Main trade-off
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
Single-sided feeder scanning, no fax and a 13.6-inch working height before extra access clearance.
Head-to-head
Epson ET-5150 vs ET-4950: Shallower desk or two-sided scanning?
The short answer
Choose ET-5150 for a shallow open desk when ordinary one-sided scans are enough. Its listed printing depth is 13.7 inches against 19.9 for ET-4950. Choose ET-4950 for automatic scanning of both sides of suitable Letter or A4 originals, or for fax. ET-5150 is 3 inches taller in the listed printing configuration and needs manual handling of the backs. Both output trays hold 30 plain sheets.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The printer that fits the desk may fail the shelf above it
Both are 14.8 inches wide, but Epson lists ET-5150 at 13.7 inches deep while printing and ET-4950 at 19.9. That 6.2-inch difference can preserve useful desk space in a bedroom that also serves as an office. ET-5150 is taller, however: 13.6 inches against 10.6 in the printing configuration. Measure both directions, then add the access needed to lift the lid, use the rear feed and refill ink. Neither published rectangle is a complete installation-clearance drawing.
What this is based on
A shallow bedroom desk with an overhead shelf crossed with manufacturer operating dimensions. Subtractions are 19.9 minus 13.7 equals 6.2 inches and 13.6 minus 10.6 equals 3 inches. Access clearance is excluded.
Main trade-off
Epson EcoTank ET-4950
Printing depth expands to 19.9 inches. Automatic two-sided scanning does not extend to Legal originals.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
- Choose it for
- Keep listed operating depth to 13.7 inches on an open desk.
- Feed an occasional supported special sheet without removing the main plain-paper stack.
- Main trade-off
- Single-sided feeder scanning, no fax and a 13.6-inch working height before extra access clearance.
Epson EcoTank ET-4950
- Choose it for
- Archive both sides of suitable Letter or A4 forms automatically.
- Use the lower working body or fax when those are actual requirements.
- Main trade-off
- Printing depth expands to 19.9 inches. Automatic two-sided scanning does not extend to Legal originals.
About this comparison
Epson ET-5150 vs ET-4950 for a shared home office. Compare working depth, shelf height and what happens to the backs of forms in the document feeder.
Both are refillable Epson office all-in-ones with Ethernet, a 250-sheet cassette, automatic duplex printing and a document feeder. They plausibly compete for the same home-office desk, but their working shape and original handling favor different rooms and routines.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Shallow desk with open space above
ET-5150 needs 6.2 inches less listed printing depth.
- Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
- Better fit
- Epson EcoTank ET-4950
- Caution
Two-sided Letter forms to archive often
ET-4950 captures both sides automatically at Letter or A4.
- Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
- Caution
- Epson EcoTank ET-4950
- Better fit
Low shelf above the printer
ET-4950 has the lower listed working body. Lid and service clearance still need checking.
- Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
- Caution
- Epson EcoTank ET-4950
- Better fit
Long plain-paper jobs left uncollected
Both rate the output for 30 sheets.
- Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
- Caution
- Epson EcoTank ET-4950
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The printer that fits the desk may fail the shelf above it
Both are 14.8 inches wide, but Epson lists ET-5150 at 13.7 inches deep while printing and ET-4950 at 19.9. That 6.2-inch difference can preserve useful desk space in a bedroom that also serves as an office. ET-5150 is taller, however: 13.6 inches against 10.6 in the printing configuration. Measure both directions, then add the access needed to lift the lid, use the rear feed and refill ink. Neither published rectangle is a complete installation-clearance drawing.
How we reached this conclusion
A shallow bedroom desk with an overhead shelf crossed with manufacturer operating dimensions. Subtractions are 19.9 minus 13.7 equals 6.2 inches and 13.6 minus 10.6 equals 3 inches. Access clearance is excluded.
A smaller feeder can leave less work for the person archiving forms
ET-5150 accepts 35 suitable originals but scans one side at a time. ET-4950 accepts 30 Letter originals and can capture both sides automatically at Letter or A4. For someone filing two-sided school or household paperwork between other tasks, avoiding the manual turn can matter more than five extra starting sheets. The recommendation changes for Legal pages, where ET-4950 also loses automatic both-side scanning. Photos, delicate papers and unsuitable originals still belong on the glass.
How we reached this conclusion
Two-sided household paperwork plus interrupted archiving crossed with feeder capacity and supported scan sides. Original size and feeder suitability bound the conclusion, with no invented scanning time.
A spare paper route helps a mixed-use desk, but it does not hold a second batch
ET-5150’s rear feed accepts one supported sheet while the 250-sheet cassette stays loaded. That can be useful when an envelope or craft sheet interrupts ordinary work. It still asks someone to attend each special sheet and select the correct media and source. Both printers finish ordinary jobs into a 30-sheet output tray. A family sharing the printer therefore needs a collection habit as well as enough input paper. The extra route and the scanner solve separate interruptions.
How we reached this conclusion
A shared work-and-family printer plus occasional supported special media crossed with ET-5150 single-sheet bypass and equal 30-sheet output. No undocumented ET-4950 bypass absence is used as proof.
Choice A
Epson, ET-5150
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
Keep listed operating depth to 13.7 inches on an open desk.
- Best matched use
- Keep listed operating depth to 13.7 inches on an open desk.
Checked facts
- Desk space while printing: 14.8 wide, 13.7 deep and 13.6 inches high.
- Both sides of originals: 35-sheet single-sided feeder.
- Paper waiting and paper finished: 250-sheet Letter cassette, one-sheet rear feed and 30-sheet output.
- Shared office duties: Ethernet, print, scan and copy. No fax.
Choice B
Epson, C11CL40201
Epson EcoTank ET-4950
Archive both sides of suitable Letter or A4 forms automatically.
- Best matched use
- Archive both sides of suitable Letter or A4 forms automatically.
Checked facts
- Desk space while printing: 14.8 wide, 19.9 deep and 10.6 inches high.
- Both sides of originals: Automatic two-sided Letter/A4 scanning, 30-sheet Letter feeder.
- Paper waiting and paper finished: 250-sheet cassette and 30-sheet output.
- Shared office duties: Ethernet, print, scan, copy and fax.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 | Epson EcoTank ET-4950 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desk space while printing | 14.8 wide, 13.7 deep and 13.6 inches high. | 14.8 wide, 19.9 deep and 10.6 inches high. | ET-5150 saves 6.2 inches of listed working depth but adds 3 inches of height. |
| Both sides of originals | 35-sheet single-sided feeder. | Automatic two-sided Letter/A4 scanning, 30-sheet Letter feeder. | The larger original stack does not make ET-5150 the more automated scanner. |
| Paper waiting and paper finished | 250-sheet Letter cassette, one-sheet rear feed and 30-sheet output. | 250-sheet cassette and 30-sheet output. | Both need finished work collected well before a full input stack empties. |
| Shared office duties | Ethernet, print, scan and copy. No fax. | Ethernet, print, scan, copy and fax. | Confirm the actual fax service if a workflow still requires it. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
- The shallow body still needs scanner-lid, cable, rear-feed and refill access. A shelf that fits the closed rectangle may prevent the job you bought it for.
If you choose Epson EcoTank ET-4950
- The 250-sheet cassette feeds a 30-sheet output. Automatic duplex scanning removes an original-handling step, not output collection during a long print job.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Operating depth is the constraint and originals are mostly one-sided
Choose Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150. ET-5150 has the shallower listed working footprint.
Both sides of suitable Letter originals need scanning regularly
Choose Epson EcoTank ET-4950. ET-4950 automates that particular handling step.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
A shallow desk favors the taller ET-5150, while a recurring stack of two-sided Letter forms favors ET-4950.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured desk-clearance or scanning-speed test.
- No universal durability claim from pigment ink.
- Fax service compatibility and supported media must be checked.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current ink-tank printers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 |
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| Epson EcoTank ET-4950 |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150
Keep listed operating depth to 13.7 inches on an open desk.
Feed an occasional supported special sheet without removing the main plain-paper stack.
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson EcoTank ET-4950
Archive both sides of suitable Letter or A4 forms automatically.
Use the lower working body or fax when those are actual requirements.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.