Best Epson Projector

Updated: Jan 29, 2024 7:03 AM
best epson projector featured image that shows the top three best projector models

The best Epson projectors are affordable and user-friendly, offering the average person an easy way to level up their home theater setup. Plus, with excellent image quality, accurate color reproduction, and high light output, these are the best projectors for virtually any home or business setting. Whether you’re looking for laser, LCD, or gaming projectors, you’re certain to find the right fit with Epson.

Keep reading to learn more about the best Epson projectors and how they compare to other leading brands.

Top Epson Projectors

 #1  Epson VS260 Projector

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector has versatile connectivity and stunning imagery. There are multiple technologies that provide an extra “oomph”, such as XGA resolution and pumped-up three-thousand lumens for crisp image quality and brighter colors.

Pros
  • Stunning XGA resolution
  • Extremely high definition
  • Works with gaming systems
Cons
  • Only accepts two interfaces

With intensely bright whites and colors, this projector is the first pick for those who seek a luxurious experience. It has a built-in sound system that rivals theaters, alongside a set of stellar specs such as displaying 100% of RGB color signals without the dreaded “rainbow effect.” The biggest drawback is that it only accepts two hardware interfaces: a high-definition media interface, and a universal serial bus.

No matter what devices you own, you can rest assured that this projector will link to them. From the Apple TV to a Chromecast, it offers a solid connection for your entertainment systems. The power cord is long enough to reach almost any outlet while still being taped to the floor for safety. There’s also a remote control so that you can remain in control no matter where you are in the room.

 #2  Epson Pro UHD Projector

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the ultimate in luxury as far as this brand is concerned. You’ll enjoy the best that high definition can offer with color-shifting technology-packed imagery. This is a projector perfect for family movie nights.

Pros
  • Uses multiple chips
  • Ultra high-definition
  • Pixel-shifting technology
Cons
  • Comes in one color

This projector provides an optimized image powered by advanced technology unavailable in lower-quality models. This includes versatile connections to multiple interfaces, such as VGA and USB. You can even plug in using a high-definition media interface connector. The biggest setback is mostly aesthetic. Unfortunately, it only comes in one color so it might not match your room’s current aesthetic. Luckily, white blends easily into most environments.

There’s a whopping 2,900 lumens of white brightness packed into the lamp. This same number transfers over to the color brightness. Full 10-bit color processing is another huge bonus in this projector’s scoreboard. Every image will be intensely colorful, highly defined, and almost as good as any movie theater you might frequent. Finally, it comes with a remote control so that you have full access to all the features no matter where you are in the room.

 #3  Epson Cinema 880 Projector

Award: BEST FOR MOVIE NIGHTS

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector offers highly optimized data processing. This means it responds in real time, preventing audio and video input lag. We also enjoy the full range of RGB colors with this option.

Pros
  • Extremely bright whites
  • Built-in sound system
  • High contrast ratio
Cons
  • Too loud for some consumers

This mode avoids the awful “rainbow effect” that can ruin picture quality. It has intensely vivid coloration in every image due to over 3,000 lumens and a built-in picture skew sensor that automatically analyzes images and adjusts accordingly. The dynamic contrast ratio is high, which provides rich color even in dark settings The built-in audio system means less set-up since you don’t have to purchase external speakers. However, some consumers warn that this system is a little loud for their liking.

You’ll be able to easily hook up any devices you enjoy through other mediums, such as your Blu-Ray player, cable box, or streaming device. There’s also a sensor that automatically adjusts the projection picture for you, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting manual settings. Because of this feature, keystone correction will become far easier than it is in other models.

 #4  Epson 5050UB Projector

Award: BEST FOR HIGH-DEFINITION COLOR

WHY WE LIKE IT: From the ultra-fast processing to the Ultra Black technology, there’s a lot to love about this little projector. It has advanced 3LCD technology that displays 100% of the RGB gamut in every single frame.

Pros
  • 3LCD chip technology
  • 4k resolution processing
  • Full 10-bit HDR
Cons
  • Not aesthetically pleasing

You’ll love the 4K resolution processing ability of this projector. It provides incredible pictures so that every movie looks as realistic as it does in the theaters. The outstanding brightness is thanks to full 10-bit color processing and advanced pixel-shifting technology. Unfortunately, it isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as other models. This is due to the overall design, and the projector lens, which looks like a camera’s aperture.

You’ll enjoy almost 3,000 lumens with multiple options for aspect ratio. The automatic adjustment system is fine-tuned to make sure you don’t have to worry about modifying manual settings. This real-time HDR curve adjustment gives you 16 steps of control.

 #5  Epson Pro EX7260 Projector

Award: BEST FOR EASY SET-UP

WHY WE LIKE IT: Being able to connect through a QR code is a fantastic method for those who might be technologically challenged. This makes set-up a snap, especially when the product is already easy to install right out of the box.

Pros
  • Bluetooth projection capabilities
  • Incredibly easy set-up
  • Connects through QR code
Cons
  • Overall low-lumen levels

This projector comes with a surplus of supplies. You’ll receive a power cable, VGA cable, remote control, and soft carrying case. This makes transportation a snap, and setting it up wherever you go is super easy. 600L of brightness keeps picture colors rich and bright with a display resolution of 1280 x 800. You’ll be able to On the flip side, it does struggle with luminescence in some situations. This means that it isn’t the best choice for rooms with high levels of ambient lighting, so rule this one out as an ideal projector for daylight viewing.

Even if it struggles with low light, there’s still a lot to love about this projector. The first thing is that it has a built-in wireless LAN connector, alongside quite a few other interfaces. You can hook up to it using your phone, a Blu-ray player, a cable box, or even a smartphone. You can connect easily using a QR code, which is a huge plus for those not looking to go through tricky, long connection processes.

 #6  Epson VS230 Projector

Award: BEST FOR BRIGHT WHITES

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector is a great option for those looking to upgrade their set-up while staying budget-friendly. It has all of the features you want, such as high luminosity and brighter colors. The whites are dazzling, with 2,800 lumens packed in.

Pros
  • Incredibly bright colors
  • High image quality
  • Offers SVGA resolution
Cons
  • Aesthetically displeasing

This smaller option packs in a powerful punch while staying budget-friendly. There are three models to choose from, so you can get exactly the specs you need, ranging from standard to an HD widescreen. You’ll also be able to connect using HDMI cables, which makes set-up quick and easy. Unfortunately, it isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing model on the market due to the large grated vent and color scheme.

This projector has a high luminosity, meaning it can efficiently cut through ambient light. High resolution furthers the larger-than-life colors that make watching movies that much better. You can project from as close as 30” from your screen, or back it up to around 350”. This makes it perfect for small and large rooms alike. The brand-specific color technology provides three times brighter colors without a “rainbow” effect. They follow information display measurement standards, adhering to the IDMS 15.4 guidelines.

Introduction to Epson Projectors

Epson, formally known as the Seiko Epson Corporation, can trace its origins all the way back to the formation of a company called Daiwa Kogyo, Ltd. in 1942. This company was founded to manufacture watch components for a company called Daini Seikosha, which later became known as Seiko Instruments.

Until the 1960s, the Seiko Epson Corporation focused solely on manufacturing Seiko watches and inventing new watch technology. Some of the company’s innovations include the world’s first portable quartz timer and the world’s first quartz watch. Watch technology and sales are still a major part of the Seiko Epson Corporation’s business, although not as much as printers.

In the early 1960s, the company was chosen as the official timekeeper for the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Since a printing timer was a requirement for the sporting event, the company started to develop an electronic printer. Thus, Epson stepped into the world of printing technology.

Using the technology they developed for the Olympics, the Seiko Epson Corporation released the world’s first mini-printer in 1968, called the EP-101. This printer was incredibly successful, especially with desktop calculator manufacturers. Soon, most major calculator brands were incorporating EP-101 into their products. It also made its way into information processing equipment and measuring instruments.

Following the success of the EP-101 printer, the company officially coined the term Epson for its subsequent products, which also resulted in the company adding Epson to its name. Epson continued to produce and sell popular printers in the following years but also branched out into the personal computer and video projector markets.

In 1989, Epson released its first video projector, the VPJ-700, which was one of the world’s first compact LCD projectors. The success of the VPJ-700 propelled Epson into a leading position within the video projection industry, fueling further innovation and additional products.

In today’s video projection and home theater market, Epson projectors are some of the most popular products thanks to their affordability, excellent build quality, and high level of brightness. They also offer high-resolution configurations with easy installation and plenty of user-friendliness. However, if you would like to see how Epson compares to another companies offerings, check out our page on the best Sony projectors.

How Epson Projectors Compare to Other Brands

(Pro 1): 3LCD Projection Engine Creates Accurate, Vivid Color: When it comes to image quality, color reproduction, and white brightness, it’s hard to compete with Epson projectors. These projectors are amazing at enhancing dark scenes. This is all thanks to the brand’s unique 3LCD Projection Engine, which uses three individual LCD panels to produce the visuals.

Epson is the largest company to utilize this technology, and its benefits include more accurate and vivid color reproduction, even when compared to laser projectors and theater projectors. This image quality even persists with large image sizes and high ambient light, making these some of the best conference room projectors.

(Con 1): No DLP Options Available: All of Epson’s projectors are LCD projectors. But if you don’t want that specific imaging technology and you’re looking for Digital Light Processing (DLP) projectors, you won’t find any in Epson’s catalog. However, while you’re more likely to find a budget projector in the DLP category, most of Epson’s LCD options are incredibly affordable when compared to the competition. With that said, you can further compare DLP vs 3LCD projectors with our resource list. One direct competitor to Epson projectors is LG, a well-known brand in the tech landscape.

FeatureEpson ProjectorsLG Projectors
Projection TechnologyMainly 3LCD, known for bright colors and reliabilityOften DLP and LED, with compact and portable designs
Image QualityExcellent color accuracy, brightness, and contrastGood image quality with some models offering innovative features like ultra-short throw
BrightnessTypically high, suitable for various environmentsVaries, with some models optimized for home use
Usage CasesHome theater, business, education, and large venuesHome theater, transporting, and lifestyle use
Price RangeApproximately $300 – $3000Approximately $200 – $2500
Connectivity OptionsComprehensive, including HDMI, USB, VGA, and wireless options in higher-end modelsOften includes HDMI, USB, and advanced wireless connectivity, especially in newer models
Special FeaturesSome models offer advanced features like lens shift, high zoom ratiosKnown for portable models and some with smart TV capabilities
Portability and SizeVaries from portable to larger, installation modelsGenerally more compact, with several ultra-portable options

(Pro 2): Excellent Image Quality and Reliable Resolution: Epson projectors are some of the best in terms of image quality and resolution. With high light output, excellent black levels, and premium color accuracy, Epson projectors can make watching a movie in your home feel like a cinematic experience with those detailed images. Most of Epson’s devices offer 1080p resolution at an affordable price, so you’ll always get a Full HD picture.

(Con 2): 4K Projectors Aren’t Native 4K Resolution: Epson does offer some 4K projectors, but they don’t offer native 4K resolution. Instead, what Epson dubs 4K PRO-UHD is 1080p LCD panels using pixel shifting to increase the resolution. This can work well in some cases, but it will never look as good as true Ultra HD resolution.

(Pro 3): Affordable and User Friendly: Epson offers an impressively wide range of individual projector models. Most of them come with affordable price tags, especially when compared to competing brands. These affordable models can be a great fit for those who are starting to try out projectors like someone who wants to watch the occasional blockbuster movie or the casual gamer. Plus, Epson devices are incredibly easy to use and install, meaning you won’t have to spend a frustrating amount of time getting your home theater set up and ready to go. The same goes for business projectors, since time is money and you can enhance presentations during business meetings without wasting time getting the projector set up. This makes it a great projector for churches and classrooms.

(Con 3): Fewer Advanced Features Next to Competitors: In order to offer a budget pricing scheme, Epson has had to avoid including too many advanced and cutting-edge projector technologies in its products. Things like high-quality internal speaker options, wireless connectivity, and true 4K resolution are more common in high-end projectors than in other competitors, like the leading Optoma projectors.

Why You Should Buy an Epson Projector

Video projectors are becoming more popular in home theaters with every day that passes. Consider an Epson model if you’re looking to move away from your television in favor of a projector. These affordable projectors produce bright images in both high and low ambient light environments thanks to their powerful light output. Plus, an Epson projector will give you excellent overall picture quality with accurate color, deep black levels, and high resolution.

Moreover, you can find portable projectors in the Epson brand. That’s not to say the quality will be less, it just means the projector can be taken with you. Although, some consumers may notice a slight shift in quality, which can depend on the different price ranges of these models. In short, the more expensive models will likely have better brightness and laser light than budget-friendly options. For the best Epson home theater projector, consider a higher-end model that will provide excellent picture and sound quality.

If you strictly want to consider only budget models, a lamp-based projector that use a lamp as a light source are easier on the wallet. They don’t last as long as projectors with other types of light sources, so consider one with a lamp for a projector you may not use as often. But if you plan to use it often as a dedicated home theater projector or business projector, consider either an RGB or laser-phosphor light source projector. RGB projectors produce the best brightness level out of all types of projector light sources. If you’re after a brighter picture, like for watching bright scenes in a well-lit room, it might be worth the extra money for the brighter projector. Especially if you’re after a quality entertainment projector that can have a good contrast between image brightness and dark blacks to watch your favorite movies in a bright room, the laser projectors can be a worthwhile investment.

Keep in mind that lamp-based projectors can still give you a beautiful viewing experience. The best choice ultimately depends on your usage conditions. If you avoid using your projector in a brighter viewing space, you can still get a sharp picture and decent colors out of budget models.

In addition, this will also take a toll on sound quality. If the Epson projector your buy has a built-in speaker and it’s a cheap projector, there’s a chance the audio quality will suffer.

Whether you’re looking for traditional projectors for watching movies or gaming projectors for playing your favorite video games, an Epson Home Cinema option is a solid choice.

How Long Will an Epson Projector Last?

When it comes to the overall lifespan of your video projector, you’ll mainly need to consider how long the bulb will last before needing to be replaced. According to industry experts like those at CDW, you should expect to get an average of 2,000 hours of use from the bulb of a standard LCD projector. Some types of projectors, like laser projectors, can offer you upwards of 15,000 hours of use.

While the amount of time your projector stays powered on is the biggest influence on its lifespan, there are other factors to consider when it comes to your projector’s lifespan. Things like improper installation and maintenance can severely decrease your projector’s lifespan. Conversely, powering down your projector when not in use and following the manufacturer’s recommended operating instructions can increase your projector’s lifespan.

Epson Projector Warranties

All Epson projectors carry a two-year limited warranty for the projector itself and a 90-day limited warranty for the projector’s lamp. As with other consumer electronics warranties, this limited warranty covers problems caused by defects in the product’s manufacturing. It will not cover accidental damage, improper installation, or natural disasters.

If you need to claim against the warranty and you’re still within the warranty period, you’ll need to call Epson directly. Once on the phone, a service technician will determine if your problem is covered under warranty. If it is, the technician will either direct you to send the projector in for repair or will send you a replacement in exchange for the defective unit.

Best Epson Projector Questions (FAQ)

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