Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 review: a well-rounded portable laser projector with Google TV
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22: One-minute review
EpsonSmaller portable Epiqvision Home Projector models are long overdue for an update, and that’s exactly what the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 does. This introduces the tilt, swivel stand design that has proven so popular on many other recent projectors, it incorporates Google TV streaming, which helps bring the Epiqvision Mini EF22 closer to par in the competition. Combined with a pair of stereo speakers, the Epiqvision Mini EF22 proves to be an effective all-in-one system.
The Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 delivers respectable brightness at around 1,000 lumens with its 3LCD projection system beam laser. It makes for decent pictures, although it can’t manage as exciting a range of colors as the triple point option JMGO N1S Pro. Its 1080p resolution will also let you stick to a smaller projection size than you choose Best 4K Projector like Benq X300G even older Xgimi Horizon Pro.
Although the Epiqvision Mini EF22 is a simple and effective small home theater projector that sells for a reasonable $999, it struggles to compete with the market it enters. Not only are there many new projectors in the $1000-$2000 range, but prices have dropped slightly by the ocean. It’s a good projector, but I’d be hard-pressed to find a reason to choose it over the alternatives. I’d grab myself a Benq X300G or Xgimi Horizon Pro, both of which are seeing some impossible-to-get discounts.
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 review: Specs
| Supported screen sizes: | 30-150 inches |
| Brightness (specified): | 1,000 ISO lumens |
| HDR support: | HDR10,HLG |
| Optical technology: | 3LCD laser |
| Smart TV: | Google TV |
| connect: | HDMI, 3.5mm Audio, USB-A, Mini USB (Service) |
| aspect: | 9.3 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches |
| weight: | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 review: Price and release date
- Release date: October 2024
- Price: $999
The Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 launches in late 2024, with prices starting at $999 (£799, AU$1,599). It has seen some discounts since then, although these tend to come and go. Epiqvision Mini EF22 comes in a variety of colors, giving you more options. You can find it in Stone Blue, Opal Green, Quartz Rose, Onyx Black, and Diamond White.
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 review: Design vs. features
- Built-in stand makes setup easy
- Google TV and automatic image adjustment
- Built-in 2x 5W stereo speakers
Like many new consumer projectors in 2024, the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 comes with a built-in stand. This makes it easy to adjust the vertical tilt and horizontal angle of the projector, and even supports Vertical projection to the ceiling. This provides a simpler setup, although anything other than a perfect projection will result in some digital correction to the detriment of the usable image.
The Epiqvision Mini EF22 makes automatic vertical and horizontal keystone adjustments very quickly, allowing you to move the projector around and see the image change in real time. It also autofocuses very quickly. It has an optional setting to avoid obstacles when projecting, which proved effective, but it’s slower than other automatic corrections, taking a few seconds. The Epiqvision Mini EF22 brings its smart projection capabilities to life with eye protection, which dims the projector when it detects someone in front of it.
The Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 is very compact, proving not drastically different in size from the JGMO N1 I recently tested. That said, projectors can certainly be made smaller because LG Shown with LG Cinebeam Q. However, it’s difficult to make a small projector very bright or deliver solid audio, and that’s not at the expense of the Epiqvision Mini EF22. It has stereo speakers and is rated at 1,000 ISO lumens. It also comes with Google TV. Unfortunately, Epson doesn’t make the most of the projector’s size, as it chose to only include an HDMI port (with ARC), a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm audio-out jack. It offers options, but not many. The focus of the Epiqvision Mini EF22 is really to be a standalone device that requires no external connections.
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 comes with a simple remote control. All plastic with rubber buttons, nothing elegant, but effective. It features simple navigation controls, a Google Assistant button, shortcuts to the HDMI input (making the input selection button a bit redundant), dedicated volume and brightness controls and shortcuts for projection settings, autofocus, and YoutubeNetflix and Prime Video. None of the buttons are backlit, making them difficult to use in the dark, but at least some of the buttons are white, and the volume buttons are easy to feel.
- Design and functionality score: 4/5
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 review: Picture and sound quality
- Decent brightness
- No ugly motion smoothing
- Color could use boost
The Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 delivers an overall good-looking image, but it’s not the most impressive I’ve seen in this projector category. While the natural content looks solid, the projector duneit may struggle elsewhere. in very colorful mind gamesit doesn’t quite keep up with some of the triple-point options on the market like the JMGO N1, and I noticed some color-gradient bands. That said, 3LCD technology avoids some of the ugly swimming pixel artifacts and DLP rainbow artifacts I’ve seen from DLP projectors displaying large monotonous areas.
Epiqvision Mini EF22 can’t keep up with some of these 4K compete. Benq’s X300G may be significantly more expensive initially, but it’s significantly cheaper and it has the chops to really threaten the Epiqvision Mini EF22.
I made a rough measurement of the Dynamic Contour’s overall brightness, which achieved 959 lumens on medium with ANSI test patterns and a matte white screen. Again, this is just decency. Competitors like the Dangbei Atom and JGMO N1 offer just as much for the price, while the Benq and JMGO’s options are slightly above the rest.
Gaming on the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22, I found that the projector added lag when doing any kind of processing (i.e. Keystone Correction or Digital Zoom). For those with disabilities, the projector still had a noticeable lag between the action and the effects on the screen, but it wasn’t enough to slow me down as I worked my way through Hades’ numerous encounters. Oddly, there’s no specific picture profile for gaming that automatically disables the projector’s processing, so you’ll have to manage these settings yourself.
The Epiqvision Mini EF22 has two speakers on the rear, which work well whether you set up the projector in front of you or at the back of the room. They provide some stereo separation, which, while not a replacement for a dedicated audio system, adds a touch of depth. They made quite a sound in a small, quiet room, but the sound got a little cluttered at higher volumes, making it hard to pick out everything going on in the song, for example. You get clear enough mids and some bass, but the higher frequencies tend to suffer when the quantum cranks.
To its credit, it doesn’t clutter with any ugly motion smoothing. Provides good, crisp movement right from the jump.
- Picture and sound quality score: 3/5
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 review: Value
- Effective all-in-one packaging
- Inadequate match
The Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 packs a lot into one package. It’s a decent projector that delivers a bright image that can handle an impromptu movie night, or allow you to settle down to binge-watch the next hit series, as long as you turn off the lights. With Google TV, it can stream a variety of content at any time, without external sources. It’s packed in speakers that are good enough to do in quiet, intimate viewing conditions. Built-in stands also prove helpful, making it easier to set up in various places without having to stack a bunch of books or buy separate stands.
The biggest thing that puts the Epiqvision Mini EF22 back in the value department is the competition it faces. You can get brighter projectors and ones that offer 4K, or more vivid colors for the same price. Compared to these, the Epiqvision Mini EF22 ultimately feels lacking.
Should I buy the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22?
| property | notes | grade |
|---|---|---|
| Design and functionality | Combine everything you need into one device, or even build it on a shelf for easy setup | 4/5 |
| Picture and sound quality | Fairly bright, moderately sharp, and free of some of the artifacts that plague DLP projectors. But it’s not 4K, and it’s not bright enough for use in a well-lit room | 3/5 |
| value | Not too shabby for a $1,000 projector, but you can get a brighter 4K projector, and that alone is enough to make the Epson less valuable | 3/5 |
buy it if…
if…
Also consider
| Header unit – Column 0 | Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 | JMGO N1S Pro | LG Clobeam Q | Benq X300G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| price: | $999 | $1,999 | $1,299 | $1,799 |
| Supported screen sizes: | 30 to 150 inches | 85-180 inches | 50-120 inches | 30 to 150 inches |
| Brightness (specified): | 1,000 ISO lumens | 2,400 ANSI lumens | 500 ANSI lumens | 2,000 lumens |
| HDR support | HDR10,HLG | HDR10,HLG | HDR10,HLG | HDR10,HLG |
| Optical technology: | 3LCD, laser | RGB LaserDLP | RGB LaserDLP | LED DLP |
| Smart TV: | Google TV | Google TV | Webos | Android TV |
| connect: | 1HDMI (with ARC), 1x 3.5mm audio | 2x HDMI (1With Earc), 3.5mm | HDMI, USB Type-C (display, power) | 2x HDMI 2.0 (1 with EARC) USB-C DP ALT mode |
How I tested the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22
- Test it at home under multiple real-world viewing conditions
- Displays presented in a variety of media and formats
- I have tested many projectors and monitors
I tested the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF22 in real-life situations at home. This sees it faced with ambient lights from numerous windows, interior lighting, and ambient noise that the projector and speaker system must overcome. Projector against bare white wall and Akia screen Cinewhite screen. It is introduced with the contents of the stream, HDR and non-HDR and PC games.
My tests evaluated the projector’s performance against its price and competition with other models that I and my Techradar colleagues have tested.
I’ve been testing the projector since 2021 and it displays for longer periods of time.
