Verdict
The Epson EF-22N is part of a new forefront of smart projector which proffer unprecedented flexibility at low-priced price , and one of the first such options from a storied brand . It ’s a labour of dear and it show , with an adaptable design , good look and strong picture quality for a very reasonable damage . That it ’s a little irksome sometimes , ca n’t get BBC iPlayer or Channel 4 and has a relatively decrepit loudspeaker system are indifferent , this is one of the best small projectors on the market today
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
In the past few years , the projector market has opened up . Where traditional actor , BenQ , Epson , once had the playground to themselves , now young challengers have arisen , many from China .
Their appearance has coincided with a proliferation of unexampled flesh factors , of increasing potpourri , and in falling prices – all the benefits of competitor . And far from rest on their laurels , the old safety have stepped up their game .
The EF-22N , with a room code of a name , is Epson ’s newest option appear to meet the challenge . With a swivel base , a cagey excogitation and a compact size , it has good looks and is eminently practical . But with a innkeeper of keenly priced competition nipping at its cad , does it do enough to earn a blank space in your life room ?
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Availability
The Epson EF-22N is useable now in the UK and USA for Leontyne Price starting at £ 999 / $ 999.99
Design
Long give out are the days when a projector was a bulky , whirring machine that needed to be settle down to one perfect bit Today we have options which are just ascomfortable in a tentas they are in the business firm , though the EF-22N does n’t quite do that . Instead this is a auto to sit down on the coffee table , or to be moved around the house as need . It ’s little , heavyset and light , check in well anywhere .
The revue building block I was broadcast had a discreet black colourway that correspond into my home apparatus easy , while there ’s also a trendy blue social unit usable .
tractableness is the name of the biz with the EF-22N. It can swivel 360 degrees , and also lean up to 180 degrees . you’re able to project on the ceiling , on the wall , anywhere that suits . It ’s a degree of convenience almost unheard of until recently in the projector space , but which put all of the relatively unchanging competition to shame . It is the fundamental opposite of a fixed - piazza projector .
The unit itself is construct from sturdy charge card , and the hinge offer a pleasing degree of underground . It can easily be pointed at the cap for bedtime viewing sessions thanks to the skeletal frame it is mounted on , which is constructed completely from alloy .
It feels every inch worth the terms of asking , which is often difficult when give rise something more lightweight than the competition . This does n’t feel like a knock - off in any paying attention .
There ’s some thoughtful little touch too , such as the charge port being situate in the swivelling infrastructure of the whole , rather than at the back of the projector is a pleasant gain .
Beyond that , there ’s a single USB - A 2.0 time slot , a USB 2.0 Mini - B one-armed bandit , anHDMI ARCconnector and an HDMI time slot which supports HDCP 2.3 .
accept overall , it ’s a nicely contrive , mod , compact smart projector which should have no issue fitting into nearly every living room set up . It ’s mute , posh and sells itself well .
Features
To a large degree , the main feature of the EF-22N is its terms , for under £ 1000 / $ 1000 you get a little , bright , flexible chic projector from a well - know and well-thought-of firebrand , which is theoretically a million mile from a no - name Amazon alphabet soup offer .
That is n’t to say that it does n’t have some bell and tin whistle , however . To take off , rather than running some form of customs operating system , it comes withGoogle TVin - built . That means you have approach to a suite of apps from the get - go , this being an run system build up for overbold TVs and it has been around for a few year . That means it is fleshed out and mature , and definitely a time value add .
Epson has add up a few software touches of its own , one of the master examples of which is automatic keystoning and focalize whenever the projector is readjust . Many options from the likes ofDangbeineed this process to be manually activated , which require burying into the preferences . As such , it ’s a definite timesaver .
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Perhaps most significantly of all , this is a laser projector . That means superior brightness when compared to bulb based options , and moreover it concede a long life to the projector . The light source is marketed as endure for 10 years – not something possible to verify during a received reexamination menses but a significant hope nonetheless .
Lastly , there ’s a build - in 5W Bluetooth loudspeaker built into the EF-22N , which does a reasonably convincing chore of make picture go upright . As might be expected from something comparatively small , it does n’t dispute even a very budget soundbar , however it ’s a pleasant inclusion nonetheless and improves the potential use cases and portability of the projector . The speaker can be used as a standalone building block also , if you wish to use Bluetooth audio .
One authoritative point to note is that , unlike some flexible wise projector , this is supposed to be used in the life room , it is n’t destine to aid with an impromptu back garden movie academic term . Whereas others from the like of Anker come with built - in battery for ultimate flexibility , there ’s no such option here .
Performance
No matter how nice the package , or how nicely design the twist is , any projector is only worth its picture timbre – and with the EF-22N , Epson has made some vainglorious promise .
Firstly , it boasts 1000 ISO lumens of brightness , a actual step up from the lower - closing competition , and the conflict is noticeable . Though it wo n’t look its best in tolerant daylight , that it is visible at all is something of a coup . In most other office , you ’ll have a vibrant image that makes cognitive content pop .
That ’s at least in part due to the second include feature , Epson ’s 3LCD applied science , which with no technical explanation , is claim to produce up to three times brighter colours than “ comparable 1 - chip DLP projector ” . The veracity of this away , the objective truth is that , on the EF-22N , colours attend great . There ’s a lot of vibrancy without going into over - saturation , and there ’s great deal of dynamic ambit .
With a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio , even in very gloomy view there ’s plenty of detail visible , with no muddiness which can plague oblation at the budget end . At 1080p , though there ’s enough settlement for most content , I found that it worked best at 80 - inches , any big and the comparatively low resolving power became easier to see .
Should you buy it?
The Epson EF-22N is a smart , conciliatory smart projector that outdoes a pot of the competitor and will work well for most
Though it is easy to carry around and works in a lot of different situations , the EF-22N is specify for indoor use .
Final Thoughts
take a projector is an inherently unmanageable proposition . Typically it ’s become well-heeled to get lay to rest in a sea of ironic and confusing specifications ( ANSI vs ISO lumens anyone ? ) , and that is off - putt to the general consumer . Smart projectors hope to change that , and the EF-22N is at the spear-point .
It ’s compact , flexible , premium , has great picture quality , easy software and looks well to boot . For the cost , there ’s almost nothing equivalent from a storied stigma – this is the best projector for most people looking for their first .
There are some caveats . It can work a little slow , which is frustrating , and in the UK due to licensing issues you wo n’t be able to take in iPlayer or Channel 4 . If you could look beyond these however , you have one of the good options on the market today for the price .
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How we test
We quiz every projector we review thoroughly over an extended period of time . We use diligence - standard test to liken features properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to review a ware .
Find out more about how we test in ourethics policy .
FAQs
Epson rates that the optical maser lite root in the EF-22N can last for 20,000 hours across its gamey , Medium , and Eco picture way .
Full Specs
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