Epson EcoTank Monochrome M3170 Wi-Fi Ink Tank All-in-One Printer with ADF and Fax

Genuine Epson | Brand New | A4 Black-and-White Print, Scan, Copy and Fax | Automatic Document Feeder | Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct | Pigment Ink Tanks

Searching for the Epson M3170 price in Kenya, a black-and-white office printer in Nairobi, or a laser-printer alternative with a much lower cost per page? The Epson EcoTank Monochrome M3170 is a brand-new, genuine A4 black-and-white all-in-one ink tank printer that prints, scans, copies and faxes, with an automatic document feeder, Ethernet and Wi-Fi. It prints sharp, laser-quality text with durable pigment ink, at up to 39 pages per minute in draft mode, and its refillable ink tanks keep the cost per page very low. It's available from Gadget Market with delivery across Kenya. Buyers also search for it as an Epson M3170 printer, a monochrome ink tank printer, a black-and-white printer scanner copier fax, a cheap office printer for text documents, an Epson mono EcoTank, a printer for schools and offices, or a laser printer alternative.

This guide explains the printer in plain language: how a monochrome ink tank printer differs from a laser or a colour inkjet, who benefits most, how to set it up for an office, and where it's limited. If you'd like to talk it through, message us on WhatsApp.

The short verdict

The Epson EcoTank Monochrome M3170 is built for offices that print black-and-white documents all day and want the lowest possible cost. It prints crisp text at laser-like quality, scans and copies with a document feeder, sends faxes, and connects by Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Its pigment ink bottles are designed for very high yields, so each page costs a fraction of a toner page. Because it's black-and-white only, it saves money on both the printer and the ink compared with a colour model. The honest limits are simple: it prints and copies in black and white only, and if you ever need colour, you'll need a different machine. For a school office, a clinic, a law practice or any team that prints text and forms, the M3170 is a very economical choice.

Who this printer is for

It suits you if:

• You print mainly black-and-white documents: letters, reports, forms, invoices, exams and notices.
• You want a very low cost per page, lower than most laser printers.
• You scan or copy multi-page documents and want a document feeder.
• You need fax available.
• You want a wired network connection for reliability.

Look elsewhere if:

• You need colour. See the Epson L6370, L6390 or L5290 in our range.
• You print photos. See the Epson L8050 or L18050.
• You print very few pages. A cheap laser may suit you better, because toner doesn't dry out.
• You need A3 printing. See the Epson L15150.

How a monochrome ink tank printer compares

It helps to see where this printer sits among the alternatives.

Against a mono laser printer. A laser is fast and has a long-lasting toner cartridge, but the printer and the toner both cost more, and replacement toner is expensive per page. The M3170's pigment ink bottles cost far less per page, and the printer itself costs less than many lasers with a feeder and fax.

Against a colour ink tank printer. The M3170 uses only black pigment ink, which is cheaper to buy and to run, and it's tuned for sharp text on plain paper. It can't print colour.

Against a cartridge inkjet. Cartridge printers cost far more per page than this printer.

The pigment ink is the key: it's designed to sit on the page for crisp, smudge-resistant text, and it doesn't dry out in the nozzles as readily as dye inks.

Specifications in plain English

These figures come from Epson's pages and retailer listings of the M3170 and its sister model, the M3180. Ask us to confirm the details of the unit you order, including duplex and yield.

Why pigment ink matters for documents

Epson's monochrome EcoTank printers use pigment black ink, which has real advantages for office use.

• Sharper text. Pigment sits on the paper's surface, so text edges look crisp, even on ordinary plain paper.
• Smudge and water resistance. Documents resist smudging from highlighters and light moisture.
• Fade resistance. Black pigment lasts longer than dye, which suits records and forms.
• Barcode-friendly. Pigment ink prints barcodes and forms that scan reliably.
• Low running cost. One ink, used efficiently, with large-capacity bottles.

For plain documents, pigment black is the right ink. It isn't made for glossy photos.

Setting up a shared office printer

1. Place it centrally, with room to load the feeder and open the scanner lid.
2. Connect it by Ethernet for the most reliable network connection.
3. Reserve an IP address for the printer on your router, so it never changes.
4. Install the driver on each computer.
5. Set defaults that save money: draft or standard quality, and double-sided if supported.
6. Set up scan-to-folder or scan-to-email.
7. Set up fax if you'll use it, with a landline.
8. Use the Epson Smart Panel app on phones.
9. Assign someone to check ink and paper weekly, and keep a spare ink bottle.

Getting set up: a first-day guide

1. Unbox and remove all packing tape inside and outside the printer, including the document feeder.
2. Fill the ink tank with the black ink bottle, slowly, and wipe any drips.
3. Let the printer initialise.
4. Load plain A4 paper in the paper cassette.
5. Connect the network cable, or join Wi-Fi.
6. Install the driver and print a test page.
7. Test the document feeder with a few sheets.
8. Connect and test fax if you'll use it.
9. Run a nozzle check after the first week.

Paper, ink and keeping costs down

• Use good-quality A4 paper, especially for the feeder. Thin, damp or curled paper jams.
• Remove staples and clips before loading the feeder.
• Use genuine Epson ink bottles. Ask us for the correct bottle code.
• Print in draft mode for internal documents.
• Print something weekly, so the print head stays healthy.
• Keep the printer level, covered and out of direct sun.

A worked example: the economics of black-and-white printing

Numbers make the value of a monochrome ink tank printer clear, using figures you can replace with real prices.

1. Find the price of a replacement ink bottle and its page yield. Epson rates its monochrome bottles in the thousands of pages. Ask us for the bottle price and rated yield.
2. Divide the price by the pages. That gives the cost per page, which for a monochrome tank is a small fraction of a shilling.
3. Do the same for a laser toner cartridge. Divide the cartridge price by its much smaller page yield.
4. Multiply the difference by your monthly pages. An office printing 5,000 pages a month sees the saving add up quickly.
5. Add the purchase price. Compare the printer prices, and work out how many months it takes for the cheaper running cost to cover any difference.

The longer the printer works, and the more pages it prints, the more it saves. For a school that prints exams and notes by the thousand, the saving can be very large over a year.

When a laser still wins

It's fair to say where a laser is the better tool.

• Very high speed. For continuous, very high-volume text printing, a laser engine prints faster.
• Rarely used printers. Toner doesn't dry out, so a laser that sits idle for months works the day you need it.
• Wet environments. Laser prints resist water completely.
• Established toner supply. Some offices already stock toner and prefer one standard.

And where the M3170 wins:

• Running cost. Much lower cost per page.
• Energy use. Heat-Free printing uses less power.
• Purchase price. Often cheaper than a laser with a feeder, fax and Ethernet.
• Refilling. Bottles are easy to store and refill, with no complicated cartridges.

If your office prints daily, the M3170 is likely the better buy. If you print rarely, a laser may be better.

Printing exams, forms and notices

Schools, colleges and offices print a lot of repeat documents.

• Exams. Print master copies in standard quality, then check one before running the batch.
• Forms. Use plain 80 gsm paper for most forms, and heavier paper for covers.
• Notices and circulars. Draft mode is plenty for internal notices.
• Receipts and invoices. Pigment ink resists smudging, which helps with documents that get handled.
• Batch jobs. Print in sections of a few hundred pages, and check the output between batches.
• Paper handling. Fan the paper before loading, keep it dry and don't overload the tray.
• Storage. Keep unused paper sealed and flat.

For regular large batches, keep a spare ink bottle and paper on hand, so a deadline never catches you short.

Scanning and fax for records

The M3170's scanner and fax make it useful for record-keeping.

• Scan stacks through the feeder at 200 to 300 dpi, in black and white or greyscale, to keep files small.
• Scan to PDF, and name files by date, client and document type.
• Scan to a protected folder for sensitive documents, and back up to the cloud and to an external drive from our range, such as a SanDisk or WD portable drive.
• Copy stacks quickly with the feeder, in black and white.
• Send and receive faxes if you deal with offices that still use them, with a landline connection.
• Use the scanner's colour mode when you need to capture a coloured stamp or signature, even though the printer itself prints only in black and white.

Common problems and simple fixes

Streaks or faded lines. Run a nozzle check, then a head cleaning from the menu.

Paper jams. Use dry, good-quality paper, don't overload the tray and check the paper guides.

Document feeder jams. Remove staples and clips, use good paper and don't overload the feeder.

Can't be found on the network. Check the Ethernet cable and router, restart the printer and confirm its IP address hasn't changed.

Slow printing. Check the quality setting. Draft is fastest.

Scans have lines. Clean the scanner glass and the feeder strip with a soft cloth.

Fax won't send. Check the telephone cable and line, and the number and settings.

Error message about the maintenance box. The box that collects waste ink is nearly full. Ask us, since it needs an authorised service.

If a problem continues, message us on WhatsApp.

Questions to ask before you buy a monochrome printer

1. Will we ever need colour? If yes, buy a colour model.
2. How many pages will we print each month?
3. Do we need a feeder, fax and Ethernet?
4. Do we need automatic duplex? Confirm it for this model.
5. What does a replacement ink bottle cost, and what is the real cost per page?
6. What's in the box, and does it include ink?
7. What warranty is included, and who honours it? Get it in writing.
8. Can I see it before I pay? A trustworthy seller says yes.

We're glad to answer all of these on WhatsApp or in the shop before you pay.

Looking after the printer for years

• Print or scan something weekly, so the print head stays healthy.
• Use the printer's power button, not the wall switch.
• Keep the tank above the minimum mark.
• Use genuine ink.
• Clean the scanner glass, the feeder strip and the body with a soft cloth.
• Keep it level, covered and out of direct sun.
• Service it when you see a maintenance message.
• Keep firmware and drivers updated.

Warranty and after-sales: what to ask

A printer is a long-term purchase, so ask us what warranty covers the unit you order, how long it lasts and what it covers. Epson lists a three-year warranty for the sister M3180 in India, and Kenyan terms may differ. Printers normally exclude consumables such as ink, and damage from non-genuine ink or misuse. Keep your receipt, the serial number and the box. If a fault appears, message us on WhatsApp first, and we'll tell you the quickest way to get it sorted.

Equipping a school, clinic or practice with the M3170

Different organisations use a black-and-white 4-in-1 in different ways.

A school. Print exams, notes, circulars and report forms at very low cost, scan student records and copy documents for parents. A spare ink bottle and a surge protector keep term-time printing reliable.

A clinic. Print forms, prescriptions and referral letters in black and white, scan patient records into protected folders, and receive occasional faxes from labs and suppliers.

A law or accounting practice. Print drafts and contracts, scan bundles of documents through the feeder, copy exhibits and keep running costs down on large text jobs.

A church or NGO. Print programmes, newsletters and reports cheaply, and scan donor and member records.

In each case, the monochrome machine saves most where volumes are highest, and the document feeder and fax add convenience.

Making the most of one ink bottle

A few habits stretch every bottle.

• Print in draft mode for internal documents.
• Print double-sided where possible.
• Check page ranges before printing.
• Avoid printing long email threads and web pages with large images.
• Use PDF preview to catch blank or repeated pages.
• Use fonts that are easy on ink, and avoid heavy black backgrounds.
• Store spare bottles upright, away from heat and sunlight.

Small savings per page become big savings across thousands of pages.

A note on speed figures

Epson quotes up to 39 pages per minute in draft mode for the monochrome range, and about 20 images per minute in the standard ISO test. The ISO figure is closer to everyday use, because it includes document complexity and processing time. For a typical office job of a few dozen pages, the difference is a few seconds. For very large batches, plan a little extra time, and print in sections.

Using a printer in Kenya

Power protection. Printers can be damaged by surges. Use a surge protector, and don't plug a printer into a UPS meant for computers, because printers draw a lot of power when they start.

Telephone line protection. If you use fax, put a surge protector on the line too.

Dust and heat. Keep the printer covered when idle, in a clean, shaded spot.

Paper storage. Keep paper flat and dry, because humidity makes paper curl and jam.

Network safety. Change the printer's default admin password, and keep it off public networks.

Warranty. Ask us for the warranty that applies to the unit you order, and keep the receipt and box.

Accessories worth buying with it

How it compares with other options in our range

Against the colour Epson EcoTanks: the M3170 is for text only, and the ink is cheaper still. If you need colour even occasionally, choose a colour model.

Against mono laser printers: the M3170 costs much less to run, and often less to buy. Lasers print a little faster and don't dry out if unused.

Honest pros and cons

Pros

• A very low cost per page for black-and-white documents.
• Sharp, durable pigment-ink text.
• A document feeder, fax, Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
• Print speeds up to 39 ppm in draft mode.
• Less expensive than many laser all-in-ones.
• Refillable tanks with high-yield bottles.

Cons

• Black and white only: no colour printing or copying.
• Not for photos.
• Manufacturer speeds are draft speeds.
• Duplex capability should be confirmed for this model.
• A little messy to refill the first time.

What to check when it arrives

• The box model matches Epson EcoTank Monochrome M3170.
• The printer, power cable, telephone cable and ink bottle are in the box.
• All packing tape is removed, including in the document feeder.
• The ink tank fills properly, and a test page prints.
• The document feeder scans a few sheets cleanly.
• The network connection works.
• Fax sends and receives, if you use it.
• You get a receipt with the serial number and warranty details in writing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Epson M3170 price in Kenya? We confirm the current price when you message us on WhatsApp, because supplier prices change. We tell you the price and what's in the box before you pay.

Where can I buy the Epson M3170 in Nairobi? At Gadget Market, USIU-Africa, off Thika Road, Kasarani, Nairobi, or by delivery.

Does it print in colour? No. It prints and copies in black and white only.

Does it have fax and a document feeder? Yes, fax and an automatic document feeder.

Does it have Ethernet? Yes, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct.

Does it print double-sided automatically? Please ask us. The sister M3180 does, and we'll confirm the M3170 for the unit you order.

How many pages does a bottle print? Epson rates its monochrome EcoTank bottles at thousands of pages each. We'll confirm the exact yield for this model.

Is it a good alternative to a laser printer? For black-and-white documents, yes, with a much lower cost per page.

What warranty does it have? Ask us for the warranty that applies to the unit you order.

Can you deliver it? Yes, same day in Nairobi and next day outside Nairobi.

Can I pay via M-Pesa? Yes.

Why buy from Gadget Market

Genuine, brand-new Epson printer. We're at USIU-Africa, off Thika Road, Kasarani, Nairobi, and you're welcome to look at the printer before you buy. Message us on WhatsApp with how much you print and whether you ever need colour, and we'll tell you honestly whether the M3170 is right for you. We confirm what's in the box before you pay.

Order your Epson EcoTank Monochrome M3170 today

Available now at Gadget Market. Message us on WhatsApp.

Nairobi: same-day delivery for orders confirmed before 3:00pm on a working day. Rest of Kenya: courier to your door or nearest agent, typically 1–3 business days. You can also collect for free from our shop at USIU-Africa, Off Thika Road, Kasarani, Nairobi.

Faulty or not as described? Tell us within 7 days for a replacement or full refund. Changed your mind? Sealed, unused items can come back within 14 days. See our returns & warranty policy.