Discover the top Epson printers for families, according to Mumsnetters

As parents, we know that once the school term kicks off, the need for printing homework and crafting creative projects becomes inevitable. Which is why a good, family printer is a must-have. So, you’re going to want a printer you can rely on. 

Whether you’re a casual user seeking occasional printing or a multitasker craving a versatile all-in-one printer, Epson has plenty of options that cater for your needs and budgets. To help us find the best Epson printer for you and your family, we delved into our Mumsnet Talk boards to hear from real users about their experiences. Alongside expert reviews and glowing recommendations, we’ve curated a handpicked selection of the best Epson printers available right now. 

So, as you gear up for the start of the new school term, don’t forget to equip yourself and your DC with the ultimate back-to-school essential - an Epson printer! Say goodbye to last-minute printing woes and read on to shop for your back-to-school essentials with the Epson printers Mumsnetters use and recommend themselves. 

1. Best multi-purpose Epson printer: Epson EcoTank ET-2850

Price on writing: £230 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: Piezo inkjet, ink tank | Max paper size: A4 | Double-sided: Yes | Max print resolution: 1,200 x 2,400 DPI

What we like

• Low printing costs

• Good value price

• Print, scan and copy

What to know

• Some users say the screen is a bit small 

What Mumsnet users say

‘DD is doing A level graphics and did Art GCSE and Graphics GCSE. You'll get through a lot of ink, which is probably as much of a problem as print quality. We have an Epson ET-2750 EcoTank printer with an unlimited ink contract. The unlimited ink is an absolute bloody godsend. The printer can produce really good photo results, but it does take effort in picking the right paper, choosing the right settings, test sheets and reprinting. I think that's probably true of any home printer. But the Epson got her top marks in both of her GCSEs.’ SusannaM

Our verdict

This is a printer that boasts low printing costs, minimal fuss and plenty of good features for handling most of your family’s printing needs. The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 (an update on the 2750) comes with enough ink to print 14,000 black and white pages and 5,200 colour so you won’t need to refill or buy more ink for a long time.

If you can’t be bothered faffing about fitting cartridges, the ET-2850 ink comes with refill bottles making it super easy to top up. A printer, scanner and copier in one, it prints to a maximum of A4 and you have the option of double-sided so you can use it for printing everything from work and homework to house admin, like letters and to-do lists. Some users say the smart screen is a bit small, but it’s a good price and will save you lots of money in the long-run. 

2. Best Epson printer for subscription ink: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF

Price on writing: £120 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: PrecisionCore Print Head | Max paper size: A4 |  Double-sided: Yes | | Max print resolution: 4,800 x 2,400 DPI

What we like

• 4-in-1 print, scan, copy and fax

• Compact design 

• Good value for money

What to know

• Some users found it takes a while to load documents for printing

• More expensive running costs

What Mumsnet users say

“We have an Epson WorkForce which is a printer, scanner, copier and fax I think.
Works fine, ink is expensive. Make sure whichever one you get has separate cartridges for each colour otherwise you end up replacing before they're truly empty.” sorryiasked

Our verdict

While it sits at the lower end of the price range, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF is a multi-functional, compact printer. It can be used to scan, fax and copy making it useful for both schoolwork and small business/homeworking needs. A wireless printer, it comes equipped to be connected to networks and devices so you can easily print from your mobile and tablet. 

Epson’s PrecisionCore print-head provides good quality printing and the touchscreen is easy to use. It can hold up to 250 sheets and ten envelopes, which is handy if you’re sending out cards or invites. Some users did say it can take a while to load the documents for printing and it’s more expensive to run than the EcoTank printers, but Epson have a solution for saving costs with this device. This printer is optimised for ReadyPrint Flex, Epson’s monthly ink subscription service that delivers new ink to your door before you run out, which can save you up to 70% on printing costs. 

3. Best Epson printer for occasional printing: Epson Expression Home XP-4200

Price on writing: £65 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: Epson Micro Piezo | Max paper size: A4 |  Double-sided: Yes | | Max print resolution: 5760 x 1440 DPI

What we like

• Affordable price

• Good printing quality

• Wireless printing

What to know

• Higher running costs

Our verdict

If you only need a printer for occasional printing of letters, homework or shopping lists, you probably won’t want to spend a fortune on one. The Epson Expression Home XP-4200 comes in at under £100 and is a scanner, copier and printer in one. 

Much like the WorkForce Pro WF-3820DWF, the printing costs are higher as you have to buy individual ink cartridges, however, if you don’t plan on printing often anyway this could still work out to be a good overall cost. This printer is also optimised for Epson ReadyPrint Flex, so you can choose a cost-effective subscription plan if you do want to save on costs. Handy features include the option to print double sided and you can print directly from your smartphone and Facebook.

4. Best Epson printer for crafts: Epson EcoTank ET-8550

Price on writing: £700 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: Micro Piezo 6-colour inkjet, ink tank | Max paper size: A3+ |  Double-sided: Yes |  Max print resolution: 5,760 x 1,440 DPI

What we like

• Cost effective printing

• Can print A3+ 

• Dedicated photo printer

What to know

• Expensive upfront cost

What Mumsnet users say

“I have an Epson EcoTank and find it excellent. Have recommended it to a few others during him working lockdowns and they have been equally happy. It is more expensive to buy but ink refills are a lot more reasonable than cheaper units.” Pucarbuile

Our verdict

This is a printer that will cater for all your family’s photo and other printing needs. Although the initial outlay is a lot, it will be worth it if you plan to do lots of printing, including crafting and creating on thicker materials such as card and as large as A3+. This means you can make your own homemade calendar, cards and also print your own high quality photos. 

Like the other EcoTank products on our list, the ET-8550 has refillable reservoirs rather than cartridges and can hold enough ink to print off thousands of photos. This keeps printing costs low in the long run, but with the hefty price tag this isn’t a printer for occasional use. It’s probably worth investing in if you plan to regularly print off lots of photos and make use of the larger size printing sizes.

5. Best Epson printer for smart devices: Epson EcoTank ET-2830

Price on writing: £200 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: PrecisionCore^TM, ink tank, 3-in-1 printer | Max paper size: A4 |  Double-sided: Manual | Max print resolution: 4800 x 1200 DPI

What we like

• Printer, copier and scanner

• Easy to print from smart devices

• Holds up to 100 sheets of paper

What to know

• No built-in screen

Our verdict

Epson’s EcoTank ET-2830 is a great printing solution for busy households. With its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and the Epson Connect service plus Apple AirPrint, you can easily control the printer from your smart device using the free Epson print apps to enjoy the convenience of remote printing. 

Like other models on this list, you can bid farewell to traditional ink cartridges and embrace its ultra-efficient 3-in-1 functions. Experience hassle-free maintenance and operation, saving both time and money on ink replacements. That’s not all, the ET-2830 boasts an impressive ultra-low-cost per page, covering up to 4,300 pages in black ink and 7,300 in colour, delivering the renowned Epson quality across printing, scanning, and copying tasks with its PrecisionCore^TM printhead technology.

6. Best eco-friendly Epson printer: Epson EcoTank ET-2811

Price on writing: £170 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: Epson Micro Piezo, ink tank | Max paper size: A4 |  Double-sided: Manual | Max print resolution: 5,760 x 1,440 DPI

What we like

• Low printing costs

• Print, scan and copy

• Eco friendly printer

What to know

• Some users claim installation can be tricky

• Some also claim the printer feels a bit flimsy

What Mumsnet users say

“My (second one) is an Epson EcoTank - great bit of kit. Lasted around 7 years so far.” Wolvesandcacti 

Our verdict 

If you’re concerned about your impact on the environment but need a printer for your family, the Epson EcoTank printers should be high up on your list. The ET-2811 is an inkjet printer, which uses Heat-Free technology to help reduce how much energy you’re using. 

Compact in design, it can hold the equivalent of up to 72 traditional ink cartridges, meaning you won’t have to regularly order replacement cartridges. In fact, the refill ink bottles can be put in your household recycling - and even then you’ll get thousands of prints before you even need to consider buying more ink. There is the option to print double-sided, although you have to do this manually, and you can use the ET-2811 to scan and copy too. We think that given the long-term savings in running costs, the price is pretty good as well. Although screenless, this printer also benefits from Epson’s Smart Panel App, enabling users with all the relevant functionality of a screen from the comfort of your smart device. 

7. Best Epson printer for photos: Epson EcoTank ET-8500

Price on writing: £549 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Technology: Micro Piezo 6-colour inkjet, ink tank | Max paper size: A4 |  Double-sided: Yes | Max print resolution: 5760 x 1440 DPI

What we like

• Excellent photo printer

• Low running costs

• Can print on a variety of stock

What to know

• Expensive 

What Mumsnet users say

“Another vote for Epson EcoTank. Big upfront cost but I didn’t replace the ink for 3 years and even then it only needed black. Never had a single issue with it. It’s downstairs away from our computers and prints wonderfully on wifi.” BigLittleOwl

Our verdict

Another EcoTank to make our list, these printers are a firm favourite with our Mumsnet users who want to print high-quality documents without having to spend a fortune on running costs. The ET-8500 is at the higher end of the price range but that’s because, as well as scanning, copying and printing documents for work and home admin, you can also print off high quality photos. 

The Micro Piezo Inkjet technology and six colour Claria ink produce gorgeous photos so you can print off special memories to add to photo books or put up around your home. The printer can be easily controlled through the Smart Panel app on your phone and, for arts and crafts creations, thicker media can be fed through two rear feeds. Like all the EcoTanks on our list, you won’t have to worry about refilling the ink for a long time - you can print 1,800 colour and black and white photos on the included ink alone.  

About Epson

With a rich history dating back to 1942, Epson has established itself as a leader in its industry. The company's primary focus lies in producing high-quality printers, projectors, scanners, and other imaging equipment for both personal and commercial use. Their products feature advanced proprietary technologies including precision printing, high-resolution imaging, and efficient ink systems, catering to the needs of diverse customers. Epson also places great emphasis on eco-conscious practices, striving to reduce energy consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions throughout their manufacturing processes.

Epson’s extensive product line-up includes home printers, office printers, large-format printers, and professional graphics solutions. With a global presence and a strong reputation for reliability, Epson continues to push boundaries in imaging and printing technology.

About the author

Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. At Mumsnet, she creates content providing useful parenting advice, information and top products to make life easier – as a mother of two children herself, Gemma knows how important it is to get the right advice.

After working on women’s weekly magazines for nine years, Gemma turned to freelance writing to fit around family life, writing for a range of online and print publications, charities and small businesses. She loves writing about subjects that will be helpful to the reader – and herself! - including recommending top products on Mumsnet that help parents in their day-to-day life. She knows how important online reviews are when it comes to making a purchase so she always makes sure to thoroughly research every product so we are recommending the best ones on the market.