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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
Epson SureColor F170 — Dye-sub · 2021
Epson

Epson SureColor F170

Dye-sub · 2021

86
/ 100
From $699
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 Epson SureColor F170 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 Epson SureColor F170 if…

  • ✓Wireless printing (most)
  • ✓Current-gen firmware
  • ✓Mature driver support
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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

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 90
vs
86 Epson SureColor F170

Score breakdown

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
90
speed 86
quality 90
cost 82
reliability 88
Epson SureColor F170
86
speed 82
quality 86
cost 80
reliability 84

Specs side-by-side

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 versus Epson SureColor F170 — full spec comparison
Spec Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Epson SureColor F170
Type
Photo EcoTank inkjet
Dye-sub
Release year
—
2021

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

Epson SureColor F170

Pros
  • +Wireless printing (most)
  • +Current-gen firmware
  • +Mature driver support
Cons
  • −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
  • −Noisy under heavy loads
  • −Paper path varies

FAQ: Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 vs Epson SureColor F170

Which is better, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Epson SureColor F170? +

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 Epson SureColor F170 worth the price? +

At $699, Epson SureColor F170 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.

Does Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or Epson SureColor F170 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 Epson SureColor F170? +

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 Epson SureColor F170? +

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