If you own a projector, it’s likely in a dedicated home entertainment room. Today, we have new portable projectors that can be used anywhere. They are small, portable, and easy to use. They come with internal Bluetooth speakers, a built-in streaming interface, and wireless control. With a simple Wi-Fi connection, you can turn any white surface into a projector screen.
I’m reviewing the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12. This is a 1080p laser home theatre projector with Android TV. With its cube-link design, integrated Yamaha Bluetooth speakers, and Google Assistant voice control, this is a box full of entertainment. Worth the investment? Let’s find out.
Notable specs: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
- Full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio
- Project on screens or flat surfaces up to 150″ in size
- Auto picture skew and focus correction corrects the alignment and focus automatically when projected onto a wall
- Approximately 20,000 hours of lamp light
Design of the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 has a compact cube design measuring approximately 7”x 5.5”x 7” (WHD) and weighs just under 5lbs. The top half houses the Yamaha speakers distinguished by a dark grey fabric speaker grille. Under that, you’ll find the lens which at first glance seems to be too low. However, underneath the bass is a grey button that releases an adjustable leg. This allows users to angle up the projected image to a wall.
The right side houses the connection ports. There are two HDMI ports, a USB-A port, a USB Mini port, and a headphone jack. Dedicated control buttons are located on the top. Most people will use the provided remote control for day-to-day use.
Setting up the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
Turning the projector on for the first time, a series of setup instructions project onto the wall. The first step was connecting it to my Wi-Fi network. From there, I used my Android phone to set up the projector as a new device and connect it to my Google account. The entire setup took less than 5 minutes.
To get the most out of this projector, you will need good Wi-Fi. I recommend setting it up indoors and then moving it to a different location later. If you need to improve your home Wi-Fi, this networking buying guide will help.
Using the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 indoors
For this review, I tested this projector indoors and outdoors. For daytime indoor use, I tested it in my smart home-themed Airbnb suite. Here, I have a dedicated 165” projector wall and an older Epson projector mounted on the ceiling. I placed the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 on a coffee table and turned it on. Since there is no optical zoom, I had to move the coffee table around. I then used the adjustable leg to tilt the projector perfectly towards the wall. Once in position, the EpiqVision automatically adjusts the image to the wall.
I was able to position it far enough to produce a 150” max screen size. However, the brightness is diminished the bigger the screen gets. This is especially noticeable in daytime use. After playing around with various screen sizes, I found 100 inches to be ideal. It has the right balance between size and brightness, especially during the daytime.
Despite being only 1,000 lumens, I was impressed with the daytime brightness. I suspect this is due to Epson’s Advanced True 3-chip 3LCD display technology. It uses three individual LCD chips to continuously display 100% of the RGB colour signal for every frame. The whites, in particular, are very bright even in the daytime.
Using the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 outdoors
My next-door neighbour built an outdoor projector screen in his backyard. So it was no surprise that I tested the EpiqVision Mini EF12 there. Around sunset, I got a stellar image outdoors. Again, at around 100” I had the best balance of size and brightness. I do like the versatility of this projector. It can be used in an entertainment or gaming room in the winter, and in the backyard during the summer months. It’s perfect for entertaining kids and even allows them to game outside.
Horizontal and vertical keystone correction
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 projector uses automatic keystone correction. A vertical keystone correction aligns the top or bottom of the image. Likewise, the horizontal keystone correction aligns the distortion on the left or right side. After the auto keystone, users can manually adjust the keystone in the Display setting. Corner adjustments and focus can also be manually adjusted.
I’m the type of person who likes everything perfectly aligned. For some reason, I had a hard time getting the image straight with the auto keystone. I had this issue both indoors and outdoors. The quickest solution was to use coasters under the feet to straighten the image. I think it would be nice to include adjustable feet on the projector so I didn’t have to use coasters.
Sound quality and sleep timer
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 has two 5W Yamaha speakers built-in. The sound quality of the speaker is impressive and really adds to the cinematic experience. When you’re not using it as a projector, it also functions as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. This is a great hidden feature. I love that I could play podcasts on it from my phone when I wasn’t using the screen.
Another feature I really love was the sleep timer. This is great for people like me who routinely fall asleep watching TV shows and movies. I tried to use Google Assistant to turn the sleep timer on. Unfortunately, that feature is not available.
Final thoughts
I think portable laser projectors are the future of home entertainment. They’re small, easy to use, and versatile for indoor and outdoor environments. The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 projector has a stellar, compact cube design with great audio and built-in Android TV. There’s a lot to like, but I do see some room for improvement.
First, the auto keystone is far from perfect. From my experience, it’s worthwhile to do manual adjustments. Also, try to have some coasters around. I found that to be the quickest way to straighten an image. Adjustable back feet could solve this.
Second, I wish it included a USB-C power connection port. That way, users could connect it to a power bank. I’ve seen this in other portable projectors and I hope it becomes an industry standard. Otherwise, I recommend you have an extension cord nearby as you will likely need to use it.
Finally, allow the sleep timer to be set up via voice. Currently, you have to go into the Settings menu to activate the sleep timer. Epson needs to make it easier to access the sleep timer or I suspect people will not use it. This feature is great for people who routinely fall asleep watching shows and movies, myself included.
Who is the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 for?
If you are looking for a two-in-one entertainment device to replace a traditional television, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is for you. It can be used in bedrooms, living rooms, gaming rooms, and even outdoors. It’s small, portable, and works in the daytime and at night. Plus, it’s a Bluetooth speaker when you’re not using the screen. In all, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is the swiss army knife of home entertainment.
You can find similar versatile and portable projectors at bestbuy.ca today.
I like the built in speakers and sleep timer.
Two features that I like about this projector are the built in speakers and the sleep timer!
my favourite features are the integrated Bluetooth speakers and also voice control
easy to set up and portable too
My family would like how it has integrated bluetooth speakers and also voice control
I rally like how it has integrated bluetooth speakers and also voice control
We like how it has integrated bluetooth speakers and also voice control
like how it has integrated bluetooth speakers and also voice control
I like that it has the horizontal and vertical corrections. In the past I have always had an issue with that.
I like the long 20k lamp life and android tv
I like that it has different functions and that it can work well in daylight.
i like how it has integrated bluetooth speakers and also voice control
compact design and 20000 hour lamp life
I really like the compact size and 20,000 hrs of lamp life.
I like that it weighs under 5lbs and has built-in Yamaha speakers
I like the 20,000 hrs of lamp life and compact size.
The two features I like most are the compact cube design and the 20,000 hours of lamp light.
I like the 20,000 hrs of lamp life and portable size!
I really like 2 of many features: the compact size and 20,000 hrs of lamp life.
I really like the features of compact size and 20,000 hrs of lamp life.
The two features I like most are the compact cube design and the huge 150” max screen size.
I like the built in 5W Yamaha speakers which would give excellent sound quality. I also like the automatic keystone correction to set up the top and bottom of the picture. This would add to the quality of the picture.
I like the facts that it is pretty small and weighs under 5 pounds also that there’s an integrated speaker.
I like 2 futures: it is compact and fits in small spaces and the cinematic experience.
I really like the compact size and 20,000 hrs of lamp life.
I love the 20,000 hrs of lamp light and the built-in Yamaha speaks that can also be used standalone.
I like that it’s portable and has integrated speakers.
I love that you can project on screens or flat surfaces up to 150″ in size and it has auto picture skew and focus correction corrects the alignment and focus automatically when projected onto a wall.
would be a great addition to my media tools
automatic keystone correction and full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution
I like the built in 5W Yamaha speakers and the sleep timer
Project on screens or flat surfaces up to 150″ in size
Auto picture skew and focus correction corrects the alignment and focus automatically when projected onto a wall
I like that it projects on screens or flat surfaces up to 150″ in size and has approximately 20,000 hours of lamp light
Wow I like the 20,000 hrs of lamp life and portable size
The compact cube design and 20000 hour lamp life.
I like its compact size and approximately 20,000 hours of lamp light
I like how portable and light it is (under 5lbs) and that its internal bluetooth speakers can also be used as standalone bluetooth speakers is cool.
I like the 20,000 hours of lamp light and it’s compact cube design.
compact cube design and built in Yamaha Bluetooth speakers
I like the Yamaha Bluetooth speakers, and Google Assistant voice control
I like the portability of the laser projector as well as the two built-in 5W Yamaha speakers. Thanks for the opportunity.
We like that it’s portable and has integrated speakers.
I like that it’s portable and has integrated speakers.
I really like the 20,000 hours of lamp light and the Auto picture skew and focus correction
We like the 20,000 hours of lamp light and the Auto picture skew and focus correction
I like that it’s portable and has integrated speakers.
2 features I like are Auto picture skew and focus correction corrects the alignment and focus automatically when projected onto a wall, and compact cube design measuring approximately 7”x 5.5”x 7” (WHD) and weighs just under 5lbs
I like the inclusion of the 2 speakers so it is self contained and the auto focus feature would be handy as well.
I like the 20,000 hours of lamp light and the Auto picture skew and focus correction
automatic keystone correction and full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution
I like that it projects up to 150″ screen size and that it will also function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.
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