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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 2
Brother MFC-L2820DW — Mono laser AIO
Brother

Brother MFC-L2820DW

Mono laser AIO

88
/ 100
From $329
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 MFC-L2820DW at 88. That puts Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 ahead by 2 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 MFC-L2820DW 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 88).

Reliability

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the reliability sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on reliability (88 vs 86).

Speed

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the speed sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on speed (86 vs 84).

Value for money

Brother MFC-L2820DW

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Brother MFC-L2820DW more score per dollar ($329 vs $699).

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 90
vs
88 Brother MFC-L2820DW

Score breakdown

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
90
speed 86
quality 90
cost 82
reliability 88
Brother MFC-L2820DW
88
speed 84
quality 88
cost 82
reliability 86

Specs side-by-side

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 versus Brother MFC-L2820DW — full spec comparison
Spec Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Brother MFC-L2820DW
Type
Photo EcoTank inkjet
Mono laser AIO

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 MFC-L2820DW

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 MFC-L2820DW

Which is better, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Brother MFC-L2820DW? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. 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 MFC-L2820DW worth the price? +

At $329, Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in quality.

Does Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Brother MFC-L2820DW 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 MFC-L2820DW? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — leads on quality (90 vs 88). Compared on the quality sub-score.

Which is better for reliability, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Brother MFC-L2820DW? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — leads on reliability (88 vs 86). Compared on the reliability sub-score.