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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 6
HP Smart Tank 7301 — Inkjet EcoTank · 2022
HP

HP Smart Tank 7301

Inkjet EcoTank · 2022

84
/ 100
From $399
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 HP Smart Tank 7301 at 84. That puts Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 ahead by 6 points — a decisive 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 HP Smart Tank 7301 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 84).

Reliability

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the reliability sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on reliability (88 vs 82).

Speed

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Compared on the speed sub-score

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 leads on speed (86 vs 80).

Value for money

HP Smart Tank 7301

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

HP Smart Tank 7301 more score per dollar ($399 vs $699).

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 90
vs
84 HP Smart Tank 7301

Score breakdown

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
90
speed 86
quality 90
cost 82
reliability 88
HP Smart Tank 7301
84
speed 80
quality 84
cost 80
reliability 82

Specs side-by-side

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 versus HP Smart Tank 7301 — full spec comparison
Spec Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 HP Smart Tank 7301
Type
Photo EcoTank inkjet
Inkjet EcoTank
Release year
—
2022

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

HP Smart Tank 7301

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 HP Smart Tank 7301

Which is better, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or HP Smart Tank 7301? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. 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 HP Smart Tank 7301 worth the price? +

At $399, HP Smart Tank 7301 delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in quality.

Does Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or HP Smart Tank 7301 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 HP Smart Tank 7301? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — leads on quality (90 vs 84). Compared on the quality sub-score.

Which is better for reliability, Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 or HP Smart Tank 7301? +

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 — leads on reliability (88 vs 82). Compared on the reliability sub-score.