The Epson EcoTank ET-3850 and HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e are both excellent all-in-one color inkjet printers — but they represent completely different philosophies. The HP costs $100 less upfront but requires ongoing cartridge purchases (or an Instant Ink subscription). The Epson costs more to start but includes roughly 2 years of ink and costs just $0.004/page thereafter. For the right user, each is a clear winner. Here's how to decide.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Epson EcoTank ET-3850 | HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$279 | ~$180 |
| Included ink value | ~$180 (2 years supply) | ~$15 (starter cartridges) |
| Ongoing ink cost/page | ~$0.004 | ~$0.03 (XL carts) / varies (Instant Ink) |
| Subscription required | No — ever | Optional HP+ / Instant Ink |
| Print speed (black) | 15ppm | 22ppm |
| Print speed (color) | 8ppm | 18ppm |
| Auto duplex | Yes | Yes |
| ADF capacity | 30 sheets | 35 sheets |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Display | 2.4" color LCD | 2.7" color touchscreen |
| Fax | No | Yes |
| Annual ink cost (300 pgs/mo) | ~$14 | ~$108 (XL carts) |
| 3-year total cost (printer + ink) | ~$321 | ~$504 |
Pros & Cons
Epson ET-3850 ✅
- Lowest ongoing ink cost (~$0.004/page)
- 2 years of ink included — no cartridge runs
- No subscription required, no lock-in
- Ethernet for wired networking
- Lower 3-year total cost
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e ✅
- $100 cheaper upfront
- Faster print speed (22ppm black)
- Touchscreen display
- Fax capability
- Larger ADF (35 sheets)
Which Should You Buy?
📈 Scenario 1: High-volume family or home office (200+ pages/month)
The Epson ET-3850 wins decisively. The 3-year ink savings ($288 vs $42) more than cover the higher upfront cost. You'll never run out of ink at a critical moment, and you'll never pay $38 for a cartridge set that runs out in three weeks.
→ Pick: Epson EcoTank ET-3850
🌱 Scenario 2: Budget-conscious buyer, light to medium use (50–150 pages/month)
At lower print volumes, the HP 9015e's lower upfront cost makes more sense — especially with HP's Instant Ink subscription at $5–10/month for light users. The break-even point for ET-3850 savings stretches past 2 years at low volumes.
→ Pick: HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e
📞 Scenario 3: Need fax and faster printing
The HP 9015e includes fax and prints at 22ppm vs ET-3850's 15ppm. For small offices that still send faxes or need faster document throughput, the HP is the practical choice — with Instant Ink keeping costs manageable.
→ Pick: HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper to run — ET-3850 or HP 9015e?▾
The Epson ET-3850 is dramatically cheaper per page (~$0.004 vs ~$0.03 for HP XL cartridges). At 300 pages/month, ET-3850 ink costs about $14/year; HP 9015e costs about $108/year with XL cartridges. The ET-3850 saves ~$94/year on ink alone.
Is the HP 9015e better than the Epson ET-3850?▾
Better depends on your needs. HP 9015e wins on speed (22 vs 15ppm), upfront price ($180 vs $279), fax capability, and touchscreen. ET-3850 wins on long-term ink cost, no subscription requirement, and 3-year total cost of ownership. For high-volume users, ET-3850 is the better overall value.
Does HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e require a subscription?▾
No, but there are trade-offs. Without HP+/Instant Ink enrollment you can use any cartridges. With HP+ activated, the printer is restricted to Instant Ink cartridges and requires a connected HP account. The ET-3850 has no such restrictions at all.