New Epson portable laser projectors with Google TV get US pricing and release date
Projector maker Epson has released details about a pair of new models joining its “Mini” series. The EF-22 ($999.99) and EF-21 ($899.99) are portable projectors designed for easy installation and can transmit images up to 150 inches. These models feature Google TV for streaming – a welcome upgrade over the company’s previous portable projectors, which used the more bare-bones Android TV platform.
The new Epson pair have better brightness specs than what you normally get from the best portable projectors. Both models have a brightness of 1000 lumens (ISO) in white and color. The image resolution is 1080p Full HD and both support HDR10 high dynamic range.
Epson’s patented EpiqSense technology ensures that images are automatically adjusted, focused and aligned when the projectors are set up and positioned. The EF-22 model also features a 360-degree swivel stand that can tilt to project images from any angle, even on the ceiling.
Featuring a 2x 5W Dolby Audio speaker system, both the EF-22 and EF-21 are all-in-one home entertainment systems. They also feature a 3.5mm audio output for connecting headphones and an HDMI input for connecting one of the best 4K Blu-ray players or a laptop.
Color options for the EF-22 and EF-21 include Diamond White, Opal Green and Quartz Rose, and the EF-22 is also available in Stone Blue and Onyx Black. An optional EpiqVision Mini Custom Travel Case that allows you to take your projector on the road is available for $49.99.
The Epson EF-22 and EF-21 will be available from early October.
A promising pair of wearable devices
Epson is known for its home theater projectors, including the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000, which tops our list of the best 4K projectors as the best overall model. However, it has made only tentative moves into portable “lifestyle” projectors. The new EF-22 and EF-21 appear to be the company’s best portables yet, with built-in Google TV for streaming and a sleek new design with multiple color options.
The portable projector space has become quite oversaturated, with projectors like Samsung’s The Freestyle and LG CineBeam Q competing with models from XGIMI, Anker, JMGO, Dangbei and other brands, including super-cheap projectors on Amazon. Given the crowded nature of the portable market, will Epson be able to make a name for itself in this area too?
An important advantage of Epson is its reliable, no-nonsense specifications. Epson uses the internationally recognized ISO 21118 standard to determine brightness specifications for its projectors, including portable models. So when Epson says its projector produces 1,000 lumens, you can bet that number is accurate. That’s in contrast to several other projector manufacturers, several of which have been sued by Epson for making misleading or outright false claims about projector brightness.
We can’t wait to take a closer look at Epson’s new portable projectors and expect them to be perhaps among the best portable projectors after we complete our review.
