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Sony VPL VW890ES Review | 84 Data compared

Avg. price:~£28,890Native panel resolution:4096x2160ANSI lumens:2200Throw ratio:1.35-2.9:1Lamp life:20000 hours

Sony VPL VW890ES Review: Compare 84 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony VPL VW890ES
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 73% of models
Score components

90%

7.2

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–²Better than 73% of projectors
5.3

Value for money

Value for money
5.3/ 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–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 87%
7.2

Technical score

Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Projectors category across these key areas: Image Quality, Projection & Lens, HDMI & Gaming, Connectivity, Audio & Features, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

42%

7.5

Image Quality

22%

8.2

Projection & Lens

12%

6.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.9

Audio & Features

8%

5.3

Connectivity

6%

7.9

Design & Power

â–²Better than 75%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • sony-vpl-vw890es
sony-vpl-vw890es
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 Sony VPL VW890ES

Technical score
Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Projectors category across these key areas: Image Quality, Projection & Lens, HDMI & Gaming, Connectivity, Audio & Features, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components:

42%

7.5

Image Quality

22%

8.2

Projection & Lens

12%

6.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.9

Audio & Features

8%

5.3

Connectivity

6%

7.9

Design & Power

7.2
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Sony VPL VW890ES has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 64.5% of projectors.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
5.3/ 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–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

5.3
ANSI lumens
2,200
Market range: <250 – >4k
This projector reaches 2,200 ANSI lumens, brighter than 45.9% of projectors and equal to 4.7% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
14,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 14000:1, higher than 54.7% of projectors and equal to 0.1% of projectors.
Native contrast ratio.
Native panel resolution
4096x2160
This projector uses a native resolution of 4096x2160, higher than 95.3% of projectors and equal to 4.7% of projectors.
Output Resolution
4096x2160
This projector supports output resolution up to 4096x2160, higher than 95.3% of projectors and equal to 3.6% of projectors.
Projection technology
LCoS
Show more
Throw ratio
1.35-2.9:1
Min throw distance
?
Max projection size
300 inch
Market range: <100 inch – >300 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.9% of projectors and equal to 37.9% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
?
Motorized zoom
yes
This projector has motorized zoom. 83.8% of projectors have motorized zoom.
Show more
Input lag
52.3 ms
Market range: <8 ms – >68 ms
This projector has input lag of 52.3 ms, higher than 81.9% of projectors.
In Game Mode at 4K/60Hz.
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not support ALLM. 17.2% of projectors support ALLM.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support VRR. 1.6% of projectors support VRR.
HDMI version
2
This projector supports HDMI 2, more modern than 45.3% of projectors and equal to 36.8% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
18 Gbps
Market range: <10 Gbps – >50 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 18 Gbps, higher than 47.7% of projectors and equal to 40.1% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
2
Market range: <1 – >6
This projector has 2 HDMI port/s, more than 45% of projectors and equal to 47.7% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This projector does not support Wi-Fi. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have smart TV features. 43.8% of projectors have smart TV features.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 18.8% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 35.2% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.6% of projectors include a remote control.
Show more
Light source type
laser
This projector uses laser light source technology, more advanced than 74% of projectors and equal to 26% of projectors.
Laser diode.
Laser Light Source
yes
This projector uses a laser light source. 72% of projectors use a laser light source.
Lamp life
20,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 34.4% of projectors and equal to 27.6% of projectors.
Laser light source life.
Lamp life (eco mode)
20,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 36.3% of projectors and equal to 19% of projectors.
Eco mode rating.
Operating power consumption
490 W
Market range: <50 W – >400 W
This projector uses 490 W of power, more than 97.4% of projectors and equal to 0.4% of projectors.
Show more

Sony VPL VW890ES vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • Higher output resolution
    This projector supports a higher output resolution than the average projector (4096x2160 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    4096x2160 vs 1920x1080
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (87% BT.2020 % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    87% BT.2,020 % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • High native resolution
    This projector has a higher native panel resolution than the average projector (4096x2160 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    4096x2160 vs 1920x1080
  • Supports lens memory
    This projector supports lens memory, while the average projector does not. 9% of projectors support lens memory.
  • Has motorized zoom
    This projector has motorized zoom, while the average projector does not. 16.3% of projectors have motorized zoom.
  • Supports frame interpolation
    This projector supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 37.1% of projectors support frame interpolation.
    Via Motionflow.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers Advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). The average projector uses manual focus control.
    motorized vs manual
  • Uses laser light source
    This projector uses a laser light source, while the average projector does not. 28.1% of projectors use a laser light source.
  • Higher output resolution
    This projector supports a higher output resolution than the average projector (4096x2160 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    4096x2160 vs 1920x1080
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (87% BT.2020 % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    87% BT.2,020 % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • High native resolution
    This projector has a higher native panel resolution than the average projector (4096x2160 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    4096x2160 vs 1920x1080
  • Supports HLG
    This projector supports HLG, while the average projector does not. 42.7% of projectors support HLG.
  • Higher contrast ratio
    This projector has a higher contrast ratio than the average projector (14000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Native contrast ratio.
    14,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • Supports lens memory
    This projector supports lens memory, while the average projector does not. 9% of projectors support lens memory.
  • Has motorized zoom
    This projector has motorized zoom, while the average projector does not. 16.3% of projectors have motorized zoom.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers Advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). The average projector uses manual focus control.
    motorized vs manual
  • 20 % more vertical lens shift
    This projector has more vertical lens shift than the average projector (80 % vs 60 %). The average projector has 60 % vertical lens shift.
    80 % vs 60 %
  • 53.5 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 246.5 inch). The average projector has 246.5 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 246.5 inch
  • Motorized focus
    This projector supports motorized focus, while the average projector does not. 47.2% of projectors support motorized focus.
  • Supports frame interpolation
    This projector supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 37.1% of projectors support frame interpolation.
    Via Motionflow.
  • 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
  • Uses laser light source
    This projector uses a laser light source, while the average projector does not. 28.1% of projectors use a laser light source.
  • 6 dB quieter operation
    This projector has a lower audible noise than the average projector (24 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.
    24 dB vs 30 dB
  • 4 dB quieter eco mode
    This projector has a lower audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (24 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    24 dB vs 28 dB
  • No Wi-Fi support
    This projector does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No Bluetooth support
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
  • 25.3 ms higher input lag
    This projector has a higher input lag than the average projector (52.3 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    In Game Mode at 4K/60Hz.
    52.3 ms vs 27 ms
  • 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
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No built-in speaker
    This projector drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
  • 7.1x heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (22 kg vs 3.1 kg). The average projector weighs 3.1 kg.
    22 kg vs 3.1 kg
  • 37.52x more expensive
    Sony VPL VW890ES is more expensive than the average projector (£28,890 vs £770).
    £28,890 vs £770
  • 37.52x more expensive
    Sony VPL VW890ES is more expensive than the average projector (£28,890 vs £770).
    £28,890 vs £770
  • 4.87x less popular
    Sony VPL VW890ES has a lower popularity than the average projector (1 vs 4.9).
    1 vs 4.87
  • 22.3% worse value for money
    Sony VPL VW890ES has a lower value-for-money score than the average projector (5.32 vs 6.5).
    5.32 vs 6.51
  • 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
  • 25.3 ms higher input lag
    This projector has a higher input lag than the average projector (52.3 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    In Game Mode at 4K/60Hz.
    52.3 ms vs 27 ms
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No Wi-Fi support
    This projector does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No Bluetooth support
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    This projector does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack, while the average projector does. 82.9% of projectors include a 3.5 mm audio jack.
  • No built-in speaker
    This projector drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
  • 7.1x heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (22 kg vs 3.1 kg). The average projector weighs 3.1 kg.
    22 kg vs 3.1 kg
  • 255 W higher power use
    This projector uses more power than the average projector (490 W vs 235 W). The average projector uses 235 W of power.
    490 W vs 235 W
  • 260 mm wider body
    This projector is wider than the average projector (560 mm vs 300 mm). The average projector has a width of 300 mm.
    560 mm vs 300 mm
  • 351 mm thicker body
    This projector is thicker than the average projector (496 mm vs 145 mm). The average projector has a thickness of 145 mm.
    496 mm vs 145 mm
  • 96 mm taller body
    This projector is taller than the average projector (223 mm vs 127 mm). The average projector has a height of 127 mm.
    223 mm vs 127 mm

Video reviews

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

9.5
FM-Audio Germany
≈ estimated
06/11/2021
Hands-on review · two-week demo cinema test · measurements
Verdict
Sony VPL-VW890ES is a full recommendation for buyers with a big budget; it is the sharpest home cinema projector we've tested.
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony VPL VW890ES

  • Breathtakingly sharp native 4K picture quality powered by the ARC-F all-glass lens
  • Exceptional brightness and HDR performance for a cinematic experience in larger rooms
  • Top-tier motion processing and upscaling of lower-resolution content
  • Fully motorised focus, zoom, and lens shift for flexible installation
  • Quiet operation despite the high-power laser light source
  • Support for active 3D with a built-in emitter

What customers don't like about Sony VPL VW890ES

  • Extremely high price point makes it a 'cost-no-object' luxury item
  • Black levels, while great, may not match the absolute depth found in competing JVC D-ILA models
  • Lacks support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats
  • HDMI inputs do not support 4K/120Hz playback for high-end gaming
  • 3D glasses are not included in the box despite the high price
  • Heats up significantly during HDR playback, requiring proper ventilation

Verdict

The Sony VPL-VW890ES is a high-end native 4K (4096 x 2160) laser projector featuring three SXRD panels and a 2,200-lumen Z-Phosphor laser light source rated for 20,000 hours. It is powered by the X1 for Projector processor, which enables advanced features like Dynamic HDR Enhancer and Dual Contrast Control through its independent laser and iris management. A standout characteristic is the premium 18-element All-Range Crisp Focus (ARC-F) all-glass lens, delivering exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. Key pros include outstanding native 4K detail, industry-leading Motionflow processing for smooth motion, and deep, inky black levels supported by a 2.1x motorized zoom and lens shift. However, it lacks HDMI 2.1 support for 4K/120Hz gaming, does not include 3D glasses in the box, and carries a significant price premium that may be difficult to justify over lower-tier models.

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