It’s true that shopping for a projector is already difficult as it is – there are way too many factors to consider, e.g., pricing, lifespan, portability, etc. And it is even harder to shop for a feature-rich and versatile projector.
Luckily, the Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector is one of the few reliable, versatile, and feature-rich projectors with excellent performance. While the Epson 3800 projector is great, it also has its downsides which cannot be ignored.
That’s why we’ve gone out of our way to test this device and write an in-depth honest review rigorously. We’ve included real users’ reviews (including negative ones) to help you understand exactly what this projector offers before committing yourself to buy it.
So let’s jump right in!
Quick Takes
The Epson 3800 projector has a 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon from 500+ real users, which is “Excellent.” 75% of the reviewers gave the projector a solid 5-star, indicating excellent display quality and Bluetooth audio.
Unfortunately, 6% of the reviewers gave this projector a 1-star indicating defective or glitchy hardware (which can be quite frustrating, to say the least).
But as far as we can tell, the Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector is an awesome device that can be used at home and in a professional setting.
Pros and Cons of Buying the Epson Home Cinema 3800 Projector
Pros
Cons
Epson Home Cinema 3800 Alternatives
| Projector | Users’ needs | Why we think it’s better |
| Benq HT3550 projector | The Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector is an excellent projector. However, its portability is quite limited, and one of the things it lacks is a built-in speaker. If your main focus is having a projector with built-in speakers, consider going for the Benq HT3550. It is an excellent projector with almost the same display quality as the Epson 3800 projector. The Benq HT3550 projector has two 5W Chamber built-in speakers. | The Epson Home Cinema 5050 is yet again another excellent projector. Despite coming from the same manufacturer, the Home Cinema 3800 and 5050 are meant to target a select group of buyers. We strongly feel that the Epson Home Cinema 5050 has better performance and display quality than the Home Cinema 3800. While it isn’t as bright as the Home Cinema 3800, the Home Cinema 5050 has an unparalleled contrast ratio (1,000,000:1). (Remember, a projector’s contrast ratio matters greatly because it allows you to view deeper blacks and brighter whites). |
| Epson Home Cinema 5050 | Better performance and display quality | The Epson Home Cinema 5050 is yet again another excellent projector. Despite coming from the same manufacturer, the Home Cinema 3800 and 5050 are meant to target a select group of buyers. We strongly feel that the Epson Home Cinema 5050 has better performance and display quality compared to the Home Cinema 3800. While it isn’t as bright as the Home Cinema 3800, the Home Cinema 5050 has an unparalleled contrast ratio (1,000,000:1). (Remember, a projector’s contrast ratio matters greatly because it allows you to view deeper blacks and brighter whites). |
Specs and Features
| Features | Specs |
| Projection technology | LCD (Epson 3LCD) |
| Brightness | 3,000 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast ratio | 100,000:1 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (native), 4096 x 2160 max and supports 4K display using its 4K enhancement technology |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9, 4:3 |
| Throw ratio | 1.32:1 – 2.15:1 |
| Lamp life | 5,000 hours (eco mode), 4,000 hours (intermediate mode), 3,500 hours (high-mode) |
| Built-in battery | N/A – this device is not equipped with built-in batteries |
| Built-in speaker | The projector has a built-in speaker that delivers good sound quality |
| I/O ports | HDMI (2x), USB-A (1x – power supply only), USB (1x – accessory and firmware updates), USB (1x – service only), audio out 3.5mm (1x), RS232C (1x), Trigger out 200 mAh max (3.5mm) (1x). |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Digital keystone | ✔ |
| Accessories | Power cord, remote control, quick setup guide |
| Weight | 6.9kgs |
Design and Build
You can probably tell that the Epson Home Cinema 3800 is not ideal for you if your main concern is portability. The projector has the following dimensions (in inches): 16.1 x 13 x 6.4; and weighs almost 7kgs.
Despite that downside, the Epson 3800 projector has a sleek and modern design with a premium feel that blends well with almost any decor. Therefore, you can use this projector in your home theatre or even at work if you prefer.
Epson’s ingenious design makes this projector more practical – its lens is at the front, buttons are at the top, and I/O ports are at the back. Positioning these buttons at the top of the projector is well thought of because it allows you to control the projector easily.
The Epson Home Cinema 3800 also comes with a remote control which you can use to control the projector from the comfort of your couch. We also loved how the projector has a myriad of I/O ports.
These ports enable you to connect several external storages which is great because you can plug in and play your media from those. You can shift through different modes without changing the external storage to watch something different physically.
Unfortunately, this projector has no built-in battery or speaker, which is quite the downside. However, you can use the projector’s Bluetooth to connect to external speakers.
Performance, Picture, and Sound Quality
Regarding general performance, we found the Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector to be great. We fell in love with how Epson made this projector easy to set up and with a straightforward interface that does exactly what you instruct it.
With its 3LCD, 3-chip technology, the projector can deliver excellent picture quality. Please note that this projector does not have a RAM module – instead, it has this 3LCD 3-chip technology.
In addition to this, the Epson Home Cinema 3800 produces 3,000 ANSI lumens which is great!
With this level of brightness, you can use the projector in almost any setting (you don’t have to worry too much about uncontrolled ambient light).
Images are crisp, clear, and vibrant, and the projector does an excellent job of reproducing subtle details and nuances.
Pro tip: While the Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector produces excellent image quality, we strongly recommend getting a professionally-made projector screen. Having a projector screen is essential as it enhances the image quality. Remember, a projector screen helps do away with the disruption of the projected image’s color, detail, and clarity, which is mainly caused by excessive ambient light. You can learn more about projector screens by reading our full projector screens review.
It’s wonderful how Epson included built-in speakers in the Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector. Imagine how difficult it would have been to buy an expensive projector and external speakers that produce great sound.
However, this does not mean you cannot connect the projector to external speakers. In fact, Epson has included two options that allow you to do so – via Bluetooth or via the 3.5mm audio out port.
The built-in speakers produce good sound quality that is balanced. You, of course, cannot compare this projector’s sound quality to that of a soundbar. And you’ll definitely need to acquire external speakers if you intend to use this projector in larger rooms.
Here’s the deal:
Regarding overall performance, picture, and sound quality, we are confident that the Epson 3800 projector has it all. Being a high-end projector, it delivers excellent picture and sound quality and has a straightforward interface that allows you to operate it with minimal effort.
Wrap-up on the Epson Home Cinema 3800 Projector
The Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector is certainly one of the most popular high-end projectors you can buy today. While this projector’s portability is extremely limited, you’ll certainly love its picture and sound quality.
So, if you are looking for a high-performance projector that you can use to game or watch your favorite movies and series at home, we strongly recommend going for the Epson 3800 projector. You can check out availability and price by clicking here.
