Epson ET-16650 vs ET-16600: Which EcoTank Pro Wide-Format is Best?

Choosing a reliable wide-format printer can be tough. When comparing the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 vs ET-16600, both seem like great options. However, I recommend the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650. It offers significantly faster color printing speeds. This makes it a superior choice for businesses needing high-quality, vibrant documents quickly. This review will explore why the ET-16650 is the clear winner for most professional needs.

Why Do I Recommend The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650?

While both the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 and the ET-16600 are strong contenders, the ET-16650 pulls ahead for several key reasons, especially for a busy office environment. It’s built for higher efficiency and user convenience, making it the better long-term investment.

• Faster Color Printing Speed: The ET-16650 boasts a color printing speed of 25 pages per minute (ppm). In contrast, the ET-16600 prints color pages at just 12 ppm. This makes the ET-16650 more than twice as fast for color documents, a massive advantage for printing marketing materials, reports, or presentations.
• Lighter Weight: The ET-16650 weighs 46.1 pounds. On the other hand, the ET-16600 is slightly lighter at 40 pounds. While not a huge difference, the lighter weight of the ET-16600 could make it slightly easier to move or set up if needed. However, the performance benefits of the ET-16650 outweigh this minor difference.
• Higher Number of USB Ports: The ET-16650 comes equipped with three total USB ports, including one USB 2.0 port. Conversely, the ET-16600 only offers a single USB 2.0 port and one LAN port. The extra ports on the ET-16650 provide greater flexibility for connecting multiple devices directly.
• Push Button and Touch Control: The ET-16650 features intuitive touch controls on its 4.3″ screen, making navigation simple. The ET-16600 uses a combination of push buttons and touch controls, which can be less streamlined for some users.
• Designed for Heavier Workloads: With its superior speed and robust build, the ET-16650 is designed for a more extreme workload duty cycle. While both handle a monthly duty cycle of 66,000 pages, the ET-16650’s faster output means it completes large jobs more efficiently, reducing wear and tear over time.
• Optimized for Productivity: The combination of faster color printing, auto 2-sided functions, and a large paper capacity makes the ET-16650 a productivity powerhouse. The ET-16600, while capable, simply can’t match the throughput for color-heavy tasks, which is often a requirement in a professional setting.

Side By Side Comparison Chart (Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 vs ET-16600)

Feature	Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650	Epson ET-16600
Maximum Print Speed (Color)	25 ppm	12 ppm
Item Weight	46.1 Pounds	40 Pounds
Control Method	Touch	Push Button, Touch, Voice
Number of USB Ports	3	1
Product Dimensions	22″D x 23.3″W x 17.3″H	38.4″D x 20.3″W x 20.5″H
Max Media Size	11 x 17 inch	8.5 x 14 inch

What Common (Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 vs ET-16600) Can Do?

Despite their differences, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 and ET-16600 share a core set of powerful features. These commonalities make them both excellent choices for small to medium-sized businesses looking to reduce printing costs without sacrificing quality. Both are designed as all-in-one solutions that can handle the diverse needs of a modern office.

One of the most significant shared features is the EcoTank Supertank system. This technology eliminates the need for traditional ink cartridges. Instead, both printers use large, refillable ink tanks that you fill from high-yield, low-cost ink bottles. This system dramatically reduces waste and can save you up to 80% on ink costs compared to standard-capacity laser toner cartridges. A single set of replacement ink bottles can print up to 7,500 black pages and 6,000 color pages, making both printers incredibly economical for high-volume printing.

Both models are powered by Epson’s PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology. This innovative printhead technology ensures there is no warmup time, so your first page comes out fast. It also contributes to the print-shop quality output, producing sharp text and vibrant colors. The use of DURABrite pigment-based inks means that prints are smudge, fade, and water-resistant, and they dry instantly, which is perfect for handling documents right off the printer.

For productivity, both the ET-16650 and ET-16600 are true workhorses. They feature a 500-sheet paper capacity split between two 250-sheet front trays, plus a rear feed for specialty paper like cardstock or envelopes. This large capacity minimizes the frequency of paper refills. They also come equipped with a 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF) and support automatic 2-sided printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, allowing for hands-free operation and saving paper.

Connectivity is another strong suit for both printers. They offer Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Ethernet options, ensuring seamless integration into any office network. This allows for easy printing from computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Both printers also support hands-free, voice-activated printing with Alexa and other voice assistants, adding a layer of modern convenience to your workflow. Managing tasks is made simple with the bright 4.3″ color touchscreen, which provides an intuitive interface for all printer functions.

Common Features of Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 vs ET-16600

Feature	Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650	Epson ET-16600
Printing Technology	Inkjet (PrecisionCore Heat-Free)	Inkjet (PrecisionCore Heat-Free)
Ink System	Refillable Ink Tank (Supertank)	Refillable Ink Tank (Supertank)
Ink Type	Epson DURABrite Pigment Ink	Epson DURABrite Pigment Ink
Maximum Print Speed (Monochrome)	25 ppm	25 ppm
Paper Capacity	500 Sheets (2×250 Trays) + Rear Feed	500 Sheets (2×250 Trays) + Rear Feed
Auto Document Feeder (ADF)	50-Sheet Capacity	50-Sheet Capacity
Automatic 2-Sided Functions	Print, Copy, Scan, Fax	Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
Display	4.3″ Color Touchscreen	4.3″ Color Touchscreen
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct
Voice-Activated Printing	Yes	Yes
Monthly Duty Cycle	66,000 Pages	66,000 Pages
Scanner Type	Sheetfed	Sheetfed
Wide-Format Scanning	Up to 11″ x 17″	Up to 11″ x 17″
Wide-Format Printing	Up to 13″ x 19″	Up to 13″ x 19″
Warranty	2-Year Limited with Registration	2-Year Limited with Registration

A Detailed Comparison Of the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 vs ET-16600

When you dig into the specifics, the differences between the ET-16650 and ET-16600 become more apparent. These distinctions are crucial in determining which model is the right fit for your office’s unique demands.

Color Print Speed

The most significant difference is color print speed. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 prints color documents at a rapid 25 pages per minute (ppm). This makes it ideal for producing marketing materials, color-coded charts, and vibrant presentations without delay. This speed matches its monochrome output, ensuring consistent performance regardless of the document type.

In contrast, the Epson ET-16600 has a maximum color print speed of just 12 ppm. While its monochrome speed is a respectable 25 ppm, the slower color speed can create a bottleneck for businesses that frequently print in color. For an office that only occasionally prints color pages, this might be acceptable. But for high-volume color tasks, the ET-16650 is clearly superior.

Size and Weight

There is a noticeable difference in the physical footprint and weight of these two printers. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 is heavier, weighing 46.1 pounds, with dimensions of 22″D x 23.3″W x 17.3″H. This larger and sturdier build is typical for a machine designed for faster, more demanding workloads.

The Epson ET-16600 is lighter at 40 pounds and has slightly different dimensions at 38.4″D x 20.3″W x 20.5″H. The main difference in dimensions comes from the depth when trays are extended. While both require significant desk space, the ET-16600’s lighter weight might make it marginally easier to handle during initial setup or if it needs to be moved.

Connectivity and Ports

Both printers offer robust wireless and wired connectivity, but the ET-16650 provides more physical connection options. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 features a total of three USB ports. This allows for more flexibility in connecting storage devices or multiple computers directly to the printer.

The Epson ET-16600, on the other hand, comes with just one USB port. For most modern offices that rely on network printing (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet), this might not be a major issue. However, for those who prefer or require direct USB connections for specific workflows, the ET-16650 offers a clear advantage.

Media Handling

Here, a critical distinction emerges in their specifications. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 officially supports a maximum media size of 11 x 17 inches through its paper trays, with wide-format printing up to 13″ x 19″ via the rear feed. This makes it a true wide-format all-in-one for both standard and specialty tasks.

The Epson ET-16600 is listed with a maximum media size of 8.5 x 14 inches (Legal size) in its technical specifications, although it also supports wide-format printing up to 13″ x 19″ and scanning up to 11″ x 17″. This discrepancy might relate to the primary tray limitations. For businesses that consistently work with 11×17 paper for daily tasks, the ET-16650 is the more straightforward choice.

Conclusion

After a thorough comparison of the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 vs ET-16600, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 stands out as the superior choice for most businesses. Its 25 ppm color print speed is more than double that of the ET-16600, a critical factor for productivity. While it costs slightly more, the time saved on printing vibrant, professional-quality documents provides an excellent return on investment. Make the smart choice for your office’s efficiency and get the ET-16650.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between the Epson ET-16650 and ET-16600?
   The biggest difference is the color printing speed. The ET-16650 prints color at 25 ppm, while the ET-16600 prints at 12 ppm. The ET-16650 is significantly faster for color documents, making it better for busy office environments.
2. Do both printers use the same type of ink?
   Yes, both the ET-16650 and ET-16600 use the Epson EcoTank system with DURABrite pigment-based inks. This system uses refillable ink bottles instead of cartridges, which lowers printing costs and reduces waste.
3. Can both printers handle wide-format paper?
   Yes, both models can print on paper up to 13″ x 19″ and scan documents up to 11″ x 17″. They are both considered wide-format all-in-one printers, suitable for large documents, posters, and spreadsheets.
4. Is the setup process difficult for these printers?
   Both printers are designed for a straightforward setup. They come with clear instructions and a 4.3″ color touchscreen to guide you. Connecting to a Wi-Fi network and filling the ink tanks is user-friendly, though some users note it requires careful attention.
5. How much can I save on ink with the EcoTank system?
   Epson claims you can save up to 80% on ink compared to standard-capacity color laser toner cartridges. The included replacement ink bottles can print thousands of pages (7,500 black/6,000 color), making both printers very economical for high-volume use.
6. Do both printers come with a warranty?
   Yes, both the ET-16650 and ET-16600 come with a 2-year limited warranty upon registration. This provides peace of mind and protection for your investment, provided you use genuine Epson ink.
7. Which printer is better for a small business?
   The ET-16650 is the better choice for most small businesses, especially if you print color documents frequently. Its superior speed will boost productivity. However, if your printing needs are primarily black and white, the ET-16600 offers similar features at a lower price point.
8. Are these printers compatible with mobile devices?
   Yes, both printers offer excellent connectivity, including Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct. You can easily print documents and photos directly from your smartphone or tablet using the Epson Smart Panel app and other mobile printing solutions.