Epson
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
EcoTank inkjet AIO
88
/ 100
From $549
VS
Epson EcoTank ET-4850 wins by 2
Brother
Brother HL-L3280CDW
Color laser
86
/ 100
From $449
Specdex verdict
Epson EcoTank ET-4850 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Epson EcoTank ET-4850 lands at 88 and Brother HL-L3280CDW at 86. That puts Epson EcoTank ET-4850 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Epson EcoTank ET-4850 if…
- ✓Wireless printing
- ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Pick Brother HL-L3280CDW if…
- ✓Wireless printing
- ✓AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- ✓Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Epson EcoTank ET-4850 88
vs 86 Brother HL-L3280CDW
Score breakdown
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
88 speed 84
quality 88
cost 82
reliability 86
Brother HL-L3280CDW
86 speed 82
quality 86
cost 82
reliability 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Epson EcoTank ET-4850 | Brother HL-L3280CDW |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EcoTank inkjet AIO | Color laser |
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Pros
- +Wireless printing
- +AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- +Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Cons
- −Ink subscription lock-in (HP)
- −Drum/toner replacement cost
- −Slow photo print on some inkjets
Brother HL-L3280CDW
Pros
- +Wireless printing
- +AirPrint/Mopria compatible
- +Good first-page-out time (laser models)
Cons
- −Ink subscription lock-in (HP)
- −Drum/toner replacement cost
- −Slow photo print on some inkjets
FAQ: Epson EcoTank ET-4850 vs Brother HL-L3280CDW
Which is better, Epson EcoTank ET-4850 or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +
Epson EcoTank ET-4850 scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Epson EcoTank ET-4850 worth the price? +
At $549, Epson EcoTank ET-4850 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in quality.
Is Brother HL-L3280CDW worth the price? +
At $449, Brother HL-L3280CDW delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.
Does Epson EcoTank ET-4850 or Brother HL-L3280CDW 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.