Best Reviewed
Printers
- Basic inkjet printer HP Deskjet 1000 *Est. $30
- Best family printer for documents, photos Canon Pixma iP4820 *Est. $80
- Wireless home-office printer HP Officejet 6000 Wireless *Est. $80
- Enthusiast photo printer Epson Stylus Photo R1900 *Est. $300
- Pro-quality photo printer Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II *Est. $445
Get info about new reports and updates
- Exceptional photo prints
- Prints up to 17 inches by 22 inches
- Compact size
- Wastes ink when switching from glossy to matte
- Finicky paper feed
- Expensive
Epson's least expensive professional photo printer, the Epson Stylus Pro 3880, can crank out prints up to 17 inches by 22 inches -- something that the lower-tier Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II (*Est. $445) and Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II (*Est. $765) can't do (they stop at 13 inches by 19 inches). The Epson also uses bigger ink tanks that reviews say cost less in the long run, and several computers can use this printer thanks to its Ethernet connectivity. Unlike most wide-format printers, the Epson 3880 can fit on your desktop. It uses pigment-based inks that are rated to last 100 years or more, like the Pro9500 Mark II, and both printers are recommended for their color and black-and-white prowess. Experts say the Epson 3880 is a great choice for pros and serious amateurs, and most of the owners who post reviews at Amazon.com say they love this printer. They do point out a couple of flaws, though: The paper feed sometimes won't work without a lot of fiddling, and the printer does a wasteful ink purge every time you switch between glossy and matte paper (it internally switches the type of black ink it uses). Overall, experts say the less expensive Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II will satisfy most serious photographers.
Photography experts at Shutterbug and Photo-i conduct comprehensive tests of the Epson Stylus Pro 3880. PCMag.com and PC Advisor also publish solid expert tests of this printer, although they don't review as many high-end printers as the photo-centric sources do. Amazon.com offers a healthy number of owner reviews, some of them quite long and detailed.
| Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Color Inkjet Printer (CA61201-VM) | |
(34 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
|
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  6,980 store reviews | In Stock. FREE SHIPPING, Ships same day if ordered by 5:00pm EST (Mon-Thur), Epson Authorized Dealer! | $1,495.00 | See It |
 |  0 store reviews | In Stock. | $1,495.00 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 "is an amazing value," according to this photography website: It can print up to 17 inches by 22 inches, but it's much smaller and cheaper than a traditional wide-format printer. Jon Canfield praises its color and black-and-white print quality, and he points out that the 3880 comes with more than $500 worth of ink.
Review: Epson's Stylus Pro 3880; The New 17" K3 Printer, Jon Canfield, April 2010
After a very thorough test, this photography website concludes that the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 is "an excellent addition to any serious photographer's kit." It charges a lot for ink, the site says, but not compared with what a professional photographer will earn from the prints.
Review: Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Review, Vincent Oliver, Nov. 23, 2009
PCMag.com doesn't test many professional-grade printers, but the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 impresses reviewer Tony Hoffman enough to earn an Editors' Choice award. It's Epson's lowest-priced pro photo printer, and its "exquisite" photos, robust feature set, versatile paper handling and capable speed make it a good choice for pros and serious amateurs alike.
Review: Epson Stylus Pro 3880, Tony Hoffman, March 21, 2011
4. PC Advisor
"We simply can't recommend it highly enough," PC Advisor says of the Epson Stylus Photo 3880. Tester Rob Mead finds it easy to use and quiet, and color test prints are "nothing short of remarkable."
Review: Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Review, Rob Mead, Sept. 2, 2010
5. Amazon.com
About 20 users have reviewed the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 here, and all say they are wowed by its print quality. Users do point out some flaws -- they say the paper feed is finicky, and the printer performs an ink-wasting purge every time you switch between glossy and matte paper -- but overall, they give it overwhelmingly good reviews.
Review: Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Inkjet Printer (CA61201-VM), Contributors to Amazon.com
Printers Runners Up:
5 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Advisor…
4 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Pro…
4 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Pro…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, PrinterInfo.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com…
3 picks including: HardwareCentral.com, PC World…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, PCPro.co.uk…
2 picks including: photo-i.co.uk, Technical Image Press Association…
