Epson EF-100 Review Right Choice

 A Bright Portable Laser Projector with Android TV OS 

Epson expanded its projector lineup by releasing its EF-100 portable laser projector at the start of the year 2020. It is the company’s first product that is aimed at the relatively new but growing lifestyle projector segment. The projectors in this segment are designed for home users and aim to replace TVs while being lightweight and portable.

Epson EF-100 Projector Hardware Specifications

Epson EF-100 is an LCD projector with a laser light engine. It has a native resolution of 1280×800 (WXGA) and uses three LCD chips for projecting imagery. Its resolution is decent when considering its form-factor and price ($999). Epson EF-100 is quite compact at 8.3”x9.1”x3.6” and weighs around six pounds (2.7 kg). The projector has a brightness rating of 2,000 ANSI lumens and utilizes MicroLaser Array technology for enhancing black levels. It can project up to 150” (diagonal) imagery and can be used in environments with moderate ambient light. It has a standard throw ratio of 1.01:1 and can project 100” imagery at a distance of 2.35m from the screen.

Epson EF-100 Projector Features

Epson EF-100 projector is a feature-rich offering. An important highlight of the projector is that it can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations. If you want to project on a wall or a screen, use it horizontally. However, if you are in the mood to watch a movie while lying on the bed, then orient it vertically for projecting on the ceiling. 

For image correction, Epson EF-100 portable laser projector comes with automatic keystone correction. It will ensure that the projected imagery is proportionate, which allows for easier installation. Keystone correction does degrade image quality. Manual focus and digital zoom are available, but there is no lens shift or zoom.

There are two remotes included in the package. One remote controls only the Android TV dongle via Bluetooth while the other remote can control both the projector and the dongle. The remotes have built-in mics for supporting Google Assistant voice commands. You can connect a Bluetooth keyboard for typing through the dongle as well. 

There is only one HDMI port provided on the EF-100 projector. So you will have to remove the dongle if you want to connect another device like a laptop, DVD player, or a console. It has two USB ports, one for powering the dongle and the other for updating the firmware of the projector. The projector comes with a built-in 5W speaker that provides decent quality sound, and there is a 3.5mm audio port for connecting external speakers or headphones.

Epson EF-100 Projector Performance

When it comes to performance, the Epson EF-100 portable laser projector is either a hit or a miss. Its brightness is exceptional for its form-factor and will allow you to watch movies in rooms with moderate ambient light. The colors are vibrant, and the imagery is rich. But, high brightness does not automatically translate to good performance. The projector suffers from poor black levels, which impacts image quality. You won’t notice it much in environments with medium ambient light. However, it becomes more pronounced when using the EF-100 projector in dark environments. No amount of tinkering will rectify the black levels.

Another thing about the EF-100 projector is its noticeable screendoor effect. You can notice the fine lines between the pixels from a moderate distance, especially when projecting 100” or larger imagery. It can be due to the lower resolution of the projector and the quality of the LCD panels used. The same can be minimized by limiting the size of the imagery, but it can’t be eliminated.

Epson EF-100 Projector Software

Epson EF-100 laser projector does not come with Android TV OS by default. Instead, an Android TV dongle is included in the package for supporting wireless streaming. It can be plugged into the HDMI port of the projector and is powered via an onboard USB port. On the plus side, users can use the dongle with any display device having an HDMI port. It supports 4K and you can stream videos and movies on a 4K display device. The dongle provides access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, along with thousands of apps available for download. The projector does not have a built-in media player. Therefore, users won’t be able to view or play files directly from a USB stick. They will have to install an app using the dongle.

Epson EF-100 Projector Pros & Cons

Here is a summary of all the pros and cons of the Espon EF-100 portable laser projector.

Pros

• It employs 3LCD technology for projecting excellent imagery.
• Exceptionally bright at 2,000 ANSI lumens.
• It uses a laser light engine.
• Compact, lightweight, and portable.
• Automatic keystone correction.
• It comes with an Android TV OS dongle.

Cons

• Lower resolution as compared to the competition (1280×800 vs. 1080p).
• Poor black levels, especially in dark rooms.
• Noticeable screen door effect.
• Lacks media player for viewing files from a USB stick.
• No lens zoom or lens shift.
• Only one HDMI port.
• No built-in battery.

Should You Buy The Epson EF-100 Projector?

Before buying the Epson EF-100 projector, you must take into account the features that you are looking for in a projector. If your primary requirement is a portable projector with a high brightness rating and you need to install it in a room with moderate ambient light, then the Epson EF-100 projector may be a good option for you. Using a dark screen with the projector can assist with improving the black levels.