The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-11 is a small and portable laser projector priced at $699. It offers great image quality with 1000 ANSI lumens brightness and Full HD resolution, making it perfect for home entertainment, business presentations, and classrooms. While it doesn’t support 4K or HDR, its brightness and picture quality are impressive.
The EF11 has a sleek, modern design that’s easy to carry and set up. It also includes built-in speakers, so you don’t need extra audio equipment. Just add a simple Chromecast to start streaming.
One of its best features is the throw ratio—you can get a big 150” screen from just 14 feet away. Despite its power, the projector is very compact, even smaller than many smartphones in length and height. Overall, it’s a lightweight, flexible projector that delivers more than you’d expect from its size.
| Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-11 | |
|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 |
| Technology | 3LCD |
| Displayed Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 1000 ANSI Lumens |
| Light Source | Laser |
| Contrast | 200,000:1 |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.1:1 |
| Lens Shift | None |
| Lamp Life | 20,000 Hrs |
| Sound System | 1.5-watt mono |
| Weight | 2.7 lb |
| Warranty | Two (2) Years |
OVERVIEW
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 is a super lightweight projector, weighing only 2.7 lbs, with a compact design that’s easy to carry and set up alone. Priced at $699.99, it offers great value with 1000 lumens brightness and can project up to a 150″ screen, making it a solid choice for home entertainment, classrooms, or small meeting rooms.
The EF11 is part of Epson’s 2023 EpiqVision EF-series, alongside the EF12. Both have Full HD resolution and the same brightness. The EF12, which we reviewed last year, adds Android TV and a custom Yamaha stereo speaker system, giving it better sound than most TVs and portable speakers. That’s why the EF12 won a Hot Product Award. The EF11 delivers the same great picture quality but without the advanced sound and smart features.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Model | EF11 | EF12 | EF100B/w |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $999 | $599 |
| Brightness | 1000 Lumens | 1000 Lumens | 2000 Lumens |
| Light Source | Laser | Laser | Laser |
| Imager Type | 3LCD | 3LCD | 3LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 800 |
| Sound System | Mono (2-way) | Stereo by Yamaha | Single Bass Reflex |
| Smart Features | None | Android TV | Android TV |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.9 x 6.9 x 2.3 | 6.9 x 6.9 x 5.0 | 8.3 x 8.9 x 3.4 |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs | 4.7 lbs | 6 lbs |
The EF11 uses Epson’s 3LCD tech, showing 100% of the RGB color signal in every frame for bright, accurate colors without “rainbow” or color issues common with other projectors. It also has Scene Adaptive Color Correction, which adjusts colors based on the content for clear and natural pictures.
While some portable DLP projectors offer 4K, the EF11 sticks to 1080p but gives better color accuracy and deeper blacks. In real viewing, better colors and contrast often matter more than higher resolution for a great image.
At first glance, the EpiqVision Mini EF-11 might seem like just another small, budget laser projector with few features. But once you see it in action, you’ll realize its real value. Its 1080p resolution and 1,000 lumens brightness deliver a picture that can compete with many more expensive 4K projectors.
You’ll quickly forget about the missing 4K and HDR once you start streaming. While the EF11 doesn’t have built-in smart features, it’s ready for streaming with a handy HDMI port. You can easily connect devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV. Plus, all the ports are on the side of the projector, making it simple to plug in or unplug devices.
The EpiqVision Mini EF11 doesn’t have built-in Android OS, but it does offer easy screen mirroring. No setup needed—I was able to cast from my phone right away. So even without an HDMI device, you can stream Netflix, YouTube, or other services directly from your phone.
There’s no pixel-shifting or upscaling tricks here—just a true, sharp 1080p image that stays clear even up to a 150” screen. It focuses on being compact and affordable, without extra features.
The bottom has a mounting screw, but it’s not the standard 1/4-inch size used for most tripods. This means you’ll need an adapter, which I recommend for the best way to mount the projector.
Overall, the EF11 impressed us with its bright, accurate image in a small, portable design.
Highlights:
1000 lumens brightness
3LCD panels for good contrast
Full HD resolution
Built-in speaker
Long 20,000-hour lifespan
Excellent color accuracy
Compact and easy to carry
Screen mirroring (Miracast)
Audio out for headphones or speakers
PC-free projection from USB devices
Auto picture skew correction
HARDWARE
CHASSIS
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 is a lightweight, portable projector weighing just 2.7 lbs. Its sleek, modern design makes it easy to carry and set up. It has a built-in speaker at the back for basic sound without needing extra speakers.
The lens and a small intake fan are at the front. On top, there are lens shift knobs for adjusting the screen and a power button. All the ports are on the left side, and there are no buttons for menu control. Fans on the sides keep the projector cool.
The EF11 has three adjustable feet to tilt it for the best view, and it can be mounted on the ceiling or wall for flexible setup.
The EpiqVision Mini EF-11 has several useful input and output ports. There’s one HDMI port that works with devices like Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. It supports HDCP 2.2, so it can connect to 4K Ultra HD devices.
There’s also a USB port for plugging in a flash drive to play video files like MP4, MKV, and AVI.
For audio, there’s a 3.5mm output jack to connect headphones or external speakers with stereo sound.
The power port uses a standard IEC connector to plug into an outlet.
In short, the EF-11 has:
HDMI port
USB port
Audio output port
Power port
LENS
The lens on the EpiqVision Mini EF11 is set back inside the projector’s body, which helps protect it from scratches or bumps. This makes it easier to carry around and stack with other gear or pack in a box safely.
The lens is pretty basic. It has a fixed zoom and no vertical or horizontal shift. The only adjustment you get is a manual focus ring. If you need more details on placement or throw distance, Epson offers a free online Projector Throw Distance Simulator that helps with different screen sizes and aspect ratios.
| Throw Distance By Screen Size | ||
|---|---|---|
| 30 inches | 2 ft | |
| 40 inches | 3 ft | |
| 60 inches | 5 ft | |
| 90 inches | 8 ft | |
| 120 inches | 11 ft | |
| 150 inches | 14 ft | |
Auto Picture Skew Correction helps you get a perfect image. When you set up the projector, it checks the picture and automatically fixes any vertical distortion for the best view.
The remote is a simple black device powered by two AAA batteries. It has basic buttons for navigation, input, volume, and keystone adjustments. The buttons aren’t backlit, but the layout is easy to remember. The volume controls are on a single rocker switch, so you can find them by touch even in the dark.
MENUS
This projector has simple features, so the menu is easy to use too. You can open it with the remote. There are four main sections: Image, Settings, Info, and Reset.
In the Image menu, you can pick color modes like Cinema, Natural, Dynamic, Vivid, or Bright Cinema. You can also adjust brightness, light output, color, sharpness, and video range.
The Settings menu lets you control sound volume and sound modes. It also has installation options like keystone, zoom, projection, and on-screen display rotation. The operation menu is where you manage screen mirroring settings, but the defaults usually work well.
The Info menu shows details about the projector, light source, screen mirroring, and software version. Finally, the Reset menu lets you restore all settings back to factory defaults.
PERFORMANCE
COLOR REPRODUCTION
Don’t underestimate this projector’s color quality. Even though it’s small and simple, its colors look like those from much more expensive models. It doesn’t support HDR, but it still shows bright, vibrant, and accurate colors.
There are five color modes to choose from: DYNAMIC, VIVID, BRIGHT CINEMA, CINEMA, and NATURAL. DYNAMIC is the brightest, while CINEMA and NATURAL give the best color accuracy. All five modes look good.
The Epson EF11 showed better colors than most portable LED-based DLP projectors we’ve tested. Plus, if you want to adjust the picture more, you can tweak settings like Color Saturation, Tint, White Balance, and RGBCMY.
Like other Epson home projectors, the EF11 does a great job with natural skin tones. Its 3LCD technology helps deliver bright, rich colors by producing as much color light as white light.
BRIGHTNESS
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 is rated at 1000 ANSI lumens. To check this, I set the projector to its brightest mode, DYNAMIC, with Light Output at 100%, and took several brightness readings near the center of the screen.
It measured 960 ANSI lumens, very close to Epson’s claim. Unlike many small portable laser projectors that overstate brightness, Epson’s numbers are accurate.
With a max brightness of 1000 lumens, I thought I’d always need it on max. But even in total darkness, ECO mode (50% brightness) was bright enough. The EF11 delivered clear, vibrant images on an 80 to 100-inch screen, even with some ambient light.
Here’s a quick look at brightness by picture mode:
Natural: 910 lumens
Cinema: 948 lumens
Bright Cinema: 955 lumens
Dynamic: 960 lumens
Vivid: 932 lumens
Thanks to Epson’s MicroLaser Array Technology, the EF11 keeps good color while staying bright. At this price, we haven’t seen another portable laser or LED projector match its light output.
BLACK LEVEL AND SHADOW DETAIL
The photos above show how well the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 handles dark scenes. Thanks to its 3LCD panels, it offers great native contrast, making shadow details and blacks look clear.
Good black levels are just as important as brightness because they help show subtle details in dark areas, adding depth and making the image more realistic and engaging. Deep blacks also help other colors look more natural and true to life.
Compared to most compact projectors in its price range, the EF11 has better native contrast. While its blacks aren’t as deep as Epson’s high-end home theater models, like the Pro Cinema L12000, it still performs well in rooms with some ambient light, producing a nice, clear picture.
VIDEO IMAGE QUALITY
To test the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11’s picture quality, I tried different media sources: a Blu-ray player, a Chromecast, and a PC with Plex. I watched local files, Blu-rays, and streamed Netflix and YouTube. Thanks to its native 1080p resolution, the image looked clear and detailed, even on bigger screens.
The EF11 doesn’t have advanced features like 4K upscaling or HDR, so high-end sources won’t make much difference. It’s made for simple streaming devices, and it works great with an HD Chromecast—an ideal match for this projector.
TEXT AND PRESENTATION QUALITY
Connecting a laptop to the projector via HDMI or wireless casting might give you a smaller screen that doesn’t fill the whole projector screen. But you can use the built-in zoom to enlarge the image, making all the text clear and easy to read from a distance.
If your laptop is set to Full HD (1920 x 1080), text looks sharp—even small fonts like 8 points show clear edges with little blur.
Audio Quality
The EF11’s built-in 1.5-watt two-way speaker is basic and mainly for setup or when no other option is available. It has four sound modes (STANDARD, VOCAL, MUSIC, MOVIE) to adjust the audio depending on what you watch. Still, the sound is average, as expected from a small built-in speaker.
The volume is enough to hear dialogue in small to medium rooms, but for better sound, you’ll want external speakers or headphones. The projector has a 3.5mm audio out for this. The best option is to connect your streaming device to a Bluetooth speaker for richer sound.
The EF11 is very quiet—one of the quietest portable projectors out there—making only about 27 decibels, similar to a whisper. This makes it great for classrooms, offices, or home theaters.
Its quiet operation comes from using a laser light source, which is more efficient and produces less heat than traditional lamps. The heat is cooled by small, quiet fans, keeping noise levels low.
SUMMARY
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 is perfect for anyone who wants a small, portable projector without sacrificing image quality. Many compact projectors lose a lot in picture quality to stay small, but the EF11 finds the right balance between size and performance.
Its throw distance, brightness, and overall picture quality all impressed me. While you might find brighter 4K projectors on sale around $600, the EF11 is the choice for those who want a bright, laser projector that’s super compact.
Here’s a simple comparison between the Epson Mini EF11 and the Optoma HD143X, both often priced around $599 with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution for sharp, clear images.
The Optoma HD143X is much brighter at 3600 lumens, making it better for well-lit rooms. The Epson EF11 is less bright at 1000 lumens but offers a higher contrast ratio, so it shows deeper blacks and richer colors.
The Optoma is bigger and heavier but has a zoom lens, while the Epson EF11 is ultra-compact and light enough to carry in a backpack. It still produces great images on screens up to 100”.
Few portable laser or LED projectors match the EF11’s brightness and quality at this price. It’s a solid choice for dorm rooms, meetings, or backyard movie nights.
Pros of Optoma HD143X:
3600 lumens brightness
4K Enhancement for sharper images
Good color
Ultra-wide screen support for video calls
1.6x zoom and lens shift for easy setup
Long-lasting laser light (up to 20,000 hours)
Auto power-on and split-screen features
Cons:
Remote isn’t backlit
Wireless connection can be tricky
EPSON EPIQVISION MINI EF11 – SPECIFICATIONS
| Full Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Projector Model | Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-11 |
| Price (MSRP) | $699 |
| Imager Type | 3LCD |
| Displayed Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 1000 ANSI lumens |
| Light Source Type | Laser Phosphor |
| Light Source Life | 20,000 hours |
| Contrast Ratio | 200,000:1 |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.1x |
| Power Zoom/Focus | No |
| Lens Shift | N/A |
| Interchangeable Lens | No |
| Ultra-Short Throw | No |
| Native Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| HDTV/4K | 720P/1080i/1080P |
| DVI or HDMI | HDMI |
| 3D | No |
| Blu-Ray 3D | No |
| Speakers | 1.5 watt (2-Way Mono) |
| Noise Level (-db) | 27 dB |
| Low Lag Gaming | No |
| Smart Functionality | None |
| Business | Yes |
| Classroom | Yes |
| Portable | Yes |
| Special Features | Auto Picture Skew Correction, Miracast, USB playback |
| Networking | No |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 6.9″ x 6.9″ x 2.3″ |
| Weight | 2.7 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years (Epson Limit Warranty) |