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Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — Photo EcoTank inkjet
Epson

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Photo EcoTank inkjet

90
/ 100
From $699
VS
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 wins by 4
Brother HL-L3280CDW — Color laser
Brother

Brother HL-L3280CDW

Color laser

86
/ 100
From $449
Specdex verdict

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 lands at 90 and Brother HL-L3280CDW at 86. That puts Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 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)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Quality

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the quality sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on quality (90 vs 86).

Reliability

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the reliability sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on reliability (88 vs 84).

Speed

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the speed sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on speed (86 vs 82).

Value for money

Brother HL-L3280CDW

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Brother HL-L3280CDW more score per dollar ($449 vs $699).

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 90
vs
86 Brother HL-L3280CDW

Score breakdown

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
90
speed 86
quality 90
cost 82
reliability 88
Brother HL-L3280CDW
86
speed 82
quality 86
cost 82
reliability 84

Specs side-by-side

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 versus Brother HL-L3280CDW — full spec comparison
Spec Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Brother HL-L3280CDW
Type
Photo EcoTank inkjet
Color laser

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

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 Photo ET-8550 vs Brother HL-L3280CDW

Which is better, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 worth the price? +

At $699, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — 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 Photo ET-8550 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.

Which is better for quality, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — leads on quality (90 vs 86). Compared on the quality sub-score.

Which is better for reliability, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Brother HL-L3280CDW? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — leads on reliability (88 vs 84). Compared on the reliability sub-score.