Both the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 and ET-3850 use the same EcoTank refillable ink system — same ink bottles, same outstanding per-page costs of ~$0.004. The $80 price difference comes down to three key features: the ET-3850 adds a 30-sheet ADF (automatic document feeder), Ethernet connectivity, and faster print speed. Here's exactly who should buy each one.
Specs Comparison
| Feature | Epson ET-2803 | Epson ET-3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$200 | ~$279 |
| Ink system | EcoTank 522 | EcoTank 522 |
| Cost per page | ~$0.004 | ~$0.004 |
| Included ink yield | ~4,500 black / 7,500 color | ~14,000 black / 5,200 color |
| Print speed (black) | 10ppm | 15ppm |
| Print speed (color) | 5ppm | 8ppm |
| ADF (document feeder) | ❌ No ADF | ✅ 30-sheet ADF |
| Auto duplex printing | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | No (Wi-Fi only) | Yes + Wi-Fi |
| Display | 1.44" mono LCD | 2.4" color LCD |
| Paper capacity | 100 sheets | 250 sheets |
| Size | More compact | Slightly larger |
The Three Reasons ET-3850 Costs $80 More
1. 30-Sheet ADF: The single biggest upgrade. The ADF lets you stack up to 30 pages for automatic scanning or copying — instead of placing each page manually on the flatbed. For anyone who scans multi-page documents (contracts, tax paperwork, reports), this feature alone is worth the premium.
2. Ethernet Port: The ET-2803 only has Wi-Fi; the ET-3850 adds Ethernet for wired network connectivity. If you have a home office with wired equipment or need reliable connection to multiple computers, Ethernet matters.
3. Speed & Paper Capacity: ET-3850 prints at 15ppm black (vs 10ppm) and holds 250 sheets (vs 100). For higher-volume printing, these differences matter — though for light household use, they're less noticeable.
Pros & Cons
ET-2803 ✅
- $80 cheaper upfront
- Same ~$0.004/page ink cost
- More compact design
- Good for light home use
ET-3850 ✅
- 30-sheet ADF — game-changer for multi-page scanning
- 50% faster printing (15 vs 10ppm)
- Ethernet for wired networking
- 2.5× more included ink (14,000 vs 4,500 black pages)
- Larger paper capacity (250 vs 100 sheets)
Which Should You Buy?
👨👩👧 Scenario 1: Family printer, mostly photos and schoolwork, single-page scanning OK
ET-2803 is sufficient. You'll save $80 and get the same ~$0.004/page ink cost. The slower speed and lack of ADF won't matter for occasional printing.
→ Pick: Epson ET-2803
🏠 Scenario 2: Home office, scans documents regularly, or has multiple computers
ET-3850 wins. The 30-sheet ADF transforms document scanning from a chore into a one-button operation. Ethernet connectivity helps with multi-computer setups. The $80 premium is easily justified if you scan more than once a week.
→ Pick: Epson ET-3850
📦 Scenario 3: Printing volume 300+ pages/month
ET-3850 wins on included ink (14,000 vs 4,500 black pages), paper capacity (250 vs 100 sheets), and print speed. For high-volume users, the extra features justify the premium from day one.
→ Pick: Epson ET-3850
FAQs
Is ET-3850 worth it over ET-2803?▾
Yes, for most home office and moderate-to-heavy users. The 30-sheet ADF alone is worth the $80 premium if you scan documents. The ET-2803 is a better fit for light home users who only need basic printing.
Do ET-2803 and ET-3850 use the same ink?▾
Yes — both use Epson 522 ink bottles (T522120 black, T522220 cyan, T522320 magenta, T522420 yellow). Same price, same yields, same refill process.
What is the ET-2803 missing compared to ET-3850?▾
Three things: 1) No ADF — single-page flatbed scanning only. 2) No Ethernet — Wi-Fi only. 3) Slower print speed (10ppm vs 15ppm) and smaller paper tray (100 vs 250 sheets).