OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
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

Sony VPL-EW226 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£400Native panel resolution:1280x800ANSI lumens:2600Throw ratio:1.4-2.27:1Lamp life:5000 hours

Sony VPL-EW226 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony VPL-EW226
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 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–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

35%

5.7

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–¼Worse than 69% of projectors
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 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–² Better than 64% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

â–²Better than 64%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 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 83% of models
Score components

42%

6.3

Image Quality

22%

5.5

Projection & Lens

12%

5.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.0

Audio & Features

8%

4.4

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 83%
?

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
  • sony-vpl-ew226
sony-vpl-ew226
Where to buy
    N/A~ £400
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 Sony VPL-EW226

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 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 83% of models
Score components:

42%

6.3

Image Quality

22%

5.5

Projection & Lens

12%

5.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.0

Audio & Features

8%

4.4

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Design & Power

5.7
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 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–² Better than 64% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

7.3
ANSI lumens
2,600
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 2,600 ANSI lumens, brighter than 56.8% of projectors and equal to 1.7% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
2,300:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 2300:1, lower than 71.2% of projectors and equal to 0.2% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
1280x800
This projector uses a native resolution of 1280x800, lower than 73.7% of projectors and equal to 8.2% of projectors.
Output resolution
1280x800
This projector supports output resolution up to 1280x800, lower than 74.8% of projectors and equal to 8.4% of projectors.
Projection technology
3LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
1.4-2.27:1
Min throw distance
?
Max projection size
300 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.5% of projectors and equal to 38% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.3
Market range: <1.1 – >2.06
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.3, wider than 42.5% of projectors and equal to 14.4% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
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
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10.2 Gbps – >48 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 51.2% of projectors and equal to 46.5% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 54.2% of projectors and equal to 42.9% 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
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 36.8% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone 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
5,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 5,000 hours, longer than 70.6% of projectors and equal to 5% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
7,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 7,000 hours, longer than 76.6% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
287 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 287 W of power, more than 66.1% of projectors and equal to 0.1% of projectors.
Show more

Sony VPL-EW226 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 4 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (4 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    Includes RCA stereo input.
    4 vs 0
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 60% stronger audio output
    This projector has a higher audio output power than the average projector (16 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    16 W vs 10 W
  • 18.2% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (2,600 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    2,600 vs 2,200
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 18.2% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (2,600 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    2,600 vs 2,200
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 4 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (4 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    Includes RCA stereo input.
    4 vs 0
  • 60% stronger audio output
    This projector has a higher audio output power than the average projector (16 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    16 W vs 10 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.
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • 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 HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2300:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    2,300:1 vs 10,000:1
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • 9 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2012 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    August 2012
    2012 vs 2021
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • 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).
    Different digital inputs use HDCP 1.4 and 1.3.
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 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 sleep timer
    This projector does not have a sleep timer, while the average projector does. 82.4% of projectors have one.
  • 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
  • 15,000 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (5,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    5,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 13,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (7,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    7,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 57 W higher power use
    This projector uses more power than the average projector (287 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    287 W vs 230 W
  • 68 mm wider body
    This projector is wider than the average projector (365 mm vs 297 mm). The average projector has a width of 297 mm.
    365 mm vs 297 mm
  • 30.9% heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (3.9 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    3.9 kg vs 2.98 kg

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony VPL-EW226

  • High lamp life of up to 7,000 hours in eco mode, reducing maintenance costs
  • Bright output of 2,600 lumens, suitable for classrooms with some ambient light
  • Energy-efficient features including 'ECO Picture Mute' for instant power saving
  • Flexible connectivity with multiple interfaces and optional wireless support
  • Powerful 16W built-in speaker, often sufficient for medium-sized rooms
  • Portable design that is lighter and more compact than many competitors

What customers don't like about Sony VPL-EW226

  • Limited native resolution (WXGA), which may lack sharpness for high-detail video
  • Older SXRD panels can be prone to color and contrast degradation over time
  • Lacks modern integrated smart TV features and built-in streaming apps
  • Requires an optional module for Wi-Fi, rather than having it built-in
  • Can be outclassed by newer 4K or laser-based models in terms of long-term color accuracy

Verdict

The Sony VPL-EW226 is an energy-efficient 3LCD portable projector featuring a native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, 2,600 ANSI lumens of brightness, and a 2300:1 contrast ratio. Its main characteristics include 3LCD BrightEraâ„¢ panel technology for accurate colour reproduction, a powerful 16W monaural speaker, and flexible connectivity with HDMI, dual VGA, and optional wireless modules. Main pros include a long lamp life of up to 7,000 hours in ECO mode, advanced energy-saving features like auto-lamp dimming, and a compact design weighing approximately 3.9 kg. Potential cons include its limited 2300:1 contrast ratio compared to home cinema models, the lack of native Full HD resolution, and the manual nature of its 1.3x optical zoom and focus adjustments.

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