Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 Wireless All-in-One Printer with Built-in Scanner and Copier and 4.3″ Color Touchscreen, Black
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 is a standout in the world of home photo printers. Offering professional-quality prints and versatile functionality, this all-in-one printer caters to creative enthusiasts and families seeking exceptional photo output. With innovative Claria Photo HD inks and a user-friendly interface, it elevates home printing to a whole new level.
Pros:
Cons:
Features & Functionality
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The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 stands out for its exceptional print quality and versatile functionality, making it a top choice for photography enthusiasts and creative projects alike. It’s equipped with 6-color Claria Photo HD inks and boasts a maximum print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, ensuring stunning, true-to-life prints up to 8.5″ x 11″. This printer excels in delivering professional-grade, vivid photos with astounding accuracy and depth, catering to portrait, landscape, or artwork printing needs.
Beyond its prowess in photo printing, the XP-8700 offers versatility in media handling. Separate trays for plain and photo paper, along with a rear feed for specialty papers, expand creative possibilities for projects like greeting cards or scrapbooking. The large, 4.3″ color touchscreen ensures user-friendly operation, providing intuitive controls for easy navigation and printer management, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy users.
This all-in-one printer includes a high-resolution flatbed scanner for crisp and accurate scans, complemented by an integrated copier for easy duplication of documents or photos. Its seamless wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct allows printing from laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets. The Smart Panel App adds convenience, transforming mobile devices into powerful command centers, streamlining the printing process with features like Smart Setup.
However, it’s important to note that the printer is optimized to work exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Using non-genuine ink might risk damage not covered under the printer’s warranty. Despite potential considerations regarding ink usage, the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 impresses with its exceptional print quality, versatile media handling, user-friendly interface, and seamless wireless connectivity, making it a standout choice for photo printing and creative endeavors.
Design & Build Quality
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The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 combines sleek design with practical functionality tailored for home environments. Its compact footprint ensures it fits well into various spaces, whether on a desk or a shelf. The printer features a foldable paper tray that enhances its storage efficiency when not in use, minimizing its footprint further. This design consideration is particularly advantageous for users with limited workspace. The absence of an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) contributes to its streamlined appearance but may pose limitations for users requiring frequent scanning or copying of multi-page documents.
In terms of build quality, the XP-8700 maintains a sturdy construction that feels durable yet lightweight. The materials used are well-suited for home use, striking a balance between resilience and aesthetics. The 4.3″ color touchscreen interface is prominently positioned for easy access and intuitive operation, allowing users to navigate through various printing options and settings effortlessly. While the lack of an ADF might not affect all users, those with heavy document scanning needs may find the absence of this feature somewhat limiting. Overall, the Epson XP-8700 blends modern design elements with practical functionality, making it a suitable choice for home users seeking reliable photo printing capabilities without compromising on space or style.
Power & Performance
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The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 is a powerhouse in delivering exceptional print quality, particularly for photographs. Its 6-color Claria Photo HD inks and maximum print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi consistently produce stunning, true-to-life prints up to 8.5″ x 11″. This printer stands out for its accuracy and depth, catering perfectly to the needs of photography enthusiasts and professionals seeking professional-grade results.
Beyond its photo prowess, the XP-8700 offers versatile media handling with separate trays for various paper types and sizes, including specialty papers. This flexibility expands creative possibilities for projects ranging from standard documents to intricate crafting endeavors, making it a valuable tool for diverse creative pursuits.
Equipped with a high-resolution flatbed scanner and an integrated copier, the XP-8700 ensures precise scans and duplicates, complementing its primary focus on printing. Its seamless wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct allows printing from multiple devices, enhanced by the Smart Panel App that transforms mobile devices into efficient printing command centers.
However, this printer exhibits moderate printing speeds compared to competitors in its class.
With monochrome and color print speeds rated at 9.5 ppm and 9 ppm, respectively, it may face limitations in handling larger printing tasks or high-volume demands. Additionally, while delivering exceptional quality, the printer’s reliance on genuine Epson cartridges may result in relatively higher operational costs, potentially impacting long-term affordability for users.
Compatibility & Connectivity
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The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 excels in connectivity options, offering seamless integration with various devices for flexible printing solutions. It supports both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, enabling wireless printing from laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets without the need for a direct network connection. This wireless capability enhances convenience and accessibility, allowing users to print from virtually anywhere within range of their home network. Additionally, the printer supports traditional USB connectivity for direct printing from computers, providing a reliable wired option when needed.
Epson enhances user experience further with its Smart Panel App, available for both Android and iOS devices. This app transforms smartphones and tablets into powerful command centers, offering comprehensive control over printing tasks, including monitoring ink levels, adjusting settings, and managing print queues remotely. This integration simplifies the printing process and enhances productivity, particularly beneficial for users who frequently print documents or photos from their mobile devices. While the XP-8700 lacks some of the advanced workflow software found in higher-end models, its robust compatibility and connectivity options make it a versatile choice for home users seeking a reliable and user-friendly printing solution.
What’s the Alternative?
Image credit: Canon
For those seeking a high-end photo printer, the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 offers an excellent alternative to the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700. The PRO-300 is specifically designed for professional photographers and advanced amateurs, boasting a nine-color Chroma Optimizer ink system that provides a wide color gamut and precise color reproduction. This system excels in delivering gallery-quality prints with rich, vivid colors and enhanced black density, thanks to its innovative ink technology. The PRO-300 also supports a wider variety of media sizes and types, accommodating prints up to 13 inches wide and 39 inches long, making it a versatile choice for different printing needs.
In contrast, the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 is more suited for home use and creative enthusiasts. While it offers professional-quality prints with its 6-color Claria Photo HD inks, its primary strengths lie in ease of use, wireless connectivity, and versatile media handling for smaller projects. The XP-8700 features a user-friendly 4.3″ color touchscreen and the Epson Smart Panel App for convenient mobile device management, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy users. However, it lacks some of the advanced features found in the PRO-300, such as the dedicated nozzles for matte and photo black inks, and professional workflow software integration, which can streamline the printing process for more demanding tasks. While both printers have their merits, the choice between them largely depends on the user’s specific needs—whether they prioritize high-end professional output and versatility (Canon PRO-300) or user-friendly operation and home use functionality (Epson XP-8700).
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700?
The Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 stands out for its exceptional photo printing capabilities, making it an ideal choice for creative enthusiasts and families seeking high-quality prints at home. While its ink costs may be a consideration, the printer’s vibrant color output, versatile paper handling, and intuitive interface make it a top contender in its class. If photo printing is your primary focus and occasional document printing suffices, the XP-8700 is a worthy investment for elevating your printing experience.
