We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
As good as modern big screen TVs are, there's something magical about a movie night with a projector.
Arguably (quite easily, actually), the sound and image quality on a TV will beat a projector every time. However, the difference in watching your favourite Disney movie on the big screen vs. outdoors on the side of your house on a beautiful summer night with the stars twinkling above is something that elevates a movie night to an experience.
When it comes to smart projectors, we've written previously about how much we liked Epson's offering, including their EpiqVision EF21. Well, there's a new model and we give it equal praise.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Good visual quality
- Built-in speaker
Cons
- AC plug-in not centred
- No internal battery
- Stand not removable
For its exceptional image quality, built-in sound system, and ease of set-up, Epson's latest model takes everything great from the previous model and levels up the projector perks.
Smart Projector Basics
Before we dig too deep into this article, it's worth noting that the world of in-home entertainment projectors is vast. You can spend thousands on a set-up, or hundreds, depending on the results you're looking for.
A simple rule for projectors: The best smart projector will look bad with the wrong set-up, and a cheap projector can look great when set up properly.
So, a quality projector experience isn't just the hardware. It's also the surface you're projecting on. The light sources in the room (and curtain coverings, if there are windows). The sound system. The granularity you can adjust picture settings, and much, much more.
I don't have the depth of knowledge or experience to wade into those waters. But, over the past three years, I've tested more than a dozen different projectors. In that time, I've seen enough variety and experienced enough devices first-hand to be able to understand and evaluate consumer-grade projecotrs where the prices range from the low $100s to the mid-high $1,000s. I feel confident after testing many portble projectors in particular to provide an opinion about what is good, in terms of quality, and what is good, in terms of value.
What I focus on when testing projectors
- Does this look good? Is the picture sharp, is the display large, and do the colours look accurate?
- Does this sound good? Is the built-in speaker sufficient, or should I expect to use a Bluetooth speaker alongside this device?
- Was it easy to set-up? Could I quickly and simply connect my favourite streaming services and digital video libraries to this device in a way that myself and other people who are less tech-savvy will be able to watch whatever they want?
- Was it easy to use? Will it be daunting every time I fire this up? Could a family member instantly get into a movie or show I want? If I want to move it somewhere else, can I do this with ease?
If it checks all these boxes, then I consider it a good projector for average people who want either a permanent-semi permanent home theatre set-up or a great portable experience for outdoor or camping movie nights.
With that context, here's my thoughts on Epson's EF-22.
Epson EF-22 Design
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector is a (nearly) all-in-one projector solution. In addition to a smart video projection system, there's a built-in sound system. The only thing that would be missing for complete portability is a built-in battery (though that would add to the size and weight of the device).
The projector has a built-in stand that allows you to easily adjust the angle of the projector to tilt 150 degrees or swivel a full 360. I can't imagine a scenario where you'd need the full swiveling action, but it's there if it comes up. The included stand can be screwed into a tripod or mount, depending on how you want to have your projector set-up.
However, since the AC plug-in is integrated into the stand, you can't remove it. Overall, I think the built-in stand is a major advantage, but in rare circumstances for a permanent set-up, this could be an obstacle.
Also, the spot where the cable plugs in is off to one side of the projector, not centred. Which, again, may be a small obstacle, in terms of cable management, but since the projector stand swivels, it's unlikely this will be a barrier with set-up.
Epson EF22 Ease of Set-up
Once you decide on the spot to set-up this projector, set-up is a breeze. Just power it on, and follow the on-screen prompts to allow the projector to adjust keystone (making sure the visuals aren't skewed), focus, and more. Eventually, you'll be prompted to set-up your favourite apps for streaming.
Using the smart features to access TV shows and movies is very simple. It uses Google TV to power its smart functions, so if you already have a Google TV account, you just sign in with the same account you use on your smart TV or phone, and all your apps will populate (though, you will have to sign back into them).
If you've never used Google TV before, it is very intuitive. Allowing you to browse through virtually every streaming service (Netflix, Disney+, Crave, Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, PlutoTV, and many more, including a selection of free streaming services).
Epson EF22 Image Quality
I had no complaints about the previous EF21 visuals, but the EF22 smart projector is even better.
It uses a three-chip LCD system to produce sharp and bright visuals. One way you can tell if a projector is higher quality is if it lists the white and colour brightness separate from each other. Mostly, when brightness is listed with projectors, it refers to the brightness of white, which shows up easiest. Therefore, colour may show up significantly more dull.
With the EF22, both white and colour are rated at 1,000 lumens. For my real-world testing, this meant that even during the daytime, in my loft area of my home (which has a window that does not have a shade or curtain), I was still able to use the projector on a bright afternoon, so my kids could watch Paw Patrol, while my wife and I watched Cobra Kai on our TV in the bedroom.
The best results definitely come from a darker space, but in a pinch, even during daytime, the projector is usable.
Is the Epson EF22 Good for Gaming?
This projector would be a fine choice for gaming for quite a few reasons!
First up, you'll want a projector that has an HDMI port, so you can directly plug in a variety of consoles. I tested this with a PlayStation 5 and a SNES Classic (the mini version with built-in games and an HDMI port). Results were great with both! The visuals on PS5 looked very good (not necessarily as great as on my gaming TV, but still, very good) and the Super Nintendo games were lots of fun to play on such a giant display (it goes up to 150 inches).
Aside from console gaming, since this is a Google TV device, you could jump through some hoops and get Xbox games to play remotely through a browser or install the PlayStation Remote Play App (and play titles from the Play Store) right on the projector.
Is the Epson EF22 Good for Portability?
This projector is also excellent for portability.
With the built-in stand, auto focus and calibration features, it's so quick to unplug, move, and calibrate (we're talking a minute or two to power back on and reset itself).
With the overall brightness, whether you're indoors, outdoors, projecting on the side of a house or a camper, this machine offers a great balance between quality and portability.
The only point to note, is you'll need access to power since this device doesn't have a built-in battery (like some of the other projectors that made our list of top choices for portable projectors).
Bottom Line: Is the Epson EF22 Worth it?
After testing out this model for about two weeks, and being very familiar with the previous generation (which I've owned for a year-and-a-half), I struggle to come up with anything negative to say about this projector.
The only drawbacks I could imagine have more to do with a person being disappointed because they're new to projector shopping and didn't fully understand where this device fits in the extremely large spectrum of smart projectors.
At just under $1,500 Canadian after tax (and I've seen it on sale for cheaper twice since its release), it is an excellent value, in terms of features and quality per dollar you're spending.
Other smart projectors will ship without a stand and charge you $100+ for that accessory.
Other smart projectors may be cheaper, but recalibrating each time you move takes so long you're less inclined to use this for an outdoor movie night.
Other projectors may have even better visuals, but require more considerations, in terms of keeping light out of the room or the surface you're displaying on.
Geeking Out Shop
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22
Epic Smart Projector
This smart projector delivers a lot of value for your money. It balances quality of image with portability, and, thanks to a vareity of inputs and Google TV on board, it's extremely versatile. The built-in stand makes set-up quick and easy, no matter where you want to enjoy your movie nights on the projector.
If you want an exceptionally versatile projector that's easy to set-up and move around and looks great for movie nights and gaming, the Epson EF22 is the one I consistently recommend to friends and family who are in the price range of spending $1,000-$1,500 on a smart projector.
While there are some other really good options, in terms of portable projectors, unless you need one that has a built-in battery, the Epson EF22 is one of the very best options for a smart projector (that's also portable) on the market right now.
Read more
Best Smart Projectors For 2025
For ultimate home movie nights a portable projector is almost as important as when you discover how adding "flavacol" seasoning makes homemade popcorn taste like movie theatre popcorn! Here's our picks for the very best smart projectors available now!
It's getting old, but the EpiqVision Mini EF12 is still great!
For home movie nights, wall-filling gaming sessions, or even a family slideshow, there's one portable projector that I recommend above all others. While it's getting old, Epson's Mini EF12 is great value for your money.
Sleek and Smart: Nest Learning Thermostat Review
A smart thermostat is a device you’re not planning on upgrading year-to-year like some other tech. So when the time comes to pick one, you really want to choose right since you’ll be living with this decision for years!
The best remote ever made: Google TV Streamer review
The Google TV Streamer adds some AI touches to the familiar Google TV interface. But it redesigns the remote control in a very appealing way. For monitoring your smart home or binge watching series, the Google TV streamer will be right at home under your television.