Epson XP-820 Everyday Printer

There are a number of printers available on the market, it’s hard to choose which is the best one.  Today’s printers can do so much more than their all-in-one predecessors.

Recently, we tested the Epson XP-820 “Small-in-One” printer*.  This printer/copier/scanner/fax machine can handle a lot and not take up a lot of space in your office or kitchen.  The more time I spend with this printer, the more unique things I realize about it.  For example, you can actually print directly on a CD or DVD – no label necessary.  The Epson XP-82o has a built-in drawer to house the CD/DVD before it prints on it.

I also like the 30-page document feeder, my last printer didn’t have this.  It’s so convenient to scan or make copies of documents this way without having to lift the lid to place each page on the glass.  And you can store 4×6 picture paper in it’s own drawer, so printing pictures no longer requires loading picture paper each time.  Such a convenience.

 

Not sure how much ink you have left?  You can check easily on your PC.

 

The picture quality is fantastic and the Epson XP-820 prints crisp vivid 8×10 borderless pictures brilliantly.  And I can pull the picture off the tray and my fingers do not smudge the picture.  It prints and dries quickly.

 

 

Here are two pictures of beautiful landscape scenery I took, one at Newport Beach, CA and the other at a local golf course.  The quality is stunning.  You’d never know that it was published at home using the Epson XP-820 rather than at a photo studio.

 

I am coaching my daughter’s Odyssey of the Mind team and have used the XP-820 to print a number of colorful documents to help keep both the kids and the parents on the same page as we get ready to compete.  Here are some documents I printed fast and easy.

 

To help inspire your creativity, Epson has several resources online for you in its Epson Creative Zone.  I found this cute Happy Easter Card there.

 

Epson XP-820 Overview

Features:

• 30-page Automatic Document Feeder for copying, scanning, and faxing
• Auto 2-sided printing, copying, scanning and faxing
• Prints a 4×6 photo in 12 seconds
• Dedicated photo tray for specialty papers
• Scan pictures to send to your PC, Facebook, or the cloud
• Comes with a 4.3″ touchscreen with intuitive menus
• No wires needed between computer and printer
• Printer speed:  Black: 14.0 ISO ppm; Color: 11.0 ISO ppm
• Works with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Mac computers
• No PC needed, can print pictures with the USB or memory card reader
• Supports 802.11n WiFi networks but also includes WiFi Direct, where no router is needed
• Has 2-sided printing feature, can be set to automatic

Pros:

• You can print from your smartphone or tablet directly to the printer
• Easy set-up
• Supports Apple’s AirPrint with no needed software
• Continues to print even when you run out of black ink (switches to the photo  black ink)
• Pictures turn out great and not smudgy
• Has a dedicated tray for 4×6 picture paper
• Can print directly onto CD/DVD’s
• Send items to your printer from your Windows, Android, Apple, Google, and Amazon Fire devices
• Comes with Auto Photo Correction and red-eye removal
• You can set up an email address so that you have your emails + attachments printed…from anywhere
• Love the 30 page document feeder
• The Epson Connect allows you to scan and print right from your phone to your printer!
• Love the 2-sided printing – and no smudging after touching the document
• The 4.3″ touchscreen is intuitive, easy-to-use
• You can add thicker papers or envelopes through the back of the printer so the paper doesn’t jam

Cons:

• Putting paper in the paper tray is a little cumbersome
• The paper tray doesn’t hold as much paper as I would like it to
• Multiple print cartridges means you need more space for storing all the color boxes until you’re ready for them

• 273 Claria Premium Black Ink cartridge (T273020)
• 273 Claria Premium Cyan Ink cartridge (T273220)
• 273 Claria Premium Magenta Ink cartridge (T273320)
• 273 Claria Premium Yellow Ink cartridge (T273420)
• 273 Claria Premium Photo Black Ink cartridge (T273120)

The Epson XP-820 sells for $225.57 at Amazon, plus free shipping.  You can order a full replacement pack with all the ink colors on Amazon for around $60.

A Mom’s Perspective

Epson packs a lot of punch into this all-in-one printer.  I love the convenience of having both my regular paper and picture paper loaded and ready to go as soon as I press print.  I also love the option to print things from my phones and tablet using the Epson Connect app.  This is so incredibly handy.  I can be at an event, print the picture at home, and have the pictures waiting for me on the printer.  It’s never been so easy to print and gift pictures to people, I love it.

One thing I didn’t mention is that Epson has built into the 4.3″ display menu, the option to print lined paper, graph paper, music staff paper, and even a weekly or monthly blank calendar.  I find the calendar printouts helpful in my weekly/monthly planning.
I don’t often print photos at home, but the quality is fantastic and I like the fact that I only have to replace one color when it runs out, rather than all of the colors.  In the long run, I should be able to save money in ink.

The printing to the computer feature from my phone really fascinates me too.  I’m thinking about buying an Epson XP-820 for my mother-in-law too, as she often asks for photos of the kids…and I’m terrible about printing them out.  Think about it, I could print her pictures on her Epson printer at home instantly right after the kids have received an award…or just when I’m at home and I have a picture I know she’d love.  I could send it to her on-the-spot.  She’d be thrilled and can do so much more with printed photos rather than the digital ones I send her occasionally.

How’s your printer doing, is it time for an upgrade?

*  I was given an Epson XP-820 in order to facilitate an honest review.  All opinions are my own.