Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 right for you?

The ET-5850 is functionally an ET-5800 with PCL 5/6 and PostScript 3 emulation added, which matters if the printer will be driven by a print server, an accounting system or a Linux workstation. Small businesses that just want fast duplex printing can save money with the ET-5800; IT-managed offices should pick this one. The replaceable maintenance box and heavy-duty head make it a long-lived machine, and the 532 bottles yield thousands of pages each.

Best for: IT-managed small offices that need PCL or PostScript

Setting up the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850

For managed networks, connect Ethernet, set a static IP and install either the model-specific driver or the Epson Universal Print Driver with PCL. Secure the Web Config admin panel with a password before putting it on a shared LAN. Smart Panel still works for phone setup if you prefer Wi-Fi.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink bottles (fill each tank to the upper line), and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Epson's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Epson 532 Black
• Epson 532 Cyan/Magenta/Yellow ink bottles
• Epson T04D1 maintenance box

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications