The Epson PowerLite U50 is a 3LCD, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution projector with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. This Epson is well suited for bright classrooms and conference rooms, thanks to its high lumen output and 3LCD technology. Unlike its DLP competition, the U50 has as many color lumens as it does white ones, making colors pop even in the face of ambient light. Whether you are looking for a projector for business or education environments, this Epson is certainly one to consider.

As mentioned, the PowerLite U50 has WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200), which is the business and education world’s 1080p. The aspect ratio, or width/height ratio of the projected image, is 16:10 instead of 16:9 (the aspect ratio of 1080p), so make sure you get a 16:10 screen if you’re buying a new screen.

WUXGA is more than enough resolution for K-12 and business applications. Many projectors in this market have the lower WXGA resolution, which is plenty for presentations and text. The higher resolution is a major plus in the case of this Epson, and makes it a fine choice for high school video production, photography, yearbook, or graphic design classes. This projector will be especially fitting for higher education, where the need for WUXGA may be higher (medical films, scientific renderings, simulation, architecture, film and design applications).

The Epson PowerLite U50 claims 3,700 color and white lumens, which is bright enough to handle the ambient light found in most classrooms and conference rooms, even in those really bright conference rooms where the walls are mostly windows. Later in the review, there is a deeper discussion about ambient light and some photos for reference.

The PowerLite can be purchased for the low price of $1,149.99, and if you're in education, you can expect a hefty discount that brings the price of the projector down to just $899. That is through their Brighter Futures Education Program. For school districts purchasing in bulk, that is a steal of a deal for a WUXGA projector.

Thank you to Epson for sponsoring the 2021-2022 Education Report and Guide!

The NEC NP-MC372X is an education class 3LCD projector that offers XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution and is rated to deliver 3,700 lumens rated light output. In ECO mode the its lamp is rated for up to 15,000 hours in ECO mode. It offers many features for its current list price of $509. This is an education/business class projector that falls toward the lower end, in terms of size, weight, and price, of education class projectors rated at or near 4,000 lumens.

The MC372X is a good solution for schools and businesses looking for a bright, compact projector with networking capabilities and the ability to simultaneously display content from multiple sources, including mobile devices.

We wish to thank Epson for sponsoring this year’s Education Report and Guide. 

The NEC MC372X is a small footprint, XGA (1,024 x 768) 3LCD projector with a 1.2x zoom lens and rated brightness of 3,700 ANSI lumens. And, while the MC372X is only an XGA projector, it can accept 4K@30P content via its HDMI inputs. It also has USB 2.0A input and a LAN port for network control and asset management. The NEC MC372X’s replaceable lamp is rated for up to 15,000 hours in ECO mode.

The MC372X utilizes a 3LCD instead of the single DLP chip found in many projectors in its class, this should result in richer bright colors. Normally 3LCD projectors can deliver higher native contrast than DLP models as well. The MC372X has a rated dynamic contrast of 16,000:1.

For those looking for an affordable classroom projector, NEC offers two different series which are the MC series and the ME series. There are two models in the MC series, the MC372X and the MC382W which we reviewed last year.

The MC372X’s 3,700 lumens and XGA (1024 x 768) resolution are slightly lower than the MC382W (SRP $559.00) which offers a slight increase in brightness at 3,800 lumens and resolution WXGA (1,280 x 800) for $50 dollars more. For users who intend on showing a lot of HD video, the MC382W would be a better solution.

For customers looking for additional placement flexibility may opt to move up to the ME series. While the ME series projectors have similar features, they have larger zoom range (1.7:1) versus the MC series (1.2:1) which also results in a wider throw ratio. There are three models available in ME series including the ME382U (SRP $919) which is the most notable model in that series at 3,800 lumen WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200).

Overall, the MC372X is a good solution for someone looking at entry level unit suitable for showing presentations photos or documents in a classroom or meeting room.

The Epson PowerLite 108 XGA, 3LCD projector is a mid-range, small fixed install or portable use projector suitable for classroom or conference room.  It offers the brightness and color you need for a successful, professional looking presentation. Weighing in at 6.17 lbs, it's footprint is slightly larger than a standard sheet of paper (aproximately 11.5 inches wide by 9.7 inches long). The PowerLite 108 is a durable unit that you can comfortably carry on the road, or it can be mounted in your classroom or boardroom for more permanent use, as well as used with a cart for going room to room as necessary (along with other gear).

With a 4:3 aspect ratio, at $599, Epson offers a bright, high performing projector, at a very reasonable price, especially if XGA (1024 x 768) resolution will be enough for all your projector needs.

Editor's note:  Perhaps most importantly, we see this projector as an ideal, updated solution to replace aging projectors that have been around 5-15 years, including those of VGA, SVGA, and older, less bright XGA projectors.  -art

We wish to thank Epson America for sponsoring this year’s Best Classroom Projectors Report. 

The PowerLight 108 is part of Epson’s new PowerLite 1xx series that includes another native XGA resolution projector as well as a native WXGA projector.  The Epson PowerLite 107 is the cheapest of the bunch, coming in at $549, delivering a bit less lumens at 3500, than either the 108 or 109.  The 109 boasts a 4000 lumens lamp and it is a native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution projector but you will pay about $749 for this model.  Each projector in the series boasts of a 6,000 hour lamp life in Normal mode and 12,000 hours in Eco mode, and each one includes a powerful 16 watt speaker.

Lastly, this PowerLite 108 and its siblings in the 1xx series, have all the same features as the higher range PowerLite 9xx series, only sacrificing resolution, a different aspect ratio, and losing out on only a small amount of lumens, making for a very reasonable and affordable alternative to those models costing $900 and up.  As a result, you may notice many similarities between this review and my recent review of the Epson PowerLite 990U, as the appearance, special features, menu, and speaker are all virtually the same and the main differentiators in these two reviews will be the performance and picture quality.

For the education community, the Epson PowerLite 108 and all its siblings offer an array of options for schools, students, and teachers to interact with their projectors.  First, there is a wireless module sold separately for about $100 that enables you to connect up to 50 mobile devices, whether Chromebooks, iPhones, Androids, or PC/Mac laptops using Epson’s reliable iProjection app and software.  As well, using Epson’s Easy MP Network Projection and Epson’s Projector Management software offerings, administration, IT, facilities and network managers are able to efficiently monitor and control multiple projectors at once, checking their status and controlling the projectors from a single source.

Let's not forget business usage as well.  It's not too big or heavy for a corporate sales person or trainer to travel with.  Still most will get installed, and again, in many cases in large corporations or small/medium sized businesses, it will be replacing older projectors that are 4:3 aspect ratio, so that screens and mounting locations do not have to change, and therefore saving significant money for labor per projector installed.

In all, this Epson PowerLite 108 turns in an impressive performance as a small installation or portable projector due to its strong brightness performance, its ability to produce good color even when projecting in its brightest modes, and thanks to a wide range of features that allow you to turn your projector into an incredibly useful engagement tool in your teaching repertoire.

As you’ll soon read, for $599, the PowerLite 108 gives you more than enough performance for your money and this reviewer considers it a fine choice for any organization on a budget but needing one of the brightest, quality, and most versatile projectors their money can buy, without spending a lot more.