OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

Epson Home Cinema 980 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£790Native panel resolution:1920x1080ANSI lumens:4000Throw ratio:?Lamp life:6000 hours

Epson Home Cinema 980 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Epson Home Cinema 980
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Score components

35%

6.4

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–²Better than 50% of projectors
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

6.3

Price

â–¼Worse than 54%
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

42%

7.4

Image Quality

22%

6.0

Projection & Lens

12%

6.4

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.8

Audio & Features

8%

5.4

Connectivity

6%

3.9

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 54%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.8.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector Epson Home Cinema 980

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components:

42%

7.4

Image Quality

22%

6.0

Projection & Lens

12%

6.4

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.8

Audio & Features

8%

5.4

Connectivity

6%

3.9

Design & Power

6.4
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

6.3

Price

6.9
ANSI lumens
4,000
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 4,000 ANSI lumens, brighter than 83.9% of projectors and equal to 6.6% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
16,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 16000:1, higher than 57% of projectors and equal to 1.7% of projectors.
Dynamic contrast ratio.
Native panel resolution
1920x1080
This projector uses a native resolution of 1920x1080, higher than 27% of projectors and equal to 59.2% of projectors.
Output resolution
1920x1080
This projector supports output resolution up to 1920x1080, higher than 25.9% of projectors and equal to 42.3% of projectors.
Projection technology
3LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
?
Min throw distance
?
Max projection size
337 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 337 inch, larger than 96% of projectors and equal to 0.1% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.2
Market range: <1.1 – >2.06
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.2, narrower than 59.8% of projectors and equal to 21.6% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
8 ms
Market range: <8 ms – >68 ms
This projector has input lag of 8 ms, lower than 88.5% of projectors and equal to 1.2% of projectors.
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
1.4
This projector supports HDMI 1.4, older than 54% of projectors and equal to 35.7% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
18 Gbps
Market range: <10.2 Gbps – >48 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 18 Gbps, higher than 48.9% of projectors and equal to 39.7% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 2 HDMI port/s, more than 45.9% of projectors and equal to 47.3% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.7% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have built-in smart TV features. 43.9% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 19.1% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
yes
This projector comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 63.3% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Epson iProjection app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Light source type
lamp
This projector uses lamp light source technology, less advanced than 66.5% of projectors and equal to 33.5% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
6,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 6,000 hours, longer than 66.8% of projectors and equal to 3.6% of projectors.
Eco mode rating.
Lamp life (eco mode)
12,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 12,000 hours, longer than 62.5% of projectors and equal to 2.2% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
349 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 349 W of power, more than 83.7% of projectors and equal to 0.1% of projectors.
Show more

Epson Home Cinema 980 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 81.8% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (4,000 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    4,000 vs 2,200
  • 87 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (337 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    337 inch vs 250 inch
  • Supports auto keystone correction
    This projector corrects keystone distortion automatically, while the average projector does not. 36.9% of projectors offer this.
  • 19 ms lower input lag
    This projector has a lower input lag than the average projector (8 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    8 ms vs 27 ms
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
    Epson iProjection app.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 4 more recent release
    This projector was released more recently than the average projector (2025 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    August 2025
    2025 vs 2021
  • Higher contrast ratio
    This projector has a higher contrast ratio than the average projector (16000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Dynamic contrast ratio.
    16,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 81.8% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (4,000 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    4,000 vs 2,200
  • 4 more recent release
    This projector was released more recently than the average projector (2025 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    August 2025
    2025 vs 2021
  • Higher contrast ratio
    This projector has a higher contrast ratio than the average projector (16000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Dynamic contrast ratio.
    16,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 87 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (337 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    337 inch vs 250 inch
  • Supports auto keystone correction
    This projector corrects keystone distortion automatically, while the average projector does not. 36.9% of projectors offer this.
  • 19 ms lower input lag
    This projector has a lower input lag than the average projector (8 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    8 ms vs 27 ms
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
    Epson iProjection app.
  • 0.2 W lower standby power
    This projector uses less standby power than the average projector (0.3 W vs 0.5 W). The average projector uses 0.5 W of standby power.
    0.3 W vs 0.5 W
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    lamp vs laser
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors offer this.
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.
    1.4 vs 2
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • 6 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (37 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    37 dB vs 31 dB
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not display 3D with glasses, while the average projector does. 54.4% of projectors offer 3D with glasses.
  • 0.1 2x narrower zoom range
    This projector has a lower zoom ratio than the average projector (1.2 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
    1.2 vs 1.3
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.
    1.4 vs 2
  • More outdated HDCP support
    This projector supports an older HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.2).
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors offer this.
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • 80% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (2 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    2 W vs 10 W
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    lamp vs laser
  • 6 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (37 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    37 dB vs 31 dB
  • 14,000 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    Eco mode rating.
    6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 119 W higher power use
    This projector uses more power than the average projector (349 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    349 W vs 230 W
  • 8,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (12,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    Eco mode rating.
    12,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 131.9 mm thicker body
    This projector is thicker than the average projector (281.9 mm vs 150 mm). The average projector has a thickness of 150 mm.
    281.9 mm vs 150 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Overview video
Overview video
Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Epson Home Cinema 980

  • High brightness (4,000 lumens) makes it usable even in well-lit rooms
  • Great picture quality with vibrant colors and sharp 1080p resolution
  • Beginner-friendly setup with automatic vertical keystone correction
  • Quiet operation, especially when used in ECO mode
  • Compact and lightweight design suitable for portable use or backyard movie nights
  • No 'rainbow effect' issues due to 3LCD technology

What customers don't like about Epson Home Cinema 980

  • Lack of built-in smart features, apps, or Wi-Fi connectivity
  • No built-in Bluetooth for wireless audio output
  • Poor internal speaker quality with low volume and little bass
  • Outdated and cumbersome menu system/software interface
  • Limited physical adjustments, such as the lack of lens shift
  • Noticeable input lag, making it less ideal for competitive gaming
  • Lamp-based light source has a shorter lifespan compared to newer laser models

Verdict

The Epson Home Cinema 980 is a powerful Full HD (1080p) projector featuring 3-chip 3LCD technology that delivers 4,000 lumens of equal color and white brightness, making it suitable for well-lit rooms. Key characteristics include a 16,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 1.2x optical zoom, and a large display capacity up to 300 inches, alongside two HDMI ports and a built-in 2W speaker. Its main pros are the exceptional image brightness and color accuracy without the 'rainbow effect' common in DLP models, further enhanced by easy setup tools like automatic vertical keystone correction. However, notable cons include a relatively low contrast ratio compared to high-end home cinema models, an outdated menu interface, and a lack of native smart platform support or Bluetooth connectivity.

Compare Epson Home Cinema 980 with other products in the Projectors category

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