Brother
Brother HL-L3290CDW
Color laser AIO · 2022
84
/ 100
From $499
VS
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 wins by 2
Epson
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Inkjet · Refillable tanks · AIO
86
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Brother HL-L3290CDW lands at 84 and Epson EcoTank ET-2850 at 86. That puts Epson EcoTank ET-2850 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Brother HL-L3290CDW if…
- ✓Wireless printing (most)
- ✓Current-gen firmware
- ✓Mature driver support
Pick Epson EcoTank ET-2850 if…
- ✓Ink tanks last ~2 years
- ✓Low per-page cost
- ✓Wi-Fi and duplex
Brother HL-L3290CDW 84
vs 86 Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Score breakdown
Brother HL-L3290CDW
84 speed 80
quality 84
cost 80
reliability 82
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
86 speed 76
quality 90
cost 96
reliability 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Brother HL-L3290CDW | Epson EcoTank ET-2850 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Color laser AIO | EcoTank inkjet |
| Release year | 2022 | — |
| Speed | — | 10.5 ipm mono / 5 ipm color |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi, USB |
Brother HL-L3290CDW
Pros
- +Wireless printing (most)
- +Current-gen firmware
- +Mature driver support
Cons
- −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
- −Noisy under heavy loads
- −Paper path varies
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Pros
- +Ink tanks last ~2 years
- +Low per-page cost
- +Wi-Fi and duplex
Cons
- −Initial ink setup messy
- −Slower than laser
- −Auto duplex in color only
FAQ: Brother HL-L3290CDW vs Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Which is better, Brother HL-L3290CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-2850? +
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Brother HL-L3290CDW worth the price? +
At $499, Brother HL-L3290CDW delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in quality.
Is Epson EcoTank ET-2850 worth the price? +
At $299, Epson EcoTank ET-2850 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in cost.
Does Brother HL-L3290CDW or Epson EcoTank ET-2850 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.