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Sony VPL HW45ES Review | 85 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£1,940
  • Avg. price in US: ~$2,000
  • ANSI lumens: 1800
  • Native panel resolution: 1920x1080
  • Throw ratio: 1.36-2.16:1

Sony VPL HW45ES review. Compare 85 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among projectors and if it is worth buying.

5.2

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the projector's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best projectors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.9

Technical Score

10.0%

7.7

User score

Good
4.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the projector's technical performance, covering eight key areas: image quality, brightness, contrast, connectivity, gaming features, smart features, audio, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

42.0%

5.5

Image Quality

22.0%

5.3

Projection & Lens

12.0%

5.1

HDMI & Gaming

10.0%

2.6

Audio & Features

8.0%

3.0

Connectivity

6.0%

4.9

Design & Power

Poor
7.7

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.

When it matters: When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

10

User reviews

30.0%

2.3

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
5.0
(9)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Very good
  • 7.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    8.6

    Input lag

    25.0%

    5.8

    Refresh rate

    20.0%

    8.6

    Output Resolution

    10.0%

    1.0

    HDR10 support

    10.0%

    ?

    Audio output power

  • 3.8
    Portable

    Score components:

    35.0%

    5.0

    Weight

    20.0%

    ?

    Has A Built-In Speaker

    15.0%

    1.0

    Bluetooth connectivity

    15.0%

    1.0

    Wi-Fi connectivity

    15.0%

    1.0

    Smart TV features

  • 4.8
    Home theatre

    Score components:

    30.0%

    8.6

    Output Resolution

    25.0%

    1.0

    HDR10 support

    20.0%

    1.0

    Dolby Vision support

    15.0%

    5.1

    ANSI lumens

    10.0%

    10

    Audible noise

  • sony-vpl-hw45es
sony-vpl-hw45es

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a high-performance Full HD (1080p) home cinema projector featuring three-chip SXRD technology and 1,800 ANSI lumens of brightness, making it suitable for both dedicated dark rooms and spaces with moderate ambient light. It boasts advanced image processing, including Reality Creation for enhanced sharpness and Motionflow for fluid action sequences, alongside a remarkably low input lag of approximately 22ms that appeals strongly to gamers. Installation is highly flexible thanks to a 1.6x manual zoom lens and extensive horizontal and vertical lens shift, while its front-facing exhaust and whisper-quiet 22dB fan allow for easy placement against walls. Main pros include exceptional out-of-the-box colour accuracy, deep black levels for its class, and a long-lasting lamp rated for up to 6,000 hours in Eco mode. However, notable cons include the lack of a dynamic iris, which limits absolute contrast compared to higher-end models, the absence of 4K or HDR support, and the fact that 3D glasses are not included in the standard package.

Technical Specifications of Sony VPL HW45ES

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the projector's technical performance, covering eight key areas: image quality, brightness, contrast, connectivity, gaming features, smart features, audio, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

42.0%

5.5

Image Quality

22.0%

5.3

Projection & Lens

12.0%

5.1

HDMI & Gaming

10.0%

2.6

Audio & Features

8.0%

3.0

Connectivity

6.0%

4.9

Design & Power

4.9
Sony VPL HW45ES has a technical score of 4.88 points, which is lower than 86.6% of projectors.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.

When it matters: When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

10

User reviews

30.0%

2.3

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
5.0
(9)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.7
Sony VPL HW45ES has a user score of 7.69 points, which is lower than 67.1% of projectors.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters: When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
2.3
Sony VPL HW45ES has a popularity of 2.3 points, which is higher than 52% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

5.2

Overall score

40.0%

1.0

Price

3.9
Sony VPL HW45ES has a quality-to-price ratio of 3.9 points, which is lower than 98.2% of products in this category.
ANSI lumens
What it is: Brightness output measured in ANSI lumens.
When it matters: When you watch with ambient light or on a large screen, higher brightness matters.

Importance: HIGH

1,800
Sony VPL HW45ES reaches 1800 ANSI lumens, dimmer than 60.5% of projectors and equal to 1.8% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
What it is: Ratio of brightest white to darkest black displayed by the projector.
When it matters: When you watch movies in a dark room, stronger contrast matters.

Importance: HIGH

5,000:1
Sony VPL HW45ES has a contrast ratio of 5000:1, lower than 57.8% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Native contrast ratio.
Native panel resolution
What it is: Native resolution of the display panel or imaging device.
When it matters: When picture sharpness matters enough that you want to know the projector's true native imaging resolution, not just supported input formats.

Importance: HIGH

1920x1080
Sony VPL HW45ES uses a native resolution of 1920x1080, higher than 26.2% of projectors and equal to 60.1% of projectors.
Output Resolution
What it is: The resolution the projector can actually display through its imaging system.
When it matters: When you want to know the actual image detail the projector can put on screen rather than just the source format it accepts.

Importance: HIGH

1920x1080
Sony VPL HW45ES supports output resolution up to 1920x1080, higher than 24.9% of projectors and equal to 41% of projectors.
Projection technology
What it is: Projection imaging technology used by the projector.
When it matters: When color character, contrast behavior, and overall image personality matter before you compare brightness alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

LCoS
Show more
Throw ratio
What it is: Ratio between projection distance and image width.
When it matters: When room size and screen size have to match properly instead of guessing whether the projector will fit the space.

Importance: MEDIUM

1.36-2.16:1
Min throw distance
What it is: Minimum distance required between projector and screen.
When it matters: When room depth is limited and you still need a large image from a short placement distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

1.2 m
Sony VPL HW45ES needs a minimum throw distance of 1.2 m, longer than 59.4% of projectors and equal to 8.9% of projectors.
Minimum throw distance is 1.2 m for a 40-inch screen.
Max projection size
What it is: Maximum supported image size for projection, measured diagonally.
When it matters: When you want a cinema-size picture, maximum projection size matters.

Importance: MEDIUM

300 inch
Sony VPL HW45ES supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.8% of projectors and equal to 38% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
What it is: Optical zoom capability expressed as a ratio.
When it matters: When projector placement is not ideal and you need optical zoom to frame the image correctly.

Importance: MEDIUM

1.6
Sony VPL HW45ES offers a zoom ratio of 1.6, wider than 58.4% of projectors and equal to 18.6% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
What it is: Motorized control of the optical zoom function.
When it matters: When the projector position is fixed but screen size or framing still needs to be adjusted from a distance.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not have motorized zoom. 16.3% of projectors have motorized zoom.
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Input lag
What it is: Time delay between input signal and displayed image, measured in milliseconds.
When it matters: When gaming responsiveness matters and you want controls to feel more immediate on fast titles.

Importance: MEDIUM

22 ms
Sony VPL HW45ES has input lag of 22 ms, lower than 59% of projectors and equal to 0.2% of projectors.
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
What it is: Automatically reduces input lag when gaming.
When it matters: When you play fast games, lower latency matters.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not support ALLM. 20.3% of projectors support ALLM.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
What it is: Support for variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
When it matters: When gaming matters and you want the projector to handle variable frame rates with less tearing or stutter.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not support VRR. 1.9% of projectors support VRR.
HDMI version
What it is: Version of the HDMI standard supported.
When it matters: When source devices push newer HDMI features, refresh rates, or bandwidth levels that older ports may limit.

Importance: LOW

1.4
Sony VPL HW45ES supports HDMI 1.4, older than 54.6% of projectors and equal to 34.1% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
What it is: Maximum bandwidth supported by HDMI inputs, measured in Gbps.
When it matters: When newer consoles, gaming PCs, or media boxes need more HDMI throughput than older projectors can handle.

Importance: LOW

10.2 Gbps
Sony VPL HW45ES supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 52.1% of projectors and equal to 45.4% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
What it is: Number of available HDMI input ports.
When it matters: When you need a console, streamer, set-top box, and another source connected at the same time without swapping cables.

Importance: LOW

2
Sony VPL HW45ES has 2 HDMI port/s, more than 45.5% of projectors and equal to 47% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Support for Wi-Fi network connectivity.
When it matters: When the projector should handle network features, updates, or streaming functions without needing wired Ethernet only.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not support Wi-Fi. 52.7% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Supported Wi-Fi standard version.
When it matters: When wireless stability and throughput matter for streaming, updates, or projector ecosystem features.

Importance: LOW

N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
What it is: Support for Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
When it matters: When you plan to pair wireless speakers, headphones, remotes, or other accessories directly with the projector.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not support Bluetooth. 50% of projectors support Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Supported Bluetooth version.
When it matters: When wireless accessory compatibility and connection quality matter beyond Bluetooth being a simple checkbox.

Importance: LOW

N/A
Show more
Smart TV features
What it is: Includes built-in Smart TV functions or operating system.
When it matters: When you prefer built-in apps and streaming convenience instead of adding an external media stick or box.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not have smart TV features. 43.8% of projectors have smart TV features.
Operating system
What it is: The built-in software platform that runs the projector interface, streaming apps, and smart features.
When it matters: When you care about which apps are available, how modern the smart interface feels, and whether the projector includes a built-in streaming platform.

Importance: LOW

none
Android OS

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Dedicated smartphone app
What it is: Availability of a dedicated smartphone control app.
When it matters: When you want setup, input switching, or basic control handled from your phone without always reaching for a remote.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 35.6% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
What it is: Comes with a dedicated remote control for operation.
When it matters: When you want easier everyday control without extra gear, built-in convenience features matter.

Importance: LOW

yes
Sony VPL HW45ES includes a remote control. 1.6% of projectors include a remote control.
Show more
Light source type
What it is: Type of light source used by the projector.
When it matters: When maintenance expectations, startup behavior, brightness stability, and long-term running costs all matter in the buying decision.

Importance: LOW

lamp
Sony VPL HW45ES uses lamp light source technology, less advanced than 67.1% of projectors and equal to 33% of projectors.
Laser Light Source
What it is: Whether the projector uses a laser light source instead of a traditional lamp.
When it matters: When lower maintenance, faster startup, and a lamp-free light engine matter over the long term.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony VPL HW45ES does not use a laser light source. 28.1% of projectors use a laser light source.
Lamp life
What it is: Expected operational lifespan of the lamp in standard mode, measured in hours.
When it matters: When you care about running costs and maintenance intervals, light-source lifespan matters.

Importance: LOW

6,000 hours
Sony VPL HW45ES offers lamp life of 6000 hours, longer than 67.2% of projectors and equal to 2.9% of projectors.
Eco mode rating.
Lamp life (eco mode)
What it is: Expected operational lifespan of the lamp in eco mode, measured in hours.
When it matters: When you care about running costs and maintenance intervals, light-source lifespan matters.

Importance: LOW

6,000 hours
Sony VPL HW45ES offers eco-mode lamp life of 6000 hours, longer than 79.5% of projectors and equal to 7% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
What it is: Average power consumption during normal operation.
When it matters: When electricity use and heat output matter because the projector runs for long sessions or frequent daily use.

Importance: LOW

310 W
Sony VPL HW45ES uses 310 W of power, more than 71.9% of projectors and equal to 1.3% of projectors.
Show more

Sony VPL HW45ES vs the average projector

  • Supports frame interpolation
    Sony VPL HW45ES supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 39.9% of projectors support frame interpolation.
    Via Motionflow.
    What it is: Support for frame interpolation to smooth motion.
    When it matters: When you watch sports or camera pans and want motion to look smoother than basic playback allows.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 39.9% of projectors support frame interpolation.
  • 8 dB quieter operation
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower audible noise than the average projector (22 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.
    What it is: Sound level produced during operation, measured in decibels.
    When it matters: When you watch in a quiet room close to the projector, lower noise matters.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower audible noise than the average projector (22 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.22 dB vs 30 dB
  • 0.3 2x wider zoom range
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a higher zoom ratio than the average projector (1.6 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
    What it is: Optical zoom capability expressed as a ratio.
    When it matters: When projector placement is not ideal and you need optical zoom to frame the image correctly.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony VPL HW45ES has a higher zoom ratio than the average projector (1.6 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.1.6 vs 1.3
  • 6 dB quieter eco mode
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (22 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    Eco mode figure.
    What it is: Sound level produced in eco or quiet mode, measured in decibels.
    When it matters: When you watch in a quiet room close to the projector, lower noise matters.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (22 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.22 dB vs 28 dB
  • 50 inch larger image size
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    What it is: Maximum supported image size for projection, measured diagonally.
    When it matters: When you want a cinema-size picture, maximum projection size matters.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony VPL HW45ES 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
  • 11 % more vertical lens shift
    Sony VPL HW45ES has more vertical lens shift than the average projector (71 % vs 60 %). The average projector has 60 % vertical lens shift.
    What it is: Vertical lens shift adjustment range for image positioning.
    When it matters: When you want installation flexibility without depending only on digital keystone correction.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony VPL HW45ES has more vertical lens shift than the average projector (71 % vs 60 %). The average projector has 60 % vertical lens shift.71 % vs 60 %
  • 0.3 2x wider zoom range
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a higher zoom ratio than the average projector (1.6 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
  • 50 inch larger image size
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
  • 11 % more vertical lens shift
    Sony VPL HW45ES has more vertical lens shift than the average projector (71 % vs 60 %). The average projector has 60 % vertical lens shift.
  • Supports frame interpolation
    Sony VPL HW45ES supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 39.9% of projectors support frame interpolation.
  • 8 dB quieter operation
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower audible noise than the average projector (22 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.
  • 6 dB quieter eco mode
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (22 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.

Total
Projection & Lens
HDMI & Gaming
Design & Power
  • No HDR10 support
    Sony VPL HW45ES does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 56.3% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
  • 18.2% dimmer image
    Sony VPL HW45ES has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (1,800 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
  • Lower contrast ratio
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (5000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Native contrast ratio.
  • 0.14 m longer throw distance
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a higher throw distance than the average projector (1.2 m vs 1.06 m). The average projector has 1.06 m of throw distance.
    Minimum throw distance is 1.2 m for a 40-inch screen.
  • 5 % less horizontal lens shift
    Sony VPL HW45ES has fewer horizontal lens shift than the average projector (25 % vs 30 %). The average projector has 30 % horizontal lens shift.
  • 5 degrees less horizontal keystone correction
    Sony VPL HW45ES offers less horizontal keystone correction than the average projector (25 degrees degrees vs 30 degrees degrees). The average projector offers 30 degrees degrees of horizontal keystone correction.
  • Limited HDMI format
    Sony VPL HW45ES 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.
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
  • Older HDMI version
    Sony VPL HW45ES has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.0). The average projector supports HDMI 2.0.
  • No Wi-Fi support
    Sony VPL HW45ES does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.6% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    Sony VPL HW45ES does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack, while the average projector does. 82.2% of projectors include a 3.5 mm audio jack.
  • No built-in speaker
    Sony VPL HW45ES drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
  • Basic light source
    Sony VPL HW45ES has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
  • 14,000 hours shorter lamp life
    Sony VPL HW45ES 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.
  • 2.9x heavier weight
    Sony VPL HW45ES is heavier than the average projector (9 kg vs 3.1 kg). The average projector weighs 3.1 kg.
  • 14,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
  • 76.1 W higher power use
    Sony VPL HW45ES uses more power than the average projector (310 W vs 233.9 W). The average projector uses 233.9 W of power.
  • 107.9 mm wider body
    Sony VPL HW45ES is wider than the average projector (407.4 mm vs 299.5 mm). The average projector has a width of 299.5 mm.
  • 52.2 mm taller body
    Sony VPL HW45ES is taller than the average projector (179.2 mm vs 127 mm). The average projector has a height of 127 mm.
  • 5 older model
    Sony VPL HW45ES was released earlier than the average projector (2,016 vs 2,021). The average projector was released in 2,021.
    June 2016
  • No HDR10 support
    Sony VPL HW45ES does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 56.3% of projectors support HDR10.
    What it is: Support for HDR10 high dynamic range standard.
    When it matters: When you want the projector to handle mainstream HDR movie and streaming content instead of standard dynamic range only.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony VPL HW45ES does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 56.3% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Limited HDMI format
    Sony VPL HW45ES 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.
    What it is: Highest HDMI input format supported by the projector.
    When it matters: When you want to confirm the exact signal format the projector can accept from high-end modern sources.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony VPL HW45ES 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
    Sony VPL HW45ES has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    What it is: Type of light source used by the projector.
    When it matters: When maintenance expectations, startup behavior, brightness stability, and long-term running costs all matter in the buying decision.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.lamp vs laser
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
    What it is: Number of bits per color channel for color depth.
    When it matters: When you care about accurate tones and refined image quality, color precision matters.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.8 bit vs 10 bit
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    Sony VPL HW45ES has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    What it is: Maximum bandwidth supported by HDMI inputs, measured in Gbps.
    When it matters: When newer consoles, gaming PCs, or media boxes need more HDMI throughput than older projectors can handle.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES 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 support
    Sony VPL HW45ES does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.6% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
    What it is: Support for Wi-Fi network connectivity.
    When it matters: When the projector should handle network features, updates, or streaming functions without needing wired Ethernet only.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.6% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • Older HDMI version
    Sony VPL HW45ES has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.0). The average projector supports HDMI 2.0.
    What it is: Version of the HDMI standard supported.
    When it matters: When source devices push newer HDMI features, refresh rates, or bandwidth levels that older ports may limit.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.0). The average projector supports HDMI 2.0.1.4 vs 2.0
  • No built-in speaker
    Sony VPL HW45ES drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
    What it is: Whether the projector includes a built-in speaker for basic sound output.
    When it matters: When you want basic sound without carrying extra speakers for quick setups, travel use, or casual viewing.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony VPL HW45ES drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
Total
Overall
Image Quality
Projection & Lens
HDMI & Gaming
Connectivity
Audio & Features
Design & Power

Graphic comparison of Sony VPL HW45ES and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
5.0
9 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sony VPL HW45ES?

  • Excellent colour accuracy right out of the box
  • Whisper-quiet operation at 22dB in low mode
  • Very low input lag (approx. 22ms) making it ideal for gaming
  • Impressive brightness (1,800 lumens) suitable for dedicated theatres or media rooms
  • High placement flexibility with a 1.6x manual zoom and lens shift
  • Reality Creation engine provides sharp, detailed images without looking artificial
  • Long lamp life of up to 6,000 hours in eco/low mode

What customers dislike about Sony VPL HW45ES?

  • Lacks a dynamic iris, leading to slightly weaker black levels compared to higher-end models
  • No 3D glasses included in the box
  • Not 4K UHD or HDR compatible
  • Relatively large and heavy chassis compared to some competitors
  • Limited input selection with only two HDMI ports and no legacy analog inputs
  • Can introduce image noise/hardness if Reality Creation settings are pushed too high
  • 3D images can appear significantly dimmer than 2D

Expert reviews

A
avforums.com
26/07/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES 1080p SXRD Projector Review - AVForums

The AVForums review concludes the Sony VPL-HW45ES is an exceptional value-for-money 1080p SXRD projector, boasting out-of-the-box color accuracy, a fast 22ms input lag, and efficient motion handling. The unit, featuring Reality Creation processing, delivers high-quality picture performance for both home cinema and gaming enthusiasts. Conversely, the unit lacks a dynamic iris for...Read more

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projectorreviews.com
27/08/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES Projector Review - Performance 1

Here is a detailed summary of the Sony VPL-HW45ES projector review: The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a highly capable 1080p home theater projector that functions as a "light cannon," delivering impressive brightness across its various picture modes. In Game mode, it maxes out at 1,710 lumens, while the highly accurate Reference mode offers 1,385 lumens pre-calibration and 1,335 lumens...Read more

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insideci.co.uk
17/08/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES projector review - Inside CI

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a well-built, 9kg Full HD home cinema projector that improves upon its predecessor with an uprated 1800-lumen lamp and a 6000-hour eco-mode lifespan. It excels in a dedicated cinema room, delivering impressive "straight out of the box" image quality with accurate colour fidelity, excellent black levels, and deep shadow detail during dark movie scenes. Gamers...Read more

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whathifi.com
10/10/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES review - What Hi-Fi?

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a highly talented Full HD projector that sets new performance standards for its price point. It features an unassuming, compact design available in light grey or black, making it easy to integrate into any living room or home cinema without dominating the space. Setting up the device is exceptionally simple, requiring only a few quick adjustments to the lens...Read more

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soundandvision.com
30/03/2017
Sony VPL-HW45ES 3D SXRD Projector Review

The Sound & Vision review highlights the Sony VPL-HW45ES as a standout 1080p SDR projector, praising its whisper-quiet fan, exceptional out-of-the-box color accuracy in Reference mode, and top-tier 3D performance without crosstalk. Pros include effective Reality Creation detail enhancement and excellent contrast, while cons involve the lack of 4K/HDR, a need to disable Motionflow...Read more

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projectorcentral.com
12/04/2017
Review Update: Sony VPL-HW45ES

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a Full HD (1080p) 3D home theater projector praised for delivering outstanding image depth, vibrant colors, and deep black levels using its three-chip SXRD technology. Key strengths highlighted in the review include its exceptionally low 22 ms input lag in Game mode, making it an excellent choice for video gamers. Additionally, it offers a robust 1.6x manual...Read more

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ign.com
21/06/2018
Sony VPL-HW45ES SXRD Projector Review Would you like to compare this model's gaming performance (input lag) or lamp life against newer 4K alternatives...

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a 1080p SXRD projector designed to deliver highly immersive, wall-sized visuals for gaming and home cinema, projecting images up to 160 inches. It features a centered lens layout with standard 1.6x manual zoom, focus rings, and flexible manual lens shifting capability. While it foregoes modern 4K resolution and HDR processing in favour of standard SDR, its...Read more

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trustedreviews.com
11/08/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES Review

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is highly rated as an exceptional Full HD home cinema projector offering gorgeous 2D image quality with rich, natural colors and deep black levels. It stands out for its 15ms input lag in low-latency mode, making it an excellent choice for gaming. However, the projector’s 3D performance is hindered by low brightness, and it does not include 3D glasses....Read more

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homecinemachoice.com
24/08/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES review

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is praised for delivering exceptional 2D picture performance, featuring high-contrast, natural, and sharp images alongside remarkably quiet operation in low lamp mode. While offering superb value for a projector of its price, it does not achieve the same deep black levels found on more expensive JVC LCoS competitors. homecinemachoice.com The unit features crisp...Read more

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projectorreviews.com
27/08/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES Projector: Picture Quality

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is an exceptional sub-$2000 home theater projector that delivers highly impressive, natural "out-of-the-box" picture quality. Built on LCoS technology with excellent color tables, it produces incredibly lifelike skin tones and highly accurate textures, particularly when utilized in its "Reference" or calibrated "User" modes. Reviewers highlight its superior REC...Read more

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techradar.com
12/09/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES HD Projector review

The TechRadar review of the Sony VPL-HW45ES highly recommends this dedicated 1080p home cinema projector for serious cinephiles who want a big-screen experience without upgrading to 4K. The primary pros emphasized in the review include its top-class Full HD cinematic image quality, gorgeous colour fidelity, and a valuable boost in brightness compared to its predecessor. It handles...Read more

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projectorreviews.com
27/08/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES Home Theater Projector Review

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a high-quality 1080p home theater projector that offers an exceptional value proposition at its $1,999 price point. Utilizing a 3-panel SXRD technology, it produces a bright 1,800-lumen picture and stands out for its unmatched out-of-the-box color accuracy. It features an upgraded Reality Creation engine for enhanced image sharpness, 3D capabilities utilizing...Read more

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audiovision.de
18/11/2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES (Review) - audiovision

Sony VPL-HW45ES The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a high-quality, entry-level Full-HD home cinema projector that offers excellent build quality, an elegant design, and an incredibly quiet cooling system that runs at just 19.7 decibels in Eco mode. The projector stands out for its exceptional lens flexibility, featuring a 1.6x manual zoom optical system and a wide 2D lens shift capable of...Read more

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hifitest.de
19. Oktober 2016
Sony VPL-HW45ES - Projector Review - Very Good - hifitest.de

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a high-quality Full HD home cinema projector priced around €2,500, designed to replace the highly successful HW40 model. It is highly praised for its exceptionally quiet operation, keeping fan noise well under 30 dB even in standard lamp mode. The projector outputs a measured 1,300 lumens in standard mode (up to 1,800 manufacturer-rated lumens) and maintains...Read more

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heimkinoraum.de
24/06/2026
Sony HW45ES - Home Cinema Room

The HEIMKINORAUM review highlights the Sony HW45 ES as an exceptional Full HD projector designed for home cinema setups, emphasizing its competitive price-to-performance ratio. Boasting 1,800 ANSI Lumens, the device provides strong brightness suitable for living room use, ensuring sharp images and rich contrast even in dark scenes. Key strengths include its Reality Creation 2.0...Read more

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avstumpfl.com
01/06/2026
fotoforum Review: Sony VPL-HW45

The Sony VPL-HW45 is a high-quality Full-HD home cinema projector priced at around €2,500 that utilizes three SXRD (LCoS) chips to deliver exceptionally sharp, fluid, and "pixel-free" images. In testing, it excels at displaying photographs and videos, offering highly natural skin tones and a near-perfect sRGB color space coverage that closely matches calibrated professional...Read more

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rehders.de
23/08/2016
Review: SONY VPL-HW45 - Michael B. Rehders", "Test: SONY VPL-HW45 - Michael B. Rehders

The review highlights several prominent advantages alongside a few functional limitations. On the positive side (Pros), the projector offers exceptional calibrated brightness of 1180 lumens, an excellent native contrast ratio of 7073:1, near-perfect color accuracy straight from the box, a highly efficient color management system, and reliable RF-based 3D with active Frame...Read more

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cinemotion.biz
23/09/2016
Sony VPL-HW45 Review by Performances Home Cinema

The review evaluates the REC709 video calibration performance of the Sony VPL-HW45ES projector under three specific testing conditions: out-of-the-box Reference mode (lamp on low), manual calibration using Sony Image Director 3 software (lamp on high), and advanced 3DLUT external calibration via a Windows 7 PC running madVR (lamp on high). Conducted by Alexandre from Performances...Read more

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fr.linkedin.com
21/09/2017
TEST: SONY VPLHW45ES – A High-Performance Home Cinema Projector", "REVIEW: SONY VPLHW45ES – A High-Performance Home Theater Projector

The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a highly capable 1080p home theatre projector that uses proprietary SXRD projection technology to minimize pixel spacing and tightly regulate light output. According to the review, its standout strengths include deep black levels, exceptional contrast, and outstanding out-of-the-box color fidelity that requires no additional adjustment. This creates rich,...Read more

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mediasluis.nl
16/01/2016
Sony VPL-HW65ES Review (Including HW45ES Comparison)

The Sony VPL-HW65ES is an exceptional 2K Full HD projector utilizing Sony's reflective SXRD technology, which delivers a highly filmic, analog look with virtually no visible pixel structure. Following a professional ISF calibration, it produces incredibly accurate colors, a smooth 2.35 gamma curve, and a stellar brightness of 1,453 ANSI lumens in normal lamp mode. Its standout...Read more

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