Epson ET-3900 vs ET-3950: Which EcoTank Printer Is Right for Your Home Office?

The Epson EcoTank ET-3900 and Epson EcoTank ET-3950 are two practical A4 colour multifunction printers designed for home, study and small office users who want low running costs and reliable everyday printing.

Both models share Epson’s popular EcoTank refillable ink technology, but the key difference is simple: the ET-3950 adds an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), making it more suitable for users who regularly scan or copy multi-page documents.

In this comparison, we look at the real-world differences between the ET-3900 and ET-3950 to help you decide which model offers better value for your needs.

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Quick Verdict

If you mainly print documents, schoolwork, family materials and occasional colour pages, the ET-3900 is likely the better value choice.

If you regularly scan or copy multi-page documents, the ET-3950 is the more convenient option because of its built-in ADF.

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What Both Printers Have in Common

Both the ET-3900 and ET-3950 are part of Epson’s EcoTank family. That means they are designed around refillable ink tanks instead of traditional ink cartridges.

• ✔ Print, copy and scan functionality
• ✔ Epson EcoTank refillable ink system
• ✔ Epson 522 ink bottle compatibility
• ✔ Wireless printing
• ✔ Mobile printing support
• ✔ Automatic duplex printing
• ✔ Low running costs compared with cartridge-based printers
• ✔ Suitable for home, study and small office environments

For most everyday users, both models offer the same core EcoTank benefit: very low ongoing printing costs.

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Main Differences: ET-3900 vs ET-3950

Feature	ET-3900	ET-3950
Print	✅	✅
Copy	✅	✅
Scan	✅ Flatbed	✅ Flatbed + ADF
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)	❌	✅
Multi-Page Scan / Copy	Manual flatbed only	ADF supported
Automatic Duplex Printing	✅	✅
WiFi	✅	✅
Ink Bottle Series	Epson 522	Epson 522
Best Suited For	Home, students, families	Home office, small business, multi-page scanning

The ET-3950’s main advantage is workflow convenience. The ET-3900 keeps the same core EcoTank printing experience at a lower price point.

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Do You Really Need an ADF?

The biggest difference between the ET-3900 and ET-3950 is the Automatic Document Feeder.

An ADF allows you to scan or copy multiple pages without placing each page manually on the flatbed glass. This can save a lot of time if you regularly handle multi-page documents.

Choose ET-3950 if you regularly:

• ✔ Scan multi-page contracts
• ✔ Copy office paperwork
• ✔ Process forms, invoices or reports
• ✔ Run a small business from home
• ✔ Need faster document handling

Choose ET-3900 if you mostly:

• ✔ Print schoolwork or home documents
• ✔ Print colour pages occasionally
• ✔ Scan one page at a time
• ✔ Want the lowest practical purchase price
• ✔ Prefer better value over extra workflow features

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Running Costs: Same Epson 522 Ink Bottles

Both the ET-3900 and ET-3950 use Epson’s popular 522 ink bottle series.

• ✔ Epson 522 Black Ink Bottle
• ✔ Epson 522 Cyan Ink Bottle
• ✔ Epson 522 Magenta Ink Bottle
• ✔ Epson 522 Yellow Ink Bottle

This means both models share the same EcoTank running cost advantage. Whether you choose the ET-3900 or ET-3950, your ongoing ink cost remains very low compared with traditional cartridge-based printers.

Shop Epson 522 Ink Bottles

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Who Should Buy the Epson ET-3900?

The ET-3900 is the better choice for users who want EcoTank value without paying extra for ADF convenience.

• ✔ Students
• ✔ Families
• ✔ Home users
• ✔ Budget-conscious buyers
• ✔ Light home office users
• ✔ Users who rarely scan multi-page documents

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Who Should Buy the Epson ET-3950?

The ET-3950 is the better option for users who regularly scan or copy multi-page documents and want the convenience of an ADF.

• ✔ Small business users
• ✔ Home office users
• ✔ Accountants and bookkeepers
• ✔ Real estate offices
• ✔ Medical or allied health offices
• ✔ Users who scan or copy multiple pages frequently

View Epson ET-3950

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Value Verdict: ET-3900 or ET-3950?

Category	Winner
Lowest Upfront Cost	ET-3900
ADF Convenience	ET-3950
Multi-Page Scanning	ET-3950
Running Costs	Tie
Student & Family Use	ET-3900
Best Value for Most Home Users	🏆 Epson ET-3900

The ET-3950 is the better productivity model because of its ADF. However, the ET-3900 is likely to be the better value choice for most home users, students and families.

If you rarely scan or copy multi-page documents, the ET-3900 offers a very similar printing experience while costing less.

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FAQ

What is the main difference between Epson ET-3900 and ET-3950?

The main difference is that the ET-3950 includes an Automatic Document Feeder, while the ET-3900 does not.

Do ET-3900 and ET-3950 use the same ink?

Yes. Both models use Epson 522 ink bottles, giving them the same low running cost advantage.

Is the ET-3950 worth buying?

Yes, if you regularly scan or copy multi-page documents. The ADF can save a lot of time for office users.

Is the ET-3900 better value?

For many home users, students and families, the ET-3900 may offer better value because it provides the same EcoTank printing benefits at a lower purchase price.

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Related Articles & Products

• Epson ET-3900 Product Page
• Epson ET-3950 Product Page
• Shop Epson 522 Ink Bottles
• Epson ET-4950 vs ET-2950 Comparison
• Epson ET-4900 vs ET-4800 Comparison

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Final Thoughts

The Epson ET-3900 and ET-3950 are both excellent EcoTank printers for home and small office users. They share the same low running cost advantage, Epson 522 ink system and core printing functionality.

The decision comes down to workflow. If you need the convenience of an ADF, the ET-3950 is the better choice. If you do not regularly scan or copy multi-page documents, the ET-3900 offers excellent value and is likely the smarter purchase for most everyday users.

Our verdict: ET-3950 wins on workflow convenience, but ET-3900 wins on value for most home users.