5

Sony VPL-XW5000ES-B Review

Nikshep Myle Avatar
Updated Feb 7, 2024 5:19 PM

True Score

90
92
8

Experts

93
107

Consumers

Product Awards

Top 5

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Sony VPL-XW5000ES-B is an ideal home theater projector that’s excellent for hassle-free movie-watching at home. However, it doesn’t support 3D content and cannot render HDR10+ content.

$5,998.00

We’re reader-supported. Commissions finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. Learn more

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

First announced in 2022, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is an entry-level home theater projector designed to deliver a native 4K image with no rainbow artifacts, the short throw projector has a 1,598-lumen brightness rating for SDR content, placing it in the top half of its category. It has a native contrast ratio of 20,000:1, and even though it lacks digital keystone correction like other top-end projectors, the XW5000ES still shines with dual HDMI ports and an infinity-to-one dynamic contrast ratio.

It also supports 4K signals at a 60Hz refresh rate and 2K signals at 120Hz, and its mechanical lens shift allows for both vertical (71%) and horizontal (25%) adjustments. The projector can also upscale HD content to 4K and has a throw ratio of 1.38:1 to 2.21:1, which translates to a maximum throw distance of 20.1”.

Best For

  • Sports

Consensus

our Verdict

The Sony VPL-XWW5000ES-B is a true 4K home theater projector that comes with accurate color calibration out-of-the-box courtesy of its 81.725% coverage of the DCI-P3 scale. Its installation will require more involvement than most due to its mechanical lens shift and zoom functions, but the menu system is easy to navigate, and its 2000-lumen light output delivers strong picture quality.

The projector uses a laser light source with a 20,000-hour service life (check out our guide on laser vs. LED projectors), and it has a 20,000:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks and good shadow detail. The size of its projected image can also vary from 40 to 200 inches. Unfortunately, the projector doesn’t offer any 3D support or HDMI 2.1 ports for modern console gaming. It also cannot render HDR10+ content.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Great brightness rating
    • The Sony VPL-XW5000ES-B is an impressive home theater projector with a 1,598-lumen brightness rating for SDR content that places it in the top half of its category.

    • Images maintain good clarity even when viewed in a decently lit environment.

  • Good image quality
    • The Sony VPL-XW5000ES-B delivers an impressive image pre-calibration, courtesy of a 20,000:1 contrast ratio and good color accuracy with its 81.725% coverage of the DCI P3 color scale.

    • In this regard, it sits within the top 30% on our list of certified tested projectors.

  • Low input lag
    • The Sony VPL-XW5000ES has a 27.9ms input lag that places it in the top 50% of our certified, tested list, but this can be brought down to under 21ms through the projector’s Input Lag Reduction setting.

Reason to Avoid

  • Cannot render HDR10+ content
    • The Sony VPL-WX5000ES-B cannot render HDR10+ content.

  • No HDMI 2.1 ports
    • The XW5000ES doesn’t have HDMI 2.1 ports, and this limits connectivity to modern gaming consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox X Series.

Sony VPL-XW5000ES-B Specs

3D Ready3D ReadyNo
Aspect RatioAspect Ratio16:9
BrightnessBrightness2000 Lumens
Contrast RatioContrast Ratio∞:1
DepthDepth18.59"
Digital KeystoneDigital KeystoneNo
Display TechnologyDisplay TechnologySXRD
HDRHDRHDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)
HeightHeight7.9"
Integrated SpeakersIntegrated SpeakersNo
Light SourceLight SourceLaser
Light Source LifeLight Source Life20000 hrs
Max DistanceMax Distance26.52"
Max Screen SizeMax Screen Sizen/a
Min DistanceMin Distance16.56"
Min Screen SizeMin Screen Sizen/a
No
Noise LevelNoise Level24 dB
PortablePortableNo
Refresh Rate60 Hz
ResolutionResolution3840 x 2160 (4k)
Smart FunctionalitySmart FunctionalityNo
Sync TechnologySync TechnologyNo
TV TunerTV TunerNo
ThrowTypeThrowTypeStandard Throw
Video InputsVideo InputsHDMI 2.0
WeightWeight28 lbs
WidthWidth18.5"

All Specs

Test Results

SDR Brightness (nits)273.4352
HDR Brightness (nits)273.2288
SDR Brightness (Lumens)1,598
HDR Brightness (Lumens)0
SDR Color Temperature (K)0
HDR Color Temperature (K)0
Contrast Ratio (x:y)8,703.1
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv)81.725
Color Gamut % (Rec. 709)120.7
Color Gamut % (Rec. 2020)54.7
Color Gamut % (BT.2020)0
Color Gamut % (BT. 709)0
Input Lag (ms)27.9

All Tests

Like what you’re reading? Get trustworthy, transparent product reviews and the latest tech news delivered to your inbox every morning.

Product Comparison

Sony VPL-XW5000ES-B Review

Sony VPL-PHZ61 Review

Sony VPL-PHZ61 Review

True Score

90
NR
80
95

Ranking

#

5

/

28

#

30

/

28

#

17

/

28

#

2

/

28

Market Context

First announced in 2022, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is an entry-level home theater projector designed to deliver a native 4K image with no rainbow artifacts, the…

First announced in 2022, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is an entry-level home theater projector designed to deliver a native 4K image with no rainbow artifacts, the short throw projector has a 1,598-lumen brightness rating for SDR content, placing it in the top half of its category. It has a native contrast ratio of 20,000:1, and even though it lacks digital keystone correction like other top-end projectors, the XW5000ES still shines with dual HDMI ports and an infinity-to-one dynamic contrast ratio.

It also supports 4K signals at a 60Hz refresh rate and 2K signals at 120Hz, and its mechanical lens shift allows for both vertical (71%) and horizontal (25%) adjustments. The projector can also upscale HD content to 4K and has a throw ratio of 1.38:1 to 2.21:1, which translates to a maximum throw distance of 20.1”.

The Sony VPL-XW5000ES has a higher 4K native resolution, which gives it a slight edge over the Sony VPL-PHZ61, which is rated at 1080p. The…

The Sony VPL-XW5000ES has a higher 4K native resolution, which gives it a slight edge over the Sony VPL-PHZ61, which is rated at 1080p. The XW5000ES also has an infinity-to-one contrast ratio that is much better than the PHZ61’s 500000:1 contrast ratio. However, the PHZ61 has a much larger 600” projection size compared to the XW5000ES’s 200” limit. Here’s our Sony VPL PHZ61 review if you’d like to learn more about it.

With a 1,598-lumen brightness rating, the Sony VPL XW5000ES fails to get significantly brighter than the JVC DLA-RS1100, rated at 1900 lumens. However, the JVC…

With a 1,598-lumen brightness rating, the Sony VPL XW5000ES fails to get significantly brighter than the JVC DLA-RS1100, rated at 1900 lumens. However, the JVC projector supports HDR10 and HDR10+ formats, which the Sony projector does not. If you want to see what else it has in store, feel free to review our JVC DLA RS1100 review.

In terms of size, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is more compact and lightweight compared to the JVC DLA-NZ8, but the JVC projector offers a brighter light…

In terms of size, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is more compact and lightweight compared to the JVC DLA-NZ8, but the JVC projector offers a brighter light output of 2500 lumens compared to the Sony projector, with a brightness output of 1,598 lumens. The JVC projector also has a higher native contrast ratio of 80,000:1 compared to the Sony projector, with a native ratio of 20,000:1.

3D Ready

No

No

Yes

Yes

Aspect Ratio

16:9

16:10

1.89:1

17:9

Brightness

2000 Lumens

6400 Lumens

1900 Lumens

2500 lumens

Contrast Ratio

∞:1

∞:1

400,000:1

80,000:1

Depth

18.59"

16.3"

19.5"

20"

Digital Keystone

No

Horizontal & Vertical

Vertical

Yes

Display Technology

SXRD

3LCD

D-ILA

D-ILA

HDR

HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)

No

HDR10, HDR10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)

HDR10, HDR10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)

Dig Deeper

JVC DLA-RS1100 Review →

JVC DLA-NZ8 Review →

All Stores

Updated every 24 hours

  • $5,998.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes
  • $5,998.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

  • $5,999.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes

Score Card

E

Expert Score

92

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

93

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

90

Expert Scores

  • Projector Reviews
    73.55

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The XW5000ES is slightly brighter than the JVC RS1100, it has a laser light source,… Read More

    By:

    Phil Jones
  • Trusted Reviews
    29.5

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    This capable big-screen beamer represents the entry-point for native 4K laser projection, with a price… Read More

    By:

    Steve Withers
  • Projector Central
    61.35

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    Sony’s new entry-level native 4K SXRD projector cuts a few corners, but delivers a superb,… Read More

    By:

    Rob Sabin
  • Home Theater HiFi
    82.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    Sony’s VPL-XW5000ES delivers high brightness, native 4K imaging, and accurate color for just $5,999. With… Read More

    By:

    Chris Eberle
  • Expert Reviews UK
    59.7

    Category Trust Rating

    100
    The Sony XW5000 projector manages to reach a previously unattainable price point for a native… Read More

    By:

    Stephen Withers
  • Camera Labs
    26.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Sony VPL-XW5000ES is a native 4k home theatre projector with a laser light source… Read More

    By:

    Gordon Laing