Epson EcoTank ET-2988 Review (2026): Honest Pros, Cons & Who It's Really For

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Our review process is explained in our printer ranking methodology. For more options in this category, see our 10 Best Small Business Printers or our full Best Printers Buying Guide.

QUICK VERDICT

The Epson EcoTank ET-2988 is a cartridge-free supertank all-in-one with a 1.44" color screen, automatic two-sided printing, and a built-in scanner — on paper, nearly identical to the well-known ET-2980. The catch is that the ET-2988 is sold as a retailer-specific "special edition" bundle (notably through Costco), and its ratings swing dramatically depending on where you buy it: strong at Epson.com, noticeably weaker on Costco's own listing. Treat it as a bundle variant of the ET-2980, not a distinct new printer — and pay attention to which retailer's version you're actually getting.

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AT A GLANCE

WHO THE EPSON ECOTANK ET-2988 IS REALLY FOR

• You want the ET-2980's feature set — auto duplex, color screen, built-in scanner, refillable tanks — and you're shopping at a retailer (often Costco) that specifically carries the ET-2988 bundle.
• You print enough that cartridge costs bother you, and you want up to 3 years of included ink to offset the higher upfront price of a supertank printer.
• You want a home office all-in-one that can scan and copy in addition to printing, without paying for a separate scanner.

WHO SHOULD SKIP IT

• Costco shoppers who want the safest bet. The Costco-specific listing for this "Special Edition" carries a notably lower 2.6-star rating (110 ratings) than the same core hardware sold as the ET-2980 or through Epson directly — worth reading those specific complaints before buying that bundle.
• Anyone confused by Epson's model numbering. If you just want the standard, most widely-reviewed version of this printer, our Epson EcoTank ET-2980 review covers the mainstream version most retailers carry.
• Budget buyers who don't need duplex or a scanner. The simpler Epson EcoTank ET-2800 drops the auto-duplex and screen for a lower price.

WHAT PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT IT

Where reviews are positive, they focus on the same strengths as the rest of the EcoTank line: refillable tanks that make ink cost almost a non-issue for years, genuinely good photo print quality on glossy paper, and straightforward setup through the Epson Smart Panel app. Owners in hobbyist communities (crafters, label-makers, and small print shops) frequently mention buying it specifically for the low cost-per-page on a supertank printer.

THE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS

1. Rating inconsistency by retailer. This is the single biggest red flag with the ET-2988 — the same core printer scores very differently depending on whether you buy it from Epson.com, Costco, or a third-party Amazon "Renewed" listing.
2. Confusing model overlap. The ET-2988, ET-2980, ET-2985, and ET-2900-series models are similar enough that buyers often aren't sure which one they're actually getting, especially through club-store or renewed listings.
3. Renewed/third-party Amazon listings carry their own risk. Some Amazon listings for this model are refurbished units sold by third parties rather than new-in-box from Epson, which comes with a different warranty picture.

HOW IT COMPARES

If you want the version with the deepest, most consistent review history, the ET-2980 or ET-2800 are the safer starting points.

INK: WHAT THE ET-2988 USES

The ET-2988 uses Epson's 502 ink series: two bottles of 502 Black (127 mL each) and one bottle each of 502 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow (70 mL each), included in the box along with the printer, power cord, and manual. Epson estimates this bundle is good for up to 3 years of typical home printing before you need to buy replacement bottles — a major cost advantage over cartridge-based inkjets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's the difference between the Epson ET-2988 and the ET-2980?
They share essentially the same core hardware and specs (15 ppm, 1.44" screen, auto duplex, built-in scanner). The ET-2988 is typically a retailer-specific bundle/SKU — often sold at Costco as a "Special Edition" — sometimes with different included accessories or bonus ink.

Is the ET-2988 sold at Costco?
Yes, Costco has carried it as the "Epson EcoTank ET-2988 Wireless SuperTank Printer" special edition, often bundled with a bonus replacement ink bottle.

Does it support automatic two-sided printing?
Yes, auto duplex printing is built in, unlike the entry-level ET-2800.

Why do ratings vary so much between retailers?
Different retailers sell different bundles and sometimes different production runs under the same model name, and Amazon listings mix new, renewed, and third-party-sold units together — always check whether a specific listing is new and sold/shipped by a reputable seller.

What ink does it use?
Epson 502 series ink bottles (502 Black, 502 Cyan, 502 Magenta, 502 Yellow).

BOTTOM LINE

The Epson EcoTank ET-2988 gives you real supertank savings and a genuinely useful feature set — auto duplex, color screen, built-in scanner — at a price that's often lower than the standard ET-2980. But because it's sold as a retailer-specific bundle with wildly inconsistent ratings depending on where you buy it, we'd recommend reading the reviews for your specific retailer's listing carefully, or simply buying the standard ET-2980 if you want the most predictable experience.

WHERE TO BUY

Epson EcoTank ET-2988: View current price on Amazon

Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (more consistent alternative): Read our review

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (budget alternative): Read our review

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See also: 10 Best Small Business Printers (2026) | Best Printers Buying Guide