Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus projector review: “I love the lamp”

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is a 4K projector with an aesthetic unlike anything I’ve reviewed before. Not only does it look like a lamp, it also functions as a lamp. A strip of LEDs along the bottom can create a warm glow by simply tapping the top of the projector. It is part of a New line of Epson projectors Announced a few months ago.

An LED light engine creates a bright picture, and the built-in Google TV lets you stream Netflix or any other streaming service anywhere you have Wi-Fi. On a bedside table, coffee table, or even on a shelf, you can have a huge picture with minimal impact on the rest of your decor.

Performance isn’t up to par with non-lifestyle projectors for the same money, nor are our top picks for them Best projectorbut the picture is reasonably bright and colorful, and it has built-in speakers that sound good. Although it’s a bit pricey, it also looks great when it’s turned off, which can’t be said about most projectors.

Specifications and so on

• Resolution: 4K (1080p with pixel shifting)
• HDR compatible: Yes
• 3D Compatible: No
• Lumen Specifications: 1,000 (claimed)
• Optical zoom: No
• Lens shift: No
• LED life (normal mode): 20,000 hours

Despite its lamp-like design, the Flex Plus has a fairly traditional projector body. They are very similar in size and specifications to EF21/EF22 From last year. What’s not immediately obvious is that the projector can Turn and pivot On its holder, so you can place it where you want. However, you are somewhat limited in position beyond that, as there is no optical zoom and no lens shift.

Here I tell you that it is better for you to place the projector correctly and not depend on the angle of the projector (hence use… Cornerstone correction(which is always a bad idea). However, I understand that most people who buy the Flex Plus are probably not looking for the ultimate in image quality. They want something that fits their life, not arranging their life around a projector, which can often be necessary. Just need to mention that.

The Flex Plus outputs 1000 lumens: I measured it 655 in the finer mode and 817 in the brightest mode. This is within a reasonable range of its specifications and within the tolerances of different measuring equipment and methods. Almost all projectors fall short of their specifications for several reasons. It is brighter than the same price and size GM Go N1S 4K I reviewed it earlier this year, and it’s also brighter than the EF21 from last year.

Epson projectors rarely have high contrast ratios, but I measured a reasonable 468-to-1. Not great, not terrible. This is better than many modern 4K DLP projectors. The average for all the projectors I reviewed for CNET is 490 to 1, so that’s about right in that range (for the math nerds, the average for all projectors is higher because high-end models have correspondingly higher contrast ratios).

The Flex Plus, like most Epson projectors, is a pixel-shifted 1080p image, which is two 1080p images overlaid and shifted by a fraction of a pixel. This results in a resolution greater than HD on the screen, but not as sharp as a similarly priced DLP projector. These projectors also use pixel switching, but I’ve found that DLP usually has a more detailed image. This is only one aspect of image quality, and since most other aspects of the Flex Plus image are done well, it’s not a big deal.

communication

• HDMI inputs: 1 (eARC)
• USB port: 2 (1 USB-A, 1 USB-C)
• Audio: Headphone output, Bluetooth
• Internet: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4GHz/5GHz
• Remote control: Not backlit

As is usual with lifestyle-focused projectors, there’s only one HDMI connection. If you want to connect both of your gaming consoles, you’ll need to swap cables or use a connector HDMI adapter. If you don’t want to use the built-in Google TV interface, you can plug in a streaming dongle and use the adjacent USB connection to power it.

On the audio side, there are two 40mm drivers and two passive radiators. It was tuned by Bose and it actually looks pretty good. The sound is focused heavily in the back, which can be unfortunate depending on where it is located in your setup. If your Flex Plus is between you and the screen, know that there’s a bright LED power light on the back, and you can’t seem to disable it. I found a sharpie or a piece of electrical tape that can solve this problem. The Flex Plus can also double as a Bluetooth speaker.

Interestingly, for a projector of this size, you can also power it via USB-C. Epson claims 70 minutes of runtime using the 24,000 mAh battery. It’s not enough for a full movie, so I wouldn’t call this a portable projector, but it’s a great option. If you do not have a table suitable for Flex Plus, a Ground parking: $200 Available to make it high enough to fill your wall with minimal deviation error.

Image quality comparisons

Epson HC2350

GM Go N1S 4K

JMGP N1S 4K is a compact 4K projector. It’s a little smaller than the Flex Plus but costs about the same. It also has a pivoting mount design. The Epson Home Cinema 2350 is a traditional home theater projector, no gimbal or gimbal here. It also costs about the same as the Flex Plus, so it offers a look at what you could get if image quality was a higher priority than aesthetics and ease of placement. I connected all three to a Monoprice distribution amplifier and displayed them side-by-side on a 102-inch monitor at 1.0 gain.

In terms of brightness, the HC2350 is clearly the winner. This isn’t really a surprise. I measured 2,075 lumens in the most accurate mode, 3x brighter than the Flex Plus and 3.5x brighter than the JMGO. If you’re willing to make some compromises on placement, larger, dedicated projectors will always outperform lifestyle-focused designs. Just something to keep in mind. Between the JMGO and the Flex Plus, the lifestyle-oriented Epson is noticeably brighter, but the difference isn’t as dramatic as between the JMGO and the Epson HC2350.

Contrast was a slightly different story. The eye is a little fooled by the HC2350’s brightness, but its contrast ratio is actually the lowest of the group, about two-thirds lower than the Flex Plus. If we look closely, especially at the black bars when viewing 2.35:1 content, they are fairly similar. The JMGO’s contrast is definitely better, with darker black bars even when considering the lower overall brightness. Its measured objective numbers were difficult to determine when I reviewed it because it had an unbeatable brightness boost. However, subjectively, the contrast looks about 2x compared to the Flex Plus. That sounds like a lot, but it basically just “looks a little better” when viewed side by side. A noticeable difference, although not essential.

Both Epson models have fairly accurate colours, with the HC2350 being quite accurate, the Flex Plus being less accurate, and the JMGO falling behind both. From grass to blue skies, to subtle differences in skin tones, Epsons appear more natural and realistic. The JMGO is slightly behind the Flex Plus as measured by my equipment, but side by side, the differences are fairly noticeable. As it stands, it’s different enough in some specific ways that it looks worse than the raw numbers suggest. This is especially noticeable with skin tone. Everyone seems a little more pasta. It’s not as “unhealthy” as I’ve seen with some projectors, but of these three, the JMGO is definitely the worst.

So, yes, if you have the space for it, the larger HC2350 blows the other two off the coffee table for only a little more money. Among the miniatures, it’s hard to say. The Epson is brighter, so this is important, as is its better colour. The JMGO’s contrast is definitely better, and looks sharper too. Also for me, the design of the Flex Plus is better for its intended purpose. Perhaps the lifestyle monitor found me in a “less techy” phase of my life.

(Yes, it’s from the movie Announcer: The Legend of Ron Burgundy)

I think the Flex Plus has a very smart design. There have been recent pressures on projectors that fit unobtrusively, or at least less Intrusively, into someone’s life. I love projectors and have used one as my main “TV” for over 20 years. They require some sacrifices to work well, so making them more lifestyle-friendly makes sense.

The gimbal designs that became so popular among some projector manufacturers were an attempt to fit projectors wherever the user wanted them. I understand that, but my first priority is image quality, and if you start making compromises on placement and relying on keystone correction or digital zoom, then image quality is clearly not your priority. That’s good, but not what I’m focusing on.

Also, the designs are still gimbaled He looks Such as projectors. Tools. The Flex Plus looks like a flashlight. It’s a hidden tool! That in itself isn’t a reason to buy it, since the picture quality is good – it’s not just fancy decor. The JMGO at the same price is better in some ways, worse in others, enough that it’s almost a wash. I’d lean toward the brighter Epson with better colors, but the N1S 4K isn’t a bad choice. The HC2350 is significantly better (one of our Chooses the best projector(FWIW) it easily outperforms either of those, but that’s a bit like saying an umbrella keeps the rain off you better than a crown. I mean, sure, but you wouldn’t catch me accessorizing with an umbrella.

If you’re looking for something to enjoy on movie night, ready to put on your bedside table whenever you want, the Flex Plus fits better than most modern projectors and still produces a good-looking image.