Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4700 Series Review

Good: Flexible paper handling, standard wireless and mobile connectivity, compact size.
Bad: Not intended for larger offices; warranty is only for one year (although an optional extended warranty plan is available for purchase).
Bottom Line: Scalable series of all-in-ones with strong features and affordability for small businesses.
Vendor:
Product:
Price:
Intended Users:
Epson
WF Pro WF-4700 Series
$150-$300
Small businesses
Speed Black:
Speed Color:
Processor:
Memory:
20ppm-24ppm (ISO)
20ppm-22ppm (ISO)
Not applicable
Not applicable

Product Overview

The WorkForce Pro WF-4700 Series joins the WorkForce Pro WF-3720 in Epson’s  printer and MFP line aimed at small businesses. Like Epson’s other newer devices, the WF-4700 Series use Epson’s inkjet technology, PrecisionCore. PrecsionCore uses a high-density print chip that can generate up to 40 million precise dots per second.

There three devices in this series, which includes standard printing, copying, scanning and faxing functionality. They are:

  • The WorkForce Pro WF-4720 ($150), which prints at up to 20ppm (ISO) in both black and color. It includes a 250-sheet paper capacity, a 35-sheet automatic document feeder and a 2.7″ color touchscreen.
  • The WorkForce Pro WF-4730 ($200), which also prints at up to 20ppm (ISO) in both black and color. It includes a 2.7″ color touchscreen and a 500-sheet paper capacity.
  • The WorkForce Pro WF-4740 ($300), which prints at up to 24ppm (ISO) in black and 22ppm (ISO) in color. It includes a 50-sheet automatic document feeder and a 4.3″ color touchscreen.

USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity on all devices is standard. Mobile printing is also supported via the Epson Connect solution. Within the Epson Connect are the following features: Email Print, iPrint Mobile App, and Remote Print. Users can also print via the Apple AirPrint, Kindle Fire and Google Cloud Print.

More details is in our Features section below.

The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4700 Series is a scalable line of all-in-ones that include strong features that a small business needs for efficient operations and productivity.

Features

Paper handling on the WF-4720 consists of a 250-sheet tray and a 35-sheet automatic document feeder. The paper tray accepts up to 8.5″ x 47.2″ (banner size), while the document feeder accept up to 8.5″ x 14″ paper size.

On the WF-4730 and WF-4740, there are dual paper trays that hold 250 sheets each, totaling 500 sheets in capacity. The WF-4730 has a 35-sheet automatic document feeder,while the WF-4740 has a 50-sheet automatic document feeder.

On all devices, there is a monthly duty cycle of 30,000 pages. However, Epson recommends an average of 1,500 pages a month.

Scanning is done via a color CIS sensor. It supports scan-to-PC, scan-to-cloud, scan-to-email, scan-to-flash drive and scan-to-PDF. File formats supported include PDF, JPEG and TIFF. The WF-4740 also includes LDAP support.

Faxing is supported via a 33.6kbps modem. Memory is up to 180 pages and PC faxing is standard.

In terms of replacement ink, Epson offers both standard and high-capacity ink in four individual cartridges.  However, we don’t have the prices of the high-capacity cartridges so our cost-per-page calculations is based on the standard-yield cartridges (900 pages for black and 650 pages for each color). Therefore, the cost per page is 4.2 cents in black and 15.7 cents in color. This is about average for this level of the market. Users should take advantage of the high-capacity cartridges. They can also use the duplexing functionality and other environmental features to control printing costs.

When we’re able to get prices of the high-capacity ink cartridges, we’ll update our cost-per-page calculations.

And finally, there is a one-year limited warranty.

  • Automatic Document Feeder?
  • Duplexing?
  • Ethernet Connectivity?
  • Wireless Connectivity?
  • Mobile Printing/Scanning?
  • Finishers?

Shortcomings

The WF-4700 Series is not intended for larger offices. Also, the warranty is only for one year but users have the option of purchasing an extended one-year warranty plan.

About

Epson America is a division of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of imaging products, semiconductors, liquid crystal displays, and watches. The company has been an innovative designer of ink jet printers and sells an extensive product line. Most of these are geared to home and school use, but Epson continues to extend its line further into the office environment.

Epson has been making a more aggressive play for the document scanner market, although the company’s been in the multipurpose office scanner business for years. The models and other additions to its model line seem to be part of an effort to further extend its current scanner technology. As part of this effort, Epson makes these scanners available in consumer electronics stores such as Best Buy, along with Epson dealers and on its website.

Send feedback or corrections to feedback@betterbuys.com.

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Photo Paper Alert!!!

on 2017-09-04 17:40:18

I purchased this printer because I need a good machine to print pictures up to 8.5x10.5 inches in color and black and white. This printer will print well on standard printer paper, but the minute you insert a slightly thicker paper, even with the Epson label, you run into trouble. My pictures came out with unacceptable vertical lines. No amount of cleaning of heads and aligning of cartridges solved my problem. Unfortunately I had to return my printer to the store where I bought it. I did not attempt to get support from Epson and I would have chosen "not applicable" if that had appeared as an option on this review.