The Epson just announced the EpiqVision Mini EF21 and EF22, the latest additions to Epson’s lineup of portable projectors, designed for users seeking both performance and portability. These projectors cater to those who prioritize brightness, ease of use, integrated streaming services, and sound quality in a compact form factor.
The Epson EF21 and EF22 deliver Full HD (1080x 1920) resolution support HDR10 and HLG. These models use a 3-chip 3LCD laser projection system, ensuring bright and colorful images, delivering 1,000 lumens of color and white brightness. This brightness level makes them versatile for use indoors in a dimly lit room or outdoors at night.
The EF21 and EF22 models utilize a Google TV™ operating system, which provides access to over 10,000 apps, including popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube TV. This feature turns both projectors into all-in-one entertainment systems, eliminating the need for external streaming devices. Users can connect gaming consoles or additional media players via HDMI ports, but the built-in smart TV functionality reduces the clutter and simplifies the overall experience.
Both models are equipped with built-in Dolby audio stereo speakers, delivering rich and immersive sound without requiring external speakers. For those who prioritize audio clarity and depth, these models provide enough power to fill a room with sound, creating a more immersive viewing experience.
The EF21 and EF22 feature Epson’s proprietary EpiqSense™ technology, designed to simplify the setup process. This technology automatically resizes, focuses, and aligns the picture to fit almost any surface. For users setting up projectors in non-ideal environments or on uneven surfaces, this auto-adjustment function reduces the time and effort needed to start viewing.
The projectors' compact design makes them ideal for users who need a portable entertainment solution. Weighing just over five pounds, the EF21 maintains a sleek, compact profile so it is a great option for users who value portability and convenience.
The EF22, while slightly heavier at 6.6 pounds, features an additional 360-degree swivel stand and tilt function. This makes it easier to set up the projector at various angles, providing flexibility for those who may need to project onto a variety of surfaces. Whether you're projecting on a ceiling, wall, or angled surface, the EpiqSense™ technology makes the setup process quick and intuitive.
When comparing the EF21 to the older EF11, it’s clear that Epson has substantially improved several key areas. While the EF11 can project content from streaming devices through HDMI, it lacks any built-in streaming capabilities, making it more dependent on external hardware for entertainment options.
Sound quality is another area where the EF21 significantly surpasses the EF11. While offering basic audio functionality, the EF11 cannot match the sound performance of its successors. Users of the EF11 are likely to require external speakers or a soundbar to achieve comparable audio quality. This makes the EF21 and EF22 better choices for those who want an all-in-one device without the hassle of additional audio equipment.
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 builds upon the foundation laid by the award-winning Epson EF12 by introducing new features designed to make it a more versatile option for modern users. The EF22 improves upon its predecessor in several meaningful ways, especially regarding streaming services, setup ease, and flexibility.
A significant difference between the two models lies in their smart TV capabilities. While the older EF12 was equipped with Android TV, the newer EF22 utilizes Google TV™ and provides access to over 10,000 apps, including major streaming services, including Netflix. Google TV also delivers a more intuitive interface, providing content recommendations and personalized viewing options.
Like the older EF12, the new EF22 is equipped with high-quality internal stereo speakers so both models offer strong audio performance for their size. While both projectors support Dolby Audio, the EF12 has Yamaha-tuned speakers; the new EF22 features Dolby Audio, which should still provide a rich and immersive audio experience.
We were impressed with the previous generation of Epson EpiqVision Mini projectors, so the new EF22 and EF21 should deliver excellent picture and sound quality with improved ease of use, making them ideal for those who frequently move their projector from room to room or host outdoor movie nights.
Epson EpiqVision Mini projector's portable form factor makes them ideal for users who need a projector they can easily carry around and set up. The EF22 adds additional versatility with its 360-degree swivel stand, which allows users to adjust the projector to project onto different surfaces or at various angles. This feature is handy in unconventional spaces where it might be challenging to position a projector perfectly.
The EF11 and EF22 also comes in a wider range of colors, including Stone Blue, Opal Green, and Onyx Black, which allows it to better match different interior aesthetics.
While we really like the previous EpiqVision models, the additional features like HDR support, Google TV integration, and EpiqSense™ technology make the EF22 and EF21 a worthy upgrade. So, whether you choose the slightly more affordable EF21 or the fully featured EF22, both are excellent options for those seeking a portable, bright projector with outstanding performance.