Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 Review: Best All-in-One Printer for Small Offices

In today's fast-paced world, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount when selecting office equipment. Among the various printer models available, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 stands out due to its innovative design and impressive features. This all-in-one printer promises to deliver high-quality printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities, making it a perfect fit for both home and small office settings. In this comprehensive review, we will explore the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170's features, benefits, and performance, all while keeping SEO best practices in mind to ensure you get the most valuable insights.

What is the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170?

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 is a wireless all-in-one printer designed for small businesses and home offices. It is part of Epson’s EcoTank series, which features printers with refillable ink tanks rather than traditional ink cartridges. This unique system helps businesses save on ink costs, while also delivering excellent print quality and reducing the environmental impact.

Key Features of the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170

1. High Yield Ink Tanks
   The standout feature of the EcoTank Pro ET-5170 is its innovative ink tank system. Unlike traditional cartridge-based printers, it comes with large, refillable ink tanks. This reduces the frequency of ink replacements and can save up to 80% on ink costs compared to traditional printers.

2. Impressive Print Quality
   The ET-5170 uses PrecisionCore® technology, ensuring sharp, clear prints every time. Whether you’re printing text documents or high-quality images, the results are crisp and vibrant.

3. Cost-Effective Printing
   With its large-capacity ink tanks, the ET-5170 can print thousands of pages without requiring a refill. Epson claims that the printer’s ink yields up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 pages in color, which makes it ideal for businesses that need high-volume printing.

4. All-in-One Functionality
   The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 is an all-in-one printer, meaning it can print, scan, copy, and fax. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for a variety of office tasks, from printing invoices to scanning contracts.

5. Wireless Connectivity
   The printer is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, making it easy to print from multiple devices. It supports mobile printing via Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Epson’s iPrint app, allowing you to print directly from smartphones and tablets.

6. Compact Design
   Despite its all-in-one capabilities, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 has a compact design that fits easily on a desk or workspace. Its sleek appearance ensures it won’t take up too much room in your office.

7. Eco-Friendly Design
   By using refillable ink tanks instead of disposable cartridges, the EcoTank Pro helps reduce plastic waste and lowers the environmental footprint of printing.

Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170: Performance Overview

Print Speed and Quality

One of the key considerations when purchasing a printer is its performance, particularly print speed and quality. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 delivers both.

• Print Speed: The ET-5170 prints at a speed of up to 20 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white documents and 10 ppm for color prints. This speed is fast enough for a busy office but may not match high-end, specialized printers for very large print jobs.

• Print Quality: With its PrecisionCore technology, the ET-5170 offers an excellent resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi. This ensures that your prints are sharp, professional, and vibrant—whether it’s a business report or a marketing flyer.

Scan and Copy Features

• Scan: The ET-5170 comes with a flatbed scanner, capable of scanning documents at a resolution of up to 1200 x 2400 dpi. This is perfect for scanning contracts, presentations, and images with high detail.

• Copy: The copying function is efficient and allows for color or black-and-white duplication of documents. You can also adjust the number of copies, reduce/enlarge, or enhance the document’s quality.

Faxing and Paper Handling

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 supports traditional faxing. While faxing may seem outdated, it’s still necessary for certain business scenarios. The printer comes with a 35-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), making faxing, scanning, and copying large batches of documents a breeze.

The printer also supports automatic two-sided printing, or duplex printing, which helps save paper and reduces the overall cost of printing. With a 250-sheet paper capacity, you won’t have to frequently refill the paper tray, which is ideal for high-volume printing.

Connectivity

Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 is fully wireless, offering various ways to connect with your devices:

• Wi-Fi Direct: Allows printing directly from your devices without needing a router.

• Mobile Printing: Supports iPrint, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and more, so you can print from smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices with ease.

This level of flexibility ensures that the ET-5170 can meet the needs of modern, mobile workplaces.

Cost of Ownership and Value

Initial Investment

While the initial cost of the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 may be higher than that of a standard inkjet printer, its long-term savings make it a wise investment for any business or home office. The large ink tanks included in the box mean that you won’t need to buy ink for a long time after purchasing the printer. Epson also offers low-cost refills that are more affordable than ink cartridges.

Total Cost of Ownership

By switching to the EcoTank system, businesses can save significantly on ink costs. Epson estimates savings of up to 80% on ink expenses compared to traditional cartridge-based printers. Plus, the high yield of the ink tanks means fewer refills, contributing to lower maintenance costs.

Pros and Cons of the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170

Pros:

• Cost-effective ink system: Major savings on ink over time.

• High-quality prints: Professional-quality results for all types of documents.

• All-in-one functionality: Print, scan, copy, and fax in one compact machine.

• Fast and efficient: Ideal for small businesses and home offices.

• Environmentally friendly: Refillable ink tanks reduce waste.

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost: Initial investment is higher than some traditional printers.

• Print speed: While sufficient for most small businesses, it might not be fast enough for high-demand environments.

• Limited advanced features: Lacks some higher-end features found in enterprise-level printers, such as a higher volume capacity or specialized media handling.

Who Should Consider the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170?

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 is an excellent choice for:

• Small businesses and home offices: If you have moderate to high-volume printing needs, this printer will save you money on ink and provide reliable performance.

• Environmentally conscious users: Its refillable ink tanks help reduce environmental waste compared to traditional cartridge printers.

• Cost-conscious professionals: The long-term savings on ink make this a wise investment for businesses that need to print often.

Conclusion: Is the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 Worth It?

If you are looking for a printer that combines affordability, sustainability, and exceptional performance, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 is a standout choice. It excels in delivering high-quality prints, saving on ink costs, and offering excellent all-in-one functionality. While the initial cost might be higher than some other printers, the long-term savings on ink and reduced environmental impact make it a great option for small businesses or home offices that need reliable, high-volume printing capabilities.

Ready to Upgrade Your Office Printing?
If you're looking for an affordable, eco-friendly printer with high-quality results, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5170 might be the right fit for you. Have you used an EcoTank printer before? Share your experience in the comments below!