Epson’s EcoTank printers offer cartridge-free printing with easy to fill ink reservoirs for incredibly low-cost operation. The ET-3830 and ET-3850 are two similar models in this popular line. This guide compares the printers in-depth to help you decide which is best for your home or office.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Epson ET-3830 | Epson ET-3850 |
| Print Speed | 10 ppm black/5 ppm color | 15 ppm black/8 ppm color |
| Print Resolution | 5760 x 1440 dpi | 5760 x 1440 dpi |
| ADF | Yes (30 pages) | Yes (35 pages) |
| Paper Capacity | 100 pages | 120 pages |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet |
| Display | 1.44″ LCD | 2.4″ Color Touchscreen |
| Ink Bottles | 70 ml | 70 ml |
| Dimensions | 14.7 x 13.7 x 9.1 in | 14.7 x 13.7 x 9.1 in |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs | 14.3 lbs |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Overview of the Epson ET-3830
The Epson ET-3830 is an entry-level EcoTank printer released in 2019. It has a compact design with clean lines and rounded corners. The ET-3830 features an LCD control panel for basic operation.
This EcoTank has integrated ink reservoirs that are easily refillable, providing thousands of pages worth of ink with each set of included bottles. The ET-3830 prints at decent speeds up to 10 ppm in black and 5 ppm in color. It can produce borderless photos and sharp text at 5760 x 1440 dpi.
The ET-3830 has an automatic document feeder with a 30 page capacity. Connectivity options consist of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and USB. The printer is suitable for low to moderate print volumes in home or small office settings.
Overview of the Epson ET-3850
The Epson ET-3850 printer was released in 2020 as an upgraded EcoTank model. It has the same compact footprint as the 3830 but includes a larger 2.4″ color touchscreen for enhanced operation.
Print speeds are improved on the 3850, now up to 15 ppm black and 8 ppm color. The ADF capacity is larger at 35 pages. Plus, it adds ethernet connectivity for networking in addition to Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct.
The ET-3850 utilizes the same high-capacity ink tank system as the 3830. It can print, copy, and scan with auto two-sided functionality. The 3850 works well for moderate home and home office printing needs.
Also Read: Comparison Between the HP 7301 and Epson 4850
Key Differences Between the ET-3830 and ET-3850
While the ET-3830 and ET-3850 share similarities, looking at some key differences can help determine which model fits your needs.
1. Print Speed
The ET-3850 offers a significantly faster print speed of 15 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 8 ppm for color, which can be advantageous for users who require quick document and photo printing.
In contrast, the ET-3830 offers a more modest print speed of 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color, making it suitable for less demanding printing needs.
2. ADF Capacity
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capacity is crucial for users who often scan or copy multiple pages. The ET-3850 boasts a 35-page ADF, allowing for more efficient multi-page scanning or copying.
The ET-3830, however, has a slightly lower capacity at 30 pages, which might necessitate more user intervention for larger tasks.
3. Connectivity
The inclusion of wired Ethernet networking in the ET-3850 provides additional connectivity options, making it versatile for various network setups and potentially offering more stable connections.
In comparison, the ET-3830 relies solely on Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, limiting its connectivity but still offering wireless convenience for most home users.
4. Display
User interface is key for smooth operation. The ET-3850 is equipped with an upgraded 2.4″ color touchscreen, offering intuitive navigation and easy access to printer functions.
The ET-3830 features a smaller 1.44″ LCD, which may be less user-friendly but still provides essential functionality.
5. Paper Capacity
A larger paper tray reduces the frequency of refilling, especially for high-volume printing tasks. The ET-3850 can hold 120 pages in its main tray, making it suitable for users with moderate printing needs.
The ET-3830, with a capacity of 100 sheets, is designed to meet the needs of users with lighter printing requirements.
6. Ink
Both printers utilize the same high-capacity ink tank system, accommodating 70 ml bottles. This system is designed to provide long-lasting prints and reduce the frequency of ink replacement.
The ink yields for both models are identical, ensuring that users can expect a similar number of prints per ink bottle regardless of the model chosen.
7. Print Quality
Both the ET-3830 and ET-3850 deliver high print resolution at 5760 x 1440 dpi, ensuring sharp and vibrant output. Whether printing text documents or photos, users can expect consistent and equivalent quality from both models.
Also Read: Comparison Between Canon Pixma G620 and G6020
8. Size and Weight
Compactness can be a deciding factor for users with limited space. Both printers share identical dimensions of 14.7 x 13.7 x 9.1 inches and weigh 14.3 lbs, making them suitable for small offices or home setups where space is at a premium.
9. Price
Price is often a pivotal factor in decision-making. The ET-3850, being the newer model with enhanced features, comes at a premium, costing around $50-$100 more than the ET-3830.
The latter remains a budget-friendly option for users who are willing to compromise on some features for a lower price point.
Also Watch This Review Video:
Pros and Cons of the Epson ET-3830
Pros
- Lower price point
- Compact 14.3 lb footprint saves space
- LCD interface is easy to operate
- Up to 10 ppm black/5 ppm color speeds
- Ink tank system prints thousands of pages
Cons
- No touchscreen display
- No ethernet networking
- Smaller 30 page ADF capacity
- Slightly slower print speeds
Pros and Cons of the Epson ET-3850
Pros
- Faster 15 ppm black/8 ppm color speeds
- 35 page auto document feeder
- 2.4″ color touchscreen interface
- Wired ethernet networking
- 120 sheet main paper tray
Cons
- Higher price tag
- Touchscreen increases power consumption
- Overkill for very light use
Also Read: Comparison Between Canon Pixma And Epson Ecotank
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The main differences are the 3850 has faster print speeds (15ppm black/8ppm color Vs. 10ppm/5ppm), larger 35 page ADF, ethernet networking, 120 sheet paper capacity, and a 2.4″ color touchscreen. The 3830 is more budget-friendly for light use.
Epson EcoTank printers differ in print speeds, connectivity, display types, ADF capacity, paper handling, and ink yields. Higher models add more features for increased productivity and workflow but cost more.
Compared to the ET-2800, the 3850 is faster (15ppm Vs. 7.5ppm), has a 35-page ADF, color touchscreen, 120 sheet capacity, and ethernet networking. The 2800 is slower but more affordable for very light use.
The ET-4850 has faster 20ppm/10ppm speeds, dual trays for 330 sheets, fax capability, higher 150K page ink yields, and faster document scanning. The 3850 is more affordable for moderate use while the 4850 is built for higher productivity.
Also Read: Comparison Between Epson WorkForce 5150 and 5170
Final Thoughts
When choosing between the Epson ET-3830 Vs. ET-3850 EcoTank printers, consider your usage volume and workflow needs. The ET-3830 offers excellent low-cost printing for light home and office use.
Stepping up to the ET-3850 gets you faster speeds, better paper handling, touchscreen controls, and ethernet connectivity for $50-$100 more.
Think about which features you really require to determine the best fit. Either way, you get affordable cartridge-free printing and Epson’s proven print technology in a compact, user-friendly package.
Great write-up and superb comparison.
One nitpick, however — and it’s a possible glaring error!
Everything I’ve seen (Epson, Amazon, Best Buy) shows that the 3830 *LACKS* the automatic document feeder.
Indeed, Epson itself says the lack of ADF is what distinguishes the 3830 from the 3850! See questions at Best Buy for the 3830.
Even your photos here show that the 3830 lacks an ADF, while the 3850 has one!