Epson EF-21W Laser Projector Unboxing & Google Home TV Setup – Is It Worth It?

Epson EF-21 Review Summary

Features and Setup

• Described as a compact, budget laser projector costing under $600, with an estimated 20,000-hour lifespan.
• Uses 3LCD technology. The reviewer found it somewhat heavy, possibly because of its heatsink.
• Connections and features include HDMI with ARC, USB-A, a headphone output, Bluetooth, built-in speakers, and a wall-mount attachment.
• Includes a power adapter, remote, and battery.
• Built-in Google TV provides access to YouTube, SBS On Demand, Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, and other apps. The projector connects to Wi-Fi and supports Google Home setup.
• Google Home setup initially failed through the QR-code flow. The reviewer eventually found the projector by searching for nearby devices, and setup then completed.

Picture and User Experience

• The reviewer saw a clear image when projecting onto the ceiling in a brightly lit workshop. They reported that the picture remained visible at 50% brightness in a room with several ceiling lights.
• Brightness can be adjusted through the interface, though changing settings paused the video during the demonstration.
• The interface seemed responsive. The initial software update and app installation took some time.
• SBS On Demand loaded, although playback seemed slow at one point. The reviewer wondered whether reception or loading was responsible.
• The reviewer initially said the built-in speaker was not the best and planned to use a Bluetooth speaker. Later, they found the projector’s speaker surprisingly loud and said they liked it.

Comparisons and Verdict

• The reviewer compared it with a basic generic projector that had produced an impressive large-screen image. They wanted a more established brand for potentially more reliable software and fewer crashes.
• They called the Epson a great choice for their intended use—watching the World Cup through SBS On Demand—and appreciated that it could run Google TV apps without requiring a computer. They also had a computer connected by HDMI as a backup.
• No formal rating or numerical score was given.

Different Contributions

• The reviewer assessed the setup, connections, brightness, apps, and audio. They ultimately praised the speaker’s loudness, despite initially saying they might use an external speaker.
• Harry, the assistant, agreed that the projected image looked clear and was told he could use it for homework.