Projectors have quietly evolved from bulky home-theater equipment to sleek, self-contained entertainment hubs. Epson’s EpiqVision Mini EF22 sits exactly in that space — a compact Full HD smart projector designed not for enthusiasts chasing cinematic precision, but for users who want an easy, portable solution that just works anywhere. Priced at Rs 84,000, it aims to bridge the gap between casual streaming convenience and serious display quality.
For the asking price, Epson has packed it with tons of features such as built-in Dolby Audio enabled speakers, a versatile stand system that allows the projector to be placed in a different setups and moreover it comes packed with Google TV operating system with support for Google Play Store and OTT platforms as well.
So, what it is like in the real-world. After using it for a few weeks, here are my thoughts on whether you should spend on Epson’s EF22 or look elsewhere.
Design and portability
The first thing you notice about the EF22 is how unprojector-like it feels. It’s compact, block-shaped, and finished in subdued tones like Stone Blue, Opal Green, or Onyx Black. The minimalism gives it a domestic warmth that traditional projectors often lack.
A big reason behind that flexibility is the built-in 360-degree swivel stand. It’s one of those small design touches that changes how you use the device — you simply tilt and rotate it toward any flat surface, and you’re ready to project. However, I would have loved too see a locking mechanism here which could keep the projector locked in its place preventing the occasional movements and wobbles.
The air vents are intelligently placed on the side, and despite the compact body, heat dissipation remains under control. There’s one HDMI input with ARC support, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack — modest but sufficient, considering this is meant for all-in-one wireless use.
Display and picture performance
At its core, the EF22 uses Epson’s tried and tested 3LCD projection system — the same technology that helps the brand avoid the color breakup or “rainbow effect” seen in DLP projectors. The result is consistent colour brightness, which is especially noticeable when switching between light and dark scenes in HDR content.
Resolution is capped at Full HD (1920×1080), which is ideal for a projector of this price range. Having said that, the EF22 never faced any issues in processing the 4K content across different OTT platforms or even local content pushed to it via an external drive.
Brightness is rated at 1,000 ISO lumens, and in real-world measurements, it comfortably touched 1,150 lumens in Dynamic mode. The projector handles ambient light decently, but it’s best suited for dim or moderately lit rooms.
In Cinema mode, the output drops slightly to around 770 lumens, but the image looks cleaner and more cinematic and easy on eyes too. The contrast ratio is high here – 500000:1 and that’s reflected in the content output too. The blacks are good, the colour are lively and vibrant as well.
HDR10 and HLG support help lift contrast and bring a visible improvement to mid-tone definition.
The EF22’s fixed lens with motorized focus can throw a 100-inch image from roughly 7.3 feet away, scaling up to 150 inches if you have the space. Auto-focus and keystone adjustments are reliable but slightly slow, taking a few seconds to settle after movement. Epson’s EpiqSense system, which automatically resizes and aligns the image, works as intended but isn’t instant.
Software and smart experience
This is where the EF22 feels genuinely modern. It runs Google TV — a significant improvement over older Android TV-based Epson models. The interface is cleaner, quicker to navigate, and supports over 10,000 apps from the Play Store. Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube TV, and Prime Video are all accessible natively, without the need for a streaming stick.
Setting it up feels almost like starting a smart TV. You connect it to Wi-Fi, log into your Google account, and the familiar carousel of recommendations appears. Google Assistant is integrated for voice search, and the projector supports Chromecast, so you can cast content directly from a smartphone or laptop.
Performance-wise, navigation is smooth with minimal lag. The OS intelligently curates watch suggestions based on your streaming activity. For a product meant to move between rooms, this autonomy matters — there’s no need to reconnect cables or carry a media box along.
The EF22 can even double up as a Bluetooth speaker. Switch to Bluetooth mode, and it acts as a compact, self-powered stereo. It’s a clever repurposing of the hardware, especially if you just want background music without firing up the projection lamp.
Audio performance
Sound has always been an overlooked part of projectors, but Epson handles it well here. The EF22 packs two 5W speakers with Dolby Audio processing. The output is surprisingly full for its size — clear mids, balanced treble, and just enough low-end to avoid the thinness typical of compact projectors.
There are four preset modes — Standard, Vocal, Music, and Movie — and they work as expected. For casual viewing or late-night streaming, the built-in speakers are more than sufficient. If you want a richer setup, the HDMI ARC port lets you connect a soundbar seamlessly.
Fan noise is impressively low, rated at 22dB in normal and 18dB in Eco mode. Even in a quiet room, the hum rarely intrudes on dialogue or music playback. In a typical eight-foot viewing setup, the EF22 remains practically silent.
Verdict
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 is a compact projector balancing portability and home-theater quality. While not the brightest or sharpest, its Full HD laser projection, 3LCD color, integrated Google TV, and Dolby Audio offer an excellent, easy, out-of-the-box experience. Ideal for those prioritizing convenience over complex setup, the EF22 is easily moved, functions as a speaker, and uses a familiar smart interface. Its $999 price is high for 1080p, but the system's refinement justifies the cost. The EF22 occupies a middle ground, focusing on usability rather than spectacle—it's a projector you simply use.
Excerpt (30 words):
Epson’s EpiqVision Mini EF22 is a $999 Full HD smart laser projector built for everyday living — compact, accurate in color, and easy to use, though limited by modest brightness and slow autofocus.
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