 15.9 x 13.7 in dimensions need planning
- Photo-focused capabilities may be more than a document-only household needs
The six colors include photo black and gray alongside standard black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Epson describes the Claria ET Premium system as designed for vivid photo detail and color; actual results also depend on the image, paper and print settings.
Its 4.3-inch touchscreen provides an on-printer control surface, and the printer supports Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct. That gives a household options for connecting from compatible devices without relying on a wired connection alone.
When the ET-8500 makes sense
Consider it if you want one printer for family photos and invitations.
Flyers and regular documents are also within its scope. If large photo prints are a priority, compare wide-format photo printers.
See Epson large-format photo printers.
Its larger media support can also help with projects that exceed standard letter-size paper.
You can compare it with the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 review if you're weighing the related wide-format model. To compare several photo-oriented tank printers, see our Best Tank Printer For Photos guide.
When to choose a simpler printer
A document-focused household may not need six-color photo ink or support for 13 x 19-inch media. If your main jobs are forms, school pages and shipping labels, consider whether a smaller, simpler all-in-one better matches your space and routine.
The ET-8500's stated dimensions matter before you buy. Measure the counter or desk, and allow room for paper handling and access to the ink tanks.
How does the six-color ink system affect photo printing?
The ET-8500 uses six separate ink colors, including photo black and gray. Those additional photo inks are intended to support color and tonal detail beyond a basic four-color setup.
Epson's 552 ink set includes five colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black and gray. The printer's included contents also name a separate 552 black bottle, so check that replacement ink covers all colors you need.
The five-color pack is for standard EcoTank Photo printing. It isn't the sublimation set below, which is intended for a different kind of craft workflow.
Epson strongly recommends genuine ink for optimal print quality and performance, and says damage from non-genuine ink may not be covered by the printer's limited warranty. Read the printer's ink instructions before refilling, especially if you're comparing ink intended for different uses.
For broader model comparisons, our Best Epson Ecotank Printer For Photos guide focuses on Epson's photo-oriented tank printers.
What paper and media can the ET-8500 handle?
The ET-8500 supports media up to 13 x 19 inches, with options that include cardstock, envelopes, CDs and DVDs. Epson also describes support for media up to 1.3 mm thick.
Paper choice shapes the look and feel of a photo. Glossy paper can suit bright color images, while matte paper may work better for a less reflective finish; confirm the paper type and size in the printer settings.
Our Best Photo Paper For Epson Printer guide can help you compare paper types for an Epson photo printer. Follow the printer's loading instructions so thicker or specialty media feeds as intended.
For borderless photos, check which sizes and paper types support borderless printing in the printer settings. A project can be within the maximum media size and still require a particular feed path or print setting.
Is the ET-8500 a good all-in-one for a household?
The ET-8500 combines printing and copying with wireless connectivity. Its automatic duplex feature can print on both sides of suitable paper, which is useful for household documents.
The listed functions include copy and print. If you need scanning or faxing, verify the exact functions you require before choosing a printer, since those needs can change which all-in-one is a fit.
Epson lists color printing at 12 pages per minute and black-and-white printing at 16 pages per minute. Those figures can help set expectations, but print speed varies with the document, settings and connection.
The device weighs 18.5 pounds, so plan a stable place for it rather than treating it like a small portable printer. Keep the touchscreen and paper paths accessible for routine jobs.
How does the ET-8500 compare with other photo printers?
The ET-8500 is a strong candidate when six-color photo printing and wide media support matter more than a compact footprint. Compare it with other tank models based on color system, supported media, functions and the space you can give the printer.
Our Best Epson Printer For Photos guide covers Epson options across printer types. If you're considering a competing tank system, see best HP Smart Tank printer for photos for another brand's photo-focused choices.
A useful comparison starts with what you'll print most often. A photo-heavy household may value photo black and gray, while a document-first home may prioritize simpler supplies and a smaller setup.
What about sublimation ink for craft projects?
Sublimation ink is for heat-transfer projects, not ordinary household photo printing. Hiipoo's six-color set is designed for the ET-8500 and ET-8550 and includes 100 mL bottles of black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow and gray.
Hiipoo says its sublimation ink is for fabrics containing less than 30% cotton. That is a material-use limit for the ink, so check your project blank and transfer process before starting.
Don't treat sublimation ink as a drop-in substitute for standard photo ink if your goal is to print family pictures on photo paper. The intended workflow differs, and changing ink type can affect how you use the printer.
What should you check before buying the ET-8500?
Check desk space, your regular print jobs and ink needs before choosing the ET-8500. These factors determine whether its photo features will earn their space in your home.
Measure the available surface and consider access around the printer. Its 24.1-inch depth and 15.9-inch width can be a challenge on a shallow shelf or crowded desk.
Think about your most common output: family photos, cards, invitations, documents or craft media. Then confirm the paper sizes and thicknesses you plan to use are supported by the printer instructions.
Finally, identify the correct ink for the task. Standard photo printing calls for the intended EcoTank Photo ink, while sublimation ink is for a separate heat-transfer use.
Is the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 right for you?
Choose the ET-8500 if household photo printing, copying and specialty media are recurring needs, and you can give it a stable, spacious spot. Its six-color ink system and support for media up to 13 x 19 inches make it more versatile for creative work than a basic document printer.
Choose a simpler model if most of your jobs are text pages or if desk space is tight. If you want an Epson tank printer centered on photos, compare this review with our Best Epson Ecotank Printer For Photos guide before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 good for photos?
The ET-8500 is designed for household photo printing, with six-color Claria ET Premium ink that includes photo black and gray. It also supports media up to 13 x 19 inches, giving you room for larger prints and creative projects.
Consider its large footprint and whether you'll print photos often enough to use its specialized features.
What ink does the Epson ET-8500 use?
The ET-8500 uses six colors: black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow and gray. Epson's 552 five-color combo pack contains cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black and gray, so it does not include the separate black ink.
Check the exact color set before refilling.
Can the ET-8500 print on cardstock?
The ET-8500 supports cardstock, envelopes, CDs and DVDs, with media up to 1.3 mm thick. Check the printer instructions for how to load each material and confirm that your chosen paper size and thickness are supported before printing a project.
Can I use sublimation ink in the ET-8500?
Hiipoo offers a six-color sublimation ink set designed for the ET-8500 and ET-8550, but sublimation ink serves heat-transfer projects rather than standard photo printing. Hiipoo says its ink is for fabrics containing less than 30% cotton.
Choose ink for your intended use and confirm the setup requirements before filling the tanks.
