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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.

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The short answer

Epson SureColor P900 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about archival print quality professionals — read the strengths below before deciding.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
Ranked #4 in Best Photo Printers
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
3 sources1 derived$599.99as of Jul 31

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 aims at amateur photographers who want quality prints without paying for them in ink. Imaging Resource's Jeremy Gray credited its efficiency and ink savings, putting the cost reduction at up to 80% against professional printers. PCMag's William Harrel liked the wireless capabilities and the user-friendly touchscreen. Reviewers were clear it doesn't match the quality of Epson's SureColor pro-level printers. Home users who print frequently will be well served; anyone chasing studio-quality results won't.

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
$599.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Epson SureColor P900
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Photo Printers
Epson SureColor P900
6 sources1 derived$1,145as of Jul 1

The Epson SureColor P900 is a professional-grade inkjet photo printer that covers a wide range of work for photographers and content creators at high print quality. PCMag's William Harrel praised how easily it sets up and the quality of its output, and Imaging-Resource's Terry Sullivan credited it with stunning prints that bring digital images to life with precision. It has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and 10 Epson UltraChrome PRO10 ink cartridges. The high price and bulky size rule it out for home users who want something compact.

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 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

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

SpecEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8550Epson SureColor P900
Printer TypeInkJet (Ink Tank)Single-function color printer
Print Resolution5,760 x 1,440 dpi5760 x 1440 dpi
Max Print Size13 x 1917" x 22"
Ink System6-color refillableUltraChrome PRO10 10-color
ConnectivityUSB, WiFi Direct, EthernetUSB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
Print Speed15 seconds for 4" x 6" photo in Draft Mode13" x 19" print in 2 min, 23 sec
Weight24.5 lb35.3 lb
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